Page 35 of The Widow’s Irish Secret (Magnolia Manor #4)

Cillian stuck his head out through the window of the campervan. ‘Hi.’ He looked slightly awkward. Then he opened the door and got out, crouching in front of Sophie. ‘Hello,’ he said, smiling at the little girl. ‘Remember me? We met the other day at your great-grandmother’s house.’

Sophie nodded. ‘I know. You’re Mr Cillian, Granddad Fred’s old friend. Why are you in a circus van?’

‘It’s not a circus van,’ Naomi said behind them. ‘It’s a campervan. Can I go inside?’

‘ May I,’ Sophie corrected. ‘That’s what you said we’re opposed to say.’

‘May I go inside?’ Naomi asked. ‘And it’s supposed , not opposed.’

Cillian looked at Tricia and winked. ‘Fleury girls, right?’

Tricia had to laugh. ‘You got it.’

‘Is it okay to show them the van?’ he asked.

Tricia nodded. ‘Yes. Let them have a look. And then you can tell me what you’re doing back here after…’ She stopped.

‘I will. Just a sec.’ Cillian opened the side door to the campervan. ‘Please step inside, girls, and take a look at my super-duper van. No circus, though.’

Naomi and Sophie climbed into the van while Tricia followed, making sure they were safe. Once they were inside, she got out and turned to Cillian. ‘So…?’

‘I came back to apologise because I know I behaved like an eejit,’ Cillian said.

‘Of course I get that you couldn’t take off just like that.

Your grandchildren have to come first. They will always come first to me, too.

And then… whatever you’re so worried about…

It’s hard for me to accept that you’re keeping something important from me. ’

‘I know, but…’ Tricia started. ‘I just can’t. One day, maybe, but not right now. Is that so hard to accept?’

He sighed. ‘It’s what’s keeping us apart and I don’t like it.’

‘I’ll tell you when I can.’ Tricia smiled at him, feeling slightly more positive. ‘I thought I’d never see you again. You were so angry.’

Cillian nodded. ‘I was. Mostly about what you’re keeping from me but it was also yer man standing there looking saintly that made me lose my head.

For a moment, I thought… well, that you and he were more than friends, if you know what I mean.

He seemed to be that kind of solid, dependable type that women go for.

Especially women who have been through a lot. ’ He drew breath and looked at her.

Tricia shook her head. ‘Cillian, you have no idea how silly that was. Ted is a true brick and he has been amazing, helping me with everything during the past few weeks. But he is just a friend, while you’re more than that.’

‘Am I?’ he asked in a near whisper.

Tricia reached up and touched his face. ‘Of course you are. A lot more. We go back such a long way, you and I. We share so many memories. You knew me so well when we were both young. But I want you to get to know the person I am now and what’s important to me.

And that includes my family. My daughters and grandchildren are my very first priorities.

But that doesn’t mean there is no room for you – or us – or that you aren’t very dear to me. Do you see what I mean?’

‘I’m very dear to you?’ Cillian frowned. ‘Is that all you can say?’

‘Well, I…’ Tricia stopped, lost for words.

She wanted to say so much more to him but there was no time.

The two little girls were in the campervan and would come out at any moment and wonder what was going on.

Children, she knew, picked up vibes very quickly and the vibes that were in the air between her and Cillian would be obvious to them – or anyone that was watching them.

Cillian glanced at his van and then stepped closer. ‘I’m going to say this very quickly,’ he said, looking into Tricia’s eyes. ‘I’m sorry I flew off the handle and behaved like a six-year-old. I hope you can forgive me.’

‘Of course I forgive you,’ Tricia said. ‘And I want to tell you?—’

‘I think I’m in love with you,’ he cut in. ‘That’s how I feel. Think about that when you have the time. And you might also consider the problem of the lack of trust between us. If that can’t be resolved, we have no hope of even being friends.’

Tricia put her hand to her heart, stunned by his words. ‘Oh, Cillian. I’m sorry about everything. I know you’re right. But I can’t tell you anything until?—’

They were interrupted by Naomi climbing down the steps from the campervan. ‘This is an amazing van,’ she squealed. ‘There’s a kitchen and a bathroom and a comfy sofa and curtains and even a TV!’

‘It’s the loveliest van in the whole world,’ Sophie shouted from the open door. ‘I want to sleep here tonight. Can I… I mean, may I?’

Cillian walked to the van and lifted Sophie down.

‘You know what? It’s not possible today because I have to go and see my sister.

It’s her birthday today and she would be very cross with me if I forgot.

So I have to first buy her a present and then bring it to her and then have dinner and birthday cake. ’

‘Oh.’ Sophie looked up at him. ‘How old will she be?’

‘Sixty-four,’ Cillian said.

‘Wow.’ Sophie looked impressed. ‘That’s a lot of candles for her to blow out.’

‘Oh, yes,’ Cillian replied, bending down, his hands on his knees. ‘So you see why I have to go?’

Sophie nodded. ‘Yes. You may go. But come back another day and let me sleep in the campervan, okay?’

‘Me too,’ Naomi cut in.

‘I will indeed,’ Cillian promised. He rose and looked at Tricia. ‘So I’ll say goodbye now. Let me know how you feel about… that other thing. We have a long way to go before we can have anything to build on. Just think about that, okay?’

‘I will.’ Tricia nodded and shot him a shy smile, but he didn’t return it.

Then they all waved as he slowly drove off.

She felt a surge of warmth towards Cillian and the way he handled Sophie.

She was also touched by his declaration of love and his apology.

She hadn’t expected him to say that so soon, especially as she was still keeping secrets from him.

But it had felt like it came straight from his heart.

Maybe it would be all right in the end, even if it didn’t seem so right now.

Whatever way it was she hoped with all her heart that their differences could be resolved.

But if not, she would have to accept it and move on.

‘We have a long way to go,’ he had said before he left.

That was true. But this was not the time to dwell on such things.

‘Bye, Mr Cillian,’ the girls shouted after the van. ‘See you soon.’

Tricia clapped her hands to attract their attention while she tried to shake off her thoughts of romance. ‘Okay, girls, now we have to get ready for the beach. I’ll make a little picnic while you find your stuff and then we’ll get going. What kind of sandwiches would you like?’

The girls told Tricia they both wanted banana sandwiches and once the picnic was packed and their swimsuits and armbands had been found, they set off to the beach, the little girls skipping ahead while Tricia followed, carrying the bags.

She thought fleetingly about Cillian and Ted and how different they were: Ted considerate, thoughtful and loyal, Cillian more of a free spirit and perhaps not as dependable.

Ted made her feel cared for and cherished but what about Cillian?

He makes my heart sing , she thought. I feel so alive and young again when I’m with him.

Ted is a friend but Cillian… He’s someone I could spend the rest of my life with and never be bored.

But it might just be a dream and we will never get together. Unless…

She looked up at the blue sky and breathed in the fresh air that blew from the sea.

She didn’t know how she would tackle whatever happened next.

The legal problem in Donegal seemed like an unsurmountable mess that would never be resolved.

If she was found guilty of some kind of fraud, she couldn’t explain her motives to Cillian.

That would drive him away forever. She shivered as she thought about it and that threatening message and realised she needed help to tackle the lawyers who were after her. But where could she find it?