The Summer of Serendipity: The magical feel good perfect holiday read

by Ali McNamara

  ‘Cheers, Finn.’ Eddie nods gratefully. He wraps his arm tightly around Kiki’s shoulders as she returns to him, pulling her even closer.

  ‘What sort of writing are you thinking of doing?’ Finn asks, putting his arm around me.

  ‘Anything I can get paid for, to begin with. The sale of the business should support me for a bit while I get started. But I’ve a couple of ideas I want to pursue in the long term. I’m hoping that they will let me write about them,’ I say, nodding in the direction of Darcy and Dermot, who have just come into the bar with Megan.

  They wave when they see us sitting in the corner, and Eddie practically jumps up and salutes.

  ‘At ease, Eddie,’ Finn says. ‘You’re not on duty.’ Finn waves casually at Dermot and Darcy, and Eddie returns to his adoration of Kiki.

  ‘Do you think they’ll let you?’ Finn asks, continuing our conversation.

  ‘I hope so. I’d love to tell the story of how they came to live on Tara. ‘And,’ I say, taking a deep breath, because this is the idea closest to my heart, ‘I’d like to write a series of children’s books – about animals. I mean, I don’t know if they’ll be published or any—’

  Finn stops me by placing his finger on my lips. ‘It’s a wonderful idea,’ he whispers. ‘Absolutely perfect for you.’

  I smile at him, then I lift my drink from the table and take a reassuring sip. My announcement had taken place a lot quicker than I’d planned, but it had also gone a lot better than I thought it might, and I was over the moon that Kiki would continue to be close by. I’d have missed her terribly if we’d been parted.

  ‘Oh – talking of writing,’ I say, suddenly remembering. ‘I’m not the only one sitting around this table with a talent for the written word. Am I, Eddie?’

  Eddie, hearing his name, tears himself away from Kiki with a puzzled expression on his face.

  ‘That letter you wrote was very eloquent, Eddie. I hope you don’t mind me saying I was quite surprised when I realised it was you.’

  ‘What letter?’ Eddie asks, looking blankly at me.

  ‘The letter you sent to Sarah asking her to take over as caretaker for a while. The one you sent when you were scared I’d discover who you were.’

  ‘I didn’t send any letter,’ Eddie says. ‘I thought it was odd when you got that, but I couldn’t say anything at the time or I’d have blown my cover.’

  ‘But if you didn’t send it, who did? The sender was so concerned for the future of the house, I thought it had to be the caretaker.’

  ‘Have you still got it, Ren?’ Finn asks.

  ‘Yes, it should be here in my bag.’ I reach into the pocket of my bag where I’d tucked the letter away, and I unfold the stiff parchment paper the letter had been written on.

  But nearly all the words, so carefully inscribed in black calligraphy ink, have disappeared; instead they’ve been replaced by just two words:

  Fáilte.

  Welcome.

  As the others examine the letter in amazement, I sit quietly smiling.

  Those two words tell me exactly who sent that original note. Now in its own unique and magical way, the house is telling me that I’m going to be as welcome here in Ballykiltara as it has always been, and I always will be.

  If you enjoyed Summer of Serendipity, you’ll love Daisy’s Vintage Cornish Camper Van!

  Table of Contents

  Title

  Copyright

  Contents

  One

  Two

  Three

  Four

  Five

  Six

  Seven

  Eight

  Nine

  Ten

  Eleven

  Twelve

  Thirteen

  Fourteen

  Fifteen

  Sixteen

  Seventeen

  Eighteen

  Nineteen

  Twenty

  Twenty-One

  Twenty-Two

  Twenty-Three

  Twenty-Four

  Twenty-Five

  Twenty-Six

  Twenty-Seven

  Twenty-Eight

  Twenty-Nine

  Thirty

  Thirty-One

  Thirty-Two

  Thirty-Three

  Thirty-Four

  Thirty-Five

  Thirty-Six

  Thirty-Seven

  Thirty-Eight

  Thirty-Nine

  Forty

  Forty-One

  Forty-Two