Page 21 of The Book of Irish Secrets
‘I don’t know about that,’ Claire said with a laugh. ‘Young-ish, perhaps, but not as fit as I should be. I’ll improve on that when I live here.’
‘Of course you will.’ Rose looked delighted. ‘Welcome to your new home at Magnolia Manor. I’m so happy this little flat is going to have a tenant who will love it. I actually made up the bed with old linen sheets we found in a wardrobe. The quilt was made by my great-grandmother Caroline about a hundred years ago. Isn’t it beautiful?’
‘It’s gorgeous,’ Claire said, running her hand over the silky surface. ‘Your great-grandmother must have been very talented.’
‘I think she was,’ Rose said. ‘And very beautiful and wise. Did you see her portrait in the orangery?’
‘Oh yes, of course,’ Claire said, remembering the lovely face with the deep blue eyes. ‘A very pretty woman.’
‘She was married to Cornelius, who is supposed to have been a bit of a rascal,’ Rose said. ‘A charming rascal, by all accounts. Poor Caroline had to cope with a lot. But I suppose women did in those days. Just got on with it and didn’t complain.’
‘Yeah, well, some still do,’ Claire said, thinking of her own marriage. She had put up with a husband who didn’t really love her for a long time, until he left. They should never have married in the first place.
‘I suppose,’ Rose said. ‘But I wouldn’t put up with a man who didn’t make me happy. I’m lucky to have met a lovely man who puts up withmewhen I’m being awkward and bossy. Noel is so patient and sweet it makes me fall in love with him every day.’Rose’s eyes gleamed as she talked about her husband. ‘I’m the luckiest woman in Ireland.’
‘That’s wonderful,’ Claire said.
‘Yes, but… well, I heard you weren’t so lucky.’ Rose looked apologetically at Claire. ‘But maybe you’ll meet someone better one day? Someone special who’ll make you feel good.’
‘That would be nice.’ Claire sat down on the window seat. ‘In any case, I’m happy to be here in Kerry and have been offered this little flat to rent. It’s very kind of you to rent it to me.’
‘I just didn’t want to waste it,’ Rose said. ‘And I needed to have a tenant I could trust. Both Karina and Pierce vouched for you, so I was happy to offer you the place.’
‘That was nice of them, considering I have only just started working for Karina,’ Claire said. She suddenly felt worried at Rose’s declaration of trust. What would she say if she knew Claire’s real reason for being here?
‘Yes, but you settled in so quickly,’ Rose argued. ‘And we already feel we know you.’
‘That’s so nice,’ Claire stammered, wondering how long she would have to keep the charade going. But she knew she had to keep it up for now, even if she longed to come clean and tell Rose the truth. She hoped with all her heart that she would find the answer to all her questions very soon. ‘I feel the same about you.’
‘That’s great,’ Rose said and started to walk out of the room. ‘Anyway, if you come with me, we’ll go down to the office and sign the contract. Noel drew it up when I told him you were interested.’
‘Do you want a downpayment or a security deposit?’ Claire asked. ‘I mean, the flat is fully furnished and has all the crockery and kitchen equipment that I’ll need.’
‘No, that won’t be necessary,’ Rose replied. ‘Most of the crockery is just bits and pieces we found in the old kitchen. Nothing really matches, you’ll find, even if the pieces are quitenice. Just tell me if you break something and we’ll sort it out. The sheets and towels are also second-hand from the old linen cupboard that we thought would do for here. We’re just happy all those things are being used instead of being thrown out. Call it recycling and upcycling or something.’
‘Great.’ Claire smiled and got up. ‘Happy to use any Magnolia Manor cast-offs.’
They walked out together while Rose explained about the layout of the attics. ‘You’ll be the only one up here right now. I just need to figure out where to put all of these files and records.’
‘Files?’ Claire asked, trying to hide her excitement.
‘All that’s up here are the archives that we keep in the little room next to the stairs,’ Rose explained. ‘I go in there to root around sometimes just to try to sort it all out. I did quite a bit when I was doing some research into the family history but I don’t have much time for that any more. Some of it is all organised into files but there are a lot of old papers and letters to go through yet. Very tedious, but Granny doesn’t want anything to be thrown out until she’s had a look at it. I’ll need to move them if you want the storage.’
‘I’m fine,’ Claire said, feeling a frisson of excitement at the thought of those archives. ‘I don’t have much to store. Is it locked up?’
‘Is what locked up?’ Rose asked, looking confused. ‘Oh, you mean the archives and all the stuff? Not at all. I’ve been through a lot of it and there’s nothing much left of any interest. Nothing private.’
‘I suppose,’ Claire said, trying to hide how much she’d love to have a ‘root around’ in the archives. She was sure she’d find something that would help her solve the mystery she had been trying to figure out ever since she had got Auntie Rachel’s book. But now she would be living practically next door to a treasuretrove of material. And she’d be all alone up here. There would be plenty of opportunities to sneak in and take a look.
Claire tried to forget her feelings of guilt while she went with Rose to her office to sign the lease on the little flat. She promised herself she wouldn’t let this go on for much longer. She needed to get to the bottom of the feud as soon as possible. Then she could reveal who she was. It would be such a relief to stop pretending.
‘I don’t know how to thank you,’ Claire said when she had signed the contract. ‘It’s such a stroke of luck that you happened to have this flat to let right now.’
‘Well, we’re happy to welcome you to Magnolia Manor,’ Rose said, sitting opposite Claire at her desk. ‘And you can use all the facilities like the gym and indoor pool in the old conservatory. The library as well. And feel free to walk in the gardens and go to the little beach if you feel like a swim later in the spring.’
‘That sounds lovely,’ Claire said. ‘I know I’ll be busy working for Karina but I’m sure I’ll have a day or two off from time to time.’
‘You will,’ Rose said. ‘Karina won’t want to work you into the ground. She’s super busy right now, though, so it’ll be a bit hectic but you’ll get used to it.’
