Page 84 of Boomerville at Ballymegille

‘She’s packing and is about to check out, she won’t tell me why, she just says she has to leave,’ Jo said. ‘I’m about to call Finbar to take her to the airport.’

‘Don’t let her go!’ Harry yelled.

‘What? Why?’

‘Malcolm is in Ireland and we think he was at the manor last night.’

‘Oh, good Lord.’

‘Find Alf and Finbar and tell them not to let Melissa out of their sight.’

‘Are you sure?’

‘On police instruction, she isnotto leave!’ Harry handed the mobile back to Hattie and dug out his own phone.

He dialled the number for the local Garda and spoke quickly.

‘What shall we do?’ Hattie asked.

‘You stay here and let me know as soon as you hear any news on Bill’s condition; I’m going to look for Malcolm.’

Harry took Hattie in his arms and gave her a hug, then turning on his heel, opened the door and raced out of the hospital.

* * *

Melissa’s heartwas hammering as she threw her clothes into cases. She piled everything in a haphazard pile and flicked the locks. She’d called the airport and there was an Aer Lingus flight leaving that evening; she’d booked a ticket and if she was quick, she’d be at the airport in time to catch the plane to Malaga and then get a taxi to the villa. With any luck, she’d be there in the early hours of the morning. The sooner she made the trip, the sooner Patrick would be spared from Malcolm’s mission to ruin him.

She looked out of her bedroom window and saw Finbar’s taxi pull onto the drive. As he leapt out of the vehicle, Finbar looked up. Their eyes met and for a moment, as if in a trance, she held his gaze. He held his hand up and waved and the spell was broken. She moved away and caught sight of herself in the mirror on the dressing table. Her shirt was crumpled and tearstained, her hair disarrayed.

But it didn’t matter. She had to catch that flight.

Melissa moved across the room and wedged the door open. She picked up her bag and slung it over her shoulder then taking the two cases, lugged them down the stairs.

‘Let us help you,’ someone said.

Melissa was halfway down and looked up as Alf and Finbar came up the stairs. Both took a case and guided her towards reception, where Jo was waiting.

‘Come and sit in the lounge,’ Jo said.

‘What’s going on?’ Melissa looked from one to the other.

‘I’ll explain in a moment.’ Jo held Melissa’s arm and walked her down the hallway.

‘But I don’t understand. I need to go, I have a plane to catch.’

‘You can’t leave at the moment,’ Jo said and held Melissa’s hand, as she sat beside her on the sofa. Her voice was soft as she continued. ‘We think that your husband was here, at the manor, last night.’

‘What?’ Melissa’s eyes were wide. She shook her head in confusion and looked from Finbar to Alf.

‘We can’t be certain but for your own safety, it’s best that you stay here with us, until we know.’

‘But what makes you think that Malcolm is here?’

Jo gave Alf a sideways glance.

‘Bill?’ Melissa asked. ‘Has this got something to do with Bill?’

‘Bill regained consciousness a little while ago.’ Jo took a deep breath. ‘He mentioned Malcolm’s name.’ She omitted what Hattie had already told her, that Malcolm had punched Bill, doubtless causing the injury to his head.