The Fall - Book 2

221. Maeve

JUNE 3, 2020  - ARMAGH, IRELAND - RÉA

"It smells so good in here," I comment as we step into Keegan's Restaurant.

Bucky and I checked out of the castle yesterday and made the less-than-an-hour trek to the outskirts of Loughgall. We arrived at our rental cottage, and as soon as I stepped out of the car, I had this feeling that I'd been here before...which, of course, I'd brushed off, because of the impossibility of it.

We'd settled in, and then headed into Loughgall proper, spending the rest of the day exploring before returning to the cottage for supper. Today, we'd decided to make the short drive into Armagh...arriving at lunchtime, because we'd spent the morning tangled in the sheets.

'I mean, it is our honeymoon,' I remind myself, a small, soft smile touching my lips.

Bucky and I are quickly seated; we wait until we've ordered our drinks to peruse the menu. Our server returns with our drinks: water for me, a Guinness for Bucky—because 'why not? I can't get drunk'—and takes our orders. We both opt for the steak sandwich with chips and side salad, though I also order a side of champ with mine. Once our server departs, we fall into easy conversation, which continues as our food is brought out and as we eat. I'm about halfway through my sandwich when I feel eyes on me.

I turn my head and notice a dark-haired woman—who looks to be a little older than Pepper—staring at us with dual expressions of recognition and puzzlement on her face.

"I think you're about to get an autograph request," I murmur to Bucky as I watch the woman stand and start toward us.

"Good afternoon," she says when she arrives at our table. "I apologise for the interruption...but when I saw you, I just had to come over. My name is Maeve, and I knew your parents."

Bucky and I exchange a confused look before I turn back to Maeve.

"My parents?"

She nods. "You are Treasa and Alatus's daughter, aren't you?"

I'm shocked—completely floored—and utterly speechless; all I can do is stare wide-eyed at her.

Her gaze darts to Bucky, who keeps his expression impassive, then returns to me. When she speaks again, her tone is apologetic.

"Oh goodness, you're not. I'm so sorry...it's just...you remind me of a dear friend of mine. You look so much like her, I just assumed tha—"

"Y-you...you knew m-my parents?" I manage to stammer.

"I did." Maeve is quiet for several beats. "It was so sad, what happened. We—our little friend group—think of you often, wondering if you're alright." She hesitates. "Of course, this is not the place for that discussion."

I'm numb with shock and don't know how to respond, so I simply nod. Maeve's eyes rove over my face, taking in my expression.

"Again, I apologise. I don't know what I was thinking, coming over here. I did not mean to upset you...I didn't think this through. I—"

"It's alright," Bucky says. "I know my wife has questions...I also know she's in shock at the moment." He pauses, and I can tell he's weighing his words. "We're staying at a rental about ten minutes away, in Loughgall. Why don't you come by this evening, and join us for dinner? Like I said, I know my wife has questions, and I know she's going to need a little bit of time to process this."

"A rental..." Maeve trails off. "It's not a cottage on Orchard Drive, is it?"

Bucky nods. "It is. You know it?"