Page 344 of Well Played

“As always, a pleasure Oonagh. It’s been a while, and I can still see you and Maeve are thick as thieves and she’s kept you apprised of our exciting time of reconnecting after so many years. Hard to believe we never really ran into each other before this.”

“If that’s what you’re calling it.”

Maeve jumped quicky to keep one of them from drawing first blood.

“Okay, that’s enough. Thank you for coming out this morning. Are you here to man the first shift of booth duty?”

“Yes, that is what I’m here for. There are a few other players who are on their way to cover the presence of hurling and handball teams to start the rotation of volunteers Aisling put together.”

“Great, things are under control. So, if you don’t need anything else from me, we’re going to take off and see a bit of the festival before it gets too busy.”

“G’wan then.”

Walking away from the booth, Maeve looked over at Oonagh, and raised an eyebrow at her.

“Don’t.”

“Don’t what?”

Sighing, Maeve just shook her head.

“I can see he’s hurting. That flippant conversation he just had with you. It’s one of his self-protection tells.”

“I thought he was just being an ass. Can’t believe you saw all that in one short conversation.”

“My reaction messed with his head. That why I’m going to follow the suggestion you gave me made a couple of weeks ago.”

“Remind me; what did I say that was so profound that you are finely listening to my advice?”

“I’m going to tell him that I never stopped loving him either.”

After the endof a very successful day, Maeve was to wound up to go home. Knowing that she had to be at the football grounds by 7:00 in the morning, she wanted to celebrate her personal victory in pulling off the daunting task of showcasing Irish sports at one of the largest annual events in the region. Walkingpast the evening concert at the bandstand, she stopped to listen to Brian Kennedy, long loved entertainer, singing his famous Irish love song.

Closing her eyes to listen and concentrate on the melody and the lyrics, she discovered a connection to the story being told of a woman finding love again after the heartache for a lost love. It’s message was to never give up, and your true love will find you, if you just stop and look around. Love doesn’t have to be perfect to be genuine.

Pulling out her cell phone from her bag, she scrolled through her list of contacts then selecting Liam’s information to open the window for sending a text message.

Liam, come celebrate with me. I’m at

The Whistledown Hotel. Pints are on me.

I’m grabbing an outdoor table now.

Glancing at the full moon that hung in the cloudless, steel gray sky over the open waters of Carlingford Lough, Maeve sat down at an empty table in the outdoor patio area that fronted the hotel. As time slowly ticked by, doubt and panic set it. Her spontaneous action to text Liam an invitation to join her had been mistake, as her second-guessing tendencies kicked in. Convincing herself this whole idea was a huge mistake; she grabbed her bag and phone from the table and began preparing to leave when she heard his voice.

“Hey.”

Startled, Maeve quickly sat back down in her seat, as Liam stepped up onto the patio.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. Am I too late for the free pint?”

Detecting the hint of a smile on his lips, she watched him pulling the chair out next to her. Picking up the table menu listing the festival weekend specials, he flipped the card from front to back, giving her the impression he was considering if he wanted to order something of the menu. Even under the patios warm lighting, she could see he was staling and calculating what to say to her.

“No, you’re not late. Though in ten minutes I was thinking I would have to either send out a search party or drink alone.”

He was chuckling in response when the waiter can over to take their order.

“The lady and I will have two large pints of the black stuff, and a Finn’s Giant Meringue Mess Sundae. Oh, and don’t forget to bring an extra spoon.”

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