The Lesser of Two Evils?

Paddy soaked himself in the hotel hot tub, thankful for the peace and quiet. Already he'd developed a rotten headache, his ears ringing from his wife Niamh's latest tirade. The hot tub was his only place of sanctuary, where he could unwind and chill.



But this time, he couldn't just relax..... Niamh's words rang out loud and clear.

He'd been so excited when he'd brought Niamh here, to this very spot. Practically hopping up and down and clapping his hands!! He wanted to remember this moment, cherish it for all times.




"You can open your eyes now honey."



Niamh slowly opened her eyes and looked around.....




"You have GOT to be KIDDING me Paddy!"




"Oh come on honey, just... use your imagination here, it'll be brilliant ... fantastic...."

"It's a hole. in. the. ground ..... Paddy, what's so fantastic about that.... huh?"



"But please Niamh....."

She folded her arms and glared at him.



"So this is what you've been doing behind my back huh? Buying a lump of soil."

"Yeah ... but..."




"No buts Paddy. Of all the decisions you've made ... THIS one has got to be the stupidest one ever!"




Paddy clamped his mouth shut. Sometimes it was wisest NOT to say anything at all. Especially when his long suffering wife was on a roll with that sharp tongue of hers.

Since quitting the band ..... well, since the bust up with Dagger that led to him quitting in the first place ... Paddy had been at a loose end. Driving around aimlessly, he'd stumbled along a narrow country road and discovered a sleepy little town, hidden away, called Cloverdale.

It was idyllic .... perfect.... and a great place to bring the kids up too. Admittedly, the school was out of town, but that didn't stop Paddy. He could car pool them there, or they could take the bus. It was no biggie.

Thing was, there was a mere smattering of cottages and houses. Nothing that actually took his interest, nothing that was for sale..... except for this piece of scrub land. Primed and ready for development.

So he bought it, as seen.



And now, as he listened to her ranting, he started to regret ever making this conscious decision.
But that's not the worst of it.

He'd also made a purchase on a pub.

Judging by Niamh's reaction to the plot of land.... he didn't dare tell her about the pub. Goodness knows HOW she'd react there.

Instead, he waited for an opening, when she'd finally come up for air. And THAT's when he'd make his case.

"But honey," he said consolingly, "I thought...."

"That's it Paddy," she burst out, still fuming, "you DIDN'T think.... you didn't take things into consideration at all."




They were going nowhere fast, and the situation was starting to get volatile, with Niamh's strong Irish blood and temper flaring up constantly.

Paddy blundered on regardless. He just HAD to get his point across. Try and make her see sense.

"It's for the kids Niamh," he said sighing heavily, "they need a stable foundation and a good education."

"And then what?" she retorted, "the minute Dagger pops in and begs you mercilessly, you're going to take off again? Leave me here with the kids? It was bad enough living out of suitcases and hotel rooms.... but this...."

She swept her arm across the clover filled field.

"At least we had somewhere to stay. Here, we've got nothing .... not even running water. Have you ever considered THAT?"

"Um .... well ...."

"Yes?"

"Well ......"

Niamh's patience was running thin by now. And she'd backed him into a corner too.

"We do have somewhere to stay."

"Oh really? Where? A trailer, stuck at the side of the road?"

"Um, no ..... a pub."

Niamh simply glared at him. For once, she couldn't argue with him. At least he'd managed to find somewhere for them to stay.

And now, here he was, soaking in the hot tub. Staying out of the way of Niamh's wrath.... and wondering, out of the two biggest decisions he'd made so far....




.. which one was the lesser of two evils!!!!