Page 21 of The Granddaughter's Irish Secret
‘But you don’t?’
‘Not any more. He’s behaved correctly after a little guidance from me.’
Rose smiled. ‘You mean you told him off?’
‘Not exactly. I just changed my tone and demeanour slightly. Made him feel a little uncomfortable perhaps.’ Noel paused, changing gears. ‘You know, of course, the best thing to do with people who are… well, annoying, is not to react at all if they try to upset you.’
‘I know, and I do try,’ Rose said. ‘But I think my face reveals what I really feel.’
‘You have to practise the poker face,’ Noel suggested. ‘Not easy, I know. But of course that’s par for the course in my profession.’
‘I bet you’re as cool as a cucumber in court.’
‘I’m known as the ice man,’ Noel said, looking just a tiny bit smug.
‘I can imagine,’ Rose said. ‘I’d say you’re the king of cool.’
‘Well that’s a little over the top, but thanks,’ Noel said, smiling.
They fell silent while the drive took them along the coastal road, with lovely views of the ocean and the mountains on the other side of the bay. Then they chatted about this and that, Noel concentrating on driving – there was a lot of traffic on the winding road, most of them heading for Inch Beach, which was famous as a great surfing spot. The waves were, as always, huge, and the large expanse of sand was dotted with surfers in wetsuits heading out into the foaming water to ride their surfboards.Rose opened the window just to smell the salt-laden air, closing her eyes as the wind caressed her face. Then she wound up the window again, not wanting the breeze to ruffle her hair too much.
She leaned back and tried to relax, wanting to be rested and calm before she had to face all her old friends from Dublin. It would be her first public appearance after the breakup, and she wanted to look as cool and untroubled as possible. And if any of Gavin’s friends were there, she would be as poker-faced as a seasoned lawyer facing a courtroom.
But she couldn’t stop the butterflies fluttering wildly in her stomach as they drove through the church gates. A lot of glamorous-looking people were already filing into the church, some of the women in large hats and wearing a lot of jewellery.
‘What a fancy-looking bunch,’ Noel exclaimed as he drove slowly along the path. ‘You’d think it’s a royal wedding the way some of the women are dressed.’
‘I know. There is always some kind of competition going on with them.’ Rose closed her eyes tight, thinking,I will be cool and composed and not show how horribly scared I am right now.
Noel found a parking space behind the church. As the car came to a stop, he put his hand on Rose’s. ‘You’ll be fine,’ he assured her. ‘Conjure up that Fleury spirit and smile.’ His gaze drifted to the necklace. ‘The Fleury topazes will give you strength as well. They look magical, they suit you so well. You’re the real deal, Rose. Don’t forget that.’
Those words resonated with Rose and she felt suddenly stronger and better able to face her old circle of friends. They might look at her sideways, but so what? She had nothing to be ashamed of – she should be proud of the way she’d handled herself since the breakup. ‘You’re right,’ she said, getting out ofthe car as Noel held the door open for her. ‘What am I afraid of anyway?’
‘That’s what I was wondering,’ Noel said, offering Rose his arm.
Rose laughed, took his arm and they walked across the gravel to the church doors together, just as the limousine with the bride and her father pulled up to the front steps.
‘Hurry up,’ Noel urged, taking Rose’s hand. They ran up the steps and into the church while the organ struck up the bridal march. Noel pulled Rose into one of the pews only seconds before the bridal party walked up the aisle.
It was a beautiful procession. Four little flower girls in frilly pink dresses, with wreaths of tiny white roses in their hair, carried little posies. They were followed by four bridesmaids in pale lilac full-length gowns. And then Louise, the bride, on her father’s arm in a white silk and lace dress, a white gold and pearl tiara on her dark hair and the long veil trailing behind her. Rose felt tears well up as she watched them proceed up the aisle to where the groom was waiting, looking as if he couldn’t believe his luck.How romantic, she thought, feeling a pang of envy, remembering how she had imagined she would one day walk up to the altar just like this.
Then she froze in shock as she saw the best man beside the groom. Oh no. It couldn’t be. But yes. It was him. Gavin.
10
Noel threw Rose a worried glance. ‘What’s the matter? You look so pale. Are you not feeling well?’
‘It’s…’ Rose whispered. ‘The best man…’
‘What’s up with him?’
‘He’s my ex,’ Rose hissed. ‘I didn’t know he’d be here. I thought he was in New York. What am I going to do?’
Noel squeezed her hand. ‘Nothing at all. Try to calm down. Then, when he sees you, just say hello and smile. Okay?’
Rose nodded as the music stopped and the wedding ceremony began. As if in a dream, she watched as Louise and Aiden said ‘I do’ in turn, and Gavin handed the groom the ring. He looked so handsome in his tuxedo. He had a slight tan and his brown hair was a little longer than she remembered. He smiled at the couple and whispered something to the groom, before they went down the aisle and out the door to the forecourt, where everyone gathered to congratulate them. Rose hung back for a while, but then had to go and kiss both Louise and Aiden.
Louise grabbed Rose’s hand. ‘I know it must have been a shock to see Gavin,’ she said softly in Rose’s ear. ‘I was going totell you, but there was so much going on with the wedding and everything that I forgot.’
