Page 51 of Boomerville at Ballymegille

‘Up the stairs.’ The man shook his head, muttered about the rudeness of passengers, turned his back and locked the cabinet.

On deck, she lit her cigarette and exhaled with pleasure as sea spray whipped at her hair, loosening it from the chignon knotted at her neck. Salty particles caressed her face and she smiled as she strode along the deck. It was good to be out in the fresh air and away from the confines of Boomerville, where there were times when the ageing artists nearly drove her round the bend. If it wasn’t for her need to be earning, with no home that she could call her own, Lucinda would be travelling, experiencing cultures and countries that were on her list of things to do before she died. This trip to Ireland might be a new adventure; who knew what would happen on the Emerald Isle?

There was no one about as Lucinda made her way, but turning at the stern she noticed a figure hunched as he gripped the railing, his body sagging as a bout of nausea passed.

Lucinda recognised Bill immediately. The stupid fool would get swept overboard if he continued to stay in that position. ‘Take my arm!’ Lucinda yelled, her voice fading into the wind.

Bill’s head slowly turned and his bleary eyes focussed when he saw Lucinda coming towards him. Like a bird of prey descending on its catch, Lucinda hovered then pounced, releasing Bill’s balled fists from the railings and scooping him up.

‘Hold on tight!’ she said as she manipulated Bill to a bench, tucked between buoyancy aids, in a sheltered section of the deck. She sat him down, and pushed his head between his legs.

Bill felt as though his neck had been broken. But the pain was marginally less that the searing ache in his stomach, where alcohol sloshed about with Biddu’s biryani and a spicy onion bhaji.

‘I’m going to be sick again,’ Bill mumbled, rearing up against Lucinda’s hand.

‘No, you’re not.’ Lucinda pushed harder. ‘Take deep breaths.’ She fumbled about in her bag with her free hand until her fingers found a small phial. Flipping the cap, she shook two tiny tablets out and drove them between Bill’s clenched lips. ‘Swallow.’

A few moments later, she loosened her grip and Bill straightened up. He blinked his eyes in disbelief as he looked around and stared at Lucinda.

‘What the hell have you just given me?’

‘A potion in the form of a pill, from the Shaman. I never leave home without them.’

‘It’s a miracle.’ Bill stood and put his hand in his pocket. His fingers found a napkin containing a crumpled croissant and with inordinate haste Bill shoved the doughy pastry into his mouth and began to munch.

He turned and looked out to sea. In the distance, a dark outline was emerging. Bill wiped crumbs from his mouth and smiled. ‘I can see Ireland; we’ll be there soon.’

‘Then I suggest you make use of the time left and clean yourself up.’ Lucinda stared at the stains on Bill’s jacket. ‘Vomit stinks,’ she said and, gripping her bag, she moved away.

21

In the candlelit dining room at the manor the atmosphere was jovial. Many returning visitors were familiar with the Boomerville experience, some had even met before on previous stays at Jo’s hotels and were excited, knowing that they were lucky enough to have secured a place for the opening weekend.

Guests had arrived during the afternoon and after settling into their rooms, they’d been briefed on the activities planned over the next two days. They’d explored the house and grounds in the company of James, before taking tea and cake in the lounges. Now, refreshed after their journeys, they chatted about their stay and the next day’s classes. On Saturday they had invitations to the opening party, followed by an exclusive dining experience in the evening, where Connor would showcase a taster menu of his signature dishes. On Sunday, classes would resume again and after a hearty breakfast on Monday, they would depart.

The manor would close and re-open the following weekend.

Connor and his team had pulled out all the stops for the guest’s first evening in the restaurant. The menu, printed on headed paper, offered a selection of local dishes.

DINNER in the FLATTERLY ROOM

West Coast scallopswith artichokes

Pumpkin soupwith burrata & seeds

Chicken liver patewith toasted sourdough and apple puree

* * *

Glazed Duck Breast

Salsify, roasted beetroot & plum sauce

Beef Striploin

Cep mushrooms and smoked oxtail

Kindale Cod

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