she was on about. Still, something about her made him want her to keep talking.
‘So you went to school in England?’ Patrick tried again. ‘Naturally, I mean it’s what one does, isn't it? Though thankfully Daddy lost a packet at Ascot the year I was to go to that finishing school in Switzerland. Saved me from that horror due to lack of funds. One can only imagine how ghastly that would have been. Arranging flowers and designing interesting table settings, dear me no, definitely not for me! Though that’s another reason, Mummy claims I didn’t manage to make a good match. No, after that, I came home and a jolly good thing too! Honestly, Mummy and Daddy are simply hopeless. So, I took over the estate. It’s doing well now. I have a frightfully clever chap over from New Zealand of all places, a genius with the geldings! Oh, hark at me blathering on... I’m so sorry. I haven’t spoken to a single human being all day!’
Patrick just gazed at her mesmerised. He was sure of one thing. Never in his fifty-six years had he met anyone like Cynthia. She might as well have been speaking Arabic for all he understood, but God she was highly entertaining.
As they enjoyed their meal and ordered more drinks, the conversation flowed. Her tales of her Uncle Herbert and a DNA test for paternity had him wiping his eyes in mirth. The loveliest thing about her, he thought, was the fact that her humour and chatter was effortless. He was amazed when he checked the time to discover that the pub was about to close. When they were ordered to move outside by the Stalinist waitress who was busy mopping the floor, he had a brainwave.
‘Y’know Cynthia, our group is staying here again tomorrow night and we’re supposed to visit a fort tomorrow, but I’d be happy to skip the tour and come and help you sort out your uncle’s house if that would help? It doesn’t seem right you having to do it all on your own. And you know I’m a member of the Boston Police Department, so you’re quite safe.’
Patrick wasn’t quite sure what he was doing but he knew he really wanted to spend some more time with this bizarre but compelling woman.
‘Well Patrick that is really extraordinarily kind of you. If you’re sure I wouldn't be imposing on your holiday, I’d be delighted with the help. Though I hope you aren’t squeamish. It is in rather a state.’
‘After thirty years in the Boston PD I think I’ve seen it all.’
As he walked Cynthia back to her very dirty and battered Volvo station wagon, they shook hands and arranged to meet the following morning.
Chapter 7
Juliet Steele was unpacking her bag and taking in her surroundings when Dorothy’s voice interrupted her thoughts.
‘It says here that you can avail of an early bird special in The Fishmarket Restaurant if you order before six-thirty. I have booked us a table for six-fifteen.’
Juliet groaned inwardly; they had only eaten lunch at three and she wasn’t remotely hungry. On the other hand, she knew better than to argue with Dorothy when she was in money-saving mode, which was all of the time. Juliet thought she had never met such a penny pincher as Dorothy in her entire life. She would have much preferred to wait until eight o’clock and have something small in one of the local pubs, and maybe absorb some of the atmosphere of this charming seaside town. The prospect of an empty hotel dining room with only the sound of a ticking clock to break the silence filled her with dread.
She thought again, how much Larry would have enjoyed being here in Ireland. Being from landlocked Iowa, the ocean fascinated him. What she wouldn’t do right now just to be able to sit on the terrace of one of the local hotels overlooking the harbour, order a glass of wine and have a leisurely chat with her dear late husband. She had never admitted to anyone that she spoke to Larry every day, in case they thought she was crazy.
Suddenly, a new sensation washed over Juliet, and she heard herself
‘So you went to school in England?’ Patrick tried again. ‘Naturally, I mean it’s what one does, isn't it? Though thankfully Daddy lost a packet at Ascot the year I was to go to that finishing school in Switzerland. Saved me from that horror due to lack of funds. One can only imagine how ghastly that would have been. Arranging flowers and designing interesting table settings, dear me no, definitely not for me! Though that’s another reason, Mummy claims I didn’t manage to make a good match. No, after that, I came home and a jolly good thing too! Honestly, Mummy and Daddy are simply hopeless. So, I took over the estate. It’s doing well now. I have a frightfully clever chap over from New Zealand of all places, a genius with the geldings! Oh, hark at me blathering on... I’m so sorry. I haven’t spoken to a single human being all day!’
Patrick just gazed at her mesmerised. He was sure of one thing. Never in his fifty-six years had he met anyone like Cynthia. She might as well have been speaking Arabic for all he understood, but God she was highly entertaining.
As they enjoyed their meal and ordered more drinks, the conversation flowed. Her tales of her Uncle Herbert and a DNA test for paternity had him wiping his eyes in mirth. The loveliest thing about her, he thought, was the fact that her humour and chatter was effortless. He was amazed when he checked the time to discover that the pub was about to close. When they were ordered to move outside by the Stalinist waitress who was busy mopping the floor, he had a brainwave.
‘Y’know Cynthia, our group is staying here again tomorrow night and we’re supposed to visit a fort tomorrow, but I’d be happy to skip the tour and come and help you sort out your uncle’s house if that would help? It doesn’t seem right you having to do it all on your own. And you know I’m a member of the Boston Police Department, so you’re quite safe.’
Patrick wasn’t quite sure what he was doing but he knew he really wanted to spend some more time with this bizarre but compelling woman.
‘Well Patrick that is really extraordinarily kind of you. If you’re sure I wouldn't be imposing on your holiday, I’d be delighted with the help. Though I hope you aren’t squeamish. It is in rather a state.’
‘After thirty years in the Boston PD I think I’ve seen it all.’
As he walked Cynthia back to her very dirty and battered Volvo station wagon, they shook hands and arranged to meet the following morning.
Chapter 7
Juliet Steele was unpacking her bag and taking in her surroundings when Dorothy’s voice interrupted her thoughts.
‘It says here that you can avail of an early bird special in The Fishmarket Restaurant if you order before six-thirty. I have booked us a table for six-fifteen.’
Juliet groaned inwardly; they had only eaten lunch at three and she wasn’t remotely hungry. On the other hand, she knew better than to argue with Dorothy when she was in money-saving mode, which was all of the time. Juliet thought she had never met such a penny pincher as Dorothy in her entire life. She would have much preferred to wait until eight o’clock and have something small in one of the local pubs, and maybe absorb some of the atmosphere of this charming seaside town. The prospect of an empty hotel dining room with only the sound of a ticking clock to break the silence filled her with dread.
She thought again, how much Larry would have enjoyed being here in Ireland. Being from landlocked Iowa, the ocean fascinated him. What she wouldn’t do right now just to be able to sit on the terrace of one of the local hotels overlooking the harbour, order a glass of wine and have a leisurely chat with her dear late husband. She had never admitted to anyone that she spoke to Larry every day, in case they thought she was crazy.
Suddenly, a new sensation washed over Juliet, and she heard herself
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