Page 49 of The Granddaughter's Irish Secret
‘In Willowbrook House?’ Rose asked, her heart beating.
‘No, sadly,’ he replied. ‘That house was sold a few years ago. We live in a bungalow nearby. I’ll text you the address.’
‘Oh great. When could I come and see you?’
‘How about next Saturday?’ Philip suggested. ‘Whatever time suits you. It’s a long drive from Dingle, I suspect.’
‘How did you know I live in Dingle?’ Rose asked.
‘Your name,’ he said. ‘You’re right, our families were connected long ago. We can talk about that when we meet. See you then, Rose Fleury.’
He hung up without waiting for a reply, leaving Rose more confused than ever. So this Philip Lincoln knew something. Maybe the truth about the necklace would finally be revealed…
21
Rose tried her best to concentrate on her research, despite the fact that she no longer had Noel by her side to help her. She had asked Vicky what was going on with him, but she said she didn’t know. Apparently, he was the same as always in the office, but seemed a little preoccupied and distant at times. ‘He also leaves a lot earlier and seems to rush off home or wherever he goes after work these days,’ Vicky added. ‘I’ll tell him you were asking about him.’
‘Just say I’m fine and he can give me a call when it’s convenient,’ Rose said.
Vicky promised to pass on the message, and then they discussed their plans for the fashion show. Vicky had offered to help out with the selection and they had had great fun choosing who would wear what. They had ten models lined up for the event.
‘All fabulous women of all ages and sizes,’ Vicky said. ‘They’re all helping out with the arrangements too. We’re saying prayers for good weather because it would be so lovely to have the event in the garden.’
‘That would be perfect,’ Rose said, sitting on her stool in the storeroom. She glanced out the window and noticed it was raining. ‘I hope the rain holds off. But it’s a few weeks away, so hopefully all will be well.’
‘Fingers and everything else crossed,’ Vicky said. ‘Hey, he’s back,’ she suddenly whispered, ‘so I’d better get typing. We have a complicated court case coming up so, until that’s over, things will be hectic around here. Thank goodness my models are so helpful with all the planning and organising. It’s such fun and a great break from work. I’ll call you soon. Bye.’
Rose hung up feeling a little better about Noel and his disappearance. He was obviously very busy and had probably little time to spare. He might also be seeing that old girlfriend in whatever free moments he had. There wouldn’t be much opportunity to help Rose with her research, she assumed. Oh well, she thought, turning back to the photos, diaries and letters.I can’t expect anyone to be as invested in this as me. Noel was a huge help at the beginning, and what’s left isn’t as difficult.She resigned herself to working on her own, slowly getting used to the idea, even if she missed Noel by her side, always there with helpful suggestions. In any case, she had high hopes to solve the riddle of the necklace, now that she had made arrangements to call on the Lincoln family. It would be a long drive to Kinsale, that little coastal town in West Cork, but she looked forward to the break from everything at Magnolia Manor.
And then there was another thing to look forward to: her outing to Great Blasket Island with Henri. It would be good to get away from thoughts of Noel, from trying to figure out her feelings for him. Lily had guessed Rose was attracted to him and said she was sure it was mutual.Lily might be right, but even if she isn’t, I need to work it out on my own, Rose said to herself. But if he was seeing another woman, she’d back away and leave him alone. It would be hard, but she couldn’t interfere if hewas falling for someone else. It all seemed so complicated and confusing. It would be best to concentrate on the research about Iseult and the necklace. She had to solve that mystery first of all.
Rose set off on Friday afternoon dressed in jeans, a navy top and a windproof jacket. She had been told to meet Henri at the Fungie statue in the harbour and then they’d ‘go on from there’, as he’d put it.This trip across the bay will clear the cobwebs from my mind, she thought as she set off on her bike.
The bicycle helmet didn’t do her sleek hairdo any favours, but she decided that she wouldn’t worry too much about her hair. Henri was just a friend and not a man she needed to impress. In fact, Noel wasn’t fussy about appearances either, which was an added bonus for Rose. Gavin had been very demanding when it came to her appearance, encouraging her to buy expensive outfits for events and booking hair appointments at fancy salons. She didn’t want to put up with that kind of pressure from any man ever again.
Rose parked her bike at the stand beside the tourist office and locked it carefully. Not that her old pink bike would be something anyone would want to steal, but better to be safe than sorry. Then she walked the short distance to the little bronze statue of Fungie, the nearly tame dolphin that had lived in Dingle Bay for over forty years, delighting tourists by swimming around their boats. Then he had mysteriously disappeared and everyone in the town had supposed he’d died. There had been great sadness, and a lot of searching with small boats in the bay, but there had been no sign of him. As forty years is a long life for a dolphin, everyone had slowly accepted that Fungie was gone. The statue was a reminder of the dear creature that had brought so much fun to anyone travelling by boat in Dingle Bay.
Rose spotted Henri standing by the statue and hastened her steps to join him. As she came closer, she saw he was wearing a light cotton bomber jacket, jeans, a black sweater and a safety vest around his neck.
‘Hi,’ she said when she was by his side. ‘You look as if you’ve been out to sea already.’
‘Not yet, but I’m ready to go,’ he replied, handing her another safety vest. ‘Put this around your neck. It will inflate automatically if you fall into the water. Follow me,’ he said and started to walk to the quayside. ‘The rib is just here.’
‘What? Oh, okay,’ Rose said and walked behind him. Then, when they reached the edge of the pier, she saw a large rib tied to the side.
Henri hopped down into the rib and held out his hand. ‘Jump in.’
Rose climbed carefully into the rib. ‘This is amazing.’
‘I thought you’d like it,’ Henri said.
‘I certainly do,’ Rose said, laughing. ‘Lucky it’s a lovely evening, or you’d be in trouble. Where did you get this thing? And do you know how to drive it?’
‘One of my surfer mates lent it to me,’ Henri replied. ‘And yes, I do know how to drive it. Dinner is over there,’ he said, nodding at a basket sticking out from under one of the seats. He started the engine. ‘Ready to go?’ he shouted over the roar.
‘Yes,’ she shouted back. ‘Do you want me to untie the ropes?’ But then she noticed a man on the pier doing just that. Once they were free, Henri pushed the throttle and they were away into the bay at speed.
Rose laughed out loud as the wind whipped her hair around her face, remembering her worries about how she looked. Well now she was completely messed up, as sprays of water hit her face – she was happy she had at least applied waterproof mascara. Not that Henri would notice, as he seemed absorbedwith driving the rib as fast as he could, taking a route around the headlands so fast Rose feared they were going to capsize. It didn’t take her long to see the Blasket Islands ahead of them as they rounded Slea Head. The island was Rose’s most favourite place in the world, but she didn’t often have a chance to take a trip there. It was impossible in bad weather, and in high season there were too many tourists for her liking. But this wonderful late spring evening was perfect for a visit, especially as they would be all alone and could stay as long as they wanted.
