‘Don’t get involved in idle village gossip is all I’m saying.’ His tone is sharp and curt, and I hear a slight edge that conveys his annoyance with me.
A little shocked at his tone I walk on, then Dan puts a hand gently on my shoulder.
‘I’m sorry. I’m a bit of a hot head when it comes to Castlemoon. I speak before I think. I tend to mess up everything that’s good for me.’
Although I’m still a bit blindsided by his outburst, his apology, this time, is genuine. I see it in his eyes.
‘Of course, it’s okay. It was my fault for prying, I won’t ask again,’ I declare but immediately I’m curious to know more about him and his involvement with the castle.
Dan runs his hand across his stubble, then the start of a smile creeps along his lips as he pulls my hat down further to cover mycold ears. His handsome face lights up.
‘Cute. Take four?’ he asks, holding his palms together under his chin.
‘I’d say this is take five!’ I tell him with a dramatic but playful roll of my eyes.
‘Can I offer you a nightcap as a peace offering?’
‘I really should get back, I’ve a ton of work,’ I say but very half-heartedly.
‘My bark is worse than my bite. I-I can be a stress-head, I know. Don’t hate me, please?’
‘I don’t .?.?.’ I look around. It’s late, the village is all but asleep.
‘So say yes then?’ he pushes.
‘To a nightcap? But where?’ I wonder.
‘Inside. In Heartwell Hall, follow me.’
I follow Dan around the back of the hall and he lifts a small iron statue of a dog at the back door and lifts up a key. He opens the back door and I step in behind him.
‘It’s pitch black,’ I hiss.
‘You’re safe with me, don’t worry .?.?.’
‘I wasn’t worrying until you said that! Hurry up!’ But I’m joking, and even in the darkness of this hall, I still feel more than safe with this stranger. Sometimes it’s just a person’s aura, I think, because I really can’t explain it.
‘Hang on. You’ve no patience, Maggie Grace.’
He fumbles for a minute, then a small light glows as he steps out holding a lantern.
‘And then there was light.’ I laugh as I look all around. It’s a typical hall you’d expect to see in a small town. It’s spacious, featuring wooden beams that stretch across the ceiling, has a distinct musty smell that hints at its age and history, which I find quite appealing. Rows of long wooden benches are on either side and a small stage area at the top. I follow Dan as he heads up to the front of the hall, properly feeling the fact we are all alonenow.
‘It’s a set. I don’t want to turn on the house lights. If you’d like to sit down, I’ll be back.’ He points to a small two-seater couch, with a table in front and a sheepskin rug on the stage. ‘All left over set from the local drama society. I fell asleep during it, I was jet lagged, so don’t ask me to review it.’ He unzips his wax jacket, wrangles himself out of it revealing that tight white T-shirt underneath. He quickly tucks it into his jeans.
As I sink into the soft couch, I get the smell of spices, like someone made mulled wine in here earlier. It’s cloves, maybe? Dan returns with a bottle and two water glasses.
‘No wine glasses.’ He holds them up.
‘Where did you get that?’ I laugh.
‘We had a mulled wine party on Tuesday night. Jimmy Murphy Senior makes it every year. If I remember correctly, and it is a bit hazy, Kate got up and did the Riverdance, Clare was shifting that weird lad Damien to annoy Jack, Aisling sang “Oh, Little Town Of Bethlehem”, very off key, and Aaron was on the ground laughing and Mary’s sons wrestled. Normal enough village Christmas madness. It’s strong stuff, so just a few sips is advisable.’ Dan unscrews the top and as he pours us two glasses I think of how much fun that night sounds, how I’d love to be part of that. The community don’t need anything but themselves to live a great life here on the stunning Wild Atlantic Way.
‘Cheers.’ We clink, then he eases himself into the very small space beside me. His strong arm squashed into mine, his bulging thigh touching mine. For the first time, I realise he must like me. Why else are we here? I take a huge gulp. It goes against my breath and I cough. Dan pats my back.
‘S-sorry.’ I hold my hand up, my eyes watering as I pull off his hat. ‘Strong!’ I add. I hiccup, wipe my eyes and when I look back at him, he’s staring at me with a smirk and curiosity in his brown eyes.
‘I’m not much of a drinker, an odd glass of wine here and there. You’d probably call me a lightweight,’ I say.
