‘Could I have a few days?’ Rosie asked. ‘I need to pack and sort things out. And then I will come.’
Patrick turned to Kerry-Anne. ‘I’m staying. We’ll be there on Wednesday morning.’
Rosie slipped her hand into his.
Kerry-Anne shrugged. ‘And there was I thinking you were a hard-headed businessman. But, for what’s it worth, I prefer your style to the men in my family. They’re always falling in love. Only they fall out of it pretty quickly as well.’
Patrick squeezed Rosie’s hand.
‘Look, I’m gonna go. You stay here and we shall meet again in Boston. Okay?’ Kerry-Anne hugged Patrick. ‘You’re just an old softy, really, aren’t you? Who’d a thought it?’ She turned to Rosie. ‘Looking forward to welcoming you to my home town, I really am. It’s a great city. So much to do. You’ll miss Sandycove, though?’
Rosie nodded. ‘But it’s time to…’ She stopped.
‘Spread your wings, yes?’ finished Kerry-Anne.
Rosie nodded.
‘You know, I want something a little different too,’ said Kerry-Anne. ‘I want to spread mine too. And I have an idea what it might be. But anyway, I shall see you both in Boston in three days’ time.’ She turned to Patrick. ‘I’ll send over some papers so you can look at them while you’re here. If, Romeo, you can tear yourself away from Juliet, here.’ She grabbed hold of the railings of the staircase up to the plane. ‘Ciao, kids. Or what do you say, here?’
‘Slán,’ said Patrick and Rosie at the same time, their arms tightly around each other.
‘Slán, then,’ said Kerry-Anne. ‘My father used to say “see you later alligator”. He was always saying goodbye. It was the most consistent thing about him.’
George in the truck beeped behind them.
‘We’d better go,’ said Patrick, pulling Rosie towards George.
‘Where to, sir and madam?’ said George, as they clambered into the long front seat beside him. ‘The registry office?’
‘The old Land Rover,’ said Rosie, pointing to where she could see Grace waiting behind the fence.
‘Maybe the registry office another day?’ Patrick had his arm around Rosie’s shoulders, as George twirled the truck around and sped off towards the security hut.
They stood with Grace, waving, as the sleek white plane taxied along the runway. They could just about see Kerry-Anne waving from inside, and then it lifted into the air, powering into the sky, next stop America.
‘What’s going on?’ said Grace.
‘We’re going to Boston on Wednesday,’ said Rosie. ‘I’m starting a new life.’
‘With me,’ said Patrick.
‘You’re being brave and intrepid?’ Grace looked shocked. ‘And flexible?’
‘Yes.’ Rosie grinned at her. ‘And I’m terrified, but I’m more terrified of not going.’
‘I’ll look after you,’ said Patrick. ‘We’ll be terrified together.’
‘But what about the hotel?’ asked Grace.
‘Nessa’s going to manage it. And you’re going to be assistant manager, if that’s okay with you? You’ll be great. You know what you’re doing. And I won’t be there breathing down your neck and being controlling…’
‘No. And that is a plus. But still.’ Grace paused. ‘I’m going to miss you, Rosie.’ She had tears in her eyes. ‘It won’t be the same without you.’
‘I’ll miss you too.’ Rosie felt as though she was going to cry as well.
‘Come and visit,’ said Patrick. ‘For as long as you want. And we’ll be back because I want to see Seán and Niamh. And maybe even go to Midleton from time to time.’ And then they piled back into the Land Rover, waving goodbye to George and Barry, and off they sped, their second-time-around adventure together had just begun.
EPILOGUE
