Page 18 of The Widow’s Irish Secret (Magnolia Manor #4)

‘I hope so. He’s starting next week. Hey, let me know if Sylvia needs any help with the party. She’s being very secretive about the arrangements.’

‘She just wants it to be her show and nobody else’s. I’d better go. Bye.’

Nora drove off, waving through the open window.

Tricia laughed and shook her head. Typical of Sylvia to take over all the arrangements for Vi and Jack’s engagement party. But at least it would take the spotlight off the wedding so the young couple could get a free hand arranging it the way they wanted.

Then her thoughts drifted to Cillian and what Nora had said.

It was true that Tricia had been looking for comfort from Cillian, forgetting he was also grieving for his best friend.

How selfish I was, only thinking of my needs and never considering his , she thought.

Can I ever make up for it, or is it too late?

She hoped not and that maybe, even if they would not connect romantically, they could be friends again the way they were when Fred was alive.

Whatever happened, she was ready to take the risk, even if it would open old wounds.

Tricia didn’t have to wait long to see Cillian. He rang that evening, telling her he got her number from Sylvia.

‘I told her we had met up and she thought it would be a good idea if I called you,’ Cillian explained.

‘Oh, great,’ Tricia stammered, a little shaken by hearing his voice.

‘I was going to try to get in touch with you anyway. But you beat me to it. I’ve been busy with the work at the cottage, washing down walls, prepping it for painting.

’ She had been startled by his contacting her like this and wondered for a moment if he had called her only because Sylvia had suggested it, or for another reason.

‘Great minds think alike,’ he said, sounding amused. ‘You’ve been busy. I hope I’m not disturbing you?’

‘No, I was just watching the evening news.’ Tricia turned off the TV and sat back in the sofa, tucking her feet under her. ‘I’m glad you rang. I was asking Nora if she had your number.’

‘We both want to meet up, it appears. At least I do. How about you?’

‘Yes, I think that would be good,’ Tricia said, feeling only a little calmer. ‘We need to talk. Are you staying nearby?’ She tried to steady her nerves while she waited for his reply, wondering at the same time why he wanted to see her.

‘I’m staying in my campervan that I parked behind my sister’s house. Not ideal as she’s not thrilled to have me there. Cramps her style a bit to have an old weirdo around the place and a campervan parked in her neat and tidy garden. You might remember what she’s like.’

‘I do,’ Tricia said, trying not to laugh.

Cillian’s sister Orla, as far as Tricia remembered, was very particular about appearances and her house and garden were always neat and perfectly tended.

A campervan outside her house would not be what she wanted the neighbours to see.

‘I wouldn’t call you an old weirdo, though. ’

‘She does,’ Cillian quipped. ‘And worse. I’ve heard her on the phone to her friends. I think I’ll have to move somewhere else soon or there’ll be war.’

Tricia couldn’t help laughing now. ‘That’s hilarious. But you’d be welcome to park your van at the cottage I’ve just bought. Only there will be a lot of noise as I’m having it done up.’

‘I heard,’ Cillian said. ‘You bought the gardener’s cottage from Sylvia. How did that happen?’

‘By accident,’ Tricia replied. ‘A happy one, really.’

‘That’s good to know.’ He paused and then cleared his throat. ‘So… how about us meeting up somewhere? Lunch? Dinner? A drink, or…’

‘Or…’ Tricia thought for a moment. She didn’t feel like meeting him this first time at a public place and not in any way that could be interpreted as a date.

Then someone would notice them and the gossip would start.

‘Hey, why don’t you come to my cottage tomorrow?

’ she asked on an impulse. ‘I’ll be there trying out some different colours for the rooms before I start to redecorate.

I got these little sample pots from a paint shop in town.

You might help me choose.’ She knew he must remember how she and Fred had been planning to do it up.

Maybe this would be a chance to come to terms with the past, to show him that she had healed from her grief and was cherishing the happy memories.

She was going forward and she wanted him to know it.

‘Oh, okay.’ Cillian sounded surprised. ‘That’ll be fun. I’d love to see inside that house. I remember how…’ He stopped. ‘Well, you know.’

‘Yes.’

‘You’re very brave,’ he said in a soft voice. ‘It must be tough at times to be there with everything you must have been through.’

‘Not the way you think,’ Tricia said. ‘I’m doing this for me. And for Fred too.’

‘He’d be happy you’re finally realising that dream you both had. Must be a good feeling.’

‘It is.’

Cillian was silent for a while. ‘I’ll be there tomorrow. What time?’

‘Lunch time?’ Tricia suggested. ‘I’ll bring sandwiches.’

‘Great. I’ll cycle over as the weather seems to be holding. See you then, Tricia. And thanks for inviting me into your space.’ He hung up before she had a chance to ask what he meant.

But then, when she thought about it, she knew.

Her space, her memories of Fred were personal and private.

She hadn’t shared them with anyone, keeping them in her heart all this time.

Lily and Rose had childhood memories of their father, special to them.

Vi didn’t remember him at all as she had only been two years old when he died.

That must be difficult for her but she seemed to have come to terms with it.

Sylvia had been a great help, going through photo albums with Vi and sharing her own memories of Fred with her youngest granddaughter.

That was something Tricia hadn’t been able to do so she knew she owed Sylvia huge thanks for helping out.

I must talk to Vi about her father , Tricia thought, feeling guilty.

I must not let my own sorrow get in the way.

And now that I feel more positive and stronger, I can tell her what a wonderful man he was and how proud of her he would be.

But before she talked to Vi, she would be meeting Cillian at the cottage.

She was glad she would now have a chance to make amends for the cold shoulder she had given him in the past. They would start with a clean slate and leave the past behind them and maybe become friends like before.

But that would demand a lot from them both.