The Dream Trip - Chapter 9

It was later than they expected and the girls had not had dinner yet. Siobhan recommended a pub a couple of miles back down the road from where they had come. She said it had great pub grub and there would probably be some music as some of the locals always stopped by to sing a few songs and see if the people liked them.
“I'm sure you'll like it,' she said with a smile and looked at Caitlin and winked.

“What the heck did that mean?” was all Caitlin could think.

They knew that they could do a little driving with the spare tire but not too much, so the pub down the road was a perfect distance. They got themselves settled in the B&B, freshened up, and headed out to the pub for some dinner and music. At least some good music would make up for all the problems they had today with the flat tire. That was one of the things they had come to Ireland for was the music.

Briana couldn't help but tease Caitlin about Keith. Caitlin tried to ignore it but her complaints about not meeting anyone in Ireland had changed when Keith came along to help them with the flat tire. It was only a brief meeting, except for him taking her by the repair shop tomorrow. Not at all like all the other girls who had even exchanged phone numbers with the guys that they met and had plans to meet when they returned to Derry. Caitlin was very disappointed but she tried not to show it.

Shantallow House was back over the boarder to Northern Ireland. The girls were amazed at how everyone moved back and forth across this border as if it didn't even exist. They parked the car and walked into the darkened pub. It was full of antique type fixtures and had a great warm feel. Since they were going to eat dinner they didn't want to sit at the bar. They did order their stews and fish and chips at the bar along with their drinks. They chose a snug that was close to what they thought would be the stage. The barman told them the music didn't start until close to 10PM. With everything that happened and the long sunny days in Ireland, they had not realized it was already 8:30. There were a few other people at the bar and at booths who noticed the girls as they came in. It was not to often that Americans came to this local pub. They had grown accustomed to these looks and just smiled and went to their snug.

As they ate their meal and chatted about the day's events and things to come the time passed quickly. The pub filled up with more and more people, some coming by to acknowledge them as they realized they were visitors. At one point a few girls their age stopped by the snug and stood and talked for a while, asking questions about their trip and America. While they were talking they didn't notice that someone was getting set up on the stage area. Once the Irish girls left, their attention turned toward the stage and they were all surprised to see Keith. As he turned he looked over to them, smiled that dimpled smile and winked at Caitlin. She immediately blushed.

This was hardly what the girls expected. At ten o'clock Keith tapped the microphone and said hello to the crowd that had gathered. He said he was working on some new material and wanted to know what the crowd thought of it. As he worked through the songs the girls realized that he was quite a good singer and also a talented song writer. He had a very natural style and unique voice to accompany his songs.

Periodically he would glance over to the snug and Caitlin with a nod or a wink. During one of his breaks, one of the local girls who had stopped by earlier came by again and told Caitlin it appeared that he had taken a liking to her. Caitlin brushed off the comment but inside she was tickled that someone had noticed her.

After his second break Keith left the stage and walked over to visit the girls at their table.
“So's what do you think?” he asked.

“I love your music, Keith,” Caitlin answered before anyone else could say anything.

“Thank you, Caitlin. It's beer o'clock for me and then I'll sing another couple. Need to get my sleep so's I can get up in the morning to take you to the tire shop. Where are you headed after here?”

“We're going to Donegal for a day and then heading back to Derry to meet some new friends.” Darcy piped in.

“Yeowww!! That means you'll be in Derry again on Friday, right?”

“That's what we're hoping,” Briana answered.

“Then maybe I can see you all then,” Keith said as he looked at Caitlin. “I'm usually at Sandino's during the weekend gigging with some friends. Let me give you my cell number so you can give me a wee call.”

Caitlin could barely conceal her excitement. Finally she had me someone.