‘Right,’ I say, my eyes enthralled by what I’m looking at. The imposing walls that taper at the top. The conical roofs of the towers crenellated for lookouts.
There’s still absolute silence from Amanda, who seems to be just staring at me awaiting a further response.
Eventually, I realise I have to say something ‘B-but what have I got to do with this castle? With Castlemoon?’
‘Good question, I thought you’d fallen asleep.’ Amanda stands in front of the projected image and raises a finger to her lips.
‘Oh, no!’ Placing my two hands on the couch, I push myself up to standing.
‘So, you want to be promoted to feature writer?’ she asks me.
‘I really do, I know I can write about love .?.?.’ As I walk, I place my hand on my heart, hoping I can show her the depth of my feelings about this promotion.
‘This is very special job but there are a few factors to it. Are you listening?’
‘Yes.’ I focus my eyes on her.
‘Frederick Macken is in the middle of purchasing this castle. He will keep the hotel authentic, obviously. He won’t change a thing. He’s very conscientious like that. Well, it’s a protected building but he is respecting the owner’s wishes to keep the local staff on. Nothing will change at Castlemoon. It will remain exactly as it is. This job you will do is for both of us. It’s a very special job to us.’ Amanda’s tapping more keys on her laptop now.
‘Right, I see,’ I say, not sure what on earth she is talking about as a new slide of the back of the castle pops up.
‘See? The castle has a man-made lake and overlooks the rolling hills of Connemara, so the grounds provide the picturesque setting we need for the magazine and the tourist attraction Frederick needs for profit.’ Amanda laughs loudly. Too loudly, it grates on my nerves.
‘Stunning,’ I say more confused than ever.
‘This is where you come in. Or Salma. Depending on who wants the promotion more.’
‘Oh!’ I gasp. So this is why Salma is also in early. I was right. I take a deep breath, feel my chest expand.
‘I only have one position for promotion to the writers’ room. Obviously, you have been here far longer, but Salma is an excellent writer too and a very hard worker. She’s been on and on at me to promote her, is always here before breakfast asking me if there is any extra work she can do and stays late into the night. Salma is a real go-getter and I need someone in that room who can multi-task. Do you really think that’s you? Do you really have what it takes?’ Amanda has switched to her low tone signalling seriousness.
‘I do,’ I tell her, a shake in my voice now. If I’m passed over for Salma I may as well walk out the door and never come back.
‘I need a team in there who can write, deliver and travel solo, so are you up for a challenge?’ Amanda says slowly and crosses her arms.
‘Yes,’ I say with forced confidence. But I am not the greatest traveller. Travelling makes me uneasy. All those anxious years moving from base to base as a young girl. Why is she mentioning travelling solo?
‘I’m taking a chance on you, Maggie. I’m giving you dibs to write your first feature article on this castle in Ireland.’
‘Really?’ My brain whooshes like a rollercoaster as I thinkIRELAND! But that’s the other side of the world!
‘You can say no and I will have Salma in this door in seconds flat ready to take your place. It’s totally up to you. But Frederick was mightily impressed to hear about your research skills, and I can still see you in your cupcake-splattered apron asking me for the internship all those years ago,’ she says with an unusual hint of nostalgia in her voice.
‘I – I see, wow, Ireland. Okay, right. Can I think about it?’ I try to focus but my head is spinning with self-doubt.
‘What is there to think about?’ Amanda suddenly snaps.
‘Well, I’m j-just thinking that Ireland is on the other side of the world, and you said solo, so would anyone be coming with me?’ I mumble.
‘No. You don’t need me to give you the definition of solo, do you? You will also be required to compile a report for Frederick on the running of the hotel.’ Amanda looks at her watch.
‘Travel to I-Ireland alone to write this feature, okay. And .?.?. F-Frederick wants what? Sorry, Amanda, I don’t mean to—’ I stammer. Can I do this? Can I really say yes?
‘Laymen’s terms. You’re going to Ireland, to County Galway. I’m commissioning you to write the story on Castlemoon, as an international wedding location. From Frederick’s side, he needs you to write up a separate report on the castle. You will just be another set of eyes on how the place is being run before the sale. Simple.’ Amanda speaks to me slowly now, as though I’m a child. Well, I am behaving like one. I kick myself internally.
‘Got it.’ I nod, pulling myself together as reality hits me. I have to push myself out of my comfort zone. Be brave. I have to stop being afraid of life. I have to say yes. ‘I have a feature? The June edition ofUltimate Locations Wedding Magazinewill have a piece written by me?’ I bounce on the balls of my feet now.
‘Even bigger. If I love it,ifyou can turn in an exceptional piece, I want to use this castle as the cover for the June edition.It’s all in your hands.’
