Page 15 of The Book of Irish Secrets (Magnolia Manor #5)

NINE

‘Stop overthinking,’ Finola ordered, when Claire told her how hard it was to lie about why she had come to Kerry. ‘Try to compartmentalise and remember why you’re there. Pretend you are who you say and then, when the right moment arrives, you can reveal the truth and be the real you.’

‘I’ll try,’ Claire said. ‘But it’s hard when everyone’s so nice.’

‘Just go with the flow,’ Finola said. ‘And remember that your aunt Rachel wanted this. What else is happening?’

‘I got the job, as I told you,’ Claire replied. ‘And my first day was pretty hectic. Karina is lovely but a bit disorganised. She needs someone to put all her activities into a schedule and keep track of her bookings and be nice to clients.’

‘Didn’t I say you’d be perfect?’ Finola chortled. ‘You’re the queen of organisation. You’ll soon have all that stuff filed where it’s easy to find.’

‘I’ll do my best, but we get on, which is a good start. But guess where we went after the interview?’

‘Oooh,’ Finola breathed. ‘You mean… Magnolia Manor?’

‘Yes. And I met Sylvia and Rose and Lily and went on a tour of the house. It’s absolutely amazing. So grand and beautiful and old.’

‘Wow,’ Finola whispered. ‘I wish I’d been there to see it all. And…’ She stopped. ‘Oh!’ she exclaimed. ‘I forgot to tell you. There’s a letter.’

‘For me?’ Claire asked. ‘Was it in the post?’

‘No, I found it under the sofa just now. It’s a very old letter that’s a bit torn and stained.’

‘It must have fallen out of Auntie Rachel’s book when we unwrapped it,’ Claire said, frustrated. Was this another clue to the mystery? She’d been wondering why the book hadn’t given her more information. ‘Can you see who it was sent to?’

‘Yes,’ Finola replied. ‘It’s addressed in beautiful handwriting to Louis Fleury at Villa Magnolia in Killiney.’

‘Oh, wow,’ Claire said. ‘That’s where my great-grandparents lived when Auntie Rachel and Granddad grew up.

A lovely house overlooking the sea. Louis called it after his old home here in Kerry.

We went to look at it when I was around twelve, but it had been sold by then.

That letter must have been sent there and Auntie Rachel would have come across it when they moved or something. ’

‘Could be,’ Finola agreed. ‘I only just found it. That’s why I called you so late.’

‘Oh,’ Claire exclaimed. ‘Can you see who it’s from?’

‘It’s very faint but I can just about make out what it says,’ Finola said. ‘C.F., Magnolia Manor, Dingle, County Kerry.’

‘How exciting. It could be from Cornelius, my great-grandfather’s brother. Can you send it to me? By express mail?’

‘Yes, of course. I’ll do it straight away tomorrow morning. Just give me the address to the B&B.’

Claire did as she was told, excited about what Finola had found. ‘Can’t wait to read it. Thanks, Finola, you’re a brick.’

‘No problem,’ Finola said, stifling a yawn. ‘But now I’ll say goodnight. All is well here and the bookings of the Airbnb are good. Goodnight, Claire. Take care.’

‘Bye, Finola, thanks a million again.’

Claire hung up and put the phone away. She drifted off to sleep only minutes after turning off the light and slept soundly for a few hours.

But then, in the middle of the night, she woke up, startled by the memory of what Finola had said about the sender.

C.F., Magnolia Manor… As she had suggested to Finola, that letter must have been from Cornelius to his brother, Louis.

Had he asked for forgiveness? She suddenly couldn’t wait to get her hands on that letter.

It had to be nearly a hundred years old.

Strange how what happened so long ago could still cast a shadow over a family today.

That letter still played on Claire’s mind as she arrived at Karina’s house the following morning.

But she tried to forget about it as she sat down in front of Karina’s computer to tackle her emails.

Claire decided to create a new email address for Karina that was separate from her personal one, which Karina thought was a brilliant idea.

‘Why didn’t I think of that before?’ Karina asked, looking over Claire’s shoulder. ‘I was wading through a huge mess every time I looked up my messages trying to sort the invoices and bookings and then answering emails from my daughters and my friends.’

‘I can imagine,’ Claire said. ‘Lots of people who run their own businesses do it that way. But now that I’m here, I can handle your work email and you can then have the personal file all to yourself. Better for both of us.’

Karina nodded and straightened up. ‘That leaves me with a lot more time. I’ll be in the kitchen if you need me.’

‘Perfect,’ Claire said and turned back to the computer screen. ‘I’ll set up your new email address and then we can go through your client list and email them your change of address.’

‘Fabulous. I’m sure you think I’m an awful klutz when it comes to organising my business. I usually get it together in the end, but it takes a long time and a lot of effort.’

‘You’re such a talented cook and you have wonderful screen presence,’ Claire said. ‘Aren’t those things the most important aspects of your career? Business administration is another matter. You can’t be good at everything.’

‘You’re an absolute treasure,’ Karina said, beaming. ‘But now I must get going. Let me know if you need anything or if you get stuck in the pile of bills and invoices.’

‘I will.’ Claire turned her attention to the business of setting up a new email account while Karina went into the kitchen. Claire could hear her turn on the sound system, and soon Pavarotti belting out the first aria from Tosca echoed around the house.

‘She loves opera and it has to be loud,’ a voice said from the open door.

Claire turned around to discover Pierce in the doorway. ‘Hi,’ she said. ‘Hope your Zoom meetings went well.’

Pierce walked into the room. ‘Yes, all okay. No problems. I didn’t really drink much last night, so I wasn’t too bad this morning. I enjoyed your company and the chat.’

‘Me too,’ Claire said, feeling as if the sun had suddenly shone straight into the room. Pierce had that effect on her, she realised. He made her feel happy by just standing beside her. ‘It was nice not to have to eat alone.’

‘You have to find your own place,’ he said. ‘Then you can invite friends or get yourself a little dog or…’ He stopped. ‘Sorry, didn’t mean to tell you what to do or pry into your private life.’

‘What private life?’ Claire said with a wry smile. ‘I don’t have one.’

‘You must get one, then.’ Pierce grinned. ‘A fun private life with lots of parties and friends. Won’t take you long. You’re in Kerry, after all.’

‘Where nothing is really private?’ Claire quipped.

‘Yeah, well, that’s true.’ Pierce paused. ‘Are you planning to get your own place now you’ve got a job?’

‘Well, I have my room for a week,’ Claire started. ‘Then I’ll have to look around for something. A small flat would be good. I don’t need much space. I’m going to contact an estate agent and also look online.’

‘I’ll ask around too,’ Pierce offered. ‘I’m sure we can come up with something.’

‘That’s very kind,’ Claire said. ‘Thank you.’

‘You’re welcome,’ Pierce said at the same time as Karina called him from the kitchen. ‘I’d better go and see what she wants. See you later, Claire.’

‘See you,’ Claire said and turned back to the computer. She was so lost in sorting out the bookings, entering them into the calendar on the computer, that her phone rang several times before she answered. ‘Hello, Karina Flavin’s office, Claire speaking. How can I help you?’

‘Wow, that sounds really professional,’ a cheery voice said. ‘Hi, Claire. This is Rose speaking. How are you liking the job?’

‘It’s challenging at first,’ Claire said. ‘But I’m getting the hang of it.’

‘How diplomatic,’ Rose said. ‘I’m sure you’re trying to sort the mess that is Karina’s business. I know how chaotic she can be. But she’s a magnificent cook, so I forgive everything when I get such praise from people who attend the weddings.’

‘Yeah, well, it’s a little disorganised,’ Claire said. ‘But I have at least managed to put together the schedule for the next few months. The weddings at Magnolia Manor are all there now. Is that why you rang?’

‘Not at all.’ Rose laughed. ‘Although I’m happy to hear the weddings are on the calendar. No, the reason I rang is because I heard you were looking for a place to live. Is that right?’

‘Eh, yes, I am,’ Claire said, amazed that the rumour had got around so fast. ‘I need to find somewhere by next week. Not that I’m unhappy at Madigan’s, but a B&B isn’t ideal in the long run.’

Rose laughed again. ‘Of course not. Especially with Madge Madigan asking personal questions all the time. She’s a kind soul but a little nosy, if you know what I mean.

’ Rose drew breath. ‘Anyway, what I rang to tell you was that we have a tiny flat in the attic here at Magnolia Manor. It’s only just finished and we were going to offer it to one of the secretaries at the office here, but she has just moved in with her boyfriend.

So it’s free if you want to have a look.

The rent is seven hundred a month plus electricity and heating. ’

‘That’s very reasonable,’ Claire said, her heart racing at the thought of actually living at Magnolia Manor, the home of her ancestors.

This was a golden opportunity to find out more about the family feud.

But oh, how she wished she could tell Rose who she really was.

It felt so wrong to accept this wonderful offer under false pretences.

But then she remembered what Finola had said and she fell back into her role.

She was Claire O’Hanlon and she had to stay in that mode for now.

‘I’m not exactly a senior,’ she added with a laugh. ‘I mean, I’m not even fifty.’

‘I know,’ Rose said. ‘You look years younger than that. This flat is not meant for a senior, it’s a staff flat meant for employees at the manor.

People who work at the office or in the catering kitchen.

But right now everyone has their own place so Pierce thought it might suit you.

Just while you’re settling in, I mean. We need to let the place soon.

The rent you pay will cover the expenses of the renovations. ’

‘I see,’ Claire said, feeling slightly better. ‘In that case, I accept the offer.’

‘Great,’ Rose said. ‘You will probably want something bigger later on. Come and have a look today and see if you like it. Then we can have a cup of coffee and sort out the contract if you want to take the flat.’

‘That would be great,’ Claire said. ‘I think I’m supposed to finish for the day around four thirty. Is that too late for you?’

‘No, that’s fine. Noel, my husband, is picking up the kids today, so I have time to show you the place and have a quick coffee before I go home. Or…’ Rose paused, ‘maybe you’d like to have dinner with us tonight?’

‘Oh no, that would be too much trouble,’ Claire protested, feeling again that dart of guilt at deceiving Rose.

‘Of course not,’ Rose insisted. ‘It’s Friday night, so we usually order pizzas and watch a movie with the kids, if that doesn’t sound too daunting.

Sophie and Freddie would be so excited to meet someone new.

It will distract them from arguing. They’re always a bit grumpy in the evening.

Sophie’s six and Freddie is two. He’ll be going to bed early though. ’

‘That sounds like fun,’ Claire said, touched by Rose’s kindness. She knew she had to go or it would seem too odd. ‘Thank you. I’d love to come.’

‘Brilliant. That’s settled, then. See you at the manor at four thirty. I’ll be in the little office downstairs that used to be the butler’s room.’

Claire said goodbye and turned back to work.

But the buzz of excitement at actually living at Magnolia Manor distracted her.

She couldn’t believe her luck. Everything seemed to happen according to plan – and even more than that.

She had managed to get a job that connected her to the Fleury family, and she had also been introduced to most of them through her new boss.

And now she was being offered a flat in the manor, which might mean she would be able to wander around the house without arousing suspicion.

She was sure she’d find little clues here and there that would help her put together the whole picture.

Yes, she felt bad about pretending to be someone else.

But the arrival of Auntie Rachel’s book had led her here and now she had been given this chance to find out more.

She had to get to the end of her journey, even if she had to lie and cheat to achieve it.

Then Claire’s thoughts turned to that letter Finola had found. What could it contain? Maybe it would mean another step towards finally solving the puzzle of that family feud that had kept the two branches of the family apart for over a hundred years.