Page 17 of The Girl with the Irish Secret
Vi’s thoughts were still so full of what she had learned that she was only listening with half an ear to what her grandmother was talking about during their drive into Dingle for lunch a few days later. She had tried to contact both Lily and Rose but only got their voicemails, so she had left a short message to each of them, saying she would be at the gatehouse and would love to see them. There had been no response from either of them, but Vi knew they were busy and maybe also wary about meeting her, so she decided to try to forget about the rift and enjoy spending time with her grandmother. Mending all the fences would be a long process in any case, and she wanted to be patient with her sisters. Especially if it was true that they were both a little stressed.
The view out of the window of the car was an added distraction, as it was a glorious winter’s day with cold winds but bright sunshine from a clear blue sky. The spray of the green-blue waves lashed the shores and the seagulls squawked above them as they got out of the car that Sylvia had parked near the harbour.
‘Oh,’ Vi said as the wind whipped her hair around her face. ‘I’d forgotten how the air feels here when it’s windy. Cold but still soft, salty and sweet at the same time. I love it.’
‘Yes, it’s very special,’ Sylvia agreed as she locked the car. ‘A lot of people don’t understand why I love stormy weather so much. But I know you share that strange feeling. We’re winter girls, aren’t we?’
‘We are,’ Vi said, smiling at her grandmother, who was looking fit and energetic today, her cheeks rosy and her brown eyes sparkling. Her grey hair, cut in a chin-length bob, blew around her face and then settled again into the same perfect shape. She was dressed in a white polo neck under a bright red down jacket and blue trousers, which made her look both chic and warm. ‘And you look like the perfectly dressed Kerry woman, ready for any kind of weather.’
‘That’s nice to hear,’ Sylvia said. ‘But let’s go and get lunch before we blow away. I’ve booked a table in Fins. It’s a new fish restaurant just up the street from here. Lovely views of the bay, if you manage to get a table by the window.’
‘Which you did, no doubt,’ Vi remarked, winking.
‘Of course,’ Sylvia said, zipping up her jacket. ‘Come on,’ she said and led the way up the street and into a charming little restaurant with floaters and fishnets in the ceiling and blue and white tiles on the floor. There was a lovely smell of woodsmoke from the fireplace where logs blazed, making the room warm and comforting after the cold winds outside. They were greeted by a cheerful waiter who showed them to a table by the window and handed them two menus.
‘The special today is chowder with freshly baked brown bread,’ he announced. ‘Mrs Fleury, would you like the usual with that?’
‘Yes, please,’ Sylvia said. ‘And my granddaughter will have the same.’
‘Grand,’ the waiter said and smiled at Vi. ‘Lovely to meet you, Miss Fleury. And congratulations on landing the part of Kathleen O’Sullivan. We’re all very excited to see the movie shot here in Dingle.’
‘Thank you,’ Vi said and looked at her grandmother. ‘What’s the usual?’
‘A small glass of Chardonnay,’ Sylvia said. ‘But don’t worry, it’ll be a while before we drive home.’
‘If that’s all you’ll be drinking, I’m not worried,’ Vi replied. She looked at the waiter. ‘Yes, please. The same for me, then.’
‘Perfect.’ The waiter hesitated. ‘Would you mind if I asked you for your autograph? Better to get it before the stampede, so to speak. Everyone will want one very soon.’
‘Gosh!’ Vi blushed. ‘That’s… Of course. No problem,’ she ended.
‘Great. I’ll get a piece of paper and a pen when I bring you your drinks.’ The waiter smiled and walked off.
Vi stared at Sylvia in shock. ‘Goodness. That’s never happened to me before.’
‘You’ve never been the star of the show before,’ Sylvia said. ‘And of course, the town is buzzing with the news right now after that piece in the paper. It’ll die down soon, though, so enjoy it while you can.’
‘Enjoy it?’ Vi said, horrified. ‘I don’t think I want all the attention on me right now. I’m trying to get used to playing this part and getting to know Kathleen and find out what her early life was like. I thought I’d get some peace and quiet here.’
‘Peace and quiet?’ Sylvia said with an amused smile. ‘After that bombshell in the press? Local girl hits the big time with a starring part in a movie that will be shot in a place everyone knows and loves. How could you expect them not to be excited?’
‘I didn’t realise,’ Vi said. ‘Never thought it would be such a big deal.’ She shook her head and laughed. ‘But when Jack Montgomery rides into town, they’ll forget all about me.’
‘Probably,’ Sylvia agreed. ‘But until then you’ll be in the spotlight.’
‘What do Lily and Rose think about all this?’ Vi asked.
‘I haven’t seen them since the news broke. I spoke to Rose, who thought the actual filming will be good publicity for the gardens and the café. Everyone will want to see where the movie was shot. It’ll be like whenRyan’s Daughterwas filmed in Kerry. Long time ago but people still want to see the locations.’
‘I know. Well, that sounds positive, anyway.’
Their drinks arrived and shortly afterwards the waiter brought two steaming bowls of chowder. ‘There you go,’ he said as he carefully placed a bowl in front of each of them. He slipped a piece of paper towards Vi. ‘Could you sign this, please?’ he asked, handing her a pen.
‘Of course.’ Vi quickly scribbled her name on the piece of paper.
‘Thanks a million,’ the waiter said.
He was about to walk away but Vi stopped him with a hand on his arm. ‘Hang on,’ she said. ‘I think I saw chocolate cake on the menu.’
