Page 55 of Boomerville at Ballymegille

Hattie had risen early and after sneaking down to the kitchen to knock up a couple of glasses of her pick-me-up, she’d taken one to Jo and placed it on the table beside Jo’s bed.

Jo woke up as she heard Hattie moving about. ‘What time is it?’ she asked.

‘Time to let these two daft mongrels out,’ Hattie replied and reached out to nudge Bunty and Teddy off the bottom of Jo’s bed. ‘I’ll see to it.’

Dressed in jeans, t-shirt and glittery trainers, with the dogs close on her heels, Hattie hot-footed across the dew dampened lawn and hurried along the path to the cottage. As she stood in the doorway, she cocked her head to one side, listening for signs of life.

‘Kettle’s on, if tha’ fancies a brew,’ Alf called out.

Hattie left the dogs moseying about the garden and crept down the hallway to enter the kitchen where Alf, fully dressed, stood by the stone sink with a pint of milk in his hand. Ness sat at his feet, thumping her tail. Willie was draped across a pine chair by a wobbly table. He wore old-fashioned combinations that had seen much better days and with his tussled hair and two-day stubble, looked much the worse for wear.

‘That was some party,’ Alf said as he brewed tea.

‘Best fun I’ve had in years,’ Willie said.

‘How did you sleep?’ Hattie asked.

‘Not so bad once we got used to things.’ Alf handed a mug to Hattie. ‘Had a bit of trouble getting old Willie here on his feet this morning, but with the help of Audrey and the Babes, we managed it.’

The door leading to the parlour crashed open and Harry, dressed in nothing but his boxers, staggered in.

‘Christ, Hattie,’ Harry said as he rubbed his puffy eyes and yawned, ‘you could have warned us about the beds.’ He took the drink that Alf held out, and sat down on a spare chair. ‘I know you said we might be roughing it a bit, but ex-army, WWII camp beds?’

‘And mine was broken,’ Willie added.

‘Oh, stop moaning, you’ve a roof over your heads, haven’t you?’ Hattie flopped down. She’d wondered how the Cumbrian party would fare with the sleeping arrangements and, looking at the state of Harry and Willie, it hadn’t gone well. ‘It’s all I could get from the local boy scouts; you’re lucky they had sleeping bags too.’

‘I’m not complaining,’ Alf said, ‘but I’m ready for some breakfast.’

‘Go and see Connor in the kitchen; he’ll look after you.’

Hattie had warned Chef to expect additional guests for breakfast and knew that there was a mountain of bacon butties, slabs of black pudding and thick Irish sausages in a hot cupboard, waiting for the cottage residents to descend.

‘Where’s Audrey and the Babes?’ Hattie asked as she finished her tea.

‘They’re out getting some exercise; Audrey said they needed to keep fit.’ Alf took Hattie’s mug and rinsed it under the cold tap.

‘Has anyone seen Bill?’

‘Out cold in the top bedroom, we had to carry him back.’

‘And Lucinda?’

‘She’s insisted on having her own room and has set up in the parlour, but she looked in earlier and has taken her paints and says she has a class this morning.’

‘Oh Lord, I’d forgotten about that.’ Hattie scratched her head. ‘There’s taster classes all day and I’m supposed to be organising them. I’d better be off.’

‘Let us know how we can help, there’s plenty of willing hands here.’ Alf nodded towards Willie and Harry. Both groaned and held their heads in their hands.

‘Keep hold of the dogs for a bit, if you will? Bunty and Teddy are in the garden. I’ll catch up with you later.’

Hattie left the cottage and headed for the manor. It was another beautiful day and, by the look of things, the forecast was correct and the weather was going to hold for the party tomorrow. The early sunlight was soft, giving way to the first rays of the day that shone across the grounds, outlining the silent silhouettes of fairground rides, an empty stage, marquees and stalls. All was motionless, waiting for the activity that was about to come. Clouds, white and fluffy, danced across a blue sky as a rabbit hopped along the lawn, its white tail bobbing.

On the lake, spray suddenly flew outwards and loud splashy strokes circled the centre of the water.

‘What on earth is going on?’ Hattie said as she set off towards the commotion.

‘Easy does it…and flip!’

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