‘Oh, we believe because it’s all true! You just mentioned Esther and Michael – they themselves celebrated their sixtieth wedding anniversary in Castlemoon just last weekend. Pity ya weren’t here then, we all had a hooley. Dan even stayed after midnight, which in itself is a miracle!’ Kate drains her orange now.
Just the very mention of his name makes my stomach swirl.
‘It’s simple. Jimmy and I can’t afford it. We both work two jobs, but the castle has become just too expensive. Aisling and Aaron could barely afford it and Aaron’s a successful builder with his own company and Aisling’s a midwife.’ Kate’s lip wobbles.
‘It really means that much to you,’ I state. It’s not a question.
‘I can’t even tell you. I believe in the blessings that getting married under that roof brings to a couple. I truly do.’ Kate sniffs lightly, her shoulders slump.
‘I understand.’
‘As I said, just look at Esther and Michael.’ Kate rubs her nose roughly.
‘Oh yes, I’d love to talk to them!’
‘Say what? You’re writing an article on Castlemoon and you haven’t interviewed them yet? Esther and MichaelareCastlemoon! Can’t believe you legit haven’t talked to them! They live in the Little White Cottage, right across the road here, down the crooked path, past the old phone box that now a free book box. If it’s a real love story you’re after then look no further than the—’ Kate suddenly gets distracted, craning her head to look over my shoulder at the noise of the flapping green doors.
‘Dan!’ She grabs the bucket and puts it behind her back then cocks a hip, slides her hand on it as Dan steps in. My breath quickens, my head muzzled at the sight of him once again.
FOURTEEN
‘How’s it goin’, Kate? Am just checking in on the ticket sales for Friday night.’ Dan does a double take as he sees me. ‘Oh? Maggie?’ His arm flies out wide and his hand waves as he looks at me quizzically but I notice that his eyes take me all in. Immediately, I feel my face flush. My mouth dries up.
‘Hi Dan.’ I manage, turning my back on him and busying myself unnecessarily in my satchel. He crowds this tiny back room. He has a presence like no other man I’ve ever encountered and it’s completely disconcerting. Kate looks at me, then at Dan, then at me again and back to Dan.
‘Is it me or did a bow just shoot across this room?’ Comically she does three double takes again.
‘Get away outta that, Kate O’ Toole.’ Dan moves past her to the round table where she left the pink booklet of tickets. ‘These all the tickets we have left?’
‘Right. Yes, I’m not doing too bad actually, I think I sold another eight. Jimmy has that English couple – swingers apparently, according to Betsy – out on a private heritage trip. He’s showin’ them all around Heartwell, so I sold them a pair of tickets too!’ Kate looks pleased with herself as I just stand there, my back against the wall, observing. I know exactly what they are talking about and feel like I’m a part of this conversation, butI am in fact a total outsider who only arrived yesterday. How can that be?
‘Why are they not stayin’ at the castle?’ Dan quizzed Kate.
‘More backpackers, they’re above the café in that new Airbnb Syd and Marv set up.’ Kate rolls her eyes under her heavy fake eyelashes.
‘Bloody hell, Heartwell doesn’t need anymore feckin’ Airbnbs!’ Dan’s eyes cloud over as he pulls out a chair and sits down. The heaviness seems to fall over him again. He crosses his left leg over his right, his boot balancing on his sturdy thigh, props his chin in his hand.
‘Maggie here is a high-flying reporter from New York, asking about love and the long-lasting marriages from the castle. Should I tell her to talk to our famous Lord Bachelor of the village? We’re sick of trying to get that fella married off, aren’t we?’ Kate laughs as Dan shakes his head.
‘Ye all need to leave that poor man alone, is what ye need to do. He’s exhausted with ye all. I’ve told him he needs a holiday. A sunny one. He’s looking at going to Thailand, says he may never come back. I wouldn’t be surprised.’ Dan stretches his arms above his head as his shirt rises and I see a glimpse of his taut, toned stomach. ‘We’ve met, a few times, isn’t that right, Maggie? We’re old friends at this stage.’
‘More like frenemies!’ But I crinkle my nose and smile warmly at him. He returns my smile. For some reason it feels like we’ve just broken the ice.
‘Ah, of course ya have met above in the castle. Keep yer clothes on, Dan, we have guests.’ Kate playfully pokes him.
Dan fixes his shirt, tucking one side into his jeans. My eyes dip and he catches me looking down before I stare in deep concentration at the thatched roof above us, only short of whistling my way out of this one.
‘I had to spin Séamus and Kathleen home from the weddinglast night, ya know, he was fierce confused,’ Dan tells Kate with sorrow swimming in his voice. ‘I ended up letting Kathleen sleep in the spare room and I sat up with him until he fell asleep in the early hours of the morning.’ Dan stifles a yawn.
I wonder if this explanation is also for my benefit because he didn’t return last night or am I being totally nuts?
‘Poor Séamus, but you’re so good to him, Dan, so good to Kathleen too. But did ya hear he wandered out toward the lake last week? Kath nearly had a nervous breakdown. I’m not sure how much longer that poor woman can mind him for. Aisling has her own life to live now too. She’s helped Aaron and Kath for so long with him but she wants a baby right away. There’s another great love story for ya, Maggie, those pair had the most wonderful marriage before Séamus was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s three years ago,’ Kate tells me, finishing her orange.
‘Ah sure, we’ll all help her. We’ll be okay. He’s not going into any home.’ Dan sounds determined.
‘’Tis okay you saying that, Dan, but it’s his safety we need to be concerned with now,’ Kate tells him but with a soft sigh.
I sit down, open my MacBook on my lap, feeling like I’m eavesdropping on a private conversation, so I begin to type the names of Esther and Michael. Dan stands, slowly flicks through the tickets book, reading the names written on the back, then looks at me questioningly.
