Travels in Eire #51

Days began to flow into a regular schedule for Cailin. She adjusted her work schedule to coordinate with New York as much as possible. She didn't really want to work late into the evening to match their work hours, so much of her research was done before her office in New York was even open. The transition was going smoother than she had imagined. Her home office was networked so she could communicate easily with New York.

Cailin's afternoons took her off to the shops down the street for snacks, food and groceries. She felt so comfortable here. Regular calls to her parents in hopes that they might consider a trip over to visit kept her up to date with the goings on at home. Almost every evening Darren would stop by on his way home and either stay for dinner, or to take Cailin out for dinner. On a rare occasion, Cailin would meet Darren at his place for dinner. As a guy, his place was neither fully equipped for cooking, or very well stocked. Cailin had to laugh the first time Darren invited her over. When Cailin thought her kitchen was small, she found Darren's even smaller.

Cailin also started spending time with some new friends she had met through Darren. She and Ruth O'Leary, along with Ruth's sister Joyce, had spent a few girl evenings and done some shopping in town. With Ruth and Joyce being musicians also, they didn't have much time to spend with Cailin, but when either of them, mostly Ruth, were in Derry, they spent time together. There were a few times that they had gone out to a club late at night and Ruth would stay over at Cailin's. They loved shopping together, and Cailin was becoming quite the shoe shopper. Her style was changing too as Ruth helped her choose some new clothes. Darren seemed to enjoy this change.

Some nights Darren was busy in late meetings and Cailin was on her own. She found that she enjoyed some time to herself and was anxious to explore more than she could without a car. Darren was still very protective and wanted to make sure that Cailin was always with someone who knew the area. Cailin also wanted to take a weekend and return to Mullaghmore to see Rorey. She had not seen him since she had moved back to Ireland.

The biggest problem Cailin had with traveling around is that she didn't have a rental car like her vacation and was not familiar enough with the buses that traveled outside of Derry. Darren was very protective of her and wanted to make sure she was safe. After some discussion about her taking a weekend away to visit Ardboe and Mullaghmore, Darren came up with a plan to help her navigate the roads and still be able to be mostly on her own. Darren would have gone with her, but had meetings that weekend for another fund raiser for the hospital that could not be changed.

Darren was not beyond using his music connections to help facilitate this venture when he could. He felt if he could get Cailin on the right bus to Dungannon, then Keith's friend Ryan Kelly could help her get to Mullaghmore from there. Ryan lived right off the Dungannon Road between Dungannon and Mullaghmore and could drop Cailin off at Mullaghmore and get her back on Sunday to the bus in Dungannon to get home. Now this whole plan needed the cooperation of both Keith and Ryan. Darren was pretty sure he could depend on Keith as they had known each other for a long time and Keith only had to see if Ryan was available on Saturday and Sunday to pick up and drop off Cailin. On the other hand, Cailin felt strange with this, but trusted Darren to take care of the necessary details. Cailin would catch the bus at the Foyle station in Derry and arrive about 2 hours later in Dungannon center. From there Ryan would meet her and drive her to Mullaghmore. Cailin would stay over at Brendan's pub and get a ride back to Dungannon the next day to catch the bus back home. It was a perfect plan if all went well.

But as things go, not all plans go so well. Cailin was still getting used to some things that are so natural in Ireland. Never go anywhere without an umbrella. Once she was on the bus to Dungannon, it started to rain. As she traveled, the rain came down harder. It started to remind her of the night she first arrived in Ireland. The bus was going slow and she could see the sloshing water as they drove. It was still raining when they arrived in Dungannon and pulled up to the curb at the bus stop. There was no cover when Cailin exited the bus.

As Cailin exited the bus she looked around for Ryan. It had been a while since she saw him and didn't know what kind of car to look for. As she searched she was getting soaked. She suddenly realized that something was covering her. It was a large umbrella.
“Looks like you are in need of a towel and a ride,” Ryan chuckled and smiled as he covered her with the umbrella. “I'm parked over here,” he directed her and took the backpack she was carrying. Cailin could have sworn he was having a good laugh over her current condition. He seemed to be walking with his head down and turned away so she couldn't see his face.

“Ryan, I really appreciate you taking the time to come here and pick me up,” and she stopped in her tracks as Ryan lead her to a huge SUV. “Th-this?”

“Yes, this is mine. Is there a problem?” Ryan looked at Cailin quizzically.

“It's just that I'm so used to seeing all the small compact cars here, I hardly realized anyone having such a big car. It's fine, if I can climb up high enough to get in!”

Ryan stood by with his umbrella and a helping hand as Cailin literally climbed into the front seat of the vehicle.

“I'm so sorry that I'm getting the inside of you car wet. I should know better already. I was just so excited about making this trip,” Cailin tried to keep her wet hair and skirt from doing too much damage.

“No worries, Cailin. This is my splurge. The seats are leather. They do fine like a cow in the rain. Are you all settled?” Ryan settled into his seat and started the engine. At least Cailin had no fear that they would be run off the road.

They barely got started when Ryan turned to Cailin and asked if she was hungry and if she wanted some lunch. Cailin had not thought too much about it during the ride, but she was hungry, but didn't want to inconvenience Ryan.

“Ryan, it was already an inconvenience for you to come to Dungannon to pick me up, I hardly want you to have to stop just for me,” she was trying to be considerate, but was hopeful.

“Cailin, I was coming to Dungannon to stop at the post anyway, so it's no trouble. And I haven't eaten yet, so if you are up to a little lunch we can stop by the Otter Lodge (http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/Otter-Lodge-Cookstown-P12279) just down the road for some great fish and chips. It's a great lunch location. Or you can just sit in the car while I eat something.” Ryan turned and smiled as he said this so she understood he was teasing.

His jet black hair and sparkling eyes along with that smile were quite charming. Overall Ryan was a pretty quiet man, but seemed to love getting the best of Cailin.

They put in their orders and were able to sit at a table overlooking the river. Even with the rain, it was a beautiful view. Over lunch Ryan probed Cailin about her experiences so far in Derry and her time in Ireland.