The Irish Key: An utterly heart-wrenching and gripping Irish novel filled with family secrets (Emerald Isles) by Daisy O'Shea

Author:Daisy O'Shea [O'Shea, Daisy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bookouture
Published: 2024-04-24T00:00:00+00:00

17

GRACE

Sean turns up the next morning while Noel and I are still chattering at the breakfast table, and asks if I’d like to go up to the cottage and discuss the renovations with him. Noel is paying Finola to look after Olivia, so that I can work, so I ask if it’s all right.

‘Sure, it’s grand. Take your time,’ he agrees. ‘We can’t really get going until Dickie’s visited. He owns the stationery wholesalers in Cork. He grew up here and was at school with me, so he’s taking the opportunity to catch up. And apparently he’s bringing some kind of new typewriter to show us.’

‘I’ll be out in the truck,’ Sean says and shuts the door behind him.

Noel glances at me. ‘Sean’s a good man; get to know him a little.’

I hope he doesn’t notice the flush I feel creeping into my cheeks.

I briefly wonder whether Arthur will be expecting me to call at his hotel, but he was never an early riser. I’ll catch up with him later.

Sean helps me climb into the truck, a big infectious smile on his face, and asks, ‘Where’s Olivia today?’

‘Doing Very Important dog training with Noel’s dogs.’

‘Poor dogs!’

‘Oh, they won’t mind. It’s all play to them, but listen, I have to tell you…’ As we drive past the mill to Goosheen in bright sunshine, enjoying the overhanging abundance of fuchsia and the riot of orange montbretia that line the banks, I explain about Arthur’s unexpected arrival.

He frowns. ‘Are you worried?’

‘Arthur’s okay, but I’m worried that Graham will now know where I am.’

‘I’ll put the word out for everyone to look out for an English car. Will he drive the silver Rolls-Royce over? That will be a sight to see!’

‘I don’t know. He might use my blue Volkswagen.’

‘Look, cheer up. There’s no use working yourself into a fret over what hasn’t happened. If he turns up, someone will get me, all right?’

I nod, the tightness in my chest easing at his reassurance. ‘So, what is it you want to discuss?’

‘Nothing, really. I just wanted to see you again.’ His grin is mischievous as he reaches for my hand.

I wish I could control my tendency to blush. We stroll hand in hand, and I’m glad there are no other workmen around. Last time I walked up here, the cottage was a sad derelict, roofless, its windows staring towards the sea like sightless eyes. Now, the skeletal outline of a roof has been created with beams of wood, dragging the cottage from uncaring decay back to the promise of life.

Sean is standing by the gaping doorway, beaming at my amazed expression. ‘I said the roof wouldn’t take long,’ he says with satisfaction. ‘We’ll get the roofing felt on later, then the building can start to dry out.’

His solid presence makes my heart beat a little faster. It’s strange how attractive I find him. He doesn’t have Graham’s classic, stern good looks but rather a tendency towards those creases that come from a natural inclination to smile.

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