Page 52 of The Book of Irish Secrets
‘Not at all,’ Rose said and pulled out a chair for Sylvia. ‘A shock, of course, but once it had sunk in, I was more than excited,’ she said with a smile at Claire.
‘So it was about family?’ Arnaud asked.
‘Yes.’ Sylvia sat down and put her napkin in her lap. ‘Something I feared would happen one day, but now that it has, it’s such a relief that it’s out.’
‘But you’re not going to tell me?’ Arnaud said as he ladled food onto plates at the cooker.
‘I will when I’ve had a glass of wine and some food,’ Sylvia promised.
‘Coming up,’ Arnaud said and put a plate heaped with herby chicken casserole and potato gratin in front of Sylvia. ‘Rose, pour your grandmother a glass of the Merlot that I just opened. I’ll serve you all and then you can tell me what you have been talking about.’
Rose poured wine for Sylvia and Claire. Arnaud served everyone chicken and the potato gratin and sat down beside Sylvia.
He raised his glass. ‘Well,à votre santé, whatever the reason was for this meeting.’
‘Cheers,’ Rose said, clinking glasses with him. ‘Granny, you have to tell Arnaud what’s going on.’
‘Maybe I’ll let Claire do it,’ Sylvia suggested as she dug into her chicken. ‘I want to enjoy every bite of this and let the wine calm me.’
‘Claire?’ Arnaud said, looking intrigued.
Claire sipped her wine and then looked at Arnaud. Between more sips of wine and bites of chicken, she told him all about who she was and why she had come to Kerry.
Arnaud’s eyes widened, and he forgot to eat as he listened intently. ‘Quelle histoire,’ he exclaimed when Claire had finished. ‘Of course I knew the trouble Cornelius caused when he was involved with my grandfather. Which brought me here and then it all ended happily for me.’ He took Sylvia’s hand and kissed it. ‘I wouldn’t have met my dear sweet Sylvia if it hadn’t been for him.’
‘I forgive Cornelius everything because of that,’ Sylvia said.
‘But I never heard the story of his twin brother,’ Arnaud said. ‘Never knew he existed.’
‘Neither did I,’ Rose said. ‘I thought Claire was lying. But then when I saw her great-aunt’s book and everything in it, I knew she was telling the truth. But it took a while before it all sank in. I’m still trying to accept it, to be honest.’ She looked at Sylvia, who was enjoying her food and wine, looking cool and unperturbed. ‘And Granny knew about it all along.’
Sylvia put down her knife and fork. ‘Well, it was something I had pushed to the back of my mind. I never thought it wouldcome up, so I had more or less forgotten about it, as strange as that may seem.’
‘I can understand that,’ Arnaud said. ‘Life happens while you’re living it, so old stories, especially those of other people, can be put into a memory bank and then all kinds of other things make you forget. But you are both too young to know this.’
Claire nodded. ‘I do see what you mean, though.’
‘Me too,’ Rose said. She finished her meal and then got up. ‘I have to go home. I promised Sophie to read her a bedtime story. Granny, will you let me know when we are having the family meeting? You need to get Lily, Dominic, Vi, Jack, me and Noel together. And Claire, of course. As soon as possible, please.’
‘I will,’ Sylvia promised. ‘Even if rounding everyone up will be like herding sheep without a collie,’ she added with a laugh. ‘Off you go. Sophie is waiting and you can’t disappoint her.’
‘I know. I’ll just go and get my jacket from the office. See you soon, Claire. Bye, Granny.’ Rose kissed Sylvia on the cheek. ‘Delicious meal, Arnaud, thank you.’ Then she left through the back door, closing it softly behind her.
‘More chicken?’ Arnaud asked Claire.
‘No, thanks,’ Claire replied with a smile. ‘It was delicious, but I don’t have room for any more. In any case, I think I’ll go upstairs now. I want to call my sister in Australia and tell her what has happened.’
Sylvia looked at Claire with interest. ‘How many brothers and sisters do you have?’
‘Just a brother who lives in Canada and a sister in Australia.’
‘Two more Fleurys,’ Sylvia said. ‘You must tell us about them when we have our meeting.’
‘Of course,’ Claire said. ‘My sister is very excited about this, actually.’
‘And your brother?’ Arnaud asked.
‘He doesn’t know yet. I haven’t been in touch with him for quite a while,’ Claire explained. ‘We’re not very close. He’s a lot older than my sister and me and he left for Canada when I was only five years old. He started a business there. He’s more Canadian than Irish, really.’
