Page 16 of The Granddaughter's Irish Secret
Rose nodded, touched by Vicky’s empathy and understanding. ‘Thank you. And you’re right. There is still a feeling of loss with us all. That’s why we’re so close. We know how life can change so suddenly. So we value every moment we have together.’
‘I’m sure you do,’ Vicky said, her voice softer.
‘But life goes on and you have to adjust and accept,’ Rose continued. ‘And yes, we were so young. I was only eight when it happened. It’s a long time ago, but sometimes it feels like yesterday. Especially now that I’m back. And then there is the restoration of the house and sorting through the stuff. That bring back memories.’
‘How do you feel about the Magnolia Manor rebuild?’ Vicky asked. ‘Must be strange to see the house being used for something else, rather than a family home.’
‘Strange but also nice,’ Rose replied. ‘The house couldn’t continue being the home for only one family. You’d have to be very rich to afford keeping that big place going. It feels right to turn it into flats for older people, who want to keep their independence but also need a little extra care and attention. The gardens will be restored to what they were before and the people in town will be able to enjoy them. This way, the house will live again in a different way. That’s really what life is all about. Change and improvement and making places accessible to everyone.’
‘I love that,’ Vicky said. ‘I’d love to come and live there when I get older. But in the meantime, I hope I’ll have a bit of fun.’
‘I’m sure you will.’ Rose smiled at Vicky, feeling she had found a friend. ‘And your Mr Right is out there, I’m sure.’
‘I’d even settle for Mr Wrong,’ Vicky said with a sigh. ‘This dating game is getting very tired. Tinder has not delivered either, I have to admit.’
‘I don’t like dating apps,’ Rose declared.
‘You’re still single too?’ Vicky asked.
‘Yeah, well…’ Rose started. ‘I was in a relationship but we broke up.’
‘Oh, I’m sorry,’ Vicky said with sympathy in her eyes. ‘That must have been hard.’
‘Thanks,’ Rose said with a little shrug. ‘It was tough, but I’m doing my best to get over it. So I suppose I have to get back into that tedious dating game. Not on a dating site though. Most of those profiles seem so fake.’
‘Oh many of them are, of course. You might get a great match, but then you meet in person and they look a lot less attractive than their photos. And that sizzling personality?’ Vicky rolled her eyes. ‘More often than not they’re beyond boring and so full of themselves you want to scream. Or looking for second wives!’
Rose couldn’t help laughing. Vicky was a hoot. ‘So what were you doing in Killarney today?’
‘I had to go to a funeral. No relation or anything,’ Vicky assured Rose. ‘It was a client who’s been with the firm a long time. Noel had to go to court in Tralee so he sent me to represent him. I went to the mass and signed the book but skipped lunch with the family. I thought I’d have lunch here instead, on my way home. How about you?’
‘I had to collect my necklace from the jewellers. It’s an old piece that had to be repaired,’ Rose explained.
‘I love antique jewellery,’ Vicky exclaimed. ‘Can I see it?’
‘Yes, I have it here in my bag,’ Rose said without thinking. Then she hesitated for a moment. Now that she knew it was fake, she didn’t feel like showing it. But then she changed her mind.Why not put it to the test? If Vicky believed it was real, then everyone else would too… She took out the scuffed velvet box and opened it. ‘Here it is.’
‘Ooh,’ Vicky said, looking at the necklace. ‘So beautiful. Are they topazes?’
‘That’s right,’ Rose replied.
‘I love the setting and the pearls. But…’ Vicky paused, still staring at the necklace. ‘You know, I’ve seen it before. The exact same one.’ She stared at Rose. ‘Are there two of them?’
7
‘What?’ Rose asked, shocked, staring at Vicky. ‘No, there’s only this one. Where did you see it?’
‘InOK! Magazinewhen I was at the hairdressers. It was in the society pages. A feature about a celebrity party in Cork.’ Vicky studied the necklace. ‘I could swear it’s the same one. Do you lend it out to friends sometimes?’
‘No, I never do.’ Rose snapped the box shut. ‘You must have been mistaken.’
‘I’m sure I wasn’t,’ Vicky insisted. ‘It was so unusual, I couldn’t stop looking at it.’
Rose shook her head. ‘It can’t have been the same one. It must have been a similar necklace, but not identical, I’m sure. Who was wearing it? And where?’
‘Well,’ Vicky started, looking as if she was trying hard to conjure up an image, ‘it said it was a fortieth birthday party for someone at a big hotel in Kinsale. You know, in West Cork.’
‘Yes, I know where Kinsale is,’ Rose said.
