Page 12 of Boomerville at Ballymegille

‘Nothing’s changed,’ Jo said as she typed in her credit card details. ‘You’ll be back in the swing of things in no time.’

‘No change? You’ve a bloody great pool out the back that has half the village’s women folk splashing about in it, under the illusion that they’re set for an Olympic gold medal, and there’s a list of new courses that I’ve never even heard of.’

‘You’ll be busy but Bunty will keep you company.’

‘Oh, hell, I’d forgotten about the mutt.’

Hattie sighed but suddenly remembered the puppy. It was a perfect opportunity for Hattie to offload it. Once bonded with Bunty there wasn’t a prayer that Jo would turn the abandoned dog out.

‘Bunty will be fine with me.’ Hattie leaned down to ruffle Bunty’s fur.

‘I’m going to pack for the trip.’ Jo stood by the stairs. ‘Is it cold in Ireland at this time of year?’

‘There’ll be a cool March wind,’ Hattie said. ‘Pack your woolly knickers and don’t forget a vest.’

‘I hardly think I’ll need things like that.’ Jo laughed and disappeared into her dressing room.

‘Aye, maybe not but don’t forget your confidence and a case full of courage,’ Hattie added under her breath. ‘If history is anything to go by, you’re certainly going to need them.’

* * *

Melissa staredout of the window overlooking the front of the hotel. She studied every car in the road below and, with her fingers crossed, prayed that Malcolm wouldn’t find her.

She’d been told that Sunday was a quiet day at Boomerville and with no courses taking place and guests free to do as they pleased, Melissa hadn’t ventured far. Hattie had asked if Melissa would be joining everyone for Sunday lunch, which was popular with locals and residents alike. But Melissa had no desire to rub shoulders and socialise. If Malcolm was going to find her, he’d be using his contacts to track her down and she needed time before she felt confident enough to join in.

Melissa prayed that Malcolm would let her go and agree to their relationship ending. They’d been unhappy for so long, surely, she thought, he’d be glad to see the back of his wife. There was an abundance of younger women ready to step into her shoes and Melissa knew that Malcolm enjoyed extra marital affairs. Her absence might be just what he needed.

A vehicle crunched across the gravel and she peered around the curtains to see Bill, the man who’d sat beside her the previous evening. She watched as he climbed out of an old Toyota tourer, the windows grainy in the morning sun. Wandering around the car, Bill checked that all the doors were locked, before straightening the lapels of his jacket. He ran his fingers through strands of thinning hair, then disappeared into the hotel. She wondered if he was having lunch; being stuck with Bill, as they ploughed through roast beef and all the trimmings, was the last thing she wanted. Turning from the window, Melissa reached for a tin of biscuits, on a tray beside tea and coffee sachets.

The phone on the desk rang and, startled, she stood motionless, staring at the vibrating object. The ringing stopped and, with relief, she reached for the biscuits. Her hands shook as she took a shortbread but a wave of nausea made her dizzy and she slumped down on the bed.

As Melissa’s stomach growled, she closed her eyes. An image of Malcolm appeared, his face angry, eyes bulging as his hands reached out to grab her throat. Melissa gasped and the biscuit fell to the floor, crumbling into the thick pile of an oriental rug.

He would find her. How foolish she was to think that he wouldn’t track her down!

A control freak both in his personal and professional life, no one got the better of Malcolm, certainly not his wife. Tears pricked the corners of her eyes and began to trickle over the soft skin of her cheeks. Melissa shook and sobs punched at her chest. Her life was crumbling. She’d felt exhilarated when she’d driven north and encouraged by booking into Boomerville, where no one knew anything about her, but this couldn’t last and she was sure that Malcolm would find her.

A knock sounded and, startled, Melissa’s eyes darted to the door.

‘Only me,’ Hattie called. ‘Are you coming down for lunch?’

Melissa caught her breath and, gripping the side of the bed, hoped that Hattie would go away.

‘Hello? Anyone there?’

Melissa heard a key rattle in the lock. Her eyes were wide as the door handle turned and before she had an opportunity to move and hide, Hattie came into the room.

‘Oh dear,’ Hattie said. ‘I was worried about you.’ She stared at Melissa’s wet cheeks and puffy eyes. ‘I tried ringing but got no answer.’

Melissa had the urge to run to the bathroom but her legs felt like jelly and she couldn’t move.

Hattie closed the door and padded softly across the carpet, where her foot landed on the biscuit. ‘Now, what’s all this about?’ Hattie placed a hand on Melissa’s shoulder and patted her thin frame. ‘A problem shared is a problem halved.’

Melissa felt exhausted and words refused to form.

‘Folks come here for all sorts of reasons,’ Hattie said, her arm circling her guest. ‘We don’t question or look for answers and sometimes it’s good to have a bit of space.’

Melissa felt weak. Hattie’s arm was the most comforting thing she’d felt in ages and it was all she could do not to fall into the contours of Hattie’s soft warm body and sob her heart out.

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