Page 110 of The Girl with the Irish Secret
Sylvia held out her hand. ‘Let’s shake on that.’
They shook hands and laughed, then had more tea and scones while they chatted about what Sylvia could do. She said she’d draw up a plan and show Vi before she got started.
‘Brilliant, Granny. I wouldn’t know where to start, to be honest.’
‘I think we should concentrate on the movie,’ Sylvia suggested. ‘Draw attention to that, take some photos of you in all kinds of beautiful places around Dingle and emphasise your role. Maybe also post photos of Kathleen all through her career. Create a special hashtag for it and tell Jack Montgomery to do the same. No need to get into your private life at all. It has to be professional and not a lot of blather that would invite nastiness.’
‘Oh, Granny, that sounds perfect,’ Vi exclaimed, feeling a rush of relief. She hadn’t expected help from this quarter and it had come as a huge surprise to learn that Sylvia was so familiar with the ins and outs of social media.
Sylvia nodded, looking satisfied. ‘Good. And you know I think we might tackle TikTok a little later. I’m really interested in what it does. But let’s get going with Facebook and Instagram first. No need to get into that X thing. I think it’s had its day.’
Vi nodded. ‘That sounds great. We can start after Christmas.’
‘What’s wrong with right now?’ Sylvia asked. ‘We should get started as soon as possible. Give me your password to Instagram and I’ll get going tonight.’
‘What… when… Oh…’ Vi stammered, feeling she was suddenly caught in a tornado. ‘I have to look it up. It’s on my phone.’
‘I think we have to come up with a new one,’ Sylvia said. ‘A strong password, I mean. I bet yours isn’t that safe.’ She put her hand on Vi’s shoulder. ‘Don’t worry. I know what I’m doing. I think the best idea is to create an image for you that is strictly about your acting career. Nothing to do with your real life or anything that you don’t want to share.’
‘I think that’s what Kathleen did too,’ Vi said, remembering that last letter she had read. ‘The real Kathleen was a different person.’
‘Yes,’ Sylvia said. ‘That would have been the best thing for her to do under the circumstances. But back to you and your social media profile…’ Sylvia went on to lay out a plan for the Instagram posts and the hashtags while Vi looked at her grandmother in awe. It was incredible to her that someone of Sylvia’s generation was so clued-up about marketing and how to raise visibility on the Internet. And then, Vi realised she had missed something.What was that about Kathleen’s circumstances?she wondered.Does Sylvia know about Kathleen’s hidden identity?
As there was no point in worrying about Kathleen’s big secret, Vi decided to wait until she could speak to Fidelma. She took a break from her research, dance and voice lessons and concentrated on the preparations for Christmas: wrapping presents, helping to decorate the big Christmas tree in the entrance hall of Magnolia Manor and the smaller one in Sylvia’sliving room. Then they threaded a garland with green leaves and red berries all the way up the stairs to the top floor, making the house look festive. Some of the tenants who had no families to go to were happy to accept the invitation to dinner on Christmas Day.
Leo called one morning just as Vi was rushing out the door to do some last-minute Christmas shopping. ‘Hi,’ he said. ‘Sorry not to have been in touch before. I just arrived in Cork and then I went on to Kinsale to celebrate Christmas with my uncle and his family. Thought I’d call to wish you happy holidays and all that and ask if you’d like to come to a party here on New Year’s Eve?’
‘Oh,’ Vi said, surprised to hear his voice. She had nearly forgotten that he was supposed to come to Ireland around this time. ‘Thanks. Eh… oh, a party? In Kinsale? But I won’t know anyone.’
‘You’ll know me,’ Leo said. ‘And it won’t take you long to get to know my cousins. They’re dying to meet you. It’ll be held in a pub, so very casual. No need to dress up. They are all sailing buddies and will be in sweaters and jeans. And there will be a few movie people here that will be working on the Kathleen movie, so you’ll have a chance to meet some of the crew. Please say you’ll come. It’ll be great craic, they said.’
Vi smiled. She wasn’t too keen to go to a party full of strangers, but she couldn’t resist Leo’s warm voice. ‘Oh, okay,’ she said. ‘I’ll come. I’ll need a break after all the family stuff here.’
‘Fabulous,’ Leo exclaimed. ‘I’ll text you the details and the address of a great B&B nearby. See you then, Vi.’
‘Looking forward to it. Happy Christmas,’ Vi said before she hung up. Then she raced out the door to go to town before the shops closed for the holidays. So much to do and so little time left, as usual. Lily’s Christmas tea was hugely successful and everyone made her promise to do it again next year.
Then there was the Christmas ballet show the day before Christmas Eve. It was very well attended and all the tickets were sold out. As they were going into the communal hall to find their seats, Lily told Vi that Naomi had been so excited she hadn’t been able to sleep for several nights. ‘Then we decided to let her sleep in her costume,’ Lily said, laughing. ‘It calmed her down and she slept like a log last night. I spent an hour ironing it this morning and trying to get the wings straight after being slept on.’
‘Can’t have been comfortable,’ Vi suggested.
‘No but she said she had to be a fairy all night to get ready,’ Lily said, putting little Liam on her lap. ‘He had to come,’ she whispered. ‘I hope he’ll be quiet.’
‘I’ll bring him outside if he kicks up a fuss,’ Violet suggested. ‘But you’ll be a good boy for Mummy, won’t you?’ she said to him, kissing one of his little hands.
Liam nodded, looking solemn. ‘Liam good boy for Mummy,’ he repeated.
There was a commotion at the door just before the show started. Someone had arrived late and was looking for a seat.Why can’t people arrive on time?Vi thought, giving the latecomer an irritated glare. But then there was a whisper through the audience and she realised it had to be someone important.
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‘Holy mother, it’s Jack Montgomery,’ Lily hissed as he walked down the aisle. ‘And he’s coming this way. The seat beside you is free. Quick, get him to come and sit there.’
‘But I thought that was Dom’s seat,’ Vi protested. ‘I was holding it for him.’
‘Never mind. He’ll find another one,’ Lily insisted. She waved at Jack and shouted: ‘Hello, there is a seat free here beside Vi.’
Jack, who had been looking a little uncomfortable under the stares of so many people, seemed relieved as he pushed in and sat down beside Vi. ‘Thanks.’ He held out his hand and leaned over Vi to shake Lily’s. ‘Hi, I’m Jack.’
