Contents
Aoife — Chapter 28
Overview
Aoife oversees the guests’ arrival, noting their glamour and nerves. She meets the groom’s parents, is put off by the father’s disciplinarian presence, and learns he’s a headmaster to many attendees. After coordinating with Mattie, Aoife recognizes a storm building offshore, foreshadowing trouble for the wedding night.
Summary
Aoife greets waves of guests disembarking onto Inis an Amplóra, maintaining professional composure while noting seasick arrivals and the extravagant attire expected for a celebrity wedding. She reflects on her childhood fearlessness of the sea, contrasting it with her current caution.
A smart, reserved woman and her formidable husband arrive, and Aoife recognizes them as the groom’s parents. The groom’s father crushes her hand with a strong handshake and immediately demands front-row seats. He reveals he is a headmaster from Trevellyan’s, recognizing many guests as former pupils and boasting of his disciplinarian reputation, which unsettles Aoife.
After settling them, Aoife thanks Mattie for the smooth ferrying of guests and discusses the couple’s discounted booking, valuable for publicity. Mattie cautions that although the morning was easy sailing, the weather will turn severe.
Following Mattie’s pointing gesture, Aoife sees a dark stain on the horizon. She accepts his seaman’s judgment: a major storm is brewing and will likely hit that evening, casting a shadow over the celebrations to come.
Who Appears
- AoifeWedding planner hosting arrivals; unsettled by the groom’s father; recognizes a storm approaching after Mattie’s warning.
- Groom’s fatherImposing Trevellyan’s headmaster; demands prominence; proud disciplinarian presence that intimidates former pupils and Aoife.
- Groom’s motherQuiet, self-effacing presence; physically resembles the groom; arrives with her husband and keeps to the background.
- MattieBoat captain who ferries guests; warns Aoife about a severe storm brewing offshore.