Monday, May 30, 2011

All Roads Lead to Swatragh - Chapter 32

Grace was happy that her friends were having a good time. In a quick fifteen minutes Chloe and Sue came back downstairs for breakfast. Sue had done as she said and just threw on some sweats, but Chloe had done her hair and makeup. She was ready for Peter's return, and she didn't have to wait very long. They could hear Peter's truck pull up in front of the cottage.

Grace brought the Curach servings out to the dining room on a silver tray and went back to get the rest of the Irish coffee cake and refill the tea pot. When she returned everyone was seated with Chloe next to Peter. She could see that there were obviously feelings between the two of them, but they had just met. She worried about Chloe being on the rebound, and really didn't know how committed Peter would be with a girl from Dublin.

“So, how was the craic last night. Obviously you all had plenty to drink,” Grace commented as she poured the tea.

“The music was great and I guess we did drink a little more that we should have. Seems some of the gents in the pub made sure there was always a full pint in front of us!” Sue was the first to respond. “By the way, I have to say it's so nice to have breakfast served on a silver platter.”

“Aine only had nice things and I needed a tray, so this was it. I do agree that the gents in this area are pretty friendly,” Grace turned and winked at Peter.

“Alright you girls, I'm going to be blushed,” Peter retorted. “It was leeful for such a small town. The band was great, right Chloe?”

“Oh, yes, great fun,” Chloe seemed to be lost in thought and was startled when Peter referred to her.

“Since you all look like you could use a little shot to get you going, just so you know, there's a bit whiskey in both the Curach and the coffee cake,” Grace smiled.

“Grace, I don't know what you had planned for today with your friends, but I had offered to take Chloe for a ride up to Portstewart by the beach. Would that work for you?” Peter seems hesitant and Chloe just looked down to her lap.

Grace looked at Sue and she give a slight nod of approval. “Peter, looks like you've got somewhere to go today then. Would you like to take some snacks with you?”

“I hope you don't mind me leaving the two of you,” Chloe finally said. “I've never been up this way and it sounded like such a nice drive. I don't think we need anything. So if you will excuse us, we should probably get on the road.”

Peter and Chloe said their good byes for the day and as soon as the door closed behind them and they were in Peter's truck, Grace and Sue started giggling. They were both so happy for Chloe and surprised at how she seemed so shy this morning. Sue followed Grace to the kitchen and helped her clean up from breakfast.

“Guess we had better make some plans of our own,” Sue teased.

“Actually I need some help. I've been working on trying to put together some kind of plan and have tons of questions I need to get answered. Maybe before we head out for the day I can bounce some ideas off you, or maybe you will even have some better ideas,” Grace didn't want to leave her thoughts from the day before hanging.

“Sounds good to me, what have you got in mind?” Sue was curious.

The two girls spent the next couple of hours tossing around ideas about the cottage and how it would run as a B&B if Grace could handle it. By lunch time they had more ideas and still had no firm answers They decided to clear their heads with a ride to to Magherafelt for some groceries for dinner and a stop for lunch.

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