Hot Property

by Susanne O’Leary

  “Of course not. I’d love to have them. Much prettier to look at than the scruffy old sheep anyway.”

  Diana smiled. “Absolutely, old girl. But they’re my most valuable brood mares, so I needed a very sheltered spot for them.”

  “Great. Looking forward to seeing them.”

  Diana put her hands in her pockets and looked at Megan as if noticing her for the first time. “You’re the image of your uncle. Handsome man, if a little girly in his looks. But on a woman, they sit perfectly.”

  “Thank you.”

  “So, you’re doing up the house, then?”

  Megan nodded and laughed. “Yes. For my sins. It gobbles up money, though.”

  “Yes. It would. Tough choice. Whether to sell it or not, I mean. Glad you’re not. There’ve been O’Farrells in this area since time began, or for the past eight hundred years, anyway. The Connolly-Smiths are blow-ins compared to them. Only arrived here two hundred years ago. And our house is Victorian. Practically a new-build.”

  Megan smiled. “Yes, my house must be older than that. I think it was built at the beginning of the eighteenth century. But why don’t you sit down? I’ll make some tea.”

  Diana shook her head. “Thanks, pet, but I must get back. We’re branding the calves today, so we need all hands on deck.” She moved closer and touched Megan’s arm. “I don’t know if… well, I should tell you… if you’re digging around in the house…”

  Intrigued, Megan looked at Diana. “Yes?”

  “Well, this will sound like complete nonsense. But I have reason to believe there’s some sort of treasure hidden somewhere in the house.” Diana looked around and lowered her voice. “Your Aunt Molly was friendly with my grandmother. She was from a Catholic family, and she and Molly were related. Unusual at the time for a Catholic girl to marry into a Protestant family.”

  “Yes,” Megan agreed. “It must have caused a bit of a stir.”

  “You’re right. It did. But anyway, that’s beside the point. What I want to tell you is that Molly told Granny she found a box in the attic containing some jewellery. Old pieces from the time the house was built. Nothing big like a tiara or anything but family pieces. The O’Farrells were quite well off at the time. And one of the brides received a trousseau of some sort. I think there was a gold necklace and a Claddagh ring with a ruby in the middle of the heart.”

  Megan stared at Diana. “Really? But Claddagh rings are quite common.”

  “Normally, yes. But this one was an old ring made in Galway in the eighteenth century. One of the O’Farrell wives came from there. This one would be of great value.”

  “Wow. What did Molly do with them?”

  Diana shrugged. “I don’t know. She told Granny she would hide it away and make sure the Quinns got it. But then she died without making a will, and Pat got the lot. It was his anyway, of course.”

  “Yes. I suppose. But I doubt there’s anything like that in the house. I’ve been all over it.”

  “She probably did sell it,” Diana said, moving away. “Thought I’d tell you just in case, though.”

  “Of course. Thank you.”

  Diana winked. “Just between you and me, of course. But do be careful.”

  “How do you mean? Careful of what?”

  “Oh,” Diana said airily. “You never know who might be watching you.”

  ***

  “What did she mean?” Megan panted as she struggled to keep up with Paudie’s giant strides up the mountainside. “Who might be watching me?

  “Who knows? Diana’s a bit of an eccentric at times. Heart of gold though.”

  “She was very nice. Hang on a minute.”

  Paudie stopped. “What’s wrong?”

  Megan looked up at his tall frame, silhouetted against the blue sky. He looked powerful there, at one with the steep green slopes of the mountains, the breathtaking views of the ocean and the cool clean breeze ruffling his black hair. “I need to catch my breath for a minute. We’re not all mountain goats, you know.”

  Paudie laughed. “Thought you said you were fit?”

  “Yes, I am. But not as fit as you, obviously.” Megan looked down the narrow path winding up from the valley. “We’ve come quite a long way. And this is one hell of a steep slope.”

  Paudie scanned the incline above them. “We can rest up there, at the rocks. It’s pretty sheltered, and we can have our lunch and take a break.”

  “About time.” Megan wiped her forehead with the sleeve of her tee-shirt. “Have you spotted any of your sheep yet?”

  “No. They usually go much higher in the summer.” He pointed at the steep slope above. “See those white dots up there?”

  Megan squinted in the bright light. “You mean those little fluffy things? Are they your sheep?”

  “I don’t know. Can’t tell until I’m closer. Mine have a blue patch on the back. It’s quite a small flock, though. Come on, let’s get to that rock. I can tell you need a rest.”

  Megan was relieved when they reached the rock. The flat surface made an ideal resting place. She eased off her new walking boots, took off her socks and wiggled her toes. She bit into the sandwich Paudie handed her. “Yummy. Sausage sandwich. I used to make them in college.” She lay back on the rock and closed her eyes. “Best part of the walk.”

  “If you hadn’t decided to break in your new walking boots today, you’d be more comfortable.”

  Megan sat up and rubbed her feet. “What choice did I have? I never owned a pair of walking boots before.”

  Paudie handed her a bottle of water. “Didn’t know you were such a townie. Walking is the best exercise there is.”

  “Especially here.” Megan looked at the view while she drank. “Thanks for bringing lunch. I wouldn’t be able to carry anything up these steep paths. What else do you have in that rucksack?”

  “Nothing much. Just the food and water and some raingear. Brought a jacket for you too. Didn’t think you’d have the brains to think of that.”

  “You know me so well already.”

  Paudie picked up his binoculars. “You’re easy to read.” He scanned the mountainside. “Good. I can see them, right up there, by the ridge. Oh, and look! An eagle.”

  Megan sat up. “What? Really? Didn’t know there were any here.”

  “They released about half a dozen into the wild a few years ago. Some died of poisoning but a couple survived and are breeding. This one’s big. Must be the male. Want to see it?”

  “Yes, of course. Stop hogging the binoculars.” Megan went to sit beside Paudie.

  He gave her the binoculars. “Over there, right above the ridge.”

  She lifted the binoculars to her eyes. But all she could see was blue sky. “Where? I can’t see him. He must be gone.”

  Paudie put both his arms around her and took the binoculars. He held them to her eyes and guided her slowly to the right angle. “There. Hold still. Look.”

  Then she saw it. The eagle. Black, with a lighter head. With his huge wingspan, the eagle hovered over the edge of the mountain, turning his head to one side, then the other, scanning the valley. He stayed there, completely still, until he flapped his wings and glided away across the sky. Circled by Paudie’s arms, Megan watched the eagle until it was only a black speck.

  She turned to him. “How beautiful. Such a privilege to see it. Aren’t we lucky?”

  Paudie looked at Megan without replying. They were so close, she could feel his warm breath on her face and smell the soap he used. “Yes,” he said quietly. “We’re very lucky indeed.”

  With a surge of affection, Megan kissed him on the cheek. “Thanks for bringing me. I know I’m a pain and I slow you down.”

  Paudie put his binoculars into the rucksack. “You’re not a pain. And I have the time. Better to walk slowly on such a grand day.”

  She inched away on the rock, sensing his discomfort. What just happened? Is there…? She shook her head. No. We’re just friends. I’m getting so close to Dan. But…

&nb
sp; “What are you sitting there shaking your head and muttering to yourself about?” Paudie teased. “You look like an auld woman doing some kind of witching spell.”

  Megan laughed. She got to her feet and brushed off the seat of her jeans. “That’s right. I put a curse on you.”

  “Thought so. Or maybe you were wishing I’m Dan Nolan?”

  “Of course not. Anyway, he’s busy today. Had to spend the day in court, he said.”

  “Rather him than me. Reminds me why I prefer farming to an office job, despite the hard work.”

  Megan laughed and looked up at the sky. “Oh, yes. Couldn’t think of a better place to be on such a day. Especially when I had the day off and they’re installing the septic tank. So your invitation came at the right moment.”

  “Glad you could come.” Paudie stood up and hitched up his rucksack. “Enough slacking. We have to get up a little higher before it starts to rain.”

  “Rain? Where?”

  “There.” He pointed westward, where dark clouds gathered. “It’ll be coming here in about twenty minutes.”

  “We’d better get going, then.” Megan looked around. “But where’s Denis? He was here just a minute ago. I thought he’d be begging for my sandwich.”

  “You’re right. Don’t know where he got to. Here, Denis!” Paudie called. “Come here, you fool!”

  His call was answered by a howl, followed by a whimpering.

  Paudie looked around. “What was that? Sounds like he’s in trouble.”

  “It’s coming from over there.” Megan pointed above them. “Behind that rock. Sounds like he’s hurt.”

  They scrambled up to the rock. The whimpering was stronger now, more pitiful. Megan turned the corner and saw Denis trying to pull his front leg out of a metal contraption.

  “Oh, fuck.” Paudie got on his knees. “He’s stuck in a trap. Look, his leg is torn to shreds.” Paudie pulled at the trap. Denis howled and tried to bite him. “Megan, hold him while I get his leg out,” Paudie ordered.

  Megan fell onto her knees. Avoiding Denis’ snapping teeth, she managed to hold his head away from Paudie while he opened the trap and pulled it off the dog’s leg.

  “There,” Paudie sighed. “It’s off.”

  “Thank God. You’ve strong hands.” Megan let go of Denis who whimpering and crying, started to lick Paudie’s face. “Look, he’s saying thank you.”

  Paudie pushed the dog away and examined the leg that was bleeding profusely. “We have to stop the bleeding.” He pulled off his shirt and started to rip strips off it. “This will do.” He wrapped the strips tightly around Denis’ leg. “I’ll have to carry him down and then get to the vet. Can you take the rucksack, Megan?”

  They slowly made their way down the mountainside. It was steep in parts, and Megan had to look away from the sheer drop at one side of the path. Paudie, with Denis slung across his bare shoulders, walked swiftly ahead. The dark clouds rolled in over them. It started to rain.

  “Do you want your jacket?” Megan called.

  “No, we have to keep walking. Can’t stop now.”

  The rain quickly changed from steady drizzle to torrential downpour. Megan stopped and pulled the jackets out of the rucksack. She ran ahead, caught up with Paudie and draped one of the anoraks across the dog and Paudie’s naked shoulders. “There. Should keep some of it off you.”

  He stopped briefly and turned around. “Thanks.” His eyes scanned her wet body. “Put one on yourself. You’re drenched.”

  Megan looked down. Noticing her tee-shirt clinging to her breasts, she quickly threw on the jacket. “Won’t do much good.”

  “Better than nothing.” He started walking again, increasing his speed when they reached the foot of the mountain.

  When they were on the flat, they half ran the last half mile to Paudie’s house. Once inside, he threw Megan a towel. “Here, go and have a hot shower while I see to the dog.”

  She caught the towel. “Thanks.” She headed for the bathroom, the hot water like a mirage in her mind. But before she got there, a ringing noise from the kitchen stopped her. My phone. Shit. Shivering, she turned around and went to answer it.

  “Hello?”

  “Miss O’Farrell?”

  “Yes?”

  “Declan Murphy here. Septic tank. We’ve nearly finished.”

  “Oh, great.”

  He paused. “But we found something.”

  “A problem?”

  “No,” he said. “It’s something else.”

  Irritated, Megan peeled her wet tee-shirt away from her body. “Yes? What? Come on, tell me.”

  “You better come down here and see for yourself.”

  Chapter 10

  “What could it be?”

  “Uh, a dead body?” Paudie said darkly.

  “Very funny. Of course it isn’t. They’d have called the cops if that was the case.”

  Paudie wiggled his eyebrows. “Well, you never know what lurks beneath old houses.”

  “Stop it, Paudie, there’s nothing like that there. But I wonder what it could be?”

  “The only way to find out is to go down there and see.”

  “Of course.” Megan grabbed the plastic bag with her wet clothes. “I’m going now.”

  “Sure you’re warm enough?”

  Megan laughed and hitched up the baggy trousers. “Warm? Yes. Fashionable? No. But you never know. Old corduroys held up by binder twine and a scratchy sweatshirt might be the latest rage very soon.”

  “If you keep wearing it around town, I wouldn’t be surprised.” Paudie drained his cup and put it on the kitchen table. “I’m taking Denis to the vet. Sure you’ll be okay?”

  “Of course. You must get him seen to. He probably needs an antibiotic.” Megan patted Denis in his basket by the stove. “You’ll be all right.” The dog lifted his head and whimpered. He licked her hand and put his head on his paws with a long sigh.

  “He’ll milk this for all it’s got,” Paudie said. “We’ll have a martyr on our hands, just you see.”

  “Why not? He had a terrible shock, poor fellow.”

  “Yes, but he’ll live.” Paudie put on his jacket. “Let me know what they found at your house when you get there.”

  “Of course. I’ll call you. Got to get down there now to see if they’ve finished. And then the plumber is coming tomorrow to rip everything apart. That job will take most of this week.”

  “Are you staying with Beata while they’re doing it?”

  Megan stopped on her way to the door. “No. Why?”

  “You can’t stay in your house while they’re ripping up the pipes. Won’t be very comfortable.”

  “But I’ll be out all day working at Beata’s,” Megan argued.

  “Yes, but even spending the night will be hell. All doors open, floorboards taken up…” He glanced at Megan. “Why don’t you come and stay here? In my spare room, just for the few nights?”

  Megan hesitated. “Thanks. Okay, why not? I won’t make much noise and stay in my room.”

  “I’ll hold you to that,” Paudie laughed.

  ***

  It had stopped raining by the time Megan reached the house. A van and a small digger stood in front of the gate. She pulled in behind them, jumped out of the car, and ran around the house, hardly noticing the ragged lawn was now like a ploughed field, the green grass replaced by piles of black earth. She bumped into a man coming out of the shed. Declan Murphy, the septic tank man.

  She stopped. “Hi. Sorry. I was in such a rush.”

  He nodded. “Evening. We’re just about finished. We’ll just close up some of the holes.”

  “Okay,” Megan panted. “Fine. Great. But what about that thing you found? What is it? Is it serious?”

  He laughed. “No, don’t worry. It was just something we came across when we dug beside the shed. But let me show you what we’ve done first.” He walked toward the fence at the side. “The tank is here. And the inspection hole right beside it. You have great perc
olation here. So from an environmental point of view, it’s much better than the old one.”

  Megan nodded. “Oh. That’s good.”

  “Yup. Sorry about the garden, but all you have to do is rake it over and throw some grass seed on it, and it’ll come up in no time.”

  “Great.”

  “I’ll get my mate to give me a hand, and then we’ll be gone in about half an hour. I’ll send you the invoice in a couple of days.”

  “Thanks.”

  “We put the stuff we found on the kitchen table. And thanks for the tea and sandwiches you left us.”

  “You’re welcome.” Megan hitched up her trousers and walked into the kitchen, where she found a parcel wrapped in dirty newspaper on the table. After peeling off many layers, she discovered what was inside. A leather pouch with the letter M in faded gold. With shaking hands, she opened the pouch. Inside were two small wooden boxes. She opened the first one. Her breath caught in her throat. A necklace. Gold filigree studded with semi-precious stones, black with age. It would be beautiful, once cleaned up. She put it back in the box and opened the smaller one.

  Although sure of what she would find, she nevertheless felt a mounting excitement as she caught sight of the content. A gold ring with two hands holding a heart wearing a crown. The O’Farrell Claddagh ring. Ignoring the dirt, she slipped it on her finger. It fit perfectly.

  ***

  “What’s a Claddagh ring?” Beata asked. “I’ve seen them, but I never knew the significance of them. I love the design of the two hands around the heart. But why is the heart wearing a crown?”

  Megan studied the ring. Now cleaned, it looked beautiful on the third finger of her right hand. The heart had a small ruby, and the crown was outlined with tiny diamonds. She had cleaned it with soap and water under the tap and carefully brushed the diamonds with her toothbrush until they sparkled. “I think it’s to do with the saying ‘let love and friendship reign’,” she said.

  “Yes. Makes sense.” Beata looked at the ring. “It’s lovely. Never seen such a beautiful one. Not like the crappy ones they sell in tourist shops.”

  “No. This is a very old one. Believed to have been made in Galway in the eighteenth century by someone called Joyce. He was the one who came up with the original design.” Megan took off the ring and handed it to Beata. “If you look inside, you’ll see a faded stamp with an anchor and the letters R and I. That’s the mark of a Joyce ring.”