Page 46 of The Girl with the Irish Secret
‘Good luck,’ she shot over her shoulder as she left him to deal with the attention. He seemed perfectly at ease and chatted and smiled while he signed autographs and agreed to do selfies. Vi walked to the car where Sylvia was waiting, still wondering why Jack had arrived like that.
The dining room at the manor was buzzing with the news that Jack Montgomery was in town. But then the guests started on the mulled wine and mince pies and talked about the show and how lovely it had been. Naomi, still in her costume, walked around with a plate of mince pies and Vi passed around glasses with mulled wine. By the time Jack walked in the door, the party was in full swing and nobody except Vi and Sylvia noticed him.
‘There’s Jack,’ Sylvia said to Vi and waved at him.
He immediately came to their side and took Sylvia’s hand. ‘Hello, Sylvia, thank you for inviting me to the party. I have to say the show was lovely. Such talented children.’
‘Yes, they were very good,’ Sylvia agreed. ‘You should tell their teacher how much you enjoyed it.’
‘Of course,’ Jack agreed.
‘Violet will introduce you,’ Sylvia said. She paused, studying him for a moment. ‘But tell me, how did you find out about the show? I don’t imagine for a moment that you went to see it because you enjoy watching five-year-olds dancing. You just wanted to see Violet, didn’t you?’
Jack nodded, looking oddly shy as he glanced at Vi. ‘Yes, I did. We had such a good time together when I was last here, and then – as I was on my way to New York – I thought I’d stop off to wish her a happy Christmas. And you, too, of course.’
‘Of course,’ Sylvia said, looking amused. ‘But now I have to look after my guests,’ she continued and started to move away. ‘Violet, get some mulled wine and mince pies for Jack, will you?’
‘I will.’ Vi didn’t move from her spot. ‘In a minute. I just want to know… well, what Granny just asked. How on earth did you know where to find me?’
Jack smiled. ‘Detective work. I remembered how you said you didn’t want to miss your niece’s ballet show. Then I googled a bit, found the ballet school and saw the notice about their Christmas performance. But it’s true what Sylvia said. I just wanted to see you before we got caught up with Christmas and everything. Please don’t ask me why.’
‘I’m afraid I have to ask just that.’ Vi pulled at his arm. ‘But I see people are getting excited now. They’ll want to be introduced. We could go somewhere more private to talk for a minute.’
‘Good idea. Where?’
‘Granny’s study. Come with me.’ Vi went out through the door and down a corridor, Jack following close behind.
Once in the study, Vi turned on the light and faced Jack. ‘Okay. Now we can talk. Or you can.’ She stood in the middle of the floor and folded her arms, looking at Jack.
‘What do you want me to say? Explain why I’m intruding into your private life? Trying to get to know your family, especially your grandmother?’
Vi nodded. ‘Yes. All of that.’
Jack sighed, looking awkward. ‘Now you make me sound like some kind of stalker. I shouldn’t have barged in on the show like that. But…’ He paused. ‘I’m not sure you’ll understand what I’m going to say, or even believe it.’ He looked around the room. ‘Can we sit down?’
‘Okay.’ Vi sank down on a chair beside the antique desk while Jack sat on the little couch in front of the fireplace. ‘Go on, then,’ she urged. ‘What made you come back here?’
‘Kerry,’ he said. ‘This magical place. I only spent a day or two here but I fell in love with it, with the mountains and the ocean and the light and the air and…’ He stopped and laughed. ‘It sounds crazy when I say it like that. But I felt so good that day we spent together.’ He looked at her for a moment. ‘And then there’s you and your fabulous granny and your sister Lily and that tiny tot in her lap. And this manor with all its history. The people here are also something else. Warm, kind, funny but with great integrity and grace.’ He drew breath and looked at his hands. ‘It’s all a very beautiful package. I’ve never felt such peace as here. Not even in Yorkshire.’
‘Oh. I see. I do understand. I really do,’ Vi said softly, oddly touched by his little speech. ‘That’s what I love about it too. I had forgotten how unique it is – forgotten what family really means, but now it’s all coming back to me.’ She laughed. ‘You know whatthey say around here? “A day out of Kerry is a day wasted,”’ she quoted.
‘Great saying. I’m envious of you,’ Jack confessed. ‘You can always come back here and be with family. Do you know how lucky you are?’
‘I do now.’ Vi thought about how much she loved everything: the ocean and the mountains, the rain and wind, the sunshine and the green grass and how impossible it would be to live without ever seeing it all again. She had been away for a long time, chasing her dream of a great career, but now she was falling in love with her old home at the same time as he did. Tears suddenly welled up in her eyes as she met Jack’s gaze. ‘I believe you. And I think it’s wonderful that you feel like that after just one day here.’
‘Thank you.’
His eyes met hers and for a moment, it was as if time stood still. Jack took her hand and squeezed it, then he leaned forward as if to kiss her. But a sudden noise outside made him pull back and the moment was lost.
He stood up, looking dazed. ‘After all this, maybe we should join the party? They’ll be wondering what we’re up to.’
‘I know.’ Vi got to her feet, disappointed that the spell was broken. ‘Let’s go back. Everyone will want to meet you.’
‘They’ll want to meet Jack Montgomery,’ he remarked. ‘The film star. Not the scared little boy I am inside.’
‘We all have fears and doubts and sadness,’ Vi said. ‘But it’s not a good idea to show it. Let’s go out there and be – whatever they want us to be. The package has to shine. Never mind what’s inside.’
Jack laughed. ‘You’re very wise for one so young.’
