The contestants gather on stage and then one by one Dan will talk to them. Once they’ve answered his questions they’ll walk off the stage and down through the audience to the waiting area. There is a wall of ice between Sean and me as we stand at the back of the room watching. Dan approaches his first contestant and we all clap politely. Nancy is contestant number 7.
The competition has really livened up by the time Dan gets to Nancy. ‘So, Nancy, as festival organiser, what does bringing back the Dooleybridge oyster festival mean to you?’ Dan asks.
‘Well, I think the business opportunities are obvious. It will open more doors when we take the oysters produced here overseas, it will help people recognise the name and make it a brand. That can only be good for local suppliers.’ We all clap and Evelyn and John Joe nod their heads in agreement.
Sean leans over and whispers in my ear, ‘I’m sorry. I’m sorry for everything.’
I wonder if I’ve heard him right. What does he mean? Sorry it’s worked out like this or sorry it ever happened? My mind is buzzing.
Margaret is contestant number 8. She doesn’t wait for Dan to ask the question. She grabs the mike out of his hand.
‘This festival will put Dooleybridge back on the map. People will come here and see what a fab town it is. It’ll make us famous worldwide and everyone will want to visit. The festival will remind people what a great town this once was and can be again. Dooleybridge is gonna rock!’ she shouts, and Frank, Seamus and Padraig, Evelynand John Joe are up on their feet. Grandad is rolling backwards and forwards in his chair with glee.
There’s a short interval where the rest of the sausage rolls and pasties are devoured and half the audience go outside for a fag break.
‘You were great,’ I tell Margaret. Sean hands Nancy her coat and says nothing.
‘And our Pearl Queen is …’ Everyone is back in their seats and the contestants are biting their nails on stage. Dan has obviously been watchingX Factorand is keeping the audience waiting for ever.
I’ve got everything crossed for Margaret. She wants this so much and she deserves it. None of this would be happening if it wasn’t for her.
I hold my breath.
‘… Nancy Dubois!’ Dan announces with a fake drum roll.
Some of the room claps, others mutter the word ‘fixed’ and a few just get up to leave.
Nancy steps forward to accept her diamanté crown, the one Margaret hand-picked and has been practising wearing for weeks. Margaret looks like she’s been kicked in the guts.
‘And the runner up is … Margaret!’ And the whole place erupts with cheers and clapping. Those who had been leaving stop and join in. Margaret straightens herself and steps forward to where Dan is waiting to greet her. He gives her a small bouquet, much smaller than the Queen’s, and then goes to kiss her on both cheeks. Margaret, all of a dither, goes the wrong way and they end up meeting in the middle, on the lips, while the photographer from theGalway Gazetteclicks away.
Back at the pub, it’s busier than it has been in ages.
‘I need you to help,’ Patsy calls to Margaret, who puts down her clutch bag and totters behind the bar. I sit on the stool at the end of the bar.
‘I really hope you don’t think I did that on purpose,’ Margaret is still fretting about the kiss and is apologising to me. At least it’s taking her mind off the many acts of violence she wants to commit on Nancy.
‘Of course not,’ I laugh and wave a hand, wishing I could tell her that there’s no reason for her to feel bad. ‘Honestly, it’s fine.’
Nancy arrives, holding onto her tiara and carrying her bouquet. There are large daisies among the flowers, Margaret’s favourites. Her posy is in a pint pot at the end of the bar. It’s mostly chrysanthemums.
Margaret is serving drinks. Sean comes in behind Nancy, who is chatting with theGazetteowner and Dan.
‘Let me get some drinks,’ she says, smiling all the way to the bar.
‘Prosecco, please, a few bottles, and hand them round,’ she instructs Margaret, who turns away and bites her bottom lip in fury. Sean stands beside me but says nothing. I can smell his aftershave, soft yet spicy. I feel as though he’s waiting for me to say something, but I can’t think what. It’s like we’re back to where we started in the pub. Only this time there is so much stuff that I want to say. Like how I can’t bear standing this close to him and not being able to touch him. Like how I love the way his hair is too long and falls round his face and drives him nuts. Like how I love how passionate he is about his oysters and how I loved the night we looked up at the stars together. There are many things about Sean Thornton that I have come to really love, I realise as I stand there.
‘Now then, if we’ve all got a glass,’ Nancy says, ‘I’d like to thank everyone for coming, for making this a very special night. And to make this even more special,’ she looks to me and then to Sean, ‘I’d like to announce my engagement to my partner, Sean Thornton!’
She raises her glass and the photographer clicks away as she kisses Sean’s surprised face. My hand flips over, sending my Proseccoall over the bar and me at the same time.
‘You’re engaged!’ I blurt out, and Nancy looks at me and smiles.
Chapter Forty
I thought they were breaking up, not getting married! This must be what he’d meant when he said he was sorry.
‘Hey, congratulations,’ Dan comes over and kisses Nancy on the cheek and shakes Sean by the reluctant hand.
