Page 39 of Boomerville at Ballymegille

A message appeared in Jo’s inbox. It was from Hattie, listing her flight time. To Jo’s surprise, Hattie was due to arrive later that day.

‘Can’t hang about any longer,’ Hattie had written, ‘rotas and the running of things all covered. There’s a flight to Cork with my name on it, leaving at lunch time, see yah later.’

Jo’s heart leapt, Hattie was on her way! She would have to camp down in the room Jo was using in the manor. A cottage in the grounds, that Jo planned to use for friends and family, hadn’t been used for years and was due to be decorated but with time running out, it wouldn’t be ready for the opening.

Jo glanced at her watch. There was just time to find a spare bed and move it to her bedroom. It would need making up and she must clear some wardrobe space, for Hattie was sure to arrive with an outfit for every occasion.

‘We’ve an early arrival,’ Jo said as James returned with their tea. ‘I’ll be leaving for Cork airport in a little while; Hattie’s on her way.’

‘It will be a pleasure to make her acquaintance.’

‘I’m not sure that Boomerville Manor is ready for Hattie, so brace yourself, James, because we’re about to find out.’

17

Hattie perched on a stool in the departure lounge at Manchester airport and nibbled on a packet of nuts. She licked salt from her lips and reached for the gin and tonic that sat on the bar beside her. An announcement called for the last passengers for Cork to go directly to the departure gate, where their flight was ready to leave.

‘Don’t want to miss this baby,’ Hattie said and smiled at the barman.

‘Have a great time,’ he replied and scooped her generous tip.

‘You can be sure of that.’

Hattie finished her drink and swung her bag over her shoulder. Dressed in a navy jumpsuit and glittery trainers, she began to walk through the terminal.

It was a lovely day and as she waited to board, she looked out of the windows to see sunshine glinting off the smooth metal of the plane on the tarmac outside. She visualised the soft sandy beaches of southern Ireland and the dramatic coastline, edging the green and lush countryside of Kindale.

This wasn’t Hattie’s first trip to Ireland.

Many years ago, she’d visited the area around Dublin, to spend time on a farm with a friend, who became more than a friend until his untimely death. You never know what life is going to throw at you, she thought as her ticket was checked; another chapter was about to unfold and Hattie wanted to be along for the ride.

The flight took off on time and as Hattie settle down for the journey that would last just over an hour, she thought about the business she’d left behind. Hotel Boomerville would function while she was away; the staff were efficient and everyone knew what they were doing to ensure the smooth running. Melissa would check out in a few days and head to Ireland too. Hattie hoped that the trip would stir her into making decisions about what to do with the rest of her life and how to break completely away from her bullying husband. Hattie felt sure that they hadn’t seen the last of Malcolm, but for now, Melissa was safe.

There had been much interest in the Irish venture. Audrey and the Boomerville Babes wanted to know if the lake was suitable for swimming and Harry was keen to learn if there were many pubs in the area. Alf said he fancied a break and put himself forward as an additional handyman, should the need arise, while Biddu offered to cook an Indian themed evening. Bill was grumpy when he learnt that Melissa was leaving and Hattie wondered if the quiz captain would cancel his booking and head home. Lucinda announced that she was being abandoned and with both Hattie and Jo away, she would need to spend more time with the Shaman to recharge her artistic batteries. Hattie knew that it was Lucinda’s way of telling Hattie that she had no intention of running classes in their absence and would be smacked off her face for the foreseeable. Just as well that Hattie had a local artist on standby to replace the tutor.

Hattie was hungry. She ordered a coffee and a bacon roll and as the cabin attendant placed her food on a tray, Hattie’s thoughts strayed to Pete and she wondered if Jo was still pining for her lost love. Hattie had asked Harry to drop by Pete’s place on the pretext of checking that his friend was well. In truth, Hattie wanted a head’s up on Amanda. Was she still amazing after a few days on Pete’s muddy old farm? Exactly how good did Jo’s replacement look when it came to dealing with damp dogs, muddy wellies and tinkering about with tractors? Hattie hoped it wouldn’t last five minutes and Amanda would soon tire of AGA duties, cooking casseroles and the role of country wife, and Pete, when he removed his rose-tinted glasses, would wonder what the hell he had done when he ditched Jo.

Hattie expected a full report from Harry and hoped that she’d hear from him soon.

Harry’s first teaching session at the hotel had been a great success. Most of the Boomerville guests had been keen to attend “Personal Protection & Self-Defence” and, going forward, Hattie suggested that Harry added more content on burglar alarms and neighbourhood watch and less martial arts. Jo would be mortified if she knew about the car full of boomers that Hattie had taken to Accident & Emergency in Marland, following the session.

Thankfully no bones were broken and discs had all been manipulated back into place.

The bacon roll was delicious and Hattie licked her lips as she finished her coffee. She looked out of the window as the plane cruised over the Irish Sea, where foam crests danced over the inky surface, and thought that Harry certainly had his uses, both in and out of the bedroom. Hattie was pleased to know that he’d tracked down the tenants who’d wrecked her house. They were living at an address in the north east and Harry’s Geordie colleagues were keeping an eye on the new residents of a house in Newcastle and, as a favour for Harry, would personally ensure that any invoices Hattie sent would be delivered by the boys in blue. The damage to her property in Marland plus vet’s fees for Teddy had mounted and Hattie wanted the scum bags to pay up.

The flight landed and Hattie disembarked. She found a trolley and collected her luggage then strode out of the terminal and into the arrivals area.

‘Hattie, over here!’ Jo called out and in moments the two friends were embracing.

‘Just look at you, all Irish and countrified,’ Hattie said as she stood back and stared at Jo, who was dressed in leather boots, jeans and a Barbour jacket, her chestnut hair scooped under a tweed cap. Jo returned the stare as she took in Hattie’s jump suit, unzipped to reveal mounds of cleavage and a wide belt that strained at her shapely waist.

‘Let me introduce you to Finbar,’ Jo said. ‘He’s waiting by the car.’

Finbar held up a hand and waved. ‘How’s it going?’ he asked and came forward. ‘Welcome to Ireland.’

Hattie noted Finbar’s handsome face and fiery green eyes. Magical eyes, Hattie thought in appreciation. ‘Jo didn’t tell me how attractive her world-famous singer was.’

‘Ah, there’s lots for you to learn.’ Finbar beamed at Hattie’s compliment as he packed her bags and guided the women into the vehicle then climbed in behind the wheel. ‘We’ll begin by teaching you how to drive on the Emerald Isle.’ Finbar cranked the gears and hit his foot to the floor. ‘Hold on tight,’ he called out over his shoulder and in moments, they were careering away from the airport.

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