‘The boot scootin boogie is an easy one but we’ll need the right music. I’ve a Billy Ray Cyrus CD there somewhere.’
Donal sorted their sounds and Maureen talked him through the steps overtop of the music. ‘Step right to side and cross left behind, touch left heel diagonally, forward and clap.’ She clapped.
Donal who had the wrong foot forward laughed and asked if they could start over. They did so and he was no better the second time around which set Maureen off giggling. ‘I’m afraid you’re no Billy Ray.’
‘Two left feet.’ He grinned. ‘Go on you show me how it’s done.’
Maureen demonstrated the dance and he clapped along giving her a round of applause when she’d finished. She took a bow and announced it was time for dessert. She’d caught her breath by the time she placed the dishes of chocolate mousse down on the table. Donal topped their glasses up with the remains of the red.
‘This is going down a treat, Maureen,’ Donal said, in between spoonfuls of the mousse.
Maureen was pleased with how rich and creamy it had turned out and had to agree it was going down nicely.
They’d polished off the wine and Donal had all but licked his bowl when they decided it was time to get around to the business of rehearsing.
‘We need a microphone each if we’re to make it feel authentic,’ Maureen stated. She was in a giggly mood which was down to Donal and the wine. Her cheeks too were feeling a little hot as she disappeared into the kitchen, ignoring the detritus left behind from dinner as she retrieved a whisk and a wooden spoon. ‘Here we are, you can have the whisk. I’m quite at home with the wooden spoon.’ She’d chased her children around the kitchen often enough with it when they were younger. Donal had the music poised to go and he aimed the remote. The opening notes drifted into the room and Pooh gave a happy sigh as he settled down for some Kenny and a snooze.
Donal had a lovely voice; it was gruff and gravely and sounded very like the man himself, Maureen thought, as she did each time she heard him sing. She was so engrossed in listening to him she nearly missed her opening and came in a little wobbly but found her feet and sang her heart out, all the while losing herself in those grey twinkling eyes of Donal’s. They were serenading one another she realised and when the song finished, he took her in his arms kissing her slowly and what happened next was the most natural thing in the world.
Chapter 14
Moira and Aisling banged on the apartment door. They’d decided to surprise their mammy by taking her out for morning tea. It was a bright and sunny winter’s day, perfect for a spot of Howth people-watching over an oversized cookie and cup of coffee. Aisling was itching to tell her mammy all about her holiday, too.
‘Mammy,’ Moira put her mouth near the door and called out. Her dark hair fell across her face and she nearly toppled into her mammy as the door swung open. Maureen poked her head around it.
‘Would you stop your hollering, the neighbours will be after complaining.’
She was belting her dressing gown up, Moira’s eagle eye noticed and her hair was tousled.
‘You’re up late, Mammy. That’s not like you.’ Aisling leaned in to kiss her on the cheek. It was warm and soft and there was the faintest whiff of Arpège. ‘Moira and I thought we’d take you out for morning coffee. I’ve loads to tell you about Jukkasjarvi. But we can’t very well go out with you in your dressing gown.’ It was a puzzle. Mammy was usually up and dressed by sparrow’s fart.
‘Yuckisvari is the place where the Ice Hotel is and she hasn’t stopped going on about it since she got back,’ Moira explained. ‘And she’s doing my head in with her ‘my husband’ business. You want to hear her, Mammy. This morning she said to me, “pass me the milk because my husband likes his tea milky in the morning.”’ Moira made a gagging noise.
Aisling scowled at her sister. ‘Well, he is my husband.’
‘Yes, he is, Aisling, we’re all aware of that fact given we were there when you said your vows. It’s lovely of you girls to think of your mammy and come by too. Aisling, I have to say you’re looking very well on it given you’ve been in the Arctic. You’ve a rosy glow to your cheeks.’
‘That’s nothing to do with the Arctic, that’s the riding. Mammy, I can’t cope. I thought the headboard was going to come through the wall last night.’
Aisling shoved her elbow in her sister’s ribs and while Moira was doubled over, Maureen announced her plan. ‘Now then, here’s what we’ll do. How about you both head on down to that lovely coffee shop near the pier. The one that does the enormous cookies you’re both so fond of. I’ll make myself presentable and meet you there in fifteen minutes or so. You could take him with you if you like.’ Pooh had appeared at her side having heard the sisters’ voices. He was trying to push his way out the door so he could receive the attention he felt was his due having been ignored for the best part of the evening before.
Moira eyed her mammy; she was behaving oddly. Something was up.
Aisling stared at her mammy. She was being furtive. Something wasn’t right.
‘No, you’re grand, Mammy. We don’t mind waiting here while you get dressed.’ Moira had decided enough was enough, she’d
