Pulling on my green wool coat, I rush down the stairs but forgetto step over the top step and almost lose my footing. I take them two at a time, so desperate am I to see Dan, to grasp for his hand. I try to slip past Mary, who spots me at the last minute.
‘I believe you asked to speak to me, lovey?’ Mary steps out, her face curious.
‘Sorry, it’s okay, Mary. False alarm.’ I stop for a second. ‘I have to go.’ I keep moving, calling back over my shoulder, darting out through the heavy castle door. Outside is a clear blanket of snow, no sign of Dan. I turn circles, walking through the fresh snowfall out into the car park where I hit the Rolls-Royce just three days ago. It’s hard to fathom and make sense of it all, but I am a different person since that happened. I am a better version of the woman who left New York.
I have found my backbone at last. I have found roots that I didn’t even know I needed to find so badly to complete me as a person, and most importantly of all I have found what I know is true love and I’m not afraid of it anymore even if I can’t keep it. It’s all thanks to Castlemoon.
‘I’m not afraid of love anymore,’ I whisper as my breath fogs around me. I stand up on the small grey stone wall and just look up at the castle as the snow flutters perfectly past my eyes.
‘Careful.’ His warning call echoes, always looking out for me.
Dan comes out towards me from behind the castle, Red now panting by his side.
‘I love how your first reaction is the wellbeing of the castle,’ he says to me.
‘Of course it is.’ I look up at Castlemoon again, standing protectively, looking down on us.
‘I’ve made my decision. I can never sell Castlemoon. I won’t sign it over to Acquired Finance, Frederick what’s his face and his tiny vultures. He lied to me and I hate liars. More than anything, I hate liars. I’m pulling out of the deal.’ He looks calmer, more composed now that he’s made his decision.
‘Good for you.’ I fist pump.
‘I do owe him back his deposit of ten thousand euros, though. Terry’s been over the contracts with me on the phone and he’s trying to reach our solicitor who’s abroad. That money must be paid back a week from today or the deal remains intact.’ His tone gathering regret.
‘We can raise that money, right?’
‘Well, I’m heading back down to the hall to tell everyone. Most of the village are still there. They, are drinking the leftover mulled wine according to Terry, who’s been patiently answering their questions while I came up to confront you. I’m sorry that Terry booted you out of the meeting like that .?.?.’
‘He was right!’
‘It nearly broke my heart.’
‘I’m so sorry, I swear I was going to tell you today about my part but I had no idea about the rest until that call with Eliza and Ben. I was led to believe the deal was already agreed that the castle would remain as is and that everyone was happy. I was so caught up in my own selfish world about getting a stupid magazine feature in print that I didn’t open my eyes properly. Call myself a journalist!’ I facepalm.
‘I understand why you did it, I know it wasn’t malicious.’
‘As you heard, the village was distraught when I told them I wasthinkingof selling – they had no idea how close I came. I was trying to protect them but I forgot how much this old castle means to us all.’
‘It’s so special,’ I say.
‘By all accounts they have been fundraising with buckets to save Castlemoon all year behind my back and have quite the fund in the credit union. It may well pay for some of the deposit. Terry filled them in on everything, says they are all down there plotting ways to raise more money.’ Dan’s eyes dip, his foot moving back and forth across the fresh snow.
‘I saw that but you were also planning the céilí fundraiser?’ I ask, still wondering why that was.
‘Shit! The céilí! That’s tonight!’ He looks pale again and stressed as he tries to figure all this out. My heart aches for him.
‘It’s okay, I can help, I’m here. Let me help,’ I beg.
‘I only went ahead with this céilí because I hoped the money we raised could go to a private hip operation for Mary, which in fact, believe it or not, is six thousand euros including respite. Now it looks like I’m going to need it towards the Acquired Finance deposit too. I don’t have it, Maggie. I used three thousand five hundred of it to fix the Rolls-Royce and pay overdue bills.’
‘But you told me it just needed a bumper? Why didn’t you claim off my insurance?’ I can’t believe this.
‘Ack, I didn’t want you getting into any trouble with your boss and I still feel horrible at how I treated you when that happened. I was a bit obnoxious.’
‘Dan!’ I can’t believe he did that for me. Again, another reason to love him even more.
‘Listen to me. You can do this,’ I say, suddenly feeling calm and in control, ‘I believe in you. We will find a way.’
‘You being here is a total blessing. Someone sent you. I’d never have known Frederick’s plans to turn the castle into luxury apartments. He promised me face to face he was going to keep it as it was, staff especially. A gentleman’s handshake,’ he recounts again.
