All Roads Lead to Swatragh - Chapter 30

The group sat down to dinner with some wine that the girls had brought with them. Grace had made some appetizers to start off the dinner. She found some beautiful fresh shrimp at the grocery and wrapped it in bacon and broiled it. Just the perfect bite.

“Now this is not something from Aine,” Peter commented.

“How did you know?” Grace asked back.

“Just didn't seem that Aine would make something as updated as this. It's delicious. I think you should make this a regular addition to the menu,” Peter complimented.

“The menu?” Grace questioned. “What is that supposed to mean?”

Peter smiled and didn't respond. Instead he turned and winked at Chloe. Grace had noticed that Chloe had made sure that she sat next to Peter at the dinner table and once Peter finished chatting with Grace over the appetizer, Chloe pretty much monopolized Peter for the better part of the dinner. And Peter didn't seem to mind at all. In fact, he even seemed to be more engaging with Chloe than Grace had seen before.

Sue and Grace chatted about the cottage and Sue, who loved antiques, was anxious to look at all the furnishings closer to see if she recognized anything as a precious antique. She had already noticed a beautiful antique tea caddy on the side cupboard and an old peat bucket near the fire place. Grace had never considered that any of the furnishings would be considered antiques. They had just always been there.

Grace had been busy with her conversation with Sue when she heard Peter say, “That would be great fun. I think we should do that tonight.”

“Peter, do you want to share with Sue and I?” Grace asked.

“I was just thinking it would be great craic to go over the Rafters and listen to some music. We'd have a great time,” Peter was full of energy this evening.

“Actually it would be fun, but I need to clean up from dinner and get things ready for breakfast tomorrow with the other guests coming in tonight. But you can all go on. It's not like I haven't ever been to Rafters,” Grace was concerned about having everything ready for her other guests.

“Other guests?” Sue asked. “So is there something you should be telling us?”

“Sue, no, it's nothing. Just some folks who needed a bed to sleep in as their friend's place is too crowded. I told them they could stay here just for the two nights that we're here. But I'm also making breakfast for all of us. So I need to have everything ready and can't be out late tonight,” Grace was actually tired and wanted some time to herself. “You all go and I'll see you in the morning. The door will be unlocked for you.”

After everyone helped to clear the table, Peter, Chloe and Sue headed out for Rafters Pub. The cottage was quiet and as soon as all the dishes were done and put away, and things prepared for the morning, Grace sat down in the big chair to do some reading. Her mind kept wandering to the fact that she had actually rented a room to paying guests for two nights and she didn't even have to try. Was this something that could work? She'd have to make the drive up from Dublin every weekend.

Grace moved from the chair to the desk. She started to look at possibilities that might work. How many people could she accommodate? How much would the food cost? What about the laundry? How could bookings be handled? Would something like this be cost effective? Or would she end up losing money? Would this help to supplement her work income? Did she want to work seven days a week? And the biggest question was is this something she wanted to take on? She moved back to the chair with her note paper and all her questions. She always felt that she was closer to Aine when she sat there, and hoped for some divine help with all these questions.

As she mulled all this over, she heard a car in the drive. It was too early for her friends to be back, so it must be Dennis and Laura. She was right. Grace greeted them at the door.
“You have no idea how much we appreciate this,” Laura said as they entered. “We felt we were just imposing too much on our friends and this is so close, yet just what we needed.”

Dennis chimed in, “At least we won't have to be fighting for hot water in the morning!”

“What time would you like breakfast?” Grace asked.

“We like to get out and do a little walking before we eat, dear. That would be about half eight. So would around nine be good for you?” Laura explained to Grace.

“That would be perfect. I'll have some hot tea ready for you when you return. I hope you enjoy your sleep tonight,” Grace said as she bid the two good night.

Not such a difficult process Grace thought to herself. Can I be this gracious all the time? How did Aine do this for so many years?

Grace headed to bed herself and slipped off to sleep with questions spinning around in her head.