Page 11 of The Widow’s Irish Secret (Magnolia Manor #4)

‘Hey, I see our friends over there,’ Nora said. They walked towards the table where a group of three women, around the same age as Tricia, were waiting. They all got up to greet the new arrivals.

‘Hi, Tricia.’ A woman with greying dark hair grabbed her hand. ‘Remember me?’

‘Of course I do, Mary,’ Tricia said. ‘We used to meet up with our kids at the beach and the playgroup. How lovely to see you again.’

‘And you,’ Mary said. ‘You know Nora, of course, but you might not have met Maggie and Colette.’

A tall redhead held out her hand. ‘Hi, Tricia. I’m Maggie. I moved here after you left. But I heard so much about you.’

‘Me too.’ Colette, who had a headful of white curls and deep brown eyes, shook Tricia’s hand. ‘I’m from Cork. Been here over twenty years but I’m still a blow-in.’

‘So am I,’ Tricia said with a grin. ‘I blew out and now I’ve blown in again.’

‘Fabulous to see you back,’ Mary said. ‘I remember the fun we had way back then.’

‘Oh, yes,’ Tricia said as the memories of her friendship with Mary came flooding back. ‘We used to leave the kids with Sylvia and take off for lunch and shopping in Killarney. And Kildare Village later on as well.’

‘Those were the days,’ Mary said. ‘But hey, let’s sit down and have a drink before the music starts. What will you have, Tricia?’

‘A glass of Guinness, please,’ Tricia replied. ‘And I’ll get the next round.’

‘Great,’ Colette said. ‘We’re already on the first round except for you. And Nora, of course. What will you have?’

‘The same as Tricia,’ Nora replied.

They all sat down and then drinks arrived and they started to chat, getting to know each other and finding out about Tricia and her plans. They all agreed that it was very brave of her to take on the cottage and offered to help with whatever they could.

‘You might be sorry you said that,’ Tricia quipped. ‘I’ll need all the help I can get. It’s going to be a very busy summer for me with the cottage and my daughter’s wedding in August, which will also take up a lot of time.’

‘But you have to take a break and have a bit of fun,’ Maggie suggested. ‘We’ve all made a pact to enjoy ourselves as much as we can this summer. Except for Nora, we’re all single for one reason or another, and we’re all in our early to mid-sixties, but we’re not dead yet, are we?’

‘Certainly not,’ Mary said. ‘I lost my husband ten years ago and it was tough for a long time.’

‘I was so sorry to hear that,’ Tricia interjected. ‘John was such a lovely man.’

‘He was. And you wrote to me and said the kindest things.’ Mary patted Tricia on the arm. ‘It was a great comfort. But now I feel ready to get out there again. Not to catch a new husband but maybe just to find someone to go to the movies with or something.’

‘I know what you mean,’ Maggie agreed. ‘I went through a very painful divorce after twenty years of marriage. Not that I want to go there again. I’m done with marriage. But it would be nice to have a boyfriend.’ She looked at Colette. ‘You were never married, were you?’

‘No, but I’ve been in relationships that didn’t work,’ Colette said with a sad little sigh. ‘I just picked the wrong types, I suppose. I don’t regret not being married, but living alone is beginning to feel boring. So why not have a go?’

‘Have a go – how?’ Tricia asked, both intrigued and amused. ‘Not that I’m looking for anyone, of course. I think I’m done with all of that. I want my own space and to live on my own terms from now on. I cared for my late husband for two years until he died.’

‘And you lost the love of your life when you were so young,’ Mary filled in. ‘I remember how sad we all were for you when you lost Fred. It must have broken your heart.’

Tricia nodded. ‘Yes. It was hard and the feeling of loss will never go away completely. Grief never ends but you can heal and move on. That’s what I’m doing, anyway.

’ Tricia blinked away tears and took a swig of her Guinness to hide her distress.

Then she looked around the group. ‘But I’m curious.

What are your plans for finding that occasional boyfriend? ’

‘Not me,’ Nora said, waving her hands. ‘I have all the male companionship I need.’

‘You married a saint,’ Mary said. ‘And we’re all jealous. So we’ll count you out of our plan, of course.’

‘Out of what plan?’ Tricia asked, her curiosity mounting.

‘We’re going speed dating,’ Colette replied.

‘Speed dating?’ Tricia burst out laughing. ‘That’s hilarious.’

‘It’s not a joke, though,’ Colette said. ‘It’s for mature single men and women. On Friday night in the community hall. Then there’s finger food, wine and dancing to sixties music. You have to be over sixty to attend and we all qualify big time.’

‘You want to come?’ Maggie asked.

‘Sure, why not?’ Tricia said, feeling reckless. ‘It’s just a bit of fun, isn’t it? Meeting people, having a laugh.’

‘Well, yes,’ Maggie agreed. ‘No serious stuff at all. Except maybe we have to be kind to the old boys even if you don’t like any of them.’

‘They’re a little lonely, you see,’ Mary remarked. ‘I think men find it harder to live alone than women do.’

‘I think that’s true,’ Tricia agreed. But she didn’t feel like meeting anyone new and wondered how she could politely refuse. ‘I’m not sure it’s my thing, though. I’m not interested in meeting anyone.’

‘Oh, please, Tricia. I’d love you to come,’ Maggie pleaded. ‘It would be nice to have someone with me. I’m not feeling very confident about going to something like that on my own. I know Colette is going but I’d love to have someone else to prop me up if things don’t work out.’

‘Well, in that case, I don’t mind coming with you,’ Tricia said, touched by Maggie’s insecurity. ‘If you need a little support. It’ll be interesting to see how it works anyway.’

‘Oh, great.’ Maggie looked relieved. ‘I’ll pick you up and we can go together. You can just watch from the sidelines and have a drink with us afterwards.’

‘Great,’ Tricia said. ‘It sounds like a fun event anyway.’

The conversation moved to another topic, and her thoughts drifted while the others chatted on.

She tried to imagine how she felt about getting into yet another relationship.

No, not again , she said to herself. I’ve had enough of that kind of thing.

I’ll go along to the speed dating just for fun all the same.

It will be nice to make friends with women my age and to support Maggie, who seems a little nervous about it.

‘How come you left Dublin so suddenly?’ Mary asked. ‘I thought you had a nice little flat there or so I heard from Sylvia.’

‘Oh, eh…’ Suddenly drawn back into the conversation, Tricia, squirmed, trying to find a plausible explanation.

‘I wanted to spend the summer here to be with the grandkids. And then Vi announced she and Jack are getting married so that was an added reason to come here and settle down for a bit.’ She hoped Mary would stop asking questions.

It reminded her of the legal problems she had left behind.

She had hoped it wouldn’t catch up with her but if people started asking questions, it would be difficult to avoid revealing what was going on.

But to Tricia’s relief, Mary seemed to accept her explanation and didn’t pursue the subject.

They all began talking about other things while Tricia tried to maintain a cheerful facade.

Nora’s voice broke into Tricia’s musings. ‘How about that, Tricia? I’ve never done it but it would be fun to have a go.’

Tricia blinked. ‘Do what?’

‘Karaoke,’ Maggie said. ‘There’s a pub in Killorglin that has started that kind of thing. We could all go together just for the craic.’

Tricia laughed and shook her head. ‘You’re all mad. But hey, why not? I’m rubbish at singing but that’s not important, is it?’

‘Of course not,’ Maggie said. ‘It sounds like fun, though. I’ve always wanted to do it.’

Nora finished her drink and looked at the far side of the pub. ‘I think the band is ready to start.’

‘But we have time to order another round,’ Tricia said and waved at a waiter. ‘What’ll you have?’

They ordered their drinks which arrived just as the band started up and then they were silent, listening to the music, smiling and clapping in time with the jigs and reels while some people got up and danced.

Tricia looked around the group of her new and old friends and felt a growing sense of contentment and belonging, something she hadn’t experienced since she had left Kerry all those years ago.

She knew then that she had been right to come back here to her roots.

The memories, sad or happy, could no longer chase her away.

Later, in the car on the way home, Tricia thanked Nora for inviting her to join the group of friends. ‘It was such a fun evening,’ she said. ‘What a nice gang. They made me feel so welcome.’

‘I could see that you were enjoying yourself,’ Nora said from the front seat. ‘And they liked you immediately. Of course you knew Mary already but not Colette and Maggie. They’re a bit mad but great company. I think you’ll have fun with them.’

‘I’m sure I will even if some of their suggestions were a little daring.

Especially the speed dating. But sure why not?

As they said, we’re not dead yet. Not that I’m looking for a man or anything.

I’m over that kind of thing. Except…’ She paused.

‘Wouldn’t it be nice to have a boyfriend just for company now and then?

I mean, like Sylvia with Arnaud. They aren’t always together but when they are they’re very happy. ’

‘Seems to work for them,’ Nora said, turning to smile at Martin. ‘But I have the best man any woman could ask for.’

‘You’re very lucky,’ Tricia said.

‘We both are,’ Martin cut in.

‘Of course,’ Tricia agreed. ‘I think you’re the best-matched couple ever.’

‘Like you and Fred,’ Nora said. ‘Such a tragedy that it had to end so soon.’

‘Yes, it was. But I still feel privileged to have known him, and I was so lucky to meet Sean,’ Tricia said.

‘I’m enjoying the happy memories at last and not feeling so sad any more.

The cottage happened just at the right time.

I’m going to make it live again and that’s where Fred will be.

Our grandchildren will enjoy the house and garden and it will be the best thing I’ve ever done. ’

‘You’re so brave, Tricia,’ Nora said, turning to squeeze her hand. ‘Fred would be proud of you.’

‘Yes, I think he would,’ Tricia replied, tears welling up in her eyes. ‘He will be with me every step of the way.’

‘He will,’ Nora said as they neared the gates to Magnolia Manor. ‘I’m so glad you came back, you know. I’ve missed you.’

‘I missed you too,’ Tricia replied. ‘It’s great to be together again.’

Martin pulled up outside the gatehouse. ‘Here we are.’

Tricia opened the door. ‘Thanks again for being the chauffeur tonight, Martin.’

‘No problem,’ Martin said. ‘I was happy you girls had a good time.’

‘Sleep tight,’ Nora said. ‘See you soon. Give us a shout if you need any help.’

‘I will,’ Tricia promised. ‘But I’ll be talking to Dominic at the cottage on Monday and we’ll draw up a plan. Then we’ll see what I can do myself. Goodnight, you two. Thanks for a lovely evening, Nora.’

When Martin had driven off through the gates, Tricia walked up the steps to the front door of the gatehouse.

There was a light on in the hall and the spare bedroom upstairs.

Vi must have left them on before she went to bed.

Tricia mounted the stairs, smiling as she thought of the conversations in the pub.

Speed dating and karaoke? Seemed a little strange to do that at her age.

But why not? She wasn’t that old yet. Who knew what would happen?

Life suddenly seemed to be full of promise and the way forward full of exciting things to do and people to meet.

Tricia’s phone rang as she was getting ready for bed. It was Nora.

‘I hope I didn’t wake you up,’ she said. ‘I just wanted to tell you something I saw the other day that worried me. I didn’t want to talk about it in front of Martin. He thinks I’m being silly. And I don’t want to upset Sylvia. But…’ Nora stopped.

‘Go on,’ Tricia said.

‘Well, there is something going on near your cottage. I saw people walking on the beach below the house just before you arrived.’

‘Tourists?’ Tricia suggested.

‘No. They weren’t tourists, I’m sure of that.

They seemed to be looking out across the bay with binoculars and taking notes.

I thought I recognised one of them, but I can’t be sure.

Anyway, I thought you should know and maybe call the Guards if you see anyone acting suspiciously.

It’s happening on Magnolia property after all and they were trespassing. ’

‘Oh.’ Tricia thought for a moment. ‘That’s a little worrying. Maybe it has something to do with the rib I saw pulled into the reeds beside the pier when I went down for a swim the day I arrived.’

‘Could be,’ Nora said. ‘Maybe you should talk to the Guards about it. Just so they know something is going on.’

‘I might,’ Tricia said. ‘I’ll keep a lookout anyway.’

‘No need to tell Sylvia,’ Nora said. ‘But it’s late and I’m sure you want to go to bed. We’ll talk later. Sleep well.’

‘Goodnight, Nora,’ Tricia said and hung up.

What is going on? she wondered as she got into bed.

I’d better have a chat with the Guards tomorrow.

Nora told me not to worry Sylvia about this.

But then she remembered Sylvia’s face when she mentioned the rubber dinghy and the diving gear she had seen.

Did Sylvia already know what that was all about?