Page 6 of Coming Home to Inishbeg Cove

‘Okay.’ I smiled at him as he stood up. I could tell he was nervous.

He cleared his throat and began. ‘I wasn’t going to make a speech, but as I look around at everyone here today – the most important people in our lives – how could I not? I just want to say thank you to everyone who put so much work into this day. From the ceremony to the décor to the food, it has been truly magical. I also want to thank my wife – God, it feels so good to say that…’ He paused as everyone laughed. ‘I just wanted to say that meeting Sarah was the moment my life changed forever. When I left North Carolina I was searching for my birth parents, but I found so much more. I found a father in Albie, I found a community that has welcomed me wholeheartedly, but I also found something I wasn’t expecting. I met the woman I’d been waiting for my whole life, and a place to call home. I never thought I would say this but opening the letter from my parents ended up being the best thing that ever happened to me because it has brought so much goodness into my life. Thank you all, each and every one of you, for being with Sarah and me to celebrate today. It means so much to us both.’

I had to use my napkin to dab tears away. I just hoped he would feel the same way after I had told him.

After we cut the cake, a divine three-tiered affair decorated with the sweetest strawberries and freshly whipped cream, Greg and I had our first dance to ‘Summer Wind’ by Frank Sinatra. As the sun began to set over the cove, Greg twirled me beneath the twinkling fairy lights that Ruairí had hung around the exterior walls of the hall. We danced until the stars were out, twinkling like crystals studding the velvet sky above us.

After the céilí band had finished playing and we had said goodbye to most of our guests, I found myself hit by a wave of exhaustion. I sat down on the sea wall. The evening air had grown chilly and I couldn’t help shivering.

‘Is everything okay, wifey?’ Greg said, placing his jacket over my shoulders. ‘I don’t think I’ll ever get bored of saying that.’

‘I’m just tired…’ Almost on cue, a yawn escaped my mouth. Dusk was settling over the cove and it wouldn’t be long before a heavy cloak of inky darkness fell over the countryside. In the distance, the yellow beam of the lighthouse sliced through the night sky, giving ships warning of the rocky promontories on the coast. The lights from the fishing villages that dotted the shoreline were like amber jewels threaded along a necklace. Just an hour ago the place had been alive with music, dancing and good cheer, but now only Greg and I remained, sitting on the sea wall. All of our guests were gone home, the fairy lights had been switched off, and the band were lifting the last of their equipment into their van.

‘I like your thinking, Mrs Klein,’ Greg said playfully. ‘Let’s go carry you over the threshold.’

My stomach flip-flopped. I knew the time had come to be honest with him. I couldn’t put it off any longer.

I placed my hand on his arm and bit my lip. ‘Greg…’ I said tentatively.

‘Yes?’

‘I need to tell you something.’

His face clouded over. ‘What is it?’

‘I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean for it to be today of all days ...’

‘Okay, you’re really scaring me now, Sarah. What’s going on?’

‘I swear I’m not trying to trick you, or start married life with secrets—’

‘Sarah, will you just tell me what is going on, please?’

I took a deep breath, ready to finally share my secret with him.