Page 64 of The Granddaughter's Irish Secret
‘How do you know what size I am?’ Eileen asked, looking angry.
‘My expert eye,’ Sylvia said in a tone that didn’t allow argument. ‘You’re a grand, statuesque woman, Eileen, not a slip of a girl. Just go with it and move on. Be proud of yourself and who you are.’
‘Okay. Thank you, Sylvia,’ Eileen said, sounding chastened.
‘No problem.’ Sylvia consulted her clipboard and breezed on. ‘I have also made a list of clothes for each one of you to model, and got in touch with the two ladies who dropped out, telling them to come back and behave. We don’t like quitters, do we? Also, I might add that walking in high heels is a skill that not everyone possesses. But you do it at your own risk. We will make you sign a disclaimer that you have understood this. Ballet flats will be provided for those who feel they don’t want to risk their ankles. In any case, the vintage fashion doesn’t demand very high heels. And finally, please remember why we’re here. This show is about raising enough money for the lovely new garden that you will all be able to enjoy, and also for the wonderful café in the orangery that will also contain mementoes from the glorious past of Magnolia Manor. You should all be proud to be part of creating these additions to the new manor.’ Sylvia drew breath and looked at the assembled women. ‘Any questions?’
They all shook their heads. ‘Good.’ Sylvia gave the clipboard to Vicky. ‘There you go. All done. You can take over now, but let me know if there’s any trouble from anyone.’
Vicky laughed. ‘After that delivery? Nobody would dare. Thank you, Sylvia, you’re a star.’
‘My pleasure.’ Sylvia suddenly noticed Rose standing just inside the door. ‘Hello, Rose. Glad you could join us at last.’
‘Hi, Granny,’ Rose said, walking into the ballroom. ‘I thought you had gone out.’
‘I did, but I came back when I heard about all the trouble here.’ Sylvia held out her hand. ‘Help me down, please, pet.Catwalks were never part of my comfort zone. All that strutting around in high heels. I’d be the worst model in the world.’
Rose laughed and helped her grandmother down from the catwalk. ‘There you go. I’m so glad you managed to calm everyone. It’ll be easy from now on.’
‘They needed to be told to behave and pull together as a team,’ Sylvia said. ‘Everyone seemed to think it was all about them. That’s the problem nowadays. It’s all me, me, me.’
‘You’re so right.’ Rose took Sylvia by the arm, steering her out of the room. ‘But now, Granny, I want you to come to your study. I have something to show you. And there is something else I have to ask you,’ she added. ‘Something important.’
‘Good or bad?’ Sylvia asked, looking worried.
‘Could be good,’ Rose replied. ‘I’m not sure yet.’
Sylvia let herself be led down the corridor by Rose while they talked about the fashion show, the new garden and the café that was nearly ready to open. ‘Lily is all excited and has set up a schedule for the babysitters,’ Sylvia began. ‘She’s also organised deliveries from the bakery in Ventry and ordered a barista coffee machine. She’s buying crockery from charity shops too. She’s such a trooper, doing all this with a new baby,’ she said proudly.
‘I know,’ Rose said. ‘She’s amazing. I’ll get started on the marketing as soon as I can. But it could take a little while yet. The fashion show has to come first. When that’s over, I’ll get going. The website is coming along great, and we’ll have a show flat ready to visit soon. So I haven’t been idle.’
Sylvia nodded. ‘I know you haven’t. Henri is beginning to pull his weight too, and I have a feeling that’s all your doing.’
‘I think he’s finally growing up, that’s all,’ Rose remarked as they arrived at Sylvia’s study.
‘So what is it you wanted to show me?’ Sylvia asked once they had walked into the room.
‘It’s in here.’ Rose went to the desk, pulling out the bag with the gold coins from the drawer. ‘Henri found these, they’d been stuck up the chimney in the big room on the attic floor. The chimney had been damaged by a recent rain storm, you see.’
‘What? I had no idea,’ Sylvia said and sank down on the sofa. ‘Is the damage bad?’
‘Yes, but I think the insurance will cover it. If not—’ Rose put the bag in Sylvia’s lap ‘—this will help pay for it.’
Sylvia recoiled slightly at the dirty bag. ‘What is it?’
‘Open it,’ Rose said.
Sylvia did as she was told and peered inside, gasping at what it was. She took out one of the coins. ‘A gold sovereign. How amazing. How many are there?’
‘About twenty or so,’ Rose replied.
‘And they were stuck up that chimney? How extraordinary.’ Sylvia put the gold coin back in the bag. ‘This is wonderful. What a find.’ She stopped and looked at Rose. ‘You said you wanted to tell me something. Was this it? Or is there something else?’
Rose got her bag that she had left on the floor and took out the velvet case with the necklace. ‘It’s about this,’ she started.
‘Your necklace? What about it?’ Sylvia asked.
‘I don’t know how to put it, so I’ll just tell you the way it is,’ Rose said, opening the case. ‘A while back, just before that wedding, I found out that this necklace is fake.’
