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"What do you think I’ve been doing since Blarney Castle? I’uys out" He stu out at the street before pushing it open "They’ll be at the cathedral for et out of here Fast" He shot out onto the sidewalk, the door sla away fro to Rock of Cashel" Ian’s face fell in disappointe part of lasses up his nose "ActuallyI ht have a place better than Rock of Cashel It’s a little bit of a detour, but it’s close to Stradbally And if the ru to do with Titletrack"

"Really? What is it?" I asked

He s

I’ when I say "secret," pet This next stop is pure off-the-beaten-path gold An experience that you can stash in your carry-on and pull out when the jerk in 23A starts bragging about all the under-the-radar local places he visited on his trip (Not that you asked)

In general I’m all for the wander-till-you-find-it oing to cut it Not when there’s e to a T, then meet back here

You make it? I knew you would Such a capable duck

Now, before you start slogging your way through that unassu to lay out a few ground rules Fairy Etiquette 101 And I don’t want to sound too dramatic, but your compliance or failure to follow these rules may alter your entire destiny

So, you know Comply

Rule 1 Tread carefully

Fairies need a place to dance their fairy dances and hold their fairy tea parties And if they’re Irish fairies, well, then they also need a place to plot the certain demise of anyone who has ever so much as looked at them cross-eyed Which leads me to my next rule

Rule 2 Don’t make the fairiesjust the teensiest bit vindictive Like steal-your-baby, burn-your-barn-down vindictive Irish fairies don’t ently, don’t tread on the flowers, and do your best to entertain only the kindest of thoughts

Rule 3 Leave the fairies a gift

I would suggest so tiny as well as either beautiful or delicious Coins, honey, thihbor’s firstbornall excellent choices

Rule 4 Make a wish

Showing up to a fairy’s hoh dance and refusing to do the Electric Slide Not only is it unprecedented, but it’s also rude Also, be aware that real-life fairies act less as dreaure out what it is your heart truly wants and then nudging you all along the way toward it So listen closely, pet Youthat surprises you

HEARTACHE HOMEWORK: Fill in your wish here I promise not to look

--Excerpt from Ireland for the Heartbroken: An Unconventional Guide to the Emerald Isle, third edition

CLOVER’S ENGINE WAS COOL AS aa bit er We’d sprinted for the mechanic shop, pooled our money to pay for the repairs, then torn out of Cobh likerun We’d been in such a rush that I’d even skipped the I told you it was the radiator gloat speech I’d mentally prepared for Connor

After Walt run-in nu out was ht to my final sliver of hope Maybe he wouldn’t tell But Walt had been on the verge of spontaneous combustion--anyone could see that Every time a vehicle pulled onto the road behind us, I spun around, expecting to see Aunt Mel’s tour bus bearing down on us, my infuriated mom in the driver’s seat