Page 8 of The Widow’s Irish Secret (Magnolia Manor #4)

Tricia looked around the table at the sullen looks between her daughters and the stern disapproval in Sylvia’s eyes.

The welcome home dinner had turned into a battlefield with Lily, Vi and herself on one side and Sylvia and Rose on the other.

She glanced at Nora for help but Nora just rolled her eyes, shrugged and started to eat, taking a sip from her glass of prosecco.

This was terrible for Vi, who had been so happy about her engagement and the fun wedding she wanted.

They all ate in silence for a few minutes. Tricia was trying to see a solution when an idea came to her. ‘I know what we can do,’ she suddenly exclaimed. ‘Something that’s not quite a wedding but still a great party.’

‘What would that be?’ Sylvia asked, one of her eyebrows lifting.

‘An engagement party,’ Tricia said, now firing on all cylinders.

‘A big, glam event where we all dress up and get a lot of attention just for the one night. And we could do it as soon as Jack arrives. No need to plan for weeks, we’ll just invite everyone and it can be all over Instagram and all kinds of other places, whatever you want. ’

Vi smiled, looking at once much happier.

‘That’s a great idea, Mum. And we could have a band and dance and serve posh food and all that jazz.

’ She stopped for a moment and then grinned.

‘I have it! We could do a Great Gatsby theme. How about that? With jazz music and everyone dressed in that nineteen twenties style. Wouldn’t that be fun? ’

‘Brilliant,’ Lily said, looking excited. ‘That would be amazing. We could have it in the afternoon so we won’t disturb the tenants of the senior apartments. A tea dance like they did in the old days. But with champagne.’

‘The ballroom and gardens are booked solid for weddings all through July,’ Rose said. ‘So I don’t think…’

‘Then we’ll have the party during the week,’ Tricia cut in. ‘In the late afternoon. How does the calendar look for the next week or two, Rose? For a midweek do, I mean.’

‘That could be doable, I suppose,’ Rose admitted.

‘A lot of people in town are away on holiday during July,’ Sylvia interrupted. ‘Most of my friends have already left for the summer.’

‘So what?’ Tricia countered. ‘They will at least get the invitation by email and can decide if they want to interrupt their holiday or not. I bet a lot of them will do anything to come to this party.’

‘Nobody will want to miss it,’ Nora remarked.

‘So can we do it?’ Tricia asked, looking at Sylvia. ‘An engagement party for Vi and Jack in the next two weeks or so?’

‘I suppose it’s possible,’ Sylvia said, looking only slightly mollified. ‘This takes the spotlight off the actual wedding, of course. So Violet and Jack can have their small ceremony and we can call it a secret wedding or something. With photos posted when they’ve left for their honeymoon.’

‘Perfect,’ Vi said, beaming a smile at her grandmother. ‘You’re the best virtual assistant, Granny. You can do all the Insta stuff. And we’ll send photos from the honeymoon in Cornwall.’

‘So romantic,’ Lily said with a happy sigh. ‘And all so perfect, Mum. You’re a genius. Don’t you think, Granny?’

‘I wouldn’t go that far,’ Sylvia said. ‘But we came up with a good solution, yes.’

‘High praise indeed.’ Tricia smiled, knowing she had won this time, even if Sylvia now pretended it was all her idea.

The wedding would be another matter, but she was sure Sylvia would accept most of Vi and Jack’s wishes now that she was allowed to throw a big party in the ballroom, even if the Great Gatsby theme wasn’t really what she might have planned.

‘Phew,’ Nora whispered in Tricia’s ear as the girls and Sylvia chatted on about the engagement party. ‘You did a great job, even if the glory will be all Sylvia’s.’

‘I don’t care,’ Tricia whispered back. ‘If Vi and Jack are happy, that’s all that matters.’

‘Of course. Better to sit back and enjoy it,’ Nora said.

A thought suddenly struck Tricia. ‘Sylvia said it could be her last hurrah. What did that mean? Is she ill?’

‘Not at all,’ Nora said, grinning. ‘She’s been saying that for the past twenty years when she wants something to go her way. She’s as fit as a fiddle.’

‘Oh, phew.’ Tricia laughed. ‘I’m glad she’s the same feisty Sylvia. Not always easy to handle, but we still love her, don’t we?’

‘Of course we do,’ Nora agreed. ‘And hey, Violet told me you’ve bought the cottage. That was quite a big step for you.’

‘I know but I felt in my bones that I had to come and live here. My grandchildren only see me occasionally and that’s not a good way to be.’

‘It will be hard work to make the cottage comfortable,’ Nora remarked. ‘But the structure is good and the roof is in good nick.’

‘I realise that,’ Tricia agreed. ‘And I can put up with just the basics for the summer while the work is going on. I like being outdoors anyway, as you know.’

‘Yes, I remember. You and Fred were always doing all that swimming and hiking and cycling.’ Nora looked suddenly awkward. ‘I’m sorry. I hope that didn’t make you sad.’

‘No, not any more.’ Tricia put her hand on Nora’s arm. ‘I like remembering the happy times. And I can’t wait to see old friends again.’

‘They’ll be happy to see you too,’ Nora replied. ‘You seem so much stronger now, ready to face life again.’

Tricia nodded. ‘Yes, I think I am. It’s perhaps the realisation that at my age, I have no time to waste.

If I’m to live a full and happy life, I have to count my blessings and move on.

Make the best of every single day.’ She laughed.

‘That sounds far too positive for me. I must have drunk too much of that prosecco.’

‘Have some more,’ Nora suggested. ‘I like the new light-hearted you.’

‘Yeah, why not.’ Tricia smiled and nodded while Nora filled her glass.

She shot a look at Sylvia across the table, expecting a cold stare, but all she got back was a benign smile.

What a relief. Sylvia had been sidetracked and was happy to organise yet another event and might this way keep her hands off Vi’s wedding.

All Tricia’s problems in Donegal felt far away and it seemed as if all the rumours would never catch up with her here, where she was safe in the bosom of her family.

All was well and Tricia could look forward to stepping into her new home very soon.

She couldn’t wait for her new life to start.