Page 28 of The Granddaughter's Irish Secret
Noel nodded. ‘I see. Prepare the ground for what exactly?’
‘It’s for Lily’s garden centre and café, and also the walled garden she wants to restore. We think we could repair the old orangery and have the café there. It would be such a charming place to have coffee, surrounded by this lovely Regency garden that used to be there,’ Rose explained. ‘But it will add cost to the budget so the board might vote it down. Lily wants it to be like the Regency garden at Marley Park in Dublin. So we’re both trying to add that plan into what’s already in the budget.’
‘Maybe you should try to raise some money?’ Noel suggested. ‘By doing an event that people would come to.’
‘An event?’ Rose looked thoughtfully at Noel. ‘Like a fair or…’
‘Or a concert?’ Noel said. ‘You could get Dominic’s band and a few other local talents to perform and do a raffle as well and?—’
‘That’s a great idea,’ Rose exclaimed, feeling suddenly excited. ‘I’ll work on that and put it forward this afternoon. It would be a fantastic way of raising money, and have a bit of fun as well. We could have it in the garden beside the greenhouses, I’m sure Dominic could help us build a stage and…’
‘Well, you need a plan B too, of course,’ Noel warned. ‘In case of rain, I mean.’
‘Yeah, sure. Then we can hold it in what used to be the ballroom.’
‘What is it now?’ Noel asked.
‘It’s going to be a communal dining room and also a place to hold parties and events. And this will be the first one. You are so clever, Noel. Oh I can’t wait to present this to the board.’ Rose shot out of her seat. ‘Let’s get going. I have so much to do before this afternoon.’
She chatted all the way home about the idea while Noel nodded and smiled and threw in his own suggestions. When they drove in through the gates and pulled up outside the gatehouse, Rose felt she had a lot of things to say at the board meeting, which made her feel more confident that she would win her case. She smiled at Noel as he opened the door for her, then jumped out of the car, grabbed her bag and ran up the stairs. ‘Thanks a million, Noel,’ she called to him as he got back in. ‘You’ve been a true star.’
‘I was very glad to help,’ he replied. ‘Oh and… I was wondering… Why did Vicky text you last night? You didn’t tell me all of it and I was curious. You looked a little startled.’
‘Oh, nothing serious. We bumped into each other recently and exchanged phone numbers. As I said, she was asking if I was having fun at the wedding. And another thing…’ Rose paused as a thought struck her. ‘Just in case… Have you ever heard the name Melanie Blennerhassett?’
Noel looked at Rose for a moment. ‘Melanie… Yes, that name rings a bell, I have to say.’
Rose felt a surge of excitement. ‘Really? Who is she?’
‘Hmm.’ Noel frowned while he looked as if he was trying to remember. Then he shook his head. ‘She must have been involved in some case or other. I’ll look through my files and see if I can find the name.’
‘Would you? Oh please let me know if you find anything,’ Rose begged.
‘Of course. Why is it so important?’
‘I can’t tell you yet. But please don’t tell anyone about this.’
‘Of course,’ Noel promised. ‘I won’t tell a soul.’
‘Thanks, Noel. I have to go now. So much to prepare. See you soon, I hope.’ Then she ran inside without waiting for him to reply – so much was going through her head. She simply had to solve the mystery before Sylvia found out about the fakenecklace. Ever since she’d learned that her necklace was a copy of the real thing, Rose had felt an urge to find out more. There had to be a fascinating story waiting to be told. And now there was this woman Vicky had told her about, who Noel thought he might know. She didn’t quite know why, but she felt that if she found out what happened to the necklace, it would lead to other revelations that might be even more startling.
Rose spent the rest of the morning preparing for the meeting. She typed up a document on the computer with all the points she needed to raise – and the idea for raising funds. But as she worked, she suddenly had another idea, like a flash of lightning through her mind.Oh yes!she thought, feeling a dart of excitement,why didn’t I think of this before?It was truly ingenious – something far better than a concert and easier to organise. And totally irresistible to any of the female board members. Henri wouldn’t have a chance.
She smiled and nodded to herself, mentally clapping herself on the back.This will be impossible for the board members to resist. Even the preparations alone will be so much fun. And what a hoot it would be…She couldn’t wait to announce this at the meeting.
13
Most of the board members were already sitting around the big table in what had been the formal dining room, back in the glory days of Magnolia Manor, when there had been a butler and maids to serve dinner to the family every evening. But, as Sylvia often said, they had to move with the times, using every room in a way that served the purpose of the new era that had just begun.
Rose found to her dismay that the only empty chair was beside Henri, who was looking annoyingly handsome in jeans and a pale pink shirt, his hair falling into his eyes. He had pulled out all the stops to look attractive to the female board members, Rose thought. Trying to appear cool, despite being slightly irritated as the scent of his aftershave wafted in the air, Rose settled in her chair. She smiled as she looked around the table. ‘Hello,’ she said. ‘How nice to see everyone here. Sorry if I’m a little late.’
The board members – Arnaud, Sylvia, Lily, Henri and the three main investors – all murmured a greeting in unison. ‘Lovely to see you, Rose,’ Mrs Moore said, while the other two ladies simply smiled and nodded.
Henri cleared his throat. ‘So,’ he said. ‘I would like to know why you have called this extra meeting on a Sunday, Sylvia.’
‘Well,’ Sylvia started, ‘I thought it was a good idea as everyone was free. We want to put forward a few ideas that were not in the original plans.’
Henri nodded. ‘Fine. Can we hear those ideas, then?’
