Page 27 of The Granddaughter's Irish Secret
‘It wasn’t too bad at all,’ Rose said, smiling. ‘I saw Gavin clearly for the first time today, and realised what a lucky escape I had. And the wedding turned out to be good craic all around, I have to say. All thanks to you.’ Rose stifled a yawn. ‘I think I’ll go to bed now though. But you stay on. I hear the band has been replaced by disco music. I’m sure everyone will be partying until breakfast.’
Noel smiled and shook his head. ‘No, I think I’ll turn in too. It’s only a few minutes’ walk to the B&B and the fresh air will clear my head after all the champagne.’
‘What’s the B&B called?’ Rose asked.
‘Graceland. The owners are huge Elvis fans, there are photos and memorabilia all over the place. I’ll be going to sleep with a portrait of the king himself over my bed. And they pipe his music into the rooms in the morning to wake you up.’
‘Sounds like fun. But waking up to “Jailhouse Rock” after a night of heavy drinking might be a little hard to take,’ Rose suggested.
‘And if they play “Are you Lonesome Tonight” at bedtime I’ll cry myself to sleep,’ Noel quipped. ‘But I don’t think they’ll be so cruel.’
‘That wouldn’t be good for business,’ Rose remarked. ‘Thanks for coming and for being such a great support.’ She stood on tiptoe and kissed Noel on the cheek. ‘Sweet dreams.’
‘Oh, eh, thanks. My dreams will be very sweet,’ Noel said, having nearly fallen over with shock at her kiss. ‘Goodnight, Rose. See you tomorrow.’
‘Yes. No later than ten. I want to get home and start the research.’
‘I’ll be there. I’m sure I’ll be sick of Elvis by then.’
‘I’d say you will. Goodnight.’ She waved and walked away, her thoughts on what had happened that evening, and the look in Noel’s eyes as they stood together in the corridor. How strange it had felt. But it was probably just deep gratitude for the way he had supported her.
Rose turned her mind to the day ahead and that name Vicky had sent her. Was it a red herring, or a clue that would lead her to the real necklace? She had to find out more.
12
At what felt like the crack of dawn, Rose’s phone rang. She groaned, groping at the bedside table, and put the phone to her ear. ‘Hello? Who is waking me up this early on a Sunday morning?’
‘Your grandmother,’ Sylvia’s voice said. ‘Good morning, darling. It’s nine-thirty. I thought you’d be up by now.’
‘Oh no, is it?’ Rose sat up in bed. ‘I’d better get dressed. I was at this wedding yesterday and I’m at the hotel and I said to Noel to be here at ten and now…’ She stopped. ‘Sorry, Granny. Why did you call me?’
‘Oh I forgot about the wedding,’ Sylvia said apologetically. ‘Was it fun?’
‘Yes, lovely. But what’s going on with you?’ Rose got out of bed, the phone to her ear. ‘Nothing wrong, I hope?’
‘Absolutely not. I’m calling to tell you that we’re having a meeting today about the estate and what to do in the grounds,’ Sylvia explained. ‘I know it’s a little unusual to do it on a Sunday, but everyone’s free so we thought it a good idea all the same.’
‘Oh. Okay,’ Rose said, trying to gather her thoughts. ‘What time?’
‘Four o’clock. In the new office downstairs.’
‘Will Henri be there?’
‘Of course. Everyone will. All the board members, meaning you and Lily too, of course.’
‘All right, Granny. I’ll be there.’
‘Good. And make sure you’re prepared for battle about Lily’s walled garden and whatever you want to suggest.’
‘I’ll do my best. See you then, Granny.’
Rose hung up with a feeling of dread. A meeting with the board – and Henri – today. The other board members were Mrs Moore, who owned a chain of pharmacies, Linda Moriarty, a prominent business woman, and Diana McMillan, the owner of a big hotel in Killarney. Tough women who all wanted to see a return on their investment. Not what she needed on a Sunday after a late night. And she wasn’t prepared. She would have to put something together in a hurry and make sure she had a strong case. Lily needed her support if the garden centre and café was to provide an income for her. Rose wasn’t worried about Sylvia or Arnaud, but Henri might have wooed some of the female members to side with him, and then they would have a battle on their hands. She’d have to take care not to annoy him and also make sure she looked her best. That was possibly a minor detail, but a little power dressing always gave her the confidence she needed in difficult situations.
Her thoughts were on the meeting during the drive home. Noel seemed to gauge her mood and didn’t try to involve her in any conversation, except for remarking on the beautiful views of the mountains when they stopped for coffee at a little café near Farranfore. They sat at a round table outside and Rose felt the warm breeze, the smell of coffee and newly baked buns soothing her troubled mind.
‘You’re very quiet,’ Noel remarked. ‘Anything wrong?’
‘No. It’s just that I have this meeting with the board this afternoon that Granny sprang on me, so I’m trying to prepare the ground in my head. Henri will be there, so it’s going to be tricky.’
