Chapter 29 #2
In the Sweet Orange Room, I’m thrilled to see it bustling like it should be.
Sewing machines purr, glasses and cutlery are being polished.
Vases are being cleaned out and a cake stand assembled.
I lean against the window to watch and catch my breath.
Dan stands chatting to Max, each holding a coffee cup.
How Dan drinks from a cup is so familiar to me now in every way.
Without him seeing me I just watch him. Yes, he is exceptionally handsome, but my attraction to him is so much more than that now.
It’s the tone of his voice, the jut of his jaw when he’s excited, the way he clenches his fists when he’s nervous, his kindness to Séamus, to Mrs Geraghty, to his village.
It’s how he speaks about Esther and Michael, his love of his heritage, his commitment to this castle, his soul.
Maybe it’s because I’ve dated someone who didn’t display any of these traits that I’m so aware of them.
When I think back to dating Cooper, he was as selfish as they come.
I was the one who took his elderly mother to her diabetes doctor’s appointments.
He was always so uncaring, telling me she had plenty of money and could get a taxi.
‘. . . and let me tell you, I wish this was smell-o-vision because the scent of the turf fire in here. Guys, it’s so romantic . . . this is going to be the greatest makeover you’ve ever seen.’
Something in me shifts and I wave Jill over. Pointing to myself I then curl my index finger at her. She nods in understanding.
‘And here’s the woman of the moment, wedding location expert – and, all-round love writer guru, Maggie Grace.
Can I let you guys into another little secret?
So many of you asked me about my wedding planner for the barn in Boston.
So now I can reveal it was Maggie who designed and planned my wedding .
. . down to the very last detail – well, I chose the groom! ’ Jill steps in beside me.
‘Hi.’ I smile a little awkwardly into the camera, curling my hair behind my ears, licking my lips.
‘Now, Maggie, how excited are you about Castlemoon as a wedding venue?’
I don’t need to think or perform, it comes out of me oh – so naturally. ‘So excited, Jill. I genuinely think Castlemoon is the most romantic wedding location I’ve ever worked on, and I’ve worked on a lot!’ I answer with one hundred percent honesty.
‘Steeped in romantic folklore, right?’ Jill prompts me.
‘Oh, it’s all true.’ And now I believe every word I speak.
‘If you pop over to our brand new Instagram account you can read about Esther and Michael Delaney, the original lord and lady who married here sixty years ago and are still madly in love. Castlemoon brought them together. I’ve yet to uncover any couple who married here and got divorced!
It’s fairytale stuff. Facts don’t lie, the majority of people who marry here stay married.
Perhaps it’s the magic or perhaps they don’t want to break the folklore and when the going gets tough they work just that little bit harder at their marriage than other couples do.
What I do know is that in all the time I worked at Ultimate Locations Wedding Magazine, I never uncovered a gem like this. ’ I grin madly into the phone.
‘I know the bookings are going to be done through Castlemoon’s brand new website which you hope will be live soon?’
‘In the next few weeks, yes. It’s I nod.
‘But in the meantime, like Maggie says, hop onto their Insta page, which I will tag now in a Jill Huberman-Lewis collaboration on my story. Maggie, what else can you tell my followers about this venue for a perfect Irish and international wedding?’
‘Yes, so we will have three amazing wedding venues here in the castle. The unique Heart Ballroom is currently being renovated but will be opening with two adjoining soundproof rooms that each hold one hundred guests. We hope to have them ready to go by next summer. And then there is the Castlemoon Cellar, a unique, bougie, intimate, candle lit fifty-seater that will be ready for booking as soon as we go live.’ Listen to me, I think, I sound super professional and word perfect.
‘And this folklore, that anyone who marries at Castlemoon is blessed by enjoying a long marriage. You mentioned Esther and Michael Delaney? I had a read and what an inspiring story! I believe you have shared more stories from other couples on the Instagram?’ Jill is probing me for more good stuff.
‘Yes, I have been talking to more couples, including Aisling and Aaron who just got married a few days ago in a huge wedding in the Heart Ballroom, you can see my photos on the grid, and Kate and Jimmy who want to keep the costs down and have decided on a more intimate celebration in the cellar next week.’ This comes far more naturally to me than I ever could have imagined!
‘And I also believe there is a giveaway of a two-night stay here next summer? All you need to do, guys, is like and follow the Castlemoon page and tag three friends.’
‘Yes.’ I nod. It’s the first I have heard of this giveaway but a fantastic idea of Jill’s to get us more followers.
‘That’s Maggie Grace, the elusive wedding venue location guru who everyone wants to employ to do their weddings. Keep an eye out for her very own online business coming soon also!’
Jill hits the light and puts the phone away.
‘Jill!’ I nearly fall over with the shock. I can’t believe she said that.
‘It’s time. In fact it’s overdue! I just thought it would help you to hear it said out loud. Let’s just call it food for thought for now.’ Jill simply shrugs her shoulders and I’m a little lost for words. It did sound good!
‘Okay.’ I feel my head nodding.
‘Good. Now I’m saving all the videos to post on my stories when I’ve touched them up and I have more content.’
‘May I?’ I suddenly have an overwhelming urge to hold my hand on Jill’s flat stomach.
‘Please do! You will be spoiling this baby after all as their godmother.’
‘Really?’ I can actually feel my cheeks flush and my face light up.
‘Who else?’ Jill says as I gently touch her stomach. ‘Now, where is this Dan gone? Dan the man! Have you spoken any more to him? I cannot wait to be introduced properly!’
‘He’s here. Oh, I don’t know, Jill. I probably overreacted on the phone to you. Maybe it just is what it is, a holiday romance. He knows I leave tomorrow. He hasn’t mentioned a future . . .’
‘So, tell him how you feel! I was watching you earlier for a few minutes before I called you, I’ve never seen you so confident, so happy. You seem to belong here.’ Jill puts her hand over mine.
‘I wish,’ I tell her honestly.
‘Where is my pregnant wife.’ Max calls out as he and Dan reappear.
‘Here, darling.’ Jill waves as Max and Dan make their way over.
‘Hi, I’m Dan,’ Dan says in his white T-shirt, faded denim jeans and leather jacket. I don’t think he’s ever looked as handsome.
‘H-hello Dan,’ and I try not to laugh as I see Jill take him all in, her eyes wide, and she side-eyes me.
‘I can’t thank you enough for agreeing to help us promote the castle on your social media,’ he tells her.
‘It’s out of this world. Happy to help, Maggie is very dear to me. Very, very dear,’ Jill says, shooting Dan a warning glance that only I would recognise.
‘You’ll stay with us tonight, I said it to Max,’ Dan says.
‘We were just going to find a local B&B?’ Jill tells him.
‘No chance. You are in the bridal suite, I’ve told Mary to get it ready – after all, you guys are celebrating!’ Dan opens his arms and Jill steps in for a hug.
‘Lunch is ready!’ Mary tells us all, hobbling into the room. ‘Everyone into the Heart Ballroom.’
Inside, plates of crusty rolls, thick doorstep bread sandwiches of every description and cups of tea and coffee are all laid out. Jill and I fill our plates and sit down near the fire to catch up. When we’re done, I tell her my sad news.
‘So, my mom called me this morning,’ I say, pouring milk into our third cup of tea. ‘Mrs Schwartz died.’
‘No! Oh, Maggie, I’m so sorry,’ Jill says quietly, taking the cup from me by the small handle and pulling me close to her. I stay there for a few minutes just remembering a wonderful lady.
Then I sit up. ‘I know but she was ready to go see Jacob again,’ I say, ‘I’m just going to miss her so.’
‘See? Some people actually have great marriages,’ Jill says very softly.
‘They certainly did. Eat,’ I command, handing her over another plate, and through a mouthful of thick baked ham and cheddar cheese sandwich she says, ‘As do I.’ Swallowing hard.
‘I’ve been thinking since I’ve been here and met Dan and traced my roots, I need to grow up.’ I reach for another hot chicken and stuffing sandwich, hold it between my two hands, squeezing the filling tightly.
Jill looks at me, tilts her head. ‘What do you mean?’ She holds a napkin to her mouth.
‘I’ve been terrified to fall in love again because I don’t want to be hurt, and especially not like my mom was.
Then I met Dan and though it’s only been days he’s proved to me that there are truly decent men in the world.
Since Cooper I’ve been looking for excuses to pull away from relationships.
I was putting up a barrier and I didn’t realise.
Because true love is so much more than sparks or whatever.
It’s a feeling that I don’t have the words for.
They don’t even exist. I need to grow up and get out there again. Let myself love.’
‘And love yourself more,’ jill says so pointedly that I can’t help but laugh.
‘I think I do. I think I’ve finally allowed myself to be enough.’
Jill just nods ever so slowly, her kind eyes revealing relief at what I’m saying.
‘My baby’s all grown up.’ She reaches for my hand across the table.
‘Thank you for always being so loyal and wonderful, I love you so much.’ I kiss her hand.
‘Oh, let’s not pretend we love our men more than we love each other, sister!
’ Jill tosses her auburn hair over her shoulder with a flick of her hand then reaches across for another sandwich.
‘I know I’m pregnant but these may be the tastiest sandwiches I’ve ever eaten!
’ Jill munches down now on a roast beef and relish.
‘Right? Insane! It’s the local butter I think, so creamy.’
‘No, it’s the bread, it’s like eating a cloud!’ She takes a huge bite.
‘Let’s go, people! Tables and chairs have arrived from the Moritz, all hands on deck out front to unload Seán’s truck, that man needs a feed. Someone plate him up a big one and a black coffee.’
‘On it!’ Jimmy shouts back.
‘We’re taking them into the cellar by the back exit door that His Lordship’s been painting. Mind your clothes!’ Terry shouts from the door, sweat trickling down his face as he pulls a cloth from over his shoulder and wipes his brow.
‘Time is flying by!’ I panic, drop the rest of my sandwich on my plate.
‘So let’s keep moving, boss,’ Terry calls over to me and with four straight fingers to the side of his head, he knocks out a sharp salute.
‘Oh phew, okay, let’s get them in and set up.’ I’m laughing at him. ‘Jill Huberman-Lewis, you sit there and finish those sandwiches. That’s a direct order!’ I get up and move towards Terry who is leaning in the doorway of the Sweet Orange Room.
‘Yes, boss!’ Now it’s Jill’s turn to give me a salute as the villagers file out past me one by one, all doing the same salute, and I crease over laughing before running out the door.