Felicity’s Halloween in Killarney
A weekly series by Killarney Advertiser’s Jess Jukes

PREVIOUSLY: After a summer of adventure in Killarney, Felicity finds herself back in town again. Who knows what might happen

Week 39
Felicity smiled down at her phone as she sat in her seat on the Dublin – Tralee Intercity train.

Her Auntie Sheila had been messaging her once a week like clockwork since she left Killarney at the beginning of September. Now it was the Halloween break and she couldn’t wait to get back to Killarney.

“We are approaching Cill Airne, Killarney. Please ensure you take all personal belongings with you when you disembark the train. Thank you for travelling with Iarnód Éireann.”

Felicity stood, taking her suitcase down from the overhead baggage area and grabbing her backpack. She had downsized greatly since her last visit. She waited impatiently for the train to draw into the station, scrolling through her texts with Auntie Sheila and Jack. Jack had offered to take her on a “haunted stories” tour around the area, dropping in on places of local legend.

Felicity walked off of the train onto the cold platform, unsurprised to see Jack and Auntie Sheila waiting for her. She met their eyes and smiled. She was home.

Back in Town
The regular chaos started as soon as they sat in Auntie Sheila’s car. “Socks managed to knock the side table over in the living room,” she said with a sigh. “So we’re going to take a quick pitstop at Corcoran’s so I can have a look for one if you don’t mind.”

Felicity laughed. “How did he manage that?”

“I imagine he saw some sort of light he didn’t like, and launched himself at it. I came down the stairs only to find him batting at the air with a broken table leg beside him.”

It certainly did sound like something Socks would do.

It wasn’t long before Auntie Sheila parked and they all piled out of the car and into Corcoran's. There were so many things to see.

Whilst Auntie Sheila went looking for her replacement table Felicity was eyeing up some of the curtains on display. She spotted a lovely looking pair of light green ones. She’s have to make a return trip later on. In the end, Auntie Sheila chose a nice small piece that complemented the other wood tones in the living room.

Auntie Sheila loaded her purchase into the boot and drove down to the High Street car park. From there they walked down through town to see the beginnings of the Halloween season preparations. “We’ll go to O’Donoghue’s for dinner,” Auntie Sheila said. “I’ve my eye on their shepherd’s pie.”

Her excellent taste was validated yet again. After a gorgeous meal and brilliant desserts the trio meandered back through town to the car, window-shopping as they went. There were all sorts of decorations in the shopfronts now, from skeletons, to spiderwebs, to eyeballs in jars.

Felicity pointed out bunting running across some of the smaller side streets. “I wonder who organises it all,” she said.

Jack sighed. “My mom is involved in Tidy Towns. She likes getting involved in all of the decorating and events that go on around town throughout the year.”

Auntie Sheila perked up. “Oh I haven’t seen Mary in ages. Tell her to call over one day for a cup of tea. It would be lovely to catch up.”

Jack grimaced. “Lovely as that may be, but I’ve been roped into a litter picking tomorrow morning.”

Felicity perked up. “Oo, can I come with you? I’ve no plans tomorrow.” He laughed and told her as long as she didn’t mind hi-vis then his mom would be delighted to have more volunteers.

Auntie Sheila and Felicity drop Jack home, and take the familiar road down to Hedgerow Place. It feels like it was only yesterday that she was travelling down this street for the first time, where it had all started with the ice cream truck.

They pulled into the drive and unloaded all of their spoils from Corcoran’s. The table fit perfectly where Auntie Sheila had said it would. Felicity dragged her luggage upstairs. She walked into what she now viewed as her room, delighted at the feeling that it was still hers.

She turned around as Auntie Sheila knocked on the door. “Can I come in? I got you a little something in while we were out.”

She revealed a pair of curtains from behind her back. They were light green black-out curtains. They were perfect.

“I noticed you looking at them and figured we might as well start making this place yours properly. Given the way things are going and all.” Felicity had no idea how she had managed to sneak them past her notice at the cashier, or while they were loading the car, but she wasn’t complaining. The curtains felt like her. She couldn’t wait to make the space feel even more like her own. “Thank you Auntie, I love them.”

Litter picking
The next day led Jack and Felicity to the statue of Monsignor O’Flaherty, the agreed meeting point of the Tidy Towns crew and volunteers that morning.

They stood in the misty, soft rain of the morning awaiting their task. They saw some volunteers get sent off to do litter picking, in the town and in the park as others were dispatched to source orange and black bunting and last year’s spooky décor. Finally Mary came to Jack and Felicity.

“You two, I need ye to go to Kenmare for me.” Kenmare? What?

“I thought we were going to be litter picking,” Jack asked.

Mary turned to him. “Your aunt Shelly has some of the decorations from last year, and I need them back. She has to look after your cousins so she’s not able to make the journey out. So I said I’d send you her way instead.”

Jack shrugged. “Fine I guess.” He turned to Felicity, “At least we’re not getting soaked in the rain, right?”