‘So, where to?’ she asked, turning her attention back to Aidan.
‘Actually, I’ve booked lunch for us all,’ he said.
‘Everyone?’ she asked, glancing across at her friends, who’d joined them. Now that they were together, she didn’t want to miss the chance to spend some time with them and have a proper catch-up.
‘Yeah, I’ve already squared it with Rita and Karen.’
‘I’ll have to love you and leave you, I’m afraid,’ Declan said. ‘I need to get back to Dingle.’
‘Thanks so much for everything,’ Lou said, hugging him goodbye.
‘Ah, your fella made my job very easy, I’m afraid. Not to mention these two,’ he nodded at Karen and Rita. ‘You were stars, the pair of you.’
‘Right, where are we going?’ Lou said when they’d waved him off and it was just her, Aidan, Karen, Rita and Sheena.
‘The Shelbourne,’ Aidan said.
‘Seriously? You never said. I’d have worn something fancier.’ She’d only wanted to look respectable for court, but the Shelbourne was one of the poshest five-star hotels in Dublin.
‘You look great. I didn’t want to say anything because I wasn’t sure how today would go. I was pretty certain it’d be a celebration, but I didn’t want to jinx it.’
‘Well, thank you.’ She clutched his hand and leaned in to kiss his cheek. Lunch in the Shelbourne would cost a fortune and it was so kind and thoughtful of him to include her friends.
‘Right, should we get a couple of cabs or is everyone okay to walk?’
‘Let’s walk,’ Lou said, and Karen, Sheena and Rita all nodded their agreement.
It was the second Friday in December and canopies of Christmas lights twinkled above the streets. Wreaths adorned pub and restaurant doors, casting a welcoming golden glow onto the pavements, and decorated trees beckoned invitingly in shop entrances. Lou loved the city at Christmas, but she hadn’t been able to enjoy it last night, the festive atmosphere at odds with her mood. She took it all in now as they crossed the river and strolled uptown to the Shelbourne Hotel.
‘I can’t believe we’re going for lunch here,’ Karen said as they walked through the revolving door into the elegant lobby. ‘I’ve lived in Dublin my whole life and I’ve never been inside this place.’
‘Me neither,’ Rita said, looking around her in awe at the beautifully decorated lobby. An enormous Christmas tree decorated in reds and golds stood just inside the entrance and a fire blazed in the fireplace next to it, the mantelpiece adorned with garlands.
‘I think I had a drink in the Horseshoe Bar once,’ Lou said. ‘But that’s it.’
Aidan led them through to the Saddle Room restaurant and they were shown to a round table. It was a traditional, old-school restaurant, with white tablecloths and waiters who placed your napkin in your lap for you. Yet there was nothing stuffy about it and Lou was impressed by how warm and friendly the service was.
‘Oh, isn’t that a great idea,’ Rita said, when a waiter placed a little stool beside her for her handbag. ‘I won’t have to be scrabbling under the table for my glasses now. It’s only a Penneys bag, though, is that all right?’ she asked, hesitating to put it down.
‘Of course.’ The waiter smiled. ‘All welcome here.’
There was a bottle of champagne sitting in a bucket by their table, which the sommelier explained had been bought and pre-paid for by a friend, handing a little card to Lou. ‘Oh wow, it’s from Victoria,’ she told Aidan. ‘That’s so nice. But how did she know?’
‘I may have mentioned to her that we’d be here. And she texted me asking how court had gone, so I told her. I hope that’s okay?’
‘Yes, of course. It’s a pity you won’t be able to have more than one glass, though,’ she said as the waiter poured the champagne. She felt bad that he’d have a long, tiring drive home after this.
‘Ah, that’s another thing. I thought we could stay in Dublin for the night – make the most of it now that we’re here. Dad’s happy to have Jack for a sleepover – if that’s okay with you.’
‘It’s fine. But what about the restaurant?’
‘Shane’s taking over for the rest of the weekend.’
‘Really? That’s very nice of him.’
‘He’s thrilled – and he’s especially glad to do it for you. Everyone’s rooting for you, Lou.’
‘Yeah, I kind of got that.’ She smiled. ‘But if you were planning to stay in Dublin, why did we check out of our hotel this morning?’
