Page 37 of The Secret Bookshop in Ireland

Ciara looked at the bracelet, the semi-precious stones glinting in the sun. ‘I found it in a box in the house. I think it belonged to Martha.’

‘Yes, she used to wear something similar,’ Oisín said. ‘It suits you. Goes with your lovely blue eyes.’

‘Thank you,’ Ciara said, feeling herself blush again to her annoyance. Why did he make her feel like a silly schoolgirl?

‘You’re welcome,’ Oisín said, getting up. ‘We can do a little brainstorming about the shop tomorrow. I’m really looking forward to it. I’ll be here at seven to pick you up, if that’s okay.’

‘Lovely,’ she said, smiling at his enthusiasm.

‘Grand. See you then,’ Oisín said. ‘I’ll be off up the road to the tower now. Must continue my run. Say hi to your mum.’ Withthat, he jumped over the gate in one easy stride and was gone before Ciara could reply.

Ciara went in through the back door with Brian at her heels, finding her mother carting a load of groceries up the stairs. ‘Hold on, Ma, I’ll give you a hand,’ she said and took one of the bags from Maureen.

‘Thanks,’ Maureen panted as they climbed the stairs together. ‘I keep forgetting I’m not twenty-one any more. Who were you talking to?’

‘Oisín,’ Ciara replied, as they arrived in the kitchen with their bags. ‘He asked me out on a date tomorrow evening.’

‘Did he?’ Maureen said. ‘What did you say?’

‘Of course I said yes,’ Ciara replied. ‘How could I resist that smile and those green eyes?’

Maureen suddenly looked delighted. ‘I think he’s perfect for you.’

‘Why?’ Ciara asked, surprised by her mother’s sudden endorsement of Oisín.

‘He’s a real trooper, I think. A strong man who’ll always defend you. And he’s a very talented artist as well. An O’Toole with a castle and everything.’

Ciara laughed as she put the milk into the fridge. ‘Oh, Ma, you’re such a romantic. Oisín is good looking, but I’m not stupid enough to fall for a pretty face.’

‘He’s a lot more than that,’ Maureen countered. ‘I’m sure you’ll come home after your date feeling very differently.’

‘I’m not sure about that. In any case…’ She stopped. ‘What did we decide on for dinner?’ she asked, changing the subject to get the spotlight away from her love life.

‘Chicken,’ Maureen said, smiling. ‘I know what you were about to say. You can’t hide your feelings from me, you know. I think I know who makes your heart beat the fastest.’

‘Well, it’s hopeless, so let’s forget it,’ Ciara said, taking the chicken pieces out of their wrapping and putting them on a plate.

‘Never say never,’ Maureen quipped. She put the vegetables they had bought on the draining board in order to wash the earth off the carrots and potatoes.

‘You won’t be lonely here on your own tomorrow night?’ Ciara asked, suddenly feeling guilty for having accepted Oisín’s offer of dinner without thinking about her mother.

‘Not at all,’ Maureen assured her. ‘I have Brian to keep me company and I will do a little gardening in the evening sunshine and put on the radio and listen to music. I’ll be grand for a few hours.’

Ciara nodded. ‘Good. Oh, and don’t forget to reply to the tea party invitation. I’m sure there’s no rush as it’s weeks away, but better to reply straight away.’

‘I haven’t forgotten,’ Maureen said. ‘Funny how our social calendar is filling up with invitations here in the back of beyond. I was never so in demand.’

Ciara let out a giggle. ‘I know. I was thinking the same thing. Maybe we should update our wardrobes?’

‘We’ll just do casual chic as usual,’ Maureen joked. ‘Which means wearing our everyday clothes with a little twist.’

‘Like what?’ Ciara asked. ‘A hat?’

‘Not quite, but we can do a lot with a scarf and a bit of costume jewellery.’

‘There was some vintage stuff in Martha’s box of dreams,’ Ciara said. ‘We can play around with that. But what am I going to wear tomorrow night?’

‘Your new T-shirt and the black linen trousers I bought for you last summer,’ Maureen said. ‘And your denim jacket.’