Page 77 of Boomerville at Ballymegille

His fingers touched the steel file, safely tucked away, then he selected a passport. Picking up his mobile, he dialled the number for Aer Lingus. There was a flight in three hours and as he made his reservation, he thought about Melissa and felt his anger rising. The stupid bitch would rue the day that she’d left him! He couldn’t make her travel with him today, it might run the risk of his cover being blown, but why was he waiting? He may as well break his news and ruin what remained of her stay in Ireland.

He flicked through his contacts until he came to the number for Melissa’s new phone. The waiter in Cumbria had soon located it, from the guest information form at the hotel.

Malcolm smiled. As soon as he’d had a sandwich and was ready for the off, he’d call Melissa.

30

The show must go on, Hattie had reminded Jo, when they eventually got back to their bedroom to change out of their dishevelled clothes. Despite the commotion in the night, classes had taken place during the day as planned. Finbar’s group were in a buoyant mood and celebrated the choir’s success from the previous evening with sherry and a sing-song. Lucinda had set up easels and displayed a still-life arrangement on a table in the lounge where items of fruit lay next to a jug, a bowl and a bottle and under the careful eye of their tutor, budding Boomerville artists were hard at work on their masterpieces.

In the kitchen, Connor was utilising a section to run a bakery class and clouds of flour swirled across the table as the bakers laughed and chattered, pounding dough, elbow deep in brioche and baguettes.

‘Do you think Bill’s going to pull through?’ Jo looked up as Hattie came into reception. She was checking the bookings for the restaurant that evening and as she sat at the desk, she bit at the corner of a nail. She looked anxious as she waited for Hattie to reply.

‘I’ve no idea but you should be thanking your lucky stars that the Garda don’t suspect foul play,’ Hattie replied.

Harry had been insistent that Jo call the police, following Bill’s accident. ‘Just to put your mind at ease,’ Harry explained. But despite Harry’s misgivings, the Garda were satisfied that Bill had been alone and they found no evidence of anyone else being involved. They concluded that he was probably sleep walking.

‘Everyone says that Bill heard imaginary voices.’

‘Aye, and that he’d probably gone for a nocturnal walk around Ballymegille to get away from them, then tripped on that wayward coconut, falling hard and banging his head.’

‘I suppose the shellwouldbreak if you stepped on a coconut.’

‘Aye, but like the Garda said, it’s unfortunate that he rolled on one of the pieces and it pierced his neck.’

‘Well, there’s no reason to suspect anything else, strange things do happen and everyone was asleep.’

‘We were up,’ Hattie raised an eyebrow, ‘so was Bill, no reason why other’s weren’t about too.’

‘Please don’t go looking for something sinister to have happened,’ Jo said. ‘It was just an unfortunate accident and thank god Bunty barked and alerted us.’

‘I guess we’ll never know, until he recovers.’ Hattie shook her head. ‘And I’m wondering why the legs of his trousers were wet; it was a bit late to go paddling.’

‘Yes, that did seem odd.’ Jo opened a drawer in the desk and rummaged about for a nail file.

Hattie looked at her watch. ‘Well, as we’re taking it in turns to sit with Bill, I’ll be off and relieve Melissa for a few hours.’

‘I’ve arranged for Finbar to drive over to the hospital and bring her back in his taxi.’

‘That’s a good idea. I’m in for a long stint. I’ll call by the kitchen and pick up a sandwich, I’ll get one for Melissa too, she’s bound to be hungry.’

‘Good idea, and I’ll let everyone in the cottage know what the doctor said, they’re all very concerned about Bill.’

‘Let James take some of the strain today.’ Hattie studied Jo. ‘You look done in and you’ve missed a night’s sleep.’

‘I won’t be able to sleep and I can’t help but think that it was such a terribly sad way to end what had been a great day.’

‘Listen to me.’ Hattie placed her hand on Jo’s shoulder. ‘There are folks staying here who’ve paid good money for the privilege and we’re open to the public for food, drinks and meals too. You have to keep smiling, whatever happens.’

‘I know, but they’re also my responsibility when they’re staying under my roof and I feel obligated to look after them and ensure that their time here is, at the very least, in a safe environment.’

Hattie sighed. It was impossible to cheer Jo up. The guests came first, no matter what. She was relieved when James came in.

‘Ah, James,’ Hattie said. ‘I was just saying that Jo could do with a siesta and as I’m off to the hospital, I wonder if you could take over here for a bit?’

‘With pleasure,’ James said. ‘Take as much time as you like, everything is in hand. The guests have a tasting menu to look forward to in the restaurant this evening. The kitchen is prepared and I’ll host the pre-dinner farewell cocktail party in the music room.’

‘I’ll just have a couple of hours’ rest and then be around to help later; thank you, James. What about transport for the departures tomorrow?’

---