Page 45 of The Granddaughter's Irish Secret
‘I’ve been to the Great Blasket,’ Rose replied. ‘But that was a long time ago. Why do you ask?’
‘I’m planning a trip there next Friday. I’m borrowing a rib and thought I’d go out there and take a look. Do you want to come?’
‘Next Friday?’ Rose asked, considering the offer. ‘But there is so much to do now, the marketing and the website and all that.’
‘We can talk about it during the trip,’ Henri suggested. ‘The forecast is good and I want to take a look at this island. It’s supposed to be amazing.’
‘Oh, okay,’ Rose said. ‘I could do with a break. I’d love to come.’
‘Great,’ Henri said, looking pleased. ‘Nice to have your company. I’ll text you the details later.’
‘Okay. I’m looking forward to it,’ Rose said. Then a car horn tooted somewhere near the house. ‘That’s Granny. I have to go. See you next week,’ she said before she moved away, breaking into a run as she rounded the corner. Despite agonising about the necklace and the frustration over difficult research, she felt happy about her budding friendship with Henri. It felt good to have him on her side and the outing was sure to be very enjoyable. And maybe… she might mention this trip to Noel, just in case he might get a tad jealous…
Sylvia was in high spirits during the drive to Ventry. She even sang a few bars of her favourite song, ‘Wild Mountain Thyme’, at the top of her voice. The windows were open to the warm breeze that brought with it the scent of wild flowers blooming in the hedgerows. Rose sat back and relaxed, enjoying her grandmother’s slightly shrill but still melodious voice, joining in the chorus of ‘will you go, lassie, go?’ They laughed as they drewbreath and agreed that neither of them would win any prizes for singing.
‘So,’ Sylvia said when they had been quiet for a while, ‘what was it you wanted to ask me?’
‘Oh it was about my research,’ Rose replied. ‘I’m looking at photos and trying to figure out who these people are and their place in the family history. It’s all such a mish-mash.’
‘I know,’ Sylvia said with a sigh. ‘I tried to sort it out for a while but then I gave up. It’s a monumental task. Are you sure you want to do it?’
‘Yes, I do. It’s fascinating. Noel is helping me and he’s been amazing. So I think we’ll manage to sort it if we work hard. It’s just that I want to draw up a family tree and sort out who’s who through the ages.’
‘You could set up a history page on the website,’ Sylvia suggested. ‘I’m sure a lot of people would love to read about the history of Magnolia Manor and the family who built it.’
‘That’s a brilliant idea,’ Rose said. ‘Noel will love that too. He’s very interested in history.’
‘He’s a very nice young man,’ Sylvia said. ‘I’m glad he’s helping you. It would be difficult to do it all on your own. So,’ she continued, ‘are you a bit stuck right now?’
‘Yes. A little bit,’ Rose admitted. ‘I’ve come across a family I never knew about before. And a house I’ve never heard of. It seems to be connected to Iseult, Cornelius’s sister.’
‘What’s the name of the house?’ Sylvia asked as she drove up a hill.
‘Willowbrook House. And the family is called Lincoln.’
‘Willowbrook House,’ Sylvia repeated. ‘Lincoln… That does ring a very distant bell. Let me think…’
‘Maybe Iseult married someone called Lincoln?’ Rose suggested.
‘Could be.’ Sylvia frowned. ‘Cornelius never spoke of her. But he was very old when I first came to Magnolia Manor. His memory had faded a lot, he said. But I have a vague memory of hearing that name. The name of the house, I mean.’
‘Really? Granny, please try to remember,’ Rose exclaimed. ‘It’s very important. It will give a clue to what happened to Iseult and where she went after she left Magnolia. After all, she wore my necklace once. And I was thinking we’d have all three of the necklaces on display at the fashion show. I’d love to be able to tell Iseult’s story then.’
‘Yes, yes,’ Sylvia interrupted, putting a calming hand on Rose’s arm. ‘I understand that you want to know. But calm down and let me think. It’ll come to me in time. Give me a minute or two, or more. My memory bank is so full of things at my age, it’s hard to sort it all out at times, you see. But it falls into place with a little patience.’
‘Oh, okay,’ Rose said apologetically. ‘Sorry, Granny. Didn’t mean to rush you.’
‘You’re impatient like all young people,’ Sylvia said with a smile. ‘I remember how that felt. Everything has to happen yesterday.’
‘Yes, that’s true,’ Rose admitted. ‘But now we’ll just take it easy and go and see Lily and Naomi. And maybe walk on the beach. Ventry is so lovely right now in early summer. No tourists yet, so we’ll be all alone.’
‘We’re nearly there,’ Sylvia announced, slowing down. ‘I’ll park above the house. The lane is so narrow, I hate driving down there in case I meet any cars.’
‘Good idea.’ Rose tried to control her impatience. She felt in her bones that Sylvia knew something about the Lincolns and Iseult’s connection with them. But she had to wait for Sylvia to remember what it was, which might take some time.
‘Don’t let me forget the cupcakes I bought for tea,’ Sylvia said. ‘I got them in that nice little bakery on Green Street. The box is on the back seat.’
‘I won’t,’ Rose said. ‘I love their cakes.’ She got out as soon as Sylvia had parked. They gathered up their things, including the cupcakes, and locked the car.
