‘She’s interested in our marriages. I’m helping her with her article,’ Kate explains.
‘Not personally!’ I add with another unglamorous snort. ‘I’m not the marrying type,’ I say, looking for my composure.
‘Maybe you’re just not with the right man,’ Dan replies and before I can answer Kate says, ‘Well, I’m with the right man but my chances of a happily-ever-after marriage are precarious!’ She sounds defeated.
‘I wish I could help yis, Kate, you know my hands are tied.’Dan shakes his head.
‘It’ll be grand, Dan, don’t be mindin’ me. You better be coming to the wedding? You missed Betsy’s divorce party when you were in America,’ Kate says but again emotion peppers her voice. ‘There ya go, Maggie. Prime example – Betsy married up in Dublin.’
‘I wouldn’t miss it for the world, but I’m glad I missed the divorce party, stupid things.’
‘I tell ya what if you’d married Denise, I bet you’d have a different opinion.’ Kate tilts her head at him, her ponytail swinging.
They both laugh as my ears prick up. A feeling of insane jealousy washes over me for a man I don’t know and a woman I’ve never met!
‘If I’d married Denise, I’d be in a straightjacket!’
‘Where did you say you were getting married again, Kate?’ I ask abruptly, pretending I didn’t hear all that.
‘The Moritz Hotel. It’s a small hotel on the outskirts of Galway that my aunt manages. Just holds fifty. We’re supplying our own food and drink. It’s just the room really and she’s giving us the hire for free. Anyway, where was I? Oh yeah, I’m gonna go call Esther and Michael, see if they are up for a visit? In fairness, they love nothing more than to talk about themselves, isn’t that right, Dan?’ Kate pulls her phone out from the pocket of her knee-length denim skirt. I watch her dial a number and press her phone to her ear as she walks away, pushing open the swinging doors with her foot.
‘You’re looking to interview them?’ Dan asks me with a narrowing of his dark eyes.
‘If possible.’ I nod.
‘Just don’t drive into their front porch and kill them now, do ya hear?’ Dan’s eyes holds mine again but with what I recognise now as a flash of mischief in them as he crosses the room.
‘You really should consider a career in comedy,’ I pretend to look out over the doors, ‘maybe you can go on after the band?’
‘Blue suits you.’ Dan’s eyes roam.
‘Oh—’ He stops me in my tracks with the unexpected compliment as I look down to my sweater. When I look up, Kate has stepped back in and Dan nods at me as he passes her. I realise I’m holding my breath.
‘Alright, the pub is sending them a plate of freshly caught fish and chips for their lunch tomorrow. Esther said if you can take them over, they’ll have a chat with ya?’ Kate squashes her phone back into her front pocket as I release a long exhale. ‘Y’all right?’ Kate’s shoulders hunch in wonder.
‘I’m fine, bit jet lagged is all, only hitting me now,’ I fabricate.
‘A hot whiskey, thick white batch bread toasted with melted cheddar cheese, tomato and onion and you’ll go out like a light. Ask the kitchen up at the castle to rustle you up one.’
‘I’ll try that and thanks so much for setting that interview up for me.’ Delighted, I beam at Kate. If this goes well it can be my second interview for the article. Then I can write around Aisling and Aaron’s wedding. ‘One more favour?’ I ask her.
‘Go on? I’ll have to start chargin’ ya for my time,’ she jokes, tipping her finger off her wrist watch.
‘You and Jimmy,’ I look to Kate’s simple diamond engagement ring, ‘could I interview you guys?’ I ask hopefully. Ever since I spoke to Kate at the wedding, I’ve been thinking they would be a brilliant third and final interview for my piece.
‘Us?’ Her eyes widen. ‘In a New York magazine? I’m all for it but I need to ask Jimmy first.’
‘Of course,’ I say, nodding.
‘Better get back out there, it’s my night to volunteer. Check back with me tomorrow? Shit! He didn’t spot the bucket, did he?’ Kate lifts the bucket up as I shut my MacBook.
‘Dan? No, I don’t think so. Why?’ It’s only then I see thewriting on the bucket: SAVE CASTLEMOON.
‘We’re trying to raise extra funds on the side. A few of us have been collecting all year. We’ve quite the haul in the credit union. Look, I better fly, my bucket’s not nearly full enough.’
‘But where will I find you tomorrow?’ I jump in, following Kate. What the hell is going on that people are fundraising so damn hard for a castle that is being sold?
‘At the organic market, drop in any time after ten.’ Kate exits through the swinging doors. ‘I’m on the till,’ she calls over her shoulder.
