“Boat. Boat. Boat.” Denny pointed around the harbor.
“Talkative little feller, isn’t he?”
Joey headed back down the stone steps. “He likes boats.”
Jacky’s help was invaluable. Joey had to admit it wasn’t a job they could do alone with a toddler, but they were soon unloaded and had the trays of lobster and prawns on the trolley they used to get up the hill to the hotel. It was too difficult to push the trolleyandthe buggy, so they perched Denny on top, warning him not to get too close to the lobsters.
Tierney came out of the hotel doors to meet them. “What the actual fuck, Joey?” She lifted Denny down.
“It’s fine. I said I’d watch him while Marianne has a rest.”
“You can’t go fishing with a baby.”
“He’s not a baby, are you, Denny?”
“Boat,” said Denny, walking along happily, his hand in Tierney’s.
“The kid likes boats, huh?”
“Loves them.”
They entered the rear doors of the hotel and Joey wheeled their catch into the kitchen. “Hey, Sam, can you take these lobsters, please?”
A young commis chef ran over and took the trolley, and Tierney led Joey through into reception.
Kasia looked up from her laptop and did a double-take when she saw little Denny.
“Is Marianne here, too?”
“Nope, Joey’s adding childcare to their list of duties.” Tierney lifted Denny onto the counter where he sat and stared at Kasia with his big brown eyes.
“Shut up, Tierney. I just brought him around on the boat.”
“Hi, Denny.” Kasia waved to him, but he didn’t blink in his intense stare.
“He’s not the chattiest, is he?”
“Not unless it’s about boats. And even then, it’s not that varied a conversation.” Joey looked at their watch. “Do you think I should feed him? He had breakfast, but we’ve been out all morning.”
“Did you not cover that when you discussed your childminding responsibilities with his mother?”
“Hey, why are you both so down on me? I just took Denny for a ride on the boat.”
Denny turned. “Boat?”
They scooped him up. “I couldn’t agree more. Let’s go, Denny.” They didn’t need this weird criticism when all they’d done was help out Marianne for a couple of hours.
They were almost to the door when Kasia grasped the elbow that wasn’t holding Denny.
“Wait, sorry, we’re not having a go at you.” She guided them to the back stairs that led up to the quarters she and Tierney shared. “Come and sit down, and we’ll have a sandwich.”
Joey allowed themself to be guided upstairs and put Denny down in front of the big full-length windows that showcased the harbor view. “There’s the harbor, Denny.”
Denny pointed and they waited for the usual response. “Harba?”
“Good boy, yes, harbor.”
They turned to Kasia and Tierney. “Marianne will be pleased. Any progress is good.” Their smile faded as they took in Kasia’s gathered brows.
