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Miranda’s Christmas party turned into a crowded, noisy evening. Dessie, all dressed up in a green silk dress, felt like pinching herself. This had to be a dream. Here she was, engaged to Rory and staying at his farm while they all worked hard to do up the house prior to putting it on the market in early January. It was incredible to think that Rory had decided to not only leave his farm and his home town, but also to move to England to start his own stud farm, where they would live together as husband and wife. She glanced yet again at the emerald surrounded by tiny diamonds on her finger, trying to take it all in. It was true, it was happening and she was finally complete.
Dessie looked around the table, at the four boys at one end: Aidan, so grown-up, already at university; Jules’ son, Tony, with his blue eyes and reddish-blonde hair so like Harry it made her heart ache; and the younger boys chatting and arguing and throwing bread rolls at each other. Then Jules and Marcus opposite her, deep in conversation, their body language an obvious clue to their relationship. Jules was in sparkling form, her eyes shining, her face glowing with happiness, smiling at Marcus, who returned her smile with such tenderness it made Dessie tear up. Jules happy at last. With the most unlikely man in the world.
“Gravy?” Jerry asked beside her, passing her the sauce boat.
“Oh, thank you.” Dessie dribbled gravy on her turkey and roast potatoes. “Sorry. I was miles away. Just going through all the events since I came here.”
“You certainly stirred things up,” Jerry said, laughing. “Sorry I wasn’t here much the past month. But I was busy up in Dublin and here too with Miranda’s organic farm and some discussions with the bank. We’ll have to take loan to buy those fields from Rory.”
“I’m sorry if that causes problems.”
“No, not really. We tried to buy them from Breda years ago, but she always refused. Now we have a chance to correct that. We’re very happy. I hope the probate won’t take too long.”
Dessie passed the sauce boat to Rory. “No, the solicitor said it would come through in a couple of weeks. And we’ve also had offers from two farmers nearby who want to buy up the land for tillage. Much more lucrative than beef cattle. Then we’ll hang on to twenty acres that will go with the sale of the house.”
Jerry nodded. “Good idea. Tillage is the way to go around here. The soil is so fertile you could stick your finger in the ground at it’d sprout leaves. Our fruit and vegetable farm is doing well, and I think one of our boys will join us once he’s out of school. He wants to study horticulture.”
“And Aiden, your eldest? I hear he’s thinking of going into politics?”
Jerry nodded. “Yes. There’s no stopping him. But why not? If that’s what he wants to do. I think he’ll be good at it.”
“I think he’ll be brilliant,” Dessie said. “I read all about the anti-bullying campaign and the website he started with Finola. Amazing work by the two of them.”
Finola, on Jerry’s other side, leaned forward. “It was all Aiden. I was just helping him along. He’s the true star. Love your dress, by the way. What do you call that pale green?”
“Eau de Nil,” Dessie said, admiring Finola’s red silk shirt. “I might return the compliment. That shirt is exquisite. And wearing it with skinny jeans is so cool. Not something I’d pull off. But then, I’m sure you were born cool. I bet your parents said ‘What a cool baby’ when you were born.”
Finola laughed. “Nah, I think my dad said ‘Shite, it’s a girl.’ He wanted another boy. So I tried my best to become one. Nearly succeeded until I met Colin. He turned me back into a girl. Didn’t you, sweetie?” she shouted across the table at her husband, who was deep in conversation with Audrey.
Colin looked up. “Did what, baby?”
“Turn me into a girl,” Finola repeated.
Colin laughed. “I didn’t turn you into anything, hon. I love you the way you are. Strong, stroppy, and impossible to tame.” He blew her a kiss and turned back to Audrey.
“Audrey looks positively dangerous tonight,” Jerry declared. “Are you sure it was a good idea to put Colin beside her?”
Finola shrugged. “Ah, sure, isn’t he always surrounded by gorgeous actresses? If he were going to stray, he’d do it with one of them. But you know what? I trust him. Crazy, huh?”
“Insane,” Dessie agreed, knowing she’d be mad with jealousy if Rory paid that much attention to another woman, especially one as gorgeous as Audrey.
“Yeah, well,” Finola said. “We have this pact. No fooling around in secret. If one of us is suddenly so attracted to someone else that we want to have an affair, we’ll just say it and split up. There’ll be no inbetween or quick flings or anything. It’s either/or. So far neither of us have felt the urge. Don’t think we will to be honest. It took us long enough to find each other. We’ve both been around the block so many times. And now that we have the girls, we’re a family. That’s something neither of us want to lose. Except—” she paused. “—the nitty-gritty of changing babies is not his thing. Nor mine, but I didn’t wimp out, like a certain Hollywood star, who always has something better to do when they poop. But hey, so what? It’s not like they’re going to be in nappies forever.”
“Wise words,” Jerry said. “You’re becoming sensible at last.”
Finola blew on a lock of hair. “Sensible, moi? Nah, that’ll never happen.” She grabbed her glass. “Hey, now that the dinner’s nearly over and all we have to do is set fire to the pudding and hope the curtains won’t go as well, I’d like to propose a toast.”
“Good idea,” Jerry said and raised his glass. “What shall we toast to?”
“First of all, Miranda and her scrumptious dinner,” Dessie cut in, holding her glass high. “Miranda, you did it again!”
Miranda, on the other side of Colin, laughed and lifted her glass. “Thank you. And I want to drink to the happy couple.”
“Which one?” Finola shouted as Marcus and Jules stole a quick kiss. “Everyone seems to be in love tonight.”
“Not me,” said Audrey, laughing, “even though I got to sit beside the heartthrob of the century. But he’s immune to my charms.” She pulled a mock sad face.
Colin winked at her. “I wouldn’t say that. I fully appreciate your assets, darlin’. But I’m only allowed to window-shop these days.”
“Well, that’s a relief,” Audrey sighed. “But to be honest, romance isn’t number one on my agenda right now. I need to find permanent accommodation. And my bosses have announced a new look and layout for The Knockmealdown News. We need to move with the times, it appears. So, I’m going to be busy.”
“You’re welcome to stay here as long as you want,” Miranda said. “The boys adore you. And I truly appreciate the help with their homework.”
“Cheers!” Rory called. “Can we drink now? To love and to all the beautiful women here tonight.” He knocked back his wine to communal laughter.
“To Audrey,” Jerry called raising his glass again. “What a trooper!”
Then they cleared the plates, Miranda brought in the pudding doused in brandy, and Jerry put a match to it.
Dessie held Rory’s hand while she watched the flames licking the twig of holly at the top of the pudding. “Just like the old days. Sitting here, at this old table, brings me back to when I was about eight and so excited about Christmas. My parents and my granny were still alive, and my big sisters were my heroes. Well, in a way, they still are.”
Rory put his arm around her waist. “I prefer the new days. The past is the past. Let’s look forward. So much to do before we can settle down. Lots of hard work. Are you ready?”
“More than ready, sweetheart.”
“Do you think we should tell them?”
“Of course. But I think everyone knows already.”
“I want to make it official.” He cleared his throat and knocked his spoon against his glass. “While the pudding is being served, I have an announcement. Dessie and I have just become engaged, as you all know. And we’re going to get married here in Cloughmichael at the end of January. Then we’re moving to England as soon as all the details have been worked out and we’ve signed the contract for the stud farm we’re buying.”
“I think we knew most of that already,” Miranda said as she handed out pudding around the table. “But not that the wedding was going to be so soon.”
“And there’s something else,” Dessie cut in. “We’re going to have an addition to the family.”
There was a brief silence. “What?” Jules shouted. “You’re having a baby?”
Miranda hugged Dessie. “That’s wonderful. I’m so happy for you. Where will it be born? In England?”
“No,” Rory said, “in the barn at the old farm.” He continued after the laughter died down. “We don’t want to move her until after the birth.”
“That’s right,” Dessie agreed. “We don’t know how many there’ll be yet.”
“There’s more than one?” Audrey asked.
“Three, we think,” Dessie replied.
“Three?” Jules squealed, looking at Dessie’s slim waist. “Are you sure?”
“Yes,” Rory replied. “But Fergal said—”
“Fergal? The vet?” Finola roared with laughter. “Holy shit, it’s the dog! Nellie’s having puppies. Am I right?”
Dessie winked. “Yes. I was wondering how long we could keep you going.”
Jules threw her napkin at Rory. “Very funny.”
“Well, I thought it was a bit cruel to have Dessie give birth in the barn,” Jerry added.
“So there you go,” Finola sighed. “A happy ending, a new arrival, love all around. The prodigal daughter came back and all was forgiven. I couldn’t have written a better story myself.”
THE END