Page 91 of Boomerville at Ballymegille

‘Are you going to tell us a story?’ Lucinda asked.

‘Aye, it will sound like a story, I’m afraid.’ Harry frowned.

‘Tell us the good news,’ Hattie said, ‘that Malcolm is safely locked up and, with any luck, the Garda have thrown away the key.’

‘If only that was true.’ Harry walked over to the trolley and poured himself a cup of coffee. He stood in front of the group, as the many expectant faces stopped eating and drinking, waiting to hear his news.

‘Malcolm has been questioned all night, about Bill’s death,’ Harry began. ‘He says that he knows nothing about it and was asleep in bed at the time.’

‘Where was he asleep?’ Jo wanted to know.

‘He’d booked into a local hotel, Kindale House, under a false name. The receptionist confirms that he was staying there.’

‘I’ve a feeling that I took him from the airport to the hotel.’ Finbar frowned as he remembered. ‘I’m sure he was the man you’ve all described.’

‘The inspector has repeatedly asked him why he was in the area and Malcolm says that he came here to reunite with his wife.’

‘So why didn’t the damned man make an appearance?’ Audrey asked.

‘He says he had second thoughts.’ Harry sighed. ‘He decided that if Melissa was happy, the kindest thing he could do was leave her alone.’

There was a collective intake of breath and heads turned to look at Melissa.

‘That’s simply not true,’ Melissa whispered.

‘In other words, complete bollocks.’ Hattie looked at Melissa. ‘He want us to believe that he came all this way and decided not to take you back? Stuff and nonsense, if you ask me.’

‘Well, the inspector has no proof. There’s no evidence of Malcolm being here at the manor, or most importantly, of him attacking Bill.’ Harry looked around. ‘In fact, he has absolutely no reason whatsoever to suspect Malcolm of any wrongdoing.’

‘But what about travelling on a false passport?’ Alf asked.

‘Yes, that’s a different matter and it’s a serious offence.’

‘So, he’s locked up and will be charged?’

‘He’s been charged.’ Harry paused. ‘But, I’m very sorry to have to tell you…’

‘What?’they all chorused.

‘He was up before a judge this morning and Malcolm has been let out on bail.’

Melissa gasped. The cup in her hand rattled against the saucer and Jo leaned in to steady it. There was a murmur of disbelief as Harry continued.

‘It was the judge’s decision and someone here in Ireland has put up bail,’ Harry said. ‘Malcolm is now residing in a hotel in Cork and has given the police his address. He has strict instructions not to leave the county.’

Hattie caught Jo’s eye and they exchanged an anxious glance.

‘I hate to add further bad news.’ Everyone turned to look towards Willie. ‘If we don’t leave now, we’re going to miss the ferry.’

35

It was a sombre party who gathered on the driveway to say goodbye to the visitors from Cumbria. Melissa stood next to James and watched as Willie stacked and packed luggage. Surrounded by Audrey and the Babes, she hugged each member of the aquatic team, who all wanted to wish her well, in her new life in Ireland.

‘Don’t forget us!’ Audrey called out. ‘There’s always a place in the squad whenever you come back to Cumbria.’ Turning to James, Audrey gave him a hearty slap on the back. ‘We hope you’ll still be here when we visit the manor again,’ she said. ‘It would be a dreadful loss if you decide to move on.’

Audrey wrapped her arms around Jo and Hattie to give them a hug, then Alf took her arm and guided her up the steps and onto the bus.

‘By heck, is that a tear I see in Audrey’s eye?’ Hattie asked, as the Babes followed their captain and made themselves comfortable.