The food was so fresh and delicious Zoe ate more than she thought possible. Just as she finished, the back door opened and a younger girl came in.

“You must be the girlfriend.” The girl looked at Zoe and then to Declan. “Reporters are on the front step again Dec. Mrs. Haggarty wants to know if she should take care of them.”

Declan jumped up, his face white. “No, not again.” He ran off, leaving Zoe to look at the girl who had grabbed a rasher from the table.

“Last time reporters came, Mrs. Haggarty threw water at them from her upstairs window. Only she used a commode and they thought it was—”

“Caitlin Malone, don’t use vulgar language in my house,” Declan’s dad scolded.

“I wasn’t, Da. I was just explaining.”

“I am sure Zoe knows what you meant.”

Zoe wanted to laugh, but didn’t think it was appropriate.

“I didn’t think you and Mrs. Haggarty were friendly?” she said.

“Oh, ignore what you heard earlier. That’s just our way.” Patricia chewed on a mouthful of food. “Our neighbors have hearts of gold. That’s why we still live here. Dec and his brothers wanted to buy us a big house somewhere posh, but I wanted to stay with what I know. Those rich people look down on us.”

“Why?” Zoe asked, genuinely surprised anyone could dismiss people as nice as the Malones.

“I guess you wouldn’t have heard of the whole North/South thing that happened in Dublin. If you speak like we do, then you couldn’t possibly live in certain areas.”

“That seems unfair.”

“True, but given what I have read in the papers, isn’t it the same in America?”

“I don’t know. I never came across it,” Zoe said.

“Even in Hollywood?”

Zoe knew what Declan’s mother meant. She wasn’t exactly subtle.

“That’s a bit different. I mean, those people aren’t living real lives. They have more money than most of the USA put together,” Zoe said.

“Still, we are all people underneath, aren’t we?” Declan’s mom asked as she moved around the room.

“What are you going to do while you’re here, Zoe?” Caitlin asked.

“I don’t know, really. Dominic wants to go to Tayto park. Declan said he would take him on the roller coaster there.”

“Cool. I’ll go with you,” Caitlin said.

“Declan will have to show you the sights. There’s the Guinness factory and the crypt on Thomas Street and the Book of Kells at Trinity.”

“Will you be quiet woman, and leave the girl alone. I guess she’d like to put her head down in a real bed. Would you love?”

“Yes please, Mr. Malone. I’m very tired.”

“I’m not. I want to see Ireland,” Dominic piped up.

“Sure you can stay here if your sister says it’s okay. Caitlin will look after you.”

“But Mam…”

“Don’t you ‘but Mam’ me. We have guests.”

“Yes Mam.”

“That okay, Zoe?” Dom asked.

“Yes but be good, okay? Don’t give Caitlin any trouble.”

“I won’t. So where are we going? To Tayto park?”

“Nah that’s miles away. Come on, we can go into town. I can show you the bullet holes in the General post office.”

Zoe smiled at Declan’s sister. The sixteen year old probably had better things to do but she was obviously trying to make Dominic feel comfortable.

“Cool.”

The door banged after them. Zoe sat in silence for a few minutes before Declan’s mother spoke again.

“Zoe I’m sorry if I came across a little heavy earlier. We are just thrilled Declan has found someone. He was very lonely over there in the US. It’s an awful big place to be on your own.”

“Please don’t apologize, you’ve been very welcoming.” Zoe hoped that sounded neutral. She didn’t want to build up his mom’s hopes.

Declan came in after about half an hour. “I promised them a story in a week if they left us alone in the meantime.”

“That worked?” Declan’s mother asked, her tone matching the look of disbelief on her face.

“Well, it could have been the 200 euros I gave them to have a round of drinks on me.”

“The demon drink. Works every time.” Declan’s dad stood up. “Come on then, sleeping beauty. Let me drive you to your hotel.”

“Dad you sit down, I’ll drive her.”

“No lad, you spend a little while with your mam. She’s missed you. I’d like to get to know Zoe a little better.”

Zoe’s heart beat faster. Would his dad grill her about her intentions? Did he think she was a gold digger?

“Don’t look so worried, pet. I’m only giving you a lift, not the third degree. Declan’s a big boy. He can look after himself.”

Relieved, Zoe smiled. Putting her purse under her arm, she thanked the Malones again.

“I’ll see you later gorgeous,” Declan said, brushing his lips against hers despite his parent’s presence.

She ducked and ran to the car. This time none of the neighbors commented but just waved a greeting to Declan’s dad.

“All getting a bit much for you, isn’t it?” Dave asked her. “I mean, it can’t be easy dating a film star and then coming to a new country. It’s a wonder you know whether you’re coming or going.”

“Does everyone talk in long sentences in Ireland?” Zoe said without thinking. Thankfully he laughed, rather than taking offense.

“Yes, I guess they do. Give us a chance love. I think you might like it here.”

“I’m sure I will. You have a lovely family.”

“I am lucky and know it. Luckier than you, by the sound of things. I am so sorry you were left to be a ma at such a young age. You’ve done a great job from what I can see.”

“Thank you.”

“What? You have a funny look in your eyes. Want to talk about it?” Dave looked at her closely. “Maybe after you sleep and get settled in, I can take you fishing. It’s a great way to give your mind some space to think.”

“I’ve never been fishing,” Zoe said.

“Everyone needs to try fishing. If we all did it and learned to keep our gobs shut, the world would be a much easier place. Right lass, you get yourself to bed. Your suite is booked under your own name. Declan didn’t want to bring attention to you.”

“Thank you, Mr. Malone.”

“Call me Dave. I still think of my da when people say Mr. Malone. God rest him.”

“Thank you Dave.”

Zoe left the car, walked to reception to check in and was in her bed fifteen minutes later. She was exhausted.