Chapter 28
TWENTY-EIGHT
‘Thank you everyone for coming out again.’ Although public speaking is so far from my comfort zone, somehow I speak confidently into the microphone on the stage in Heartwell Hall. ‘Especially so early after the late finish with céilí last night,’ I add, raising an eyebrow to the packed room.
‘We love you, Maggie, anything for you, ma chérie!’ Giselle shouts up. Terry waves, drapes an arm around his heavily pregnant girlfriend.
I can’t help but laugh. ‘So, we spoke to you all briefly about the cellar in the Heart Ballroom before you all left last night. It’s all hands on deck down there today. Kate and Jimmy will be married there next week.’
‘Another cheer that Castlemoon is off the market! For good!’ Dan jumps up from the bench in the front row. Cheers erupt from all the villagers.
‘But Dan needs all your help. He can’t do this alone, guys,’ I tell the hall authoritatively when they settle.
‘Tell us what you need!’ a man shouts out, his voice croaky from last night’s shenanigans.
‘After what we witnessed last night, you need dance lessons, Markey!’ someone yells back and they all howl laughing.
‘I have drawn up a list on a whiteboard that is at reception in the castle. There is a lot to be done, but I know every one of you can bring your special talents to it. I leave tomorrow morning so I want to get as much done as we can today. I want to assign the jobs.’
‘Don’t go!’ I see young Donal jump up as a sudden hush ascends across Heartwell Hall. I’m shocked to feel I’m strongly fighting back tears. ‘Who will get my toastie and KitKat when I’m checking tickets?’
I forcefully swallow the lump of emotion, curl my hair behind my ears.
‘You heard the lady, what are we waiting for? Let’s go!’ Terry sees and comes to my rescue as he stands up and pats Donal on the shoulder and he sits back down. Protectively, Terry extends his hand for me to come down the sharp side steps.
‘I simply cannot thank you enough, my dear,’ Terry says again to me in his posh English accent.
‘You have thanked me enough, I’m just really happy I could help. Dan is super lucky to have you, Terry.’ Reaching up on my tippy toes, I kiss Terry on the cheek.
‘Avengers assembled!’ A shout comes from the crowd.
I gasp as I spin around and look down at what seems like the entire village of Heartwell standing up.
Then I narrow my eyes and see they are all armed with buckets, spades, gardening tools, paintbrushes, tins of paint, cleaning products, wheelbarrows, shovels, hammers, bin bags bursting at the seams and all kinds of things.
All of them, ready to make their way up to Castlemoon through the snow and howling winds to get the cellar ready for Kate and Jimmy’s wedding.
The most unselfish, considerate bunch of people. They define community.
* * *
Out in the square, I button up my green wool coat to the neck and pull on my hat. Dan is pulling on a leather jacket, and steps out behind me.
‘I’ve never seen you in that jacket.’ I look at him. ‘Makes you look . . . so young!’ I joke with him because I’m so aware we haven’t much time left together that it pains me.
‘I feel a hundred this week but thank you . . . I should have brought the jeep, what was I thinking walking with this storm grumbling around us!’ Dan shakes his head.
‘Where’s my hat? I always keep my orange hat in this jacket pocket but its jammed here,’ he pulls at the lining and I can tell he’s uncomfortable all of a sudden.
‘Are you packed?’ He has to shout over the noise of the howling wind, distant thunder and the chattering villagers as he takes my hand, squeezes it tightly.
‘Not yet but I’m a fast packer. I’ll do it later before I go to bed.’ My heart lurches and I pray for this storm to continue raging.
‘I can take you to the airport?’ he offers.
‘I have to return my hire car and explain the damage to it and you need to be here to oversee all of this anyway.’ As my words leave my mouth I feel an overwhelming loss, like I’m grieving.
‘Nice one, Maggie!’ Betsy claps me on my back as more villagers pass us and they all greet me like one of Heartwell’s own, which makes me even more pensive.
‘Come back soon, Maggie!’
‘We owe you one, Maggie.’
‘What a brilliant idea, Maggie.’
‘You’re the best, Maggie!’
‘See? They’re all mad about you,’ Dan repeats as again as I bend to tie a lace that doesn’t need fastening. I need to do something to curb my emotion.
The fact is . . . Dan hasn’t asked me to stay.
And I know it’s totally crazy to think that he would after less than a week. But I would give anything to remain here in Heartwell. I’m going to miss this village so much and the wonderful people who live here. How is it I feel so at home here? Why is it it’s so far away?
A car horn beeps from behind us as I stand back up.
‘Good man!’ Dan shouts as he shelters his eyes from the driving snow and we both see Terry in the jeep, his head sticking out the window and beckoning us over.
When we reach Castlemoon, Mary has the trestle table set up alongside the reception desk.
It’s lined with flasks marked ‘Tea’ and ‘Coffee’, with paper cups piled high and jugs of water and juices, bowls of fruit, popcorn, crisps, nachos, hummus and bread sticks, cheese and crackers and sausage rolls.
‘You really are Wonder Woman,’ I tell her, embracing her.
‘Don’t think Wonder Woman had a gammy hip.’ She leans to the side.
‘Not for much longer!’ I clap as Mary folds her arms then limps away as my phone rings. I pull it from my coat pocket, read the screen. It’s my mom.
‘Mom?’ I do a tally of hours, it’s the early hours of the morning in New York. ‘Is everything okay?’
‘Honey.’ Mom’s voice is unusually soft and low.
‘What is it?’ I lean against the brick wall as people file past me.
‘Honey, I’m so sorry to tell you but Mrs Schwartz passed away a few hours ago.
I was there with George and Jez and Marcelo.
She took a turn yesterday and called me, I called Jez and he got the first flight out.
It was very quick and very peaceful, honey.
’ My mother’s voice is soft and soothing and it’s a tone I hardly recognise but somehow, in this moment, I’m immediately brought back to when she told me she was leaving Dad and we were moving to New York.
‘Honey?’ Her concerned voice again.
For years, I’ve carried the trauma of my parents’ divorce and my father’s infidelity. But now, in this saddest of moments, I remember clearly my mother’s kind but honest explanation. Now, I realise how hurt she must have been. How lonely. How stoic.
‘Maggie? Are you okay? I’m so sorry to have to tell you like this but I knew you’d want to know. I was really hoping you’d make it back in time to see her, but it was so fast in the end.’
‘She didn’t suffer?’ I ask, fresh tears forming, rolling down my cheeks.
‘No, she was smiling when she passed, like she was thinking of something wonderful, or she was in some wonderful place . . .’ Mom continues to soothe me.
‘Ireland, probably,’ I whisper on a shaky breath and I raise my left hand in front of my face to look at her ring. It was like she knew her time was nearly up when she gave it to me.
‘Maggie?’ Dan stands in front of me now, concern etched on his face. I just nod to him, tears still streaming.
‘I’ll be home . . .’ I say, ‘to help with the arrangements.’
‘She left her body to medical science, honey, there won’t be a funeral. In a few weeks, Jez wants to do a celebration of her life though. But she did ask for one thing?’
‘What?’ I sniff. I loved Mrs Schwartz so much; even though her body was weak, she was strong. Another woman I looked up to. A woman who truly believed in true love and its power. Hell, maybe this ring brought Dan to me. My mind has been opened to all sorts since being here in Heartwell.
‘That Benji goes to you,’ Dorothy says now.
‘Benji?’ Dan hands me a soft tissue and I wipe my nose.
‘I have him for now, George is gathering his stuff to take him to his place. He will stay there because I have the cat,’ she explains.
‘He needs his basket. Oh, and he loves his little squeaky bone, it’s under the sink. I put it in there because it smells. And his red lead, it’s hanging by the front door, under my purple raincoat, just don’t let him hear you jangle it, he’ll bark the house down.’
‘Do you have anyone there to give you a sweet cup of tea for the shock? To be with you?’ she asks, her concern brimming over.
I look up at Dan still standing over me, a bundle of fresh tissues in his hand, his lips pressed together.
‘Yes,’ I say.
‘She had a good life, honey, remember that?’ Mom is still providing comforting words.
‘I will. I’ll call you in the morning, Mom.’ I take a fresh tissue from Dan and dab my eyes.
‘I love you, honey.’
‘I love you, Mom,’ I reply as I ring off.
‘What is it? What’s the matter?’ Dan pulls me to him and I rest my head on his strong shoulder. I can smell the leather of his jacket as I gather myself together.
‘I just need a minute, Dan . . . upstairs.’ I lift my head, wiping my eyes. I move to the staircase and Dan follows close behind, giving me a little space.
As I climb up, I forget about the dip in the last step and almost trip but Dan catches me just in time. He lowers us to the step. There, in the safety of his arms, I cry for my wonderful friend Mrs Schwartz and also for this life I have to leave behind tomorrow.