Page 26 of The Book of Irish Secrets
She did. ‘Hi, Claire. Lovely to hear from you.’
‘Hi, Rose. First of all, I want to thank you for last night,’ Claire started. ‘I really enjoyed the evening.’
‘So did we,’ Rose said. ‘And… Did I get some romantic vibes there between you and Pierce?’
‘Oh, eh…’ Claire felt her face flush at the thought of Pierce and his light kiss on her cheek. ‘Not sure. We’ve only just met, after all.’
‘I know, but the vibes can happen even at first sight,’ Rose suggested. ‘But I won’t go on and poke into your private affairs. It’s just that I’m so fond of Pierce and keep hoping he’ll meet someone special soon. He’s been very lonely.’
‘I guessed that,’ Claire said softly. ‘And I do like him very much already. Anyway,’ she breezed on, not wanting to linger on the subject, ‘I wanted to ask you something. Would it be okay if I moved into the flat today?’
‘Of course,’ Rose replied. ‘You’ve signed the lease so there’s no reason to wait. I’m sure you’ll be anxious to have your own place. But I have a few things on this morning, so could you wait until around four o’clock? I have to drive Sophie to Irish dancing and then Freddie has a playdate on the other side of town, so I won’t be free to give you the keys and settle you in until later on.’
‘That’s fine,’ Claire said. ‘It’ll take me a little while to pack anyway. And I think Karina wants me to come over to go through a few things this morning. I just saw a missed call from her.’
‘That’s okay, then,’ Rose said. ‘Come up to the manor at four and I’ll meet you there with keys and stuff.’
‘Perfect,’ Claire said, feeling a spark of excitement. She said goodbye to Rose and hung up, relishing the thought of moving into Magnolia Manor. This seemed too good to be true and she resisted an urge to pinch herself. And when Finola called, she was happy to share her news.
‘Wow,’ Finola said. ‘You’re going to live at Magnolia Manor? That’s amazing. How did you manage that?’
‘It just happened,’ Claire said. ‘I think Pierce was behind it, actually. So kind of him.’
‘He seems to be keen on you,’ Finola remarked.
‘Oh, he’s just being nice because I just started working for his sister,’ Claire said, trying to sound casual. ‘And the flat just happened to be available. A stroke of luck, that’s all.’
‘Or a match made in heaven?’ Finola asked.
‘Stop it,’ Claire urged. ‘There’s nothing going on there. Why can’t I be friends with a man without it being turned into some kind of romance? I’m not a teenager, you know.’
‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to imply anything.’ Finola sounded apologetic. ‘Just joking, really.’
‘I know. I didn’t mean to snap. I was being too touchy. Anyway, I got the letter. And…’ Claire stopped, suddenly not wanting to share the latest discovery with Finola. She felt strongly that from now on everything regarding the Fleury family should be confidential.
‘And…?’ Finola asked. ‘Did it contain any clues?’
‘Not really. I’ll tell you when I have the whole picture,’ Claire said.
‘Okay.’ Finola seemed, as always, to understand how Claire felt. ‘No need to go into anything at this stage. And I didn’t read the letter,’ she added. ‘I thought it might be something private. So please don’t feel any need to tell me what was in it.’
‘Thank you, Finola,’ Claire said. ‘You seem to know what I’m thinking all the time.’
‘I’m just trying to put myself in your place,’ Finola said. ‘So anyway, what are you doing in Kerry this weekend?’
The change of subject was a relief and Claire told Finola that she was moving into the little flat at Magnolia Manor today and that she’d spend the weekend settling in. Finola was excited to hear it and they chatted about the little flat for a while untilClaire saw an incoming call from Karina and had to end the conversation.
‘Hello, Karina,’ Claire said. ‘What’s up?’
‘I’m so sorry to disturb you at the weekend,’ Karina said, sounding flustered. ‘I know I said we’d go through the timetable for Sylvia’s party on Tuesday. But now I have to go to Dublin for a meeting with a publisher about the possible publication of that cookbook Pierce wants me to do. I’m still not sure I’ll do it, but I thought I’d go just to see what they say.’
‘Oh, I think you should,’ Claire urged. ‘You have such an appreciative audience on your social media platforms. If they all buy the book, won’t that be a great start? And then with Pierce’s talents for marketing, the sales will continue and it will be so worth it in the end.’
‘Yes, but it’ll take time away from my work here,’ Karina argued. ‘My catering business might suffer as a result.’
‘I can take care of things in the office and sort out the menus,’ Claire assured her. ‘And with Maura’s help, things will run very smoothly. I think it would be a new beginning for you. Who knows where it might lead?’
Karina paused for a moment. ‘Maybe you’re right,’ she said. ‘But in that case I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask you to be in charge of Sylvia’s party while I’m away.’
