Page 21 of The Secret Bookshop in Ireland

‘About six or seven years ago,’ Maureen said. ‘He was a very popular radio and TV presenter.’

‘Of course,’ Ciara said. ‘We know that. Don’t remember much about his programmes, though.The Late Late Show, wasn’t it?’

‘He was the heart and soul of RTÉ,’ Maureen said with reverence. ‘I was so sad when I heard he had died.’

‘Seven or so years ago? This means the shop was still operational around that time,’ Ronan cut in. ‘And then, when Martha went into the nursing home, it was closed down. Nobody has been here since then.’

‘Oh,’ Ciara said. ‘That makes me sad. I wish I had met her…’ Her voice trailed away while her eyes filled with tears.

Maureen put her arm around Ciara. ‘Don’t be sad, darling. I know how you must feel. But this woman meant for you to have the shop and the money, whatever the reason. So you must make the best of it.’

‘You don’t have to do anything with it now,’ Ronan said. ‘Look through what there is and then decide. This village is sad and forgotten, but maybe it could be woken up out of its Sleeping Beauty phase…’ He stopped. ‘I don’t know why I’m saying this, really. It’s just that I felt such a sense of peace as I drove up here. This part of Wicklow has great vibes and a kind of historical feel that’s unique.’

‘Maybe it’s just a matter of time before it’s discovered,’ Maureen said. She looked at Ronan for a moment. ‘I think you two should go and check on Brian. He might need water and alittle cuddle. I’ll see you inside the shop in a moment. Can’t wait to look around now that there’s daylight in there.’

‘Good idea, Ma,’ Ciara said, suspecting her mother was trying to give her and Ronan a chance to talk on their own. There was something in Ronan’s expression that told her he had come all the way from Dublin to tell her something important. ‘He seems a little unsettled, actually.’

‘Brian?’ Ronan asked behind Ciara as he followed her around the back of the house. ‘I thought that was your boyfriend.’

‘No, he’s my dog,’ Ciara said with a laugh. ‘His full name is Brian Boru. A great big Irish wolfhound, to be precise. Very spoiled and very precious. Like a big baby, really. I don’t have a boyfriend,’ she added.

‘Oh,’ Ronan said. ‘I thought he was when you talked about him the first time we met.’

‘I’m sorry if I misled you,’ Ciara said. ‘I tend to talk about Brian as if he was a person.’

‘So you’re single, then?’ Ronan asked in a casual tone.

‘Yes,’ Ciara replied, feeling suddenly tense as they reached the gate.

‘Sorry,’ Ronan said. ‘I didn’t mean to pry at all.’

‘It’s okay,’ Ciara said, flattered by his interest in her relationship status. ‘I know you’re involved with someone called Elaine, anyway.’ Without waiting for a reply that she didn’t want to hear, she walked into the garden where they found Brian asleep in the sunshine. Ciara called him and he lifted his head and then got up and trotted towards them. Then he sniffed at Ronan, who shrank back, looking nervous.

‘He’s really friendly,’ Ciara said.

‘And big,’ Ronan said with a shaky laugh.

Brian sat down as if to make himself smaller. Then he licked Ronan’s hand.

‘He likes you,’ Ciara said. ‘He’s trying to make you feel less scared of him.’

Ronan carefully patted Brian’s head. ‘Hi, big fella.’

‘Come on, let’s sit on that old bench,’ Ciara said.

They waded through the tall grass to the rickety bench and sat down while Brian sank at their feet. Ronan gave Brian’s head a pat and let out a little laugh. ‘Can’t believe I thought he was your boyfriend.’

‘Well, he’s a boy and my best friend,’ Ciara joked. ‘Don’t you have a dog?’

‘No, never did. It’s not practical in our area. The house is big but we sold off part of the garden to our neighbours a while back. Partly because I don’t have much time for gardening.’

‘What about your parents?’

‘They’re… It’s a difficult situation.’

‘Oh,’ Ciara said. ‘I see. No need to tell me if you don’t want to.’

‘But I do.’ Ronan turned to look at her. ‘I want to tell you what’s going on.’