‘O’Connor’s Solicitor’s – the office is across from The Tap House?’ Jacinta reminds him.
Fintan still shakes his head. ‘Is it Jonathan O’Connor, you mean? Small man, serious, always wears a bow tie, has a limp now – arthritis probably no more than myself…’ Fintan glances down at his stiff and swollen fingers.
‘Aye, that’s the father you’re thinking of, but right family,’ Jacinta says knowingly. ‘O’Connor’s Solicitors are in Innisfree for generations. One of the best solicitors around. The father is very by the book. James was a bit of a headcase when he was younger, but he’s come up in the world. Very handsome, lovely head of black hair on him. He’s settled down now, sure that’sonly natural – there’s a little wildness in us all… even you back in the day, Fintan.’
I think on James as being a bit of a wild one. I guess that makes sense – the way he stepped in to break up the fight at the Fox tells me he’s no stranger around trouble. His eyes were intense, his body tense, and he had a certain air about him. He said something that made everyone stop and take a breath, then turn around and walk away. You don’t learn that kind of thing at university, only from lived experience.
But Fintan still looks at a loss. ‘I can’t place this James fella.’
‘Surely you remember him…’ Jacinta leans closer and speaks into his ear, her voice low and hushed.
Fintan’s eyes open wider, as if hearing something shocking, then squint carefully as he takes it in.
As soon as Jacinta pulls away, they both make the sign of the cross and murmur, ‘May they rest in peace.’
Fintan nods, a look of admiration on his face. ‘Ah, now I know who you’re talking about – he doesn’t fit the typical solicitor stereotype, which threw me off. He’s a decent guy – he shouldn’t beat himself up over what happened; it was an awful accident. Tragic. It shook the whole town. And not the first tragedy he’s met with either. But he’s doing his best and that’s all anyone can do. He helped Jacinta and I out with some computer issues – we’re both none too savvy when it comes to the modern technology…’
Did I hear that correctly? James shouldn’t blame himself for something? What awful accident occurred?
Kayla senses my confusion and quickly jumps in to change the subject and lighten the tone. ‘So, The Tap House, is that a pub?’
Jacinta nods excitedly. ‘Aye, it is indeed. They’re open till midnight most nights, often later than that, live music and the like – you’ll find James in there at some point of the week. Verysociable, knows everyone, but sure, he’s working every hour God sends, no time for anything except a few pints in the village.’
‘Bless me soul, brothers and sisters! Will you listen to our good lady here? Sure, she wants the whole town to know their business! Jacinta’s like a Sky News reporter – up to date with the goings-on, whether we like it or not.’
Jacinta feigns innocence and stares wide-eyed at us all before continuing with her story. ‘It’s true though, they do keep late hours at the office… James is always there late – you can see the lights on from the street. Someone told me they heard he’s working on some big mess of a will – when there’s a will, there’s a headache…’
Kayla looks at Jacinta curiously. ‘What do you mean? What messy will?’
Fintan takes a deep breath, clearly amused by his sister’s chatter. ‘Well, now we’re curious, are we not?’ He laughs heartily.
Jacinta smirks as she looks back at her brother before responding to Kayla. ‘Well, I hear tell that James O’Connor has been out and about trying to find the inheritor of Mick Kennedy’s estate.’
In perfect unison, they both bow their heads, make a sign of the cross and whisper, ‘May he rest in peace.’ And then they both just snap back into the present moment, right back into the chat where we left off. I’m feeling overwhelmed as I attempt to take in the new facts about Mick Kennedy before we even hit Innisfree. My mind is spinning in circles, overloaded with a myriad of questions and thoughts. It feels like a never-ending cycle of information, and although I want to know as much as possible, I’m struggling to keep up.
‘Big mystery who Mick left it all to – he had no children, no wife, no family… but he left it to someone.’ Jacinta shakesher head in amazement. ‘Cases like that don’t come around here often, if ever!’
Fintan pats his sister’s shoulder reassuringly. ‘Now, Jacinta, don’t get ahead of yourself – I’m sure he’ll figure it all out.’ He turns to Kayla with an apologetic smile. ‘As much as my sister loves to spread rumours around town, none of them are ever malicious… just idle gossip.’ He squints at me, his brows furrowed. ‘Have I seen you before? There’s something familiar about you.’
Jacinta gapes. ‘Are you a famous person? A musician or an actor? What have we seen you in?’
I shake my head firmly. ‘Not in the slightest. Nothing since I played a donkey in the school nativity.’
Jacinta snickers, but Fintan keeps on scrutinising me.
‘That’s not it… Gosh, I can’t put my finger on it.’
Jacinta turns to him. ‘Could you please stop gawking at the lady like she’s a criminal on a wanted poster? It’s way past your nap time, Fintan. Let your poor brain take a break and you’ll remember.’
Kayla nudges me, as if to prompt me to come clean.
I take a deep breath before speaking. ‘Actually… James O’Connor has found the mystery heir. It was my mother.’
Jacinta and Fintan both gasp in astonishment at my revelation.
‘Your mother!’ Fintan exclaims, shaking his head in disbelief.
I smile reassuringly. ‘And that’s why we’re here – to check it out and go from there.’
