CHAPTER 38
LINFORD CASTLE SUED FOR RIVER POLLUTION
A local residents association in County Mayo is suing a five-star hotel for polluting the river that runs through its village, causing damage to the wildlife in and around the river.
Linford Residents Association has accused the historic Linford Castle of ‘extreme negligence’ after a sizeable paint spill was discovered in the River Rathon downstream of the hotel grounds.
Linford Castle is currently hired out to Hollywood’s Blue Star Studios, who are shooting the romantic comedy An Irish Inheritance with Afric Brooks and Spencer Torres. The paint seems to have been used in the outdoor set, built on part of the hotel’s grounds.
Jess Bradley, spokesperson for the Charleston Group which owns Linford Castle, told the Daily Journal that ‘as Blue Star Studios had organised the building and painting of their sets before filming began some weeks ago’ they couldn’t comment on the paint spill.
She said that ‘Linford Castle and all the hotels in the Charleston Group work tirelessly to achieve a low carbon footprint’, and added there would be ‘a full investigation of the unfortunate incident’.
A clean-up of the polluted section is already underway.
“Isn’t Ted Nolan head of the residents’ association?” Jess asked Anthony as they caught up over a quick coffee on Tuesday.
Anthony sighed. “The owner of the village grocery store? Oh, indeed. But I was talking to Frank earlier, and he’s happy we’re doing everything we should be doing.
The river has been cleaned and we’re working with the council to decide further action.
I still don’t know how it happened, though.
None of our staff would do anything like that, which leaves us with our guests.
” He raised an eyebrow. “And why would any of them do such a thing?”
Jess helped herself to a second miniature artisan chocolate. She wondered if they stored them in the massive pantry beside the kitchen. Probably best she didn’t know.
“This is such a small community, it makes no sense to have a residents’ association suing us over this.” She wiped her fingers discreetly on a napkin.
“Especially when we’ve kept them updated on everything,” Anthony said.
“Ted’s the real problem. I’ve only been in that shop of his once.
To be honest, I’m surprised the man has any customers at all, he’s so rude.
” He finished his coffee and rang the bell for someone to clear the table. “I’ll see you later, Jess.”
The idea that Linford Castle could be sued niggled at Jess for the rest of the morning.
She could understand why the residents were upset.
The Rathon wound through some of the most picturesque parts of Mayo, and she’d been struck by its beauty the first time she’d seen it in Ballygobbin.
She forced herself to view it practically.
If Ted and the rest of the residents decided to go ahead, she knew the group would probably be advised to settle rather than let it go to court.
Either way, that sort of publicity was extremely damaging.
At lunchtime she walked down to Linford Village. Ted’s Store was busy, and after Jess selected a sandwich and a bottle of juice, she hung back, waiting for the place to empty. As soon as the last customer left, she went straight to the till.
“Hi, Ted.”
“There’s the girleen!” He scanned the items and gave her a pointed look. “Cash or card?”
Jess forced a polite smile as she tapped her card. “Ted, could I have a quick word with you about the river?”
He squinted at her as if she’d suddenly started speaking a different language. “The river?”
“Well, more specifically, the letter from the residents’ association threatening legal action against the hotel.”
Ted puffed out his chest. “And what’s that to you? You don’t live here, you’re not even staff up at the castle.”
“I’m not, no.” Jess managed to maintain a smile. “But I am part of the Charleston Group. I’d like to see if we can come to an understanding with the residents’ association so that –”
“An understanding?” Ted’s voice was louder now. “What I understand is that our beautiful river is full of paint –”
“We’ve cleaned up the paint.”
“– thanks to negligence by that fancy hotel you work for. There were dead fish found all the way down in Ballygobbin, did you know that?”
Jess resisted the temptation to point out how improbable that was.
“God only knows the amount of damage it’s caused or how long it’s going to take to sort it out.”
“I hear you,” Jess said patiently, “but I can promise you that the group is investigating, and no matter how it happened we’ll make sure the river’s cleaned properly. We’ve already done a lot.”
The bell over the shop door chimed and a group of teenagers came in, making a beeline for the drinks fridges.
Ted folded his arms. “Tell me now, are you here in an official capacity for the Charleston Group?”
She felt herself go red. “Not exactly, no. I just thought, with you being chairperson of –”
“You thought you’d come into my place of business and bat your eyelashes, and I’d roll over and promise to drop the lawsuit.
” He put his hands on the counter and leaned closer, forcing her to step backwards.
“Well, you’re barking up the wrong tree, girly!
If the Charleston Group wants to deal with the residents’ association, they’ll ask for a meeting with us.
And not in that bloody hotel, either. They can meet us in the community hall at the back of the church.
” He straightened. “If that’s everything, I have other customers waiting. ”
Scarlet now, Jess took the sandwich and juice, and with as much dignity as she muster, left the shop.
“Fuck!”
An old man nearby shot her a startled look.
She sighed. “Sorry.”
The man muttered something about young people.
As Jess started to walk back to the castle, she wished she hadn’t bothered trying to talk to Ted.
For some reason, his anger had felt personal.
Only he couldn’t be angry at her – he barely knew her.
But he was definitely angry at Linford Castle.
And she’d be willing to lay a bet that the reason, whatever it was, predated the river incident.
Holly was walking through the grounds when Jess got back.
“Hi, Holly. Do you have a few minutes to talk?”
“Here?” She gestured around the grounds which were busy with the cast and crew having lunch.
“I just wanted to ask you if you know who’s on the residents’ association committee? All I know is that Ted’s the chairperson.”
Holly shifted, looking a bit uncomfortable. “It’s mainly the shop owners who are on the committee,” she said. “My mam’s on it too. But she wouldn’t be wanting to sue the hotel, Jess, she’s not like that.”
“I know she isn’t.” Jess resisted the urge to ask Holly if she knew why Ted seemed to have some sort of personal vendetta against the group. “Thanks, Holly. I’m sure we’ll be able to meet with them and get this sorted.”