Chapter 25
TWENTY-FIVE
It’s dark as I open the vanilla coloured door to the organic market and the sweet smells of ripe fruit and exotic spices fill my nostrils.
Immediately, I see Kate behind the till at the back of the store in a matching vanilla apron, her blonde hair in a high ponytail with a red ribbon in it.
As I make my way through the store, I can’t help but feel ridiculously excited about my idea.
Kate is chatting to another woman at the till, sliding her shopping across the scanner with a loud beep each time it reads a barcode.
‘Hi Maggie,’ Kate says to me, ‘what was that all about above in the hall? Saw ya running out? You looked upset? You okay? Dan wouldn’t tell me anything.’ She gives me a look of concern.
‘Just a misunderstanding is all, all good now,’ I say with a casual wave of my hand.
‘Oh phew. Sorry, this is Amy, she’s just moved here from the Northside in Dublin.
She’s opening a coffee van Saturday mornings, has a permit for the square, iced-coffees, fancy hazelnut ones and all that.
I keep telling Betsy she needs to do that over in the Teapot Café but she’s very traditional.
She’s a cuppa tea and a slice of hot apple pie type of woman. ’
‘Nice to meet you.’ The younger woman swings around from packing her brown paper bags to look at me. She has dark olive skin and a thick paisley hairband holding her dark hair back.
‘You too, I’m Maggie,’ I say, ‘best of luck with the new venture.’
‘Thank you, I was just telling Kate here, I needed a change. I’m in love with two brothers, it nearly killed me. Had to run away for all our sakes. Fresh start down here in Galway at Christmas, I’m excited.’ Amy puts her avocados on top.
‘Oh wow, sounds terribly complicated,’ I watch as Amy lifts her two paper bags into each arm and moves to the door with a nod.
‘You have no idea, one looks like Paul Mescal and the other like Leo Woodall, it’s a hot mess.’ She uses her foot to open the door and exits.
‘First world problems, eh?’ Kate chuckles as she looks for my basket, her eyes darting to my hands.
‘I’ve no shopping. I need to talk to you. It’s urgent,’ I tell her.
‘Go on.’ Kate leans on the till.
Glancing around, the market is quiet, it’s almost closing time.
‘You told me your wedding is small, right? Fifty people and all more or less from the village? Your aunt runs the Moritz Hotel? I remember Jimmy saying she’d probably be relieved if you postponed it? And you have ten thousand saved to go towards the wedding?’ My words tumble out.
‘Correct. All correct. I’m going to look for the dress in Dublin tomorrow.’ Kate is staring hard at me, her eyes curious.
‘How much is the room hire costing you?’
‘It’s free? Why?’ Kate’s lips part as she’s about to ask another question.
‘Hear me out,’ I raise my hand, ‘I think you should cancel. You told me you’re supplying your own food too, right? It’s a buffet reception so it’s not going to cost your aunt much if we do cancel it?’
Kate nods and curls her lip. ‘Aunt Madge would be delighted!’
‘I think you and Jimmy can get married in the cellar at Castlemoon. We have work to do and I leave in a day’s time but I think we can – no, I know we can make it spectacular.
A beautiful intimate Christmas wedding in Castlemoon where you will still receive the blessings under the castle roof, a lifetime of love, but I will need your help. ’
‘The cellar? I mean I’ve never been down there but . . . it’s a cellar!’ Kate looks at me like I’ve lost my mind. ‘I know the Moritz isn’t actually the Ritz but it’s a real function room?’
‘Trust me. You have to trust me, Kate, I’ve done this before,’ I tell her, thinking of Jill’s wedding. ‘I’m really good at it. It can be magnificent. Come look this evening when you’re up for the céilí, speaking of – it’s near that time!’
‘Um, okay.’ But Kate looks less than convinced.
‘It’s your dream to marry at Castlemoon, right?’
‘Yes.’ Kate nibbles on her thumb nail now as I can see her trying to visualise it.
‘Kate, I promise you it will be spectacular, out of this world, and we can use your day to showcase the cellar online for other weddings. Dan desperately needs that. Plus you may need to loan him some of that ten grand.’ I lift my shoulder.
Kate shifts. She straightens up, lifts her chin.
‘I’ll see you up there in an hour, with Jimmy.’ She pulls a hood over the till.
Delighted with Kate’s response I leave the market, out into the worsening blizzard as I rush back up the hill to Castlemoon, my head whirring.
* * *
It’s busy in the lobby of the castle with guests and the locals trickling in.
I shake the heavy snow from my coat once more and move through the throngs gathered by the heat of the crackling fire.
Everyone is chatting, all dressed up beautifully for the night’s merriments.
It’s far fancier than I’d imagined. Full black tie event.
As Mary moves around handing out eggnog on a silver tray, I just wave and head for the Heart Ballroom.
Outside, the young guy who was on reception slumps behind a desk.
‘Are you checking tickets?’ I ask him, removing my coat now.
‘Yup,’ he drawls with a bored expression.
‘I’m Maggie, what’s your name?’
‘Donal,’ he drawls, blows a bubble with the gum in his mouth, and it pops.
Now I recognise him as the young man who asked me to dance at the wedding.
‘Okay, Donal, well let’s sit up straight, can we? And will you put a big smile on your face for me? You take the tickets and say, “Have a great night, come back soon!”, and I’ll drop you over a toasted sandwich, fries and a Coke later? Deal?’
His eyes light up.
‘Throw in a KitKat for afters and you have yourself a deal.’ He chews rapidly.
‘And the gum? Can we bin the gum?’ I nod to the wastepaper basket beside him as he removes it, wraps it in a piece of paper and throws it in.
‘Thank you, Donal!’ I laugh as does he.
Inside, the candles are helping and the chill is lifting somewhat. The burning glow makes the room look beautiful as the light reflects on the windows and the falling snow. I see Mary has added tall glass vases with overflowing snowdrops and the scent lingers.
‘All set, Seán, do you guys need anything before you start?’ I ask the trad band.
‘All good here, Maggie, thanks, I hope you’ll be part of the craic later?’ Seán waves a tin whistle at me, taking in my casual attire.
‘I don’t think so unfortunately, but I’m upstairs if I’m needed to help out.’
Happy with how things are going, I know I need to slip away.
I head to the staircase and run up, leaping over the last step.
Inside the room, I throw my coat over the chair and pick up my phone.
Hurriedly, I FaceTime Jill. The series of ascending and descending notes as we wait to connect seems to go on and on. I pace. Finally, she answers.
‘Maggie!’ Jill’s in her bed, with what looks like a dozen pillows propping her up.
‘Oh great, you’re there! Sorry! Were you asleep, did I wake you?’ I ask worriedly.
‘No, I’m wide awake. Max is being so overprotective already, he put me straight to bed like I’m the baby!’ Jill laughs, pulls back the blanket and I see she’s fully dressed in dark denim jeans and a cream hoody paired with novelty Christmas socks.
‘What did the doctor say?’ First things first.
She beams. ‘That I’m pregnant,’ Jill whoops in delight.
‘So am I!’ Max’s face peeps in.
I’m beaming back. ‘Oh, hi Max.’ I wave at Jill’s hubby. ‘Congratulations! I’m so happy for you guys. It’s just the best news!’
‘And the doctor said I’ve to go about my life as normal and not be wrapping myself up in cotton wool, overthinking.
It’s not healthy, so that’s exactly what I’m going to do.
Serena Williams won the US Open at twenty weeks pregnant, for crying out loud,’ Jill says pointedly, turning the phone on Max.
‘Jill, I know my timing sucks but I need your help. But also . . . I’ve met someone and there are sparks. There are so many sparks I’m afraid I’m going to burst into flames! I really like him!’ Flopping back on my bed as the words flow out, I squeeze my eyes shut.
‘How? Who?’ Jill yells.
‘I’ll go put the kettle on.’ Max’s body tiptoes past the screen.
‘Who are you and what have you done with my friend Maggie?’ Jill leans into the screen.
‘I know! Can you believe this? His name is Dan!’ I sit up, my head shaking wildly, my curls flying. ‘He’s just . . . well he’s exceptional.’
‘Well, that was quick! You? Of all people? Miss I Will Never Fall in Love Again! I-I’m speechless.’ Jill gasps again.
‘I know! I can’t believe it myself. I think I’m still in shock,’ I tell her, holding the phone in my two hands up in the air in front of my face.
‘Sparksssssssss, you say?’ Jill asks, holding onto the word.
‘I know!’ I shout for the hat-trick. ‘Oh Jill, so many sparks!’ I heave, shut my eyes tight.
‘This is what you’ve been waiting for since we were teenagers! Airhead Cooper never set any sparks in you! The only sparks he set off were from rubbing two ideas together but nothing ever ignited! Idiot. I’m so happy for you.’
‘But nothing can happen. Dan lives here in Ireland and I live in New York.’ My voice and lower lip both tremble. Hearing the words spoken out loud is even worse.
‘So? Move!’ Jill flings an oversized pillow out from behind her.
‘I can’t just leave my life! What about my mom!’
‘Maggie, I spoke to Dorothy a while ago, I wanted to tell her about the baby myself, and that is one happy woman. She doesn’t need you anymore. George will take great care of her. She’s happy. You need you! This is a huge step for you.’
‘Anyway, he hasn’t asked me to stay! And I quit my job.’
‘Woah, hold on, back up Nelly? What about the article for the magazine?’ Jill sits up, closer to the screen.
‘Frederick was planning on turning Castlemoon into luxury apartments. It was no longer going to be a hotel! We can’t feature it. It isn’t an ultimate wedding location as far as they are now concerned . . .’
‘I won’t say I told you so but I will say I told myself so that Frederick is a shark! And as for Amanda Crosse!’
‘I don’t think Amanda quite knew the ins-and-outs but I’ll need a week to tell you everything. It’s been a rollercoaster, but I have no job to go back to, not to mention no place to live after the holidays.’
‘Even better!’ Jill exclaims.
‘Don’t be ludicrous,’ I say, but my mind is in overdrive.
‘I’m being deadly serious,’ Jill says. ‘Have you kissed him?’ she then asks.
‘Yes.’ I nod my head like one of those bobbing dogs people put in the back seat of their cars.
‘And?’
‘Everything I’d never even imagined . . . and there’s something else. Jill?’
‘W-what? And? What else could there possibly be?’
‘Dan owns Castlemoon. It’s his castle. He’s a real-life lord.’ I can barely believe the words that I’m speaking. For a moment, I think the screen has frozen. Jill is completely motionless.
‘Shut up!’ Jill finally comes to, her jaw hanging, mouth wide open.
‘I know. It’s crazy and now that I’m not filing my article to Amanda, I have another idea for it, a big idea about what I want to do with it. That’s where you come in. This is where I need your help.’
‘Anything,’ she says with a determined nod of her head.
‘I want to set up a new Instagram account now for the castle, and I want to use my Ultimate Locations article and photos for the grid to tell the story of Castlemoon. I want to sell the folklore of the castle on there. They have a website but it’s old and does not do the place, or Heartwell, justice – that’s the surrounding village, which is just as beautiful.
It’s so picturesque. I need you to help me.
Can I tag you in them so you can share them? Is that possible?’
‘For you, again, anything!’ She keeps nodding in agreement.
‘You’re the best, I better fly. I’ve got so much to do here.’ I sit up.
‘Hang on! Wait! Wait! One sec! When do you plan on posting these?’ Jill swings her legs out of the bed now.
‘Doing stories? Doing an Insta Live? Consider bordering your grid in black and white? We need to think about collaborators to work with.’ I can almost see Jill’s creative mind whirring. She looks just like the old Jill again.
‘Like, tonight! I’m getting to work right away, there is no time to waste! Oh, and I’m also planning a wedding in the cellar under the castle. A cellar that I need to dismantle, deep clean, put back together, design and make spectacular for a wedding a few days after Christmas.’
‘Okay . . .’ Jill is laughing now, shaking her head. ‘I’m telling you, Maggie, the fates have aligned,’ she says with the brightest smile.
‘You know I don’t believe in fate!’ I say but now only half truthfully.
‘Well, maybe you should rethink that one, Einstein! Now what are you waiting for, go get your prince!’