Then, I take a concerned and confused-looking Dan by the elbow and lead him back into the Heart Ballroom.
There is no denying the ballroom has an electric energy and in this late hour of the night, with Christmas almost upon us, the festive vibe just spills over. We walk around the edge of thehuge dancefloor that’s now empty with the villagers all queuing for food at the back of the room, so I walk into the middle of the dancefloor.
‘Right here.’ I stamp my foot. ‘The perfect partition. I thought it the first time I stood in here at Aisling and Aaron’s wedding.’ I stamp it again.
‘How’d you mean?’ Dan’s eyes search mine, with that more-than-intrigued look he gives off. I watch as he moves towards me, his hands on his hips and his head tilted in wonder. It feels empowering to have someone really listen to my ideas. Really take me seriously.
‘Okay, so we part the room along this line.’ I drag my foot along the floor moving backwards. ‘You still have what looks like a full dancefloor but now it’s at the top or the bottom of the room depending. We still have the windows, the view .?.?.’
‘I’ve never even thought of halving this room, but hang on, I’d still have to heat the entire ballroom, though?’ Dan slides his hands from his hips deep into his pockets, but I can see he’s thinking it out.
‘No. Your heating system is killing you. Kill it before it finishes you completely. We bring in storage heaters, cheap to hire for a few days, masked behind classic radiator covers, and take bookings for much smaller weddings. This room should be booked out five nights a week. We spend money on a soundproof divider. That’s non-negotiable. It will pay us back a million times over in weddings, engagements, twenty-firsts, as you said. But also book launches, and wine tastings, and comedy nights. We can run yoga and Pilates classes in here all day if we want to! Dan, my mind is bursting with ideas on how we can generate more income.’
A slow developing smile appears. ‘God, you’re right. How have I not been thinking like you?’ He pulls his hands out, and runs his long fingers through his hair. ‘Is this all my fault?’ Hisvoice shakes. His two fists curl up, as they do when he’s anxious.
‘No, it’s not. It’s because your head is too full of trying to keep the wolf from the door. You’re trying to figure all of this out alone. It’s far too much for one person,’ I assure him with a strong, supportive voice.
Dan lifts his head slowly and looks at me like I’m the answer to all his prayers, a bright expression like sunshine that has just risen above the clouds crosses his face. ‘Tell me more, tell me more! Enlighten me, educate me with your amazing creative business brain, Maggie Grace.’
‘Don’t get me started on all the other ways we have to make money, or my creative my brain will explode!’ I count out on my fingers. ‘Marquee weddings on the grounds in summer, market stalls selling jewellery, handmade goods, picnic benches all down the side of the driveway on the grass for takeaway coffees, castle barbeque days, family fun days, you can even host small gymkhana days for pony clubs with all this green space. I met a new girl to the village, Amy. She’s setting up a coffee van. Get her up here, charge her to rent castle ground space to start, think of all the passing trade you will get. You could even have Castlemoon merch! Tourists love that and there is a huge profit to be made on it. Get a gigantic special board at the castle doors, that will drive passing trade inside. Let local artists display their work on the walls and take a commission on all sales. There are endless opportunities, Dan.’ I’m so excited I perform a quick jig, my feet tapping rhythmically on the floor to the music the trad band are tuning up to.
He watches me. ‘Beautiful. Should I call Riverdance, see if they need any new dancers?’ he jokes.
‘They couldn’t afford me!’ I shimmy my shoulders and smile brightly at him.
Then, there is a long pause. Dan’s eyes hold mine steadily so that even blinking feels impossible.
‘Where have you been all my life?’ He gasps a huge lungful of air, as though he wasn’t sure he was going to say that. He’s shocked himself.
‘I know’ is all I say back to him because I do know. We both know. But the thought of saving Castlemoon for him pushes me on to the business at hand. Saving this place is the most important thing of all right now.
I go on. ‘So, I’ve set up a new Instagram for the castle, that’s what I was doing tonight in my room. In your room, Dan Delaney Is Cool.’ I raise an eyebrow.
He laughs knowingly, and then cringes slightly. ‘What made ya look under the stool?’
‘It fell over. Too cute. Anyway, I’ve used the article that I did for the magazine and my pictures. I think it’s the tool we .?.?.’ I check myself, I’ve been saying ‘we’ all the time I realise, a flush stabbing my cheeks. ‘You .?.?. I – I mean .?.?. the tool you need when the cellar is done and you feature Kate and Jimmy’s wedding as the more intimate option – please never use or refer to it as the cheaper option, it cheapens the cellar and I’d hate that – bookings will fly in. My best friend Jill is a huge influencer, vintage clothing mainly but a lot of vintage wedding gowns too, and she’s agreed to post on her page in a few weeks. I know you can go viral with Castlemoon as a wedding venue, Dan, I just know it.’ I’m nodding so enthusiastically my hair bounces with every movement.
Dan says nothing. So I wait. I now know he’s not the kind of man to rush his thoughts. Dan is a deep thinker. Then, slowly he lifts both his hands, cups my face within them but now I’m used to the physical jolt his touch delivers.
‘I’m hoping you can’t get home in this weather, did I tell you that? I’m hoping Faith is on our side.’
‘Me too,’ I admit. I can’t scan the room to see if people are looking but I know they must be.
‘Let’s get out of here,’ he says as the céilí starts back up. Seán is on the mic telling the crowd it’s the last few dances and to get up on the floor. Conversation and laughter swirls again as fiddles, flutes, bodhráns and accordions sound out.
‘We have to show the cellar to Kate and Jimmy. They’re waiting for us.’ I put my hands on his and gently remove them from my face. I scan the room for them, no sign. ‘They must be outside,’ I tell Dan as he follows me back out to the lobby.
‘Sorry! Here we are!’ I call out to them. Kate sits on Jimmy’s knee by the blazing fire, her cheeks rosy.
‘At last! The band are back for the last hour and we have dancing to do. Need to dance those Christmas turkey sambos and chocolate Santas off my fiancé so he fits into his wedding suit next week.’ Playfully, Kate squeezes Jimmy’s non-existent stomach.
‘Follow us.’ I lead them back through the Sweet Orange Room, down the winding stairs and open the gate to the cellar with ease.
‘Good job, Dan.’ I smile over my shoulder to him.
‘Thanks, boss.’ He nods as he flicks on the also newly fixed overhead light. A lone hanging bulb shines brightly.
‘Now, I need you both to use your imaginations,’ I say.
