Page 67 of Boomerville at Ballymegille

Jo and Hattie watched the mayor as she reached out and grabbed the arm that James held out.

‘I think the mayor may have had a livener before she arrived today,’ Hattie said as she watched the woman, teetering on her heels, being led away by James.

Jo was far more interested in the activity by the lake. ‘What the devil is going on with Audrey?’ she asked Hattie. She had her hands on her hips and a murderous look in her eyes. ‘I don’t remember agreeing to any aquatic performances.’

‘Ease up,’ Hattie replied. ‘Perhaps you should join the mayor and chill out.’

‘What if someone drowns?’ Jo looked anxious. ‘The lake’s freezing cold and god knows what’s under that murky water.’

‘Eight Babes wearing rubber bob hats.’ Hattie grinned. ‘It’ll bring the house down; stop panicking, Audrey has it sorted.’ Hattie put her arm around Jo’s shoulders and moved her along. ‘Wild water swimming is all the rage these days.’

Jo felt like drowning Hattie in as wild a stretch of water as she could find, but at this part of the programme, she knew that there was little she could do to change things.

‘I’m starving,’ Hattie said. ‘Let’s grab a scone and a piece of cake to keep our strength up.’

‘I think I’ll join the mayor at Father Ted’s.’

‘An even better idea.’ Hattie saluted Jo. ‘Father Ted’s it is.’

* * *

Melissa had madeher mind up. No matter what complications came her way, she would never divulge her secret. Having thought long and hard, she knew that it would be impossible to avoid Finbar during her time in Ireland. Matters may even be made more difficult if he knew about Patrick and she decided to stay in the area, for Finbar was a local here and it seemed that his days wandering around the globe, with a microphone in his hand, were over. She’d checked online and discovered that he had a taxi business and also advertised himself to host events and sing in pubs and clubs. He had a steady life in Kindale and there was almost certainly a Mrs Finbar Murphy somewhere in the wings, possibly a dozen younger Murphys too.

The best thing to do was to ignore him and make sure that they never became friends.

Melissa’s decision was further endorsed by a conversation she’d had with Patrick earlier that morning. Her son hadn’t responded to her letter and she’d decided to give him a call. He told her that he hadn’t received her letter, perhaps it was delayed in the post.

‘I’m really pleased for you, Mum,’ Patrick had said when she told him her news. ‘A fresh start in Ireland sounds like a great idea.’

But Patrick sounded worried and Melissa could detect anxiety in his voice.

‘Are you alright?’ she asked. ‘Is something bothering you?’

‘No, it’s okay, just a bit of pressure at work, that’s all,’ he’d replied, ‘nothing for you to stress about.’

They’d spoken further and Patrick said that he was glad that she’d decided to leave Malcolm, for he’d thought that his mother hadn’t been happy for some time.

If only Patrick knew the truth, Melissa mused as she selected an outfit and began to get ready for the opening event. She’d never told her son about the beatings, the pain and humiliation that she’d endured for the last couple of years. But he must have detected something during his phone calls, and on the rare visits to Cheshire or Spain.

Melissa knew that Patrick didn’t like Malcolm and hoped that now, with her marriage at an end, she’d see more of her son. How wonderful it would be to be free to go and stay with him and have him here, in the home that she hoped to create.

But now was not the time to be making a shocking announcement. Patrick seemed to have worries of his own and what would be the benefit of telling him that his father had suddenly turned up? It was, she decided, a subject to be left well alone. No one need know and in that way, no one would get hurt. Finbar and Patrick would carry on with their lives, none the wiser.

Melissa chose a pretty lemon-coloured dress. It had been expensive and she’d bought it in a designer boutique in Marbella. Knowing it was unlikely that she’d ever spend that sort of money on clothing again, and with the wonderful weather in Ireland, she decided to make sure it got plenty of wear.

Beginning today.

Sleeveless and straight, the dress stopped just above the knee and was cut low at the back. She remembered the last time she’d worn it. Malcolm had taken her to a restaurant in Marbella; it was her birthday and he’d presented her with an opal pendant. Melissa loathed the pendant and although she knew that opals were supposed to be lucky for some, it certainly hadn’t been lucky that night. The beating she’d received was severe with Malcolm yelling that she wasn’t grateful for his gifts.

But now, as Melissa stared at her reflection in a full-length mirror on the wall, she smiled. She didn’t look too bad for her age and, best of all, she was free.

She smoothed on coral lipstick and sprayed perfume. With her hair pinned up and a few strands astray, Melissa was satisfied with her appearance.

Slipping her feet into a pair of gold sandals, she looked out of the window. The garden was crowded and she could hear music coming from the direction of the stage. Melissa felt a flurry of excitement and vowed that she was not only going to enjoy today, but every second of her stay at Boomerville Manor.

* * *

Bill was feeling brighter.His mother had stopped nagging and at that moment wasn’t haunting him from beyond the grave. Although, Bill chuckled to himself as he stood at the bar in Father Ted’s, she’d certainly be turning in her grave if she could see her only son with Harry and Alf as they bought a round of drinks for a group of pretty girls from Kindale. Bill had even told a joke and to his astonishment the girls had laughed; one had even slapped his arm and said what a grand fella he was.

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