‘It’s in the wardrobe of your old room with Mam’s bags and winter coats,’ says Annie.
‘Well, there you go.The fact that I didn’t know this shows what a serious musician I am these days.’
‘Dave should fully appreciate how cool you used to be,’ says Annie.‘A very long time ago.Obviously you’re old and boring now.’
‘Obviously,’ I say.
But old and boring Laura isn’t doing too badly, I think, as Dave and I bid farewell to the assembled gathering a few hours later and start walking home, hand in hand, to our flat in Glasnevin.
‘I can’t believe you’re even more of a rock star than I thought you were,’ says Dave.
‘I should have told you I was in a band with Tadhg before now,’ I say.
‘Why didn’t you?’says Dave.
He doesn’t sound angry.He very rarely gets annoyed about stuff.It’s one of the things I love about him.
‘I’ve never really told anyone,’ I say.‘I suppose … I suppose it felt like boasting.’
‘If I’d been in a band with Tadhg Hennessy,’ says Dave, ‘I’dbe boasting about it all the time.I don’t suppose this means you could get us VIP tickets to his Malahide Castle gig?’
I force a laugh.‘I haven’t seen him since the band split up in 2003, so no, I don’t think so.’
‘Fair enough,’ says Dave.We cross the bridge over the Tolka and he says, ‘I hope your mum had a good day.’
‘She’s had a great day,’ I say.‘She got to show off her perfect future son-in-law.’
‘Happy to be of service,’ he says.‘I wish I could say my mum’s birthday next week will be as fun.’
‘It’ll be great!’I lie.
‘It won’t,’ says Dave.‘But I love you for saying that.And I apologise in advance for whatever offensive things she’s going to say about you being from the northside.’
I laugh.‘Oh, I know I’m your bit of rough.’
‘You bet you are,’ says Dave with a grin, and kisses me.‘So!Do you fancy going to that food-festival thing tomorrow?’
‘Are you not going to visit Joe?’I say.
Dave’s oldest friend just finished his first round of chemotherapy.
‘Ah no,’ says Dave.‘I don’t want to bother him.’
I sigh.Not this again.
‘Dave!’I say.‘You haven’t seen him in ages.You know he wants visitors, he said so.’
‘I don’t think he meant it,’ says Dave.‘He’s still feeling shit.’
‘He did mean it!’I say.‘Come on, you need to show up for your friends at times like this.’
‘But I’m no good at that sort of thing!’protests Dave.‘I’d be no use.Seriously, Laura, me sitting in Joe’s house looking miserable isn’t going to help him.’
He looks genuinely upset so I say, ‘Okay, okay.But at least give him a ring.’
‘I will,’ says Dave.
It’s a mild evening, and as we head down Drumcondra Road we pass a couple pushing a buggy with a tiny newborn baby in it.
