T
hirty minutes later, the class had left, and we cleaned everything up. There had only been a few minor spills, and none, I may add, were mine. Kayleigh gave me another enormous hug and kiss before she left, which made me smile. Especially when all she did to her mother was wave. We let out a sigh of relief as we waved goodbye and closed the door.
Ciara looked at me, her eyebrows raised.
I chuckled, “You’re just the mom. I’m the cool aunt. Fiona doesn’t come close.”
She grinned. “Speaking of aunts, do you think Dillon and Reanna will get married?”
I thought about Reanna, one of my best friends, currently dating one of my older twin brothers. “I certainly hope so.” I went to sit down, then thought better of it. The things woman do to look nice. “I don’t know how those teachers do it. That one little boy dressed as Mario? Is he always such a handful?”
Ciara nodded. “That’s Tommy Benedict. According to Kayleigh, he’s always in trouble. Likes to terrorize the little girls.” She let out a deep breathe. “How about a cup of tea? And I think there might be a few cookies left.”
I stood up and smiled. “There is. I hid them in the cupboard.”
We were sitting down and enjoying our tea when I remembered the phone call. “Who was on the phone that put such a frown on your face?”
“Oh! I almost forgot to tell you. It was Suzanne from Dooley Castle. She wanted to make sure you were aware Herb Weston was bringing a motor coach down from Ballyquicken for the festivities tonight at the Castle.” She took a sip of tea.
“Why would she call me to tell me that?” I took a bite of cookie.
“Because she wanted to make sure you were aware, the bus was making a stop here in town for shopping first.” She took a sip of tea, then set it down. “I told her since you hadn’t mentioned it to me, chances are you didn’t know about it. Am I correct?”
I slammed my fist on the table, making the tea cups jump. “You are. Darn him! I thought I made it clear to him he’s to let us know in advance when he was doing this.” I looked at her. “I don’t suppose she mentioned when he would arrive?”
“She thought around lunchtime, but she wasn’t sure. Did you know they’re no longer a couple?”
“Did she tell you that?”
She laughed. “No. I heard at the beauty salon last week. It’s too bad. She was good for him.”
I rolled my eyes. “Doesn’t surprise me. The man would drive me nuts. He is the most unorganized person alive. That’s probably why his taxi-service failed. When people needed a ride, he was in the pub, drinking.”
“Suzanne mentioned it was a last-minute booking. The company they booked with originally seems to have double booked. When Suzanne found out why they wouldn’t be coming, she contacted Herb. It sounds like it’s a smaller group, though. Only about twenty people. They’re overnighting at the Ocean Breeze Guesthouse, then continuing onto Kerry tomorrow.”
“I’m glad they didn’t cancel at the guesthouse. With it opening not that long ago, I’m sure Killian can use the business.” I was contemplating taking another cookie when Ciara laughed.
“How is that big hunk these days?” She poured herself another cup of tea. “He sure got your attention earlier this year, didn’t he?”
“I’ll have you know I was just trying to help him out of a predicament, that’s all.” However, thoughts of those broad shoulders, blond hair, and blue eyes made a shiver run through me. “Besides, I’m with Liam, remember?”
She smiled. “Liam. Of course. The detective who comes and goes out of your life and has the gorgeous neighbor, who just happens to be separated from her husband? I remember him.”
I threw my napkin at her. “Hey! He’s a Detective Inspector with the Garda with a large territory to cover. He can’t always be here with me in Dooley.”
She dodged the paper napkin with ease. “And the gorgeous neighbor you told me about?”
My stomach churned. “Yes, well. Her. I’m not sure if he’s ignoring the fact she’s trying to get her claws into him, or is just that naïve. All I know is I’m keeping a close eye on her, and have offered to take in Sandy anytime he needs me to so he doesn’t have to rely on her to dog sit.” I poured another cup of tea into my cup. “Besides, I’m seeing him tonight. We’re going to the festival together.”
Two hours later, my anger increased when the group still hadn’t shown up and I’d heard nothing from Herb. Calling him didn’t help. It went straight to voicemail.
By four, I was sure you could see the steam come out of my ears.
Ciara picked up her mobile. “I can stay. I’ll call Gran and see if she can take the kids to the festival.”
“Grans on the committee, remember? She won’t be able to.” I rubbed my forehead, trying to hold back the tension headache I could feel in my left temple. “You can’t disappoint the kids, so go. The group isn’t that large, and they aren’t all going to come here. They’ll be visiting other shops. I’ll be fine.” She just looked at me, her hand on her hip.
“At least let me take the pumpkin you and Gran are entering the contest.”
“Thank you, now go!” I looked at her with what I hoped was a stern look. She laughed, got her coat, and left.
I walked around the store to walk off my anger, mumbling under my breath all the things I’d like to do to Herb Weston as I straightened shelves and monitored the time. We closed at five, and at half past four, I saw the old school bus Herb had repainted green with “Weston’s Irish Tours” printed on the side in white go past the window.
“Darn!” I went to the front window and watched as Herb stopped and parked the bus. The pfsssst sound of the air brakes startled the two small birds sitting on the bench nearby. The door to the motor coach opened and my eyes widened as I watched the passengers get off. I stopped counting at twenty-five, and they were all headed this way! I hoped the majority were thirsty and would quench their thirst at the cafe next door. I watched as a slightly plump woman with straight red hair got off the bus, but then stepped aside. Once the crowd had dispersed, she grabbed Herb’s arm. He tried to walk away, but she wouldn’t let him. I was just about to turn away when she slapped him across the face.
In shock, I made my way behind the front counter as the door chimed and the bus occupants walked in, all chatting together like long-lost friends. The woman with the red hair caught up and followed them in. I couldn’t miss the tears falling down her face as she passed.
I looked out the window and saw Herb in a discussion with Katherine, the owner of the café next door. A tall woman who took little guff from anyone, was holding a towel of some sort in her hand, and her arms were flailing as she yelled at Herb, finishing with her hitting him on the shoulder with the towel, making Herb back away, shaking his head.
I glanced at the shoppers, scouting the group for anyone who looked like they needed help. I frowned as the door chimed and Herb walked in, his face quite red. I wasn’t sure if it was from the wind or from the slap.
Before I could say anything, he held up his hands to me. “Molly, I’m sorry. I know I was supposed to call you, but this was a last-minute booking. Besides, anything you’re going to say, I’m sure I just heard from Kat. Boy, is she livid.”
I tightened my lips into what I hoped passed for a smile. If he wanted me to feel sorry for him, he was mistaken. I watched as the overweight man swaggered further into the story, his blue jacket unzipped, his white collared shirt wrinkled, and his tie askew.
He came up to the counter and leaned in. “Any chance of a cuppa? I’m afraid Kat will poison it if I go to the cafe.”
I leaned in so the customers couldn’t hear me, but I’m sure they could see the steam radiating from my body. “I wouldn’t blame her, Herb. Quit doing this to us! Ciara left early, so I’m here alone, and I, like the rest of the group, want to get to the festival tonight.” I slammed my hand down on the counter. I looked around, and only a few people had turned their heads. I smiled, trying to show them everything was fine.
His hands went out in front of him again. “I know, I know. I’ve already apologized. What about me? I’m the chief attraction at the haunted house. You’ve heard of Nearly Headless Nick?” He chuckled, “Well, I’m going to be Hardly headless Herb,” He laughed out loud. When he realized I wasn’t laughing, he cleared his throat. “Now about that cup of tea?” He smiled.
I pointed my finger toward the break room. “It’s back there. Fix it yourself. I have customers to see to.” I stomped out from behind the counter and onto the floor and looked for a customer to help.
I walked around the store, a tight smile on my face. I took a few deep breaths and managed not to snarl at anyone as I answered questions and directed customers to the books they were looking for. I heard several of the ladies complaining about the condition of the bus, and how they preferred transportation that was a little less “primitive.” I’d calmed down some when I came upon the woman with the red hair, deep in the corner of the Science Fiction section, holding her face in her hands.
“Are you alright, miss?” I whispered.
Her head popped out of her hands. “Oh, oh, I’m sorry.” She quickly dug in her oversized purse and pulled out some tissues, and wiped the tears from her eyes.
“Anything I can do to help you?” I looked at the books on the shelf. “Normally Science Fiction doesn’t have this type of effect on people.” I smiled.
“What?” She looked at the books. “Oh, I’m not interested in Science Fiction. I just came back to be alone. I don’t know what’s come over me. You know, it happened so long ago. But it was quite a shock seeing him again. I almost changed my mind, but my cousin is meeting me at the festival, and then we’re continuing on the tour, and I didn’t want to disappoint her.” She blew her nose and put the tissue back in her handbag. She looked at me. “Thank you, though. You’ve been very kind,” and she turned and walked away.
My head was spinning after the conversation, but I shook it off and made my way to the counter where several of the shoppers were waiting to be checked out. That kept me busy until the store closed at five, and Herb announced the bus was leaving in five minutes.
“Thanks for the tea, Molly.” He waved as he walked out the door, holding it for the customers as they departed.
I locked the front door and headed back for a much needed cup of tea. I walked into the break room and couldn’t believe the mess! Water spilled all over the counter, tea granules mixed in, giving it the look of mud. Herb apparently found the rest of the cookies left over from this morning, which were now down to two, and uncovered. How could one man make such a mess just making tea? I took a cookie off the plate and took a bite. The peanut butter helping my foul mood a bit. I added more water to the kettle and then cleaned up the mess. I decided it was silly to leave just one cookie on the plate, so I ate that one too and then washed the plate and put it away. Men!