Page 28 of Boomerville at Ballymegille

Jo wanted to be angry, to kick out and scream but the feeling of loss hurt. Jo felt drained, sucked of energy and hope. Her body ached for Pete, as though the break up hadn’t happened and they were still together and loving each other. Jo had tried to explain this to an angry Hattie. Her friend was chomping at the bit to get her hands on Pete. But Hattie was kind and told Jo to try and relax at Flatterley Manor while all this sank in. She was in shock, Hattie said. A relationship ending was like a death and Jo needed to grieve. What better place than away from the scene of the crime in a beautiful part of Ireland? Jo knew Hattie was right. Time would no doubt heal but right at this moment the pain was too raw.

A voice called out and Jo turned.

‘I thought you might be cold.’ James appeared wearing a wool coat, buttoned tightly. ‘There’s a sharp wind coming off the sea, I think we might be in for a storm.’ He held out a blanket.

‘James, you don’t need to worry about me, but thank you, the wind is cutting.’ Jo hoped that he hadn’t noticed her tears.

‘It really is no trouble,’ he said and wrapped the soft wool around her shoulders.

Jo watched the tall figure walk back across the lawn and suddenly felt angry. What on earth was she doing, moping about when there was so much to be done? This place wouldn’t self-finance and Flatterly Manor needed to generate revenue as soon as possible. She shrugged the blanket off, rolled it into a ball and stamped her feet on the damp grass. She had a vision of Pete’s face and stamped even harder. Blast the man! Pete bloody Parks would not spoil her plans for Flatterley Manor! She could cry over him at the end of a working day, if she still had any energy. Tucking the blanket under her arm, Jo ran across the lawn to the manor, where James stood by the door, deadheading a pot of tired-looking daffodils. He turned when he heard Jo’s footsteps.

‘James,’ Jo said as she caught up, ‘I need your help.’

‘What can I do?’

‘You know the area, how do I set about finding decent staff?’

‘Any particular category of employee, madam?’

‘A manager has to be a priority. I wondered if that might be something you’d be interested in?’

‘Me?’

‘You’d be perfect, with your knowledge of the house, and the guests would adore you.’

‘It’s a flattering proposition, I’ll give it some thought.’

‘Oh, I’d be so thrilled if you would; I’d love to have you by my side as we start this adventure.’

‘I’ll let you know my decision in a day or so.’

‘That would be marvellous and, in the meantime, I need to recruit a gardener.’

‘A gardener?’ James asked with a smile.

‘As the previous gardener is otherwise engaged we must set about finding a new one.’

James reached for the blanket and folded it neatly. ‘Indeed, madam,’ he said. ‘I’ll see what I can do.’

12

Bill was alone in his bedroom. Pacing up and down, he grimaced as he held his hands to his rumbling stomach and wondered if it was safe to go downstairs. His tummy was doing a dance and it wasn’t a pleasurable experience. Throughout the night it had gurgled and tumbled, like the fast spin on a washing machine.

That wretched Hattie!

The woman had insisted that he join the Boomerville Brains for a curry supper when they all trooped back from the pub. Bill didn’t like curry but Hattie had told him not to let his team down. She’d said that in the wake of them losing the quiz, Bill must use his position of team captain to raise spirits over a heartening dish of Biddu’s delicious dhal and dhansak. Reluctantly Bill had agreed and tucked in, but he’d been up for half the night with an upset stomach and now regretted his decision.

You’ve always had a weak belly, just like your father!

His mother’s voice followed him as he paced the room. Bill’s foul mood wasn’t helped by the fact that he was hungry. He wasn’t sure if the gnawing pains he was experiencing were a craving for his breakfast or warning signs of another trip to the bathroom. None of this would feel so bad if his team had won. Bill had never been on a losing side and the humiliation had been hard to bear.

To his amazement Melissa had captained the winning side, with Bill’s team in third place and Bill shook his head as he thought about his useless team members, who’d argued over every answer. He determined that it wouldn’t happen again.

Bill stopped pacing and looked out of the window where a car had had turned onto the driveway and stopped outside the hotel. It was long and sleek and piqued Bill’s curiosity.

A Bentley convertible! Dream on, you stupid boy, it’s out of your league Bill Bradley!

A well-dressed man, tall and dark-haired, stepped out of the car. He looked up and Bill darted back. After a moment, Bill leaned forward again to see that the man had disappeared into the hotel. Bill was curious. The stranger was obviously wealthy and had an assertive air. Bill wondered if the Boomerville ranks were about to be swelled by such a guest. One never knew and it was a mixed bunch that resided under this roof.

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