Page 47 of Boomerville at Ballymegille

Bill watched her walk through the dining room, her neat figure sashaying through the tables. He stared at the napkin, seeing the indent made by her lips, and longed to tuck it in his pocket. Instead, he pushed his plate away and wiped his hands on his trousers, then picked up a croissant and wrapped it in a serviette. Bill had never been on a ferry, nor even a boat, and he wondered if he would feel seasick. Better to be prepared and have something to nibble on, as Audrey had advised.

Leaving the Rose Room, Bill went into the conservatory. In the garden, birds were pecking at seed on a table and swallows, pale against the blue sky, swooped low over the pond. As he watched the early morning activity, Bill felt a moment of panic. What the hell he was doing? But it was too late to change his mind, his bags were packed and he’d settled his room account. He had to check out.

Taking a last look at the garden, Bill turned and wandered through the bar and along the corridor to the front of the hotel, where luggage was stacked in the hall, including his own battered cases.

Alf stood by the door. At his feet, three dogs sat patiently.

‘Are you here to wave us off?’ Bill asked. He stared at the handyman who was smartly dressed in tweeds and waistcoat, his brogues polished. Bill noted a red silk hankie in the breast pocket of Alf’s jacket. Compared to his own casual attire, Bill felt shabby.

‘Not exactly,’ Alf replied. ‘Hattie has given me a job.’

‘And what might that be?’

‘I’m your tour guide for the duration.’ Alf doffed his new cap.

‘You’re coming to Ireland?’

‘At your service.’

‘But what about Ness, and Bunty and that little one…Teddy?’ Bill nodded towards the dogs who all sat up, tails thumping, at the mention of their names.

‘Passports packed, microchipped and ready for the off.’ Alf smiled and reached down to cuff the animals’ ears. Smartly kitted out in matching fleecy jackets and pristine leather leads, their jewelled collars shone.

‘Are they allowed to travel?”

‘Aye, lad, ’tha needs to get out more, dogs are touring the world these days.’ Alf shook his head. He was surprised that Boomerville’s leading quizzer wasn’t aware of the regulations required for animals to cross the Irish Sea. Alf personally thought that Hattie was insane to fork out the hefty fees for passports and injections, but she’d been insistent that the dogs came along too.

‘Oh, don’t they look adorable.’ An excited voice could be heard and Melissa appeared. Bill stood back as she leant down to pet the animals. ‘Can Teddy sit on my knee?’

‘Just make sure he’s strapped in,’ Alf said and handed Melissa Teddy’s lead. ‘Do you want to look after Bunty?’ Alf raised a bushy eyebrow and nudged Bunty towards Bill.

‘Piss off,’ Bill mumbled crossly.

Audrey, heading up her well-fed Babes, came storming down the hallway. ‘Has our transport arrived?’ she asked.

‘Aye, it’s pulling onto the driveway now.’ Alf opened the front door. ‘You lasses make yourselves comfortable, leave the cases to me.’

A single decker vintage bus chugged through the gates. It was bright green in colour with gold lettering embellished along the sides, announcing the name, ‘William’s Luxury Wheels.’

Gravel flew as the driver braked and the vehicle came to a halt.

‘Morning Willie,’ Alf called out. ‘Shall I start packing ‘em in?’

Audrey and the Babes had joined Alf on the drive. They waved in front of their faces as smoke, billowing from the ancient exhaust pipe, whirled around the coach.

‘Willie’s Wheels,’ Audrey said, her tone reverent as she watched an elderly gentleman step down from the bus. He was smartly dressed, with a coach driver’s hat perched on top of a full head of silver hair. His uniform jacket was embellished with an armoury of medals and badges.

‘Audrey, my dear,’ Willie said, his eyes half-closed, ‘the last time I saw you was…’

‘The golf club dance, 1987,’ Audrey whispered as she took Willie’s hand and climbed aboard the old transport vehicle. ‘You took me home.’

‘And we didn’t surface for three days.’ Willie smiled.

Audrey coloured, her cheeks red where fine veins stood out, the blush heating her neck as it spread. ‘A long time ago, before I was married.’

‘Anytime you want to rekindle the flame…’ Willie winked.

Audrey let go of his hand and pushed him away. She glanced around to wave the Babes onto the coach. ‘Come on, girls, let’s get a good seat.’

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