Page 132 of The Girl with the Irish Secret

‘I think they know already,’ Vi said. ‘Granny put champagne in the fridge and Nora baked a chocolate cake, which she always does for special occasions. It’s to celebrate the movie, but also that we’re together at last.’

‘And that we plan to get engaged a little later on and then…’

‘Yes, I know,’ Vi said. ‘But let’s not rush into anything. We have only been dating for a short while after all.’

‘I know,’ he replied. ‘But I also know this is for real.’

‘Of course it is.’ She took his hand and pulled him towards the garden. ‘Come on. Let’s go for a walk in the garden. I have something to tell you. A plan of sorts.’

‘A plan?’ he asked, looking intrigued. ‘But I need to park the car and get my bag out. Did you say I could stay here with you?’

‘Yes, you can. Mum and I made up the spare room for you. Not five-star accommodation,’ she warned. ‘Only one bathroom with pipes that rattle if the water gets too hot.’

He grinned. ‘It’ll be just like home.’

‘Thought so. But come on. You can unpack later.’

Jack smiled and let Vi lead him up the path, tucking her hand under his arm. ‘Why the rush?’

‘I feel I can explain things better in the fresh air,’ she said.

‘What things?’

‘About where we’re going to live. I know we’ll have to travel for work and things, but we need a home that’s more than a base.’ Vi stopped and looked at Jack. ‘I want to buy the gatehouse from Granny. She often says she wants to sell it as she doesn’t want to keep paying for repairs and stuff. So I thought…’ Vi stopped and stared at him. ‘You look funny. Do you think it’s a terrible idea?’

Jack shook his head. ‘No, my sweet Violet. It’s the best idea I ever heard. Of course we should keep the gatehouse as our home, our haven, our bolthole. I just want us to buy it together. Would that be possible?’

Vi nodded, nearly speechless with joy. ‘Very possible, my darling Jack.’

‘You don’t know how happy that makes me. I get to own a little bit of this amazing, heavenly place. And I get you, and your family.’

‘A family made up of mostly difficult women,’ Vi remarked. ‘Are you sure you can cope with us?’

‘I’m not sure of anything,’ Jack said with a laugh. ‘Only that I won’t be bored.’

‘That I can certainly promise,’ Vi declared.

***