‘Mummy, should we go and get him some cheese?’ Noah’s whisper was loud on the silent night.
‘No, no need, there’s enough leftovers to feed a small army in that bin, so there is. Mr Fox is going to have himself a fine Christmas feast.’ She hugged her boy close to her and they both watched as, having decided they weren’t a threat, the little red fox nosedived into the bin. ‘Do you think we should leave him to enjoy his dinner, Noah?’
Roisin shivered and Noah nodded, but before they closed the window he leaned out and called softly, ‘Merry Christmas, Mr Fox,’ before running back to their warm bed.
Epilogue
Clio strode into the foyer of the Merrion. She was still very much a trouser wearing woman and had chosen a simple lemon suit today that she knew suited her well. Oh, how times changed though, she thought, remembering how out of place she’d felt in the hotel the first time she’d come to meet Gerry here. Confidence was indeed a perk of age. She nodded a greeting to the concierge and only paused in her stride to sign her name with practised flourish, wishing the guest who’d run over book in hand— her book would you believe it—a Merry Christmas. She knew the way to the drawing rooms and it was as if time had stood still as she pushed opened the door. The chandelier still shone with rainbow light, the armchairs you could sink into and forget you ever had a care in the world still invited you in, and the fire crackled and spat to ensure you forgot all about the cold outside.
He was there, just as he’d promised he would be. He looked up as soon as the door opened, holding her in his clear and beautiful blue-eyed gaze. The smile, the dimples were the same, she saw, hanging back a moment, her heart threatening to jump from her chest. This was her chance to open herself up to the possibility of them rewriting their ending just as she had in her book. They could have their happy ever after because life was full of never-ending possibility and with that Clio stepped into the room, her face breaking into that goofy grin, the one she’d never been able to contain when she set eyes on Gerry.
New Year’s Eve with the O’Maras
Bonus short read
By Michelle Vernal
Copyright © 2019 by Michelle Vernal
Michelle Vernal asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.
This novel, New Year’s Eve with the O’Mara’s is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.
All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced in any fashion without the express, written consent of the copyright holder.
Dublin, New Year’s Eve 1999
Seven hours until midnight...
Maureen O’Mara breezed back into the guesthouse with Pooh in tow, her nose glowing red like Rudolph’s from the cold air. She’d just taken the poodle for a trot around St Stephen’s Green although, sometimes she wasn’t sure who was taking who for a walk. ‘Well that was invigorating,’ she announced stomping her feet on the mat. ‘How’re ye, Nina?’ The Spanish receptionist had swapped shifts with Bronagh and she smiled putting down the fax she’d been reading.
‘Fine thank you, Maureen. Are you looking forward to your evening?’
‘I am, thank you and it was very good of you to volunteer to work tonight.’
‘I’m happy to do so.’
Maureen knew she sent money to her family and guessed the extra cash she’d earn for working New Year’s Eve would come in handy.
‘Hola, Pooh,’ Nina said coming out from behind the desk to give the excitable pup a pat. She was fond of dogs, her family back home in Spain bred pointers. Compared to Pooh though, you’d think they were on Valium, their temperaments were much calmer and they didn’t have a penchant for nose diving where nobody should be snuffling without first being given permission.
‘Did you enjoy your walk?’ She gave him a scratch behind his ears and received a ruff by way of reply.
‘He always enjoys his walk. It helps burn off some of that excess energy. God Almighty, Pooh! Would you get your nose out of it? I’m sorry, Nina, he’s no shame.’
Nina laughed, pushing the poodle away before returning to the fax. ‘I’d better get this booking processed.’ The phone began to ring and she answered it cheerily in her accented English, ‘Good afternoon, O’Mara’s, the Guesthouse on the Green, how may I help you?’
Maureen left her to it giving her a wave and keeping a firm grip on Pooh’s leash as she headed through the reception area toward the stairs. She glanced into the guests’ lounge on her left and spotted an older woman enjoying a cup of what she guessed was tea. She was sitting on the sofa, her gaze turned toward the large picture windows and the street outside like a flower angling for the sun. Maureen paused, she’d always loved this lounge and had had such fun
