Once Upon A Time In Clare.

Chapter One.

She could not believe that she had agreed to doing this. Her friend Esther had seen a Netflix film about it and decided that it would be a great idea. Charlotte had thought about it and decided that it couldn't hurt. Who knows what will happen she wondered.

Esther who was to come with her had pulled out as she had been asked to travel to France for work. Her trip to France would take about a week, the week which coincided with Charlotte's holiday. Charlotte was disappointed as she was hoping that she would give her much needed moral support. She had been particularly vulnerable lately after breaking up with her boyfriend of three years. He had decided that he wanted to relocate to Australia and suggested that they end their relationship. This had happened six months ago and Charlotte was still upset about it.

Since then she had spent alot of her time with her family who lived in a small village. They owned a large fruit farm which supplied fruit to two of the larger supermarket chains in the UK. She enjoyed spending time with them as job as an architect in London was a demanding one. With long hours and impossible deadlines she had little time for herself or for love.

Her boyfriend had worked in the architectural company with her so he understood that she did not always have much time for him. They did make time for each other especially at weekends when they would visit art exhibitions and attend gigs and concerts. Charlotte adored reading so they often spent a whole day seeking out rare books in independent bookshops. She had been delighted when she had found a vintage copy of Jane Austen's Sanditon in a tiny bookshop in Soho.

The book enthralled her as her namesake seemed to be an unconventional Austen heroine. It was such a pity that it was only a fragment. She pictured Charlotte and Sidney being married and having a large family. They would buy a large house with a garden in the seaside town of Sanditon. Charlotte was a fan of happy ever afters so this is what she imagined would have happened had Sanditon been completed. As an ardent Austen fan and a unashamed romantic she hoped that she would have a happy ever after.

Maybe she would meet someone on this holiday although she was anxious about being alone. She knew no one and had never been to Ireland before.
Hopefully there would a friendly group that she could tag along with. There was to be an icebreaker event tonight at a local pub, a few drinks might help her nerves.

Her flight was to arrive at Shannon Airport at 1 o'clock. She might pick up something for lunch at the airport. She hadn't eaten anything that day as she was a nervous flyer and she knew that her stomach would betray her. She checked her bus timetable to see what time the next bus from the air would leave. There would be two bus journeys to get to the town in County Clare.

The plane landed at 1 and she glanced out the window to see the sun shine on the green fields. It was very warm for a September day and she hoped that the clothes that she had packed would be okay. She had brought a few going out outfits, ones that she was comfortable in. Nothing too fancy as she knew that the evenings would be spent in the pubs of the town.

She bought a pre packaged sandwich and a bottle of over priced Irish spring water in the airport kiosk. She also bought a copy of The Times to see what the news was at home. On reading an article on the building of a new apartment complex in Victoria she felt a little homesick even if she was just a short flight from home.

Charlotte texted her mother and Esther to let them know that she had arrived. Her mother was quite a worrier and would not relax until she knew that she was okay. Her mother was not a traveller, she preferred to stay at home and holiday in Lyme Regis. The family holidayed there many times and Charlotte loved the quaint seaside resort and its Austen connection. 

Charlotte realised that she only really relaxed when sitting at the beach watching the waves rolling in and out with her copy of Persuasion as company. She identified most with Anne Elliott as she was a quiet, accepting person who wished to be more like the vivacious, locaqious Lizzy Bennett. Perhaps she should channel Lizzy during this holiday and be braver in her opinions. She might even meet a Wentworth or D'arcy, stranger things have happened. It was highly unlikely though given that she would be staying in a rural Irish town.

"Oh no what time is it" she said out loud. "I don't want to miss my bus." She walked to the information desk where a friendly lady told her that it would depart in ten minutes. She went to the bathroom to freshen and changed into a t-shirt as her jumper was too warm.  She checked her purse to make sure that she had enough euros for the two bus journeys. Thinking out loud she said " come on Charlotte it will be okay, it is only for a week. You can do this."

She made her way to the bus stop and got on board. She bought a ticket for both journeys which would save time as there wasn't much time between each.  The bus driver opened the storage area and Charlotte put her case in hoping that her clothes would look somewhat tidy when she arrived.
The bus driver told her "we should arrive at the bus station in about fortyforty-five minutes love.  You will definitely make your bus. I will ring ahead and let my colleague know that you are taking that bus. Don't look so worried it will be grand." Charlotte smiled and could feel herself relaxing. "Thank you so much, that is very kind.  I really appreciate it,  I am just a bit nervous."

"Take a seat and enjoy the trip. We will be there soon" The bus driver gave her her ticket and Charlotte took a seat beside the window. The first signs of autumn could be seen through the window with the leaves changing from vibrant green to russet.  She took out her copy of Castle Rackrent by Maria Edgeworth, she had treated herself to the copy knowing that the author was Irish.

She was soon immersed in the lovely writing of Ms.Edgeworth and did not notice the passing of the journey. She ate her plastic sandwich and drank her expensive water. She looked up and noticed that there was almost at the bus station. She closed her book and gathered her belongings. The bus driver announced " this is the last stop. Anyone travelling onwards can take their next bus here. Safe journey everyone."

As she was walking towards the door the bus driver said "your bus is at bay ten. You have a few minutes if you want to get a drink or a snack. John knows that you are taking his bus. "
"Thank you,  I will just grab my bag and head onto the bus in a few minutes" " You are welcome, take care and enjoy your holiday." Charlotte got off the bus and took her bag from the storage compartment.  She was happy that she had packed lightly.

She walked into the station, used the bathroom and bought a Starbucks drink and a chocolate chip cookie.  Hey she was on holidays so no point denying herself. The cookie looked so tempting and was nearly melted with the heat of her hands.  She broke in in half and ate it with relish.  She walked out to the bus bays and saw that her bus was there.

John the bus driver called to her from inside "I will open the storage area for you, do you need any help." "No thanks,  I am fine. She lifted her bag into the storage area and closed the door.  She opened her bag and took out her ticket. She stepped onto the bus where John took her ticket,  I will give you a shout when we get there."
"Thanks, just in case I miss the stop."
She took a seat near the front, she felt really tired what the early departure of the flight and her inability to sleep last  night .  The other half of the cookie was calling her so she obeyed and ate it while sipping on her drink. The bus had a few passengers, would any of them be going to the same place as her.

Hopefully there would  be someone that she could talk to.  It would be nice to have someone to chat to and have fun with.  Esther was her travel buddy and she really  missed her. Stop it Charlotte there will be plenty of people to talk to.  She took out her phone and saw a text message from Esther wishing her a happy holiday and telling her to have fun.  She smiled at the message and it made her feel so much better.

The heat of the bus and her lack of sleep the night before made her feel sleepy. She tried to resist and stay awake but not even the words of her novel could help.  She closed her eyes for a minute and quickly fell asleep. The bus continued on its journey passing through many small towns and villages. 

It passed through the scenic town of Ennistymon with its stunning falls. This was a popular location for wedding receptions with the falls being a beautiful backdrop for photos.
They arrived at Charlotte's destination  at 4 o'clock clock however she missed their arrival as she was fast asleep. John the diligent bus driver announced "to the lady from England, we have arrived" Charlotte woke from  her sleep when she heard his voice. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes and saw the sign which said "Welcome to Lisdoonvara the home of  The Matchmaking Festival 2019 kindly sponsored by the Matchmaker Bar."