Chapter 42
Grace carefully unwrapped the tissue paper her father had insisted she take as she headed out the door of the Shamrock at first light with Chris, eager to get down to Cloverbrook Farm. A lucky, four-leafed clover he’d dried and pressed just for her. The precious good-luck charm had seen her eyes well up, and she’d hugged him tightly. He’d got on with Chris like a house on fire once they’d been appropriately introduced, and he adored Winston, the rescue bulldog Chris adopted not long after he and Grace moved aboard The Emerald. Although Napoleon wasn’t as enamoured.
While Liam Kelly was hardly a shadow of his former self, he looked good, having trimmed down over the last few months. It had been an enormous relief for all the Kellys when his doctor declared he was in good health. Nan took full credit, insisting it was down to her From Leaf to Feast cookbook.
The clover was working its magic, Grace thought. It had gifted them with a sapphire sky and sunshine and was warm but not too hot. It was an idyllic day for Emerald Grooves. Grace carefully kissed the clover for extra luck before wrapping and stashing it carefully in her crossbody bag. She could hardly believe she was standing here in the sunshine, in Enda Dunne’s field, which was full of people. Some were stretched out on picnic rugs, some sitting in fold-out chairs, others milling about, but all were in good humour, enjoying the summer vibes.
She gazed over the sea of hat-covered heads to the podium Ryan had done an excellent job erecting. The Shamrockers’ instruments and microphone were already set up in anticipation of them taking to the stage in ten minutes. The stage banner Grace had commissioned was a backdrop emblazoned with ‘Emerald Grooves’. She shook her head, seeing Imogen swanning about like she was Sienna Miller or Kate Moss in short shorts. As for Hannah, she’d spotted her making her way through the gathered crowd, handing out Feed the World with Bees flyers. Shannon, the last act to perform, closing with a duet alongside Chris and the Shamrockers, was at her station in the first aid tent. Hopefully, she’d be in for a quiet day.
Best of all, though, was the sight of her mam, dad, nan, Ava and Shane sharing a prime spot with the Dorrances as they kept an eye on Winston, who’d travelled over on the tour bus with Chris and the rest of the band. He was officially their mascot, even if, from what Grace could see, all that involved was enjoying sneaky sausage treats from her father and lolling about on the grass.
The tummy-rumbling smell of onions and frying sausages drifted past, and pulling her sunglasses down to block the glare, Grace spotted a line forming at Dermot Molloy’s sausage-sizzle stand. Carmel’s cakes were proving just as popular. Brenda Gallagher from the Bus Stop corner shop looked none too pleased by the competition the Egans’ hot chips van was giving her cold-drinks-and-crisps stand. The requisite ice-cream truck was parked up, too. It had refrained from playing ‘Greensleeves’ on repeat but only after Isla Mullins, as Event Council Coordinator, had a stern word. Grace hadn’t had the heart to relieve her of her title after the event application fiasco, especially not when she’d gone and had a badge made. Isla also had a whistle around her neck. Grace suspected she’d have no hesitation in blowing it should she spot any unruly shenanigans – that was if Sergeant Badger, aviators in place, didn’t spot them first.
Grace began to pick her way across the field to the cluster of vans, one rusty bus and tents behind the stage where she’d find the Shamrockers or, more to the point, Chris and the rest of the bands who’d arrived late yesterday afternoon and camped overnight in the field.
Clara, Alfie and the Casey clan were guests of honour near the front of the stage, as were the pupils and staff of Emerald Bay School.
Grace rounded the stage, seeking out Chris, her face spreading into a smile like it always did when she saw him. Canal boat life agreed with them both once he’d made extra wardrobe space for her, and Grace had surprised herself by proving to be a dab hand wielding a paintbrush. She’d even trained him to put the loo seat down!
He saw her and reached out. She took hold of his hand.
‘How’s Winston?’
His eyes were the colour of the summer sky today, and they never ceased to make her heart beat faster. ‘Having a lovely time.’
Chris grinned, squeezing her hand gently. ‘And how are you?’
‘Nervous. I’m not used to getting up in front of a crowd like you.’
‘Don’t be. I’ll be right there beside you.’
‘I thought it rained all the time in Ireland,’ one of the lads from Acoustic Alchemy said to no one in particular. ‘I’d have brought shorts if I’d known it would be like holidaying in the Med.’
Grace glimpsed his torn jeans. He would be hot in those. She felt a little sorry for him, but then there was no time to think about anything, because Chris was tugging her onto the stage with him and the rest of the lads, who all took their places to thunderclap applause and piercing whistles.
The sun was in her eyes as she gazed at the crowd. They hadn’t rehearsed this. Grace thought their words should come straight from the heart, and Chris agreed. He caught and held the crowd, his stage presence undeniable as he welcomed them to more whoops. Then, leaning into the microphone, he told the rapt audience how the festival had come to fruition, thanking everyone who’d got behind the idea.
Grace felt like she was in a dream as Chris moved aside, never letting go of her hand, to give her the microphone. An ocean of faces peering out from under hats, noses covered in sun cream stared back at her, but she sought out Clara and Alfie and the faces of all the schoolchildren who’d benefit from today’s concert, because this was about them. Clara gave her a thumbs up and mouthed, ‘You’ve got this.’
The butterflies flew away as Grace conveyed the warmth and gratitude she was filled with, reiterating Chris’s thanks to all those who’d given up their time to help make Emerald Grooves happen and to everyone who’d turned out to support it. Finally, Grace told the audience that not only were the repairs underway on Clara’s house, but the new computers had been ordered, along with other replacements for the school equipment damaged in the heavy rains. There was also enough left over to make a two-thousand-euro donation to the children’s hospital in Crumlin.
A deafening roar went up, and whoops soon followed. Grace knew she’d remember this moment for the rest of her life.
There was no chance of waxing lyrical, though, because Grace, feeling Chris’s strong arms supporting her, was tipped backwards like a swooning scene from an old film.
The last thing she saw before he kissed her was the perfect summer sky over Emerald Bay.
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