Under the July Sun (4 page)

He didn't want to think about it and pushed the worries away replacing them with other thoughts of more immediate concern. Should he begin planting lettuces now or should they use the space for something more profitable?

An hour later Ned called to Cat and she looked up, her hand shielding her eyes from the sun. He saw in the shimmering air, a vision of Maeve as she had been thirty years ago: young, pretty - and full of fire. Not young and pretty any more, he thought, but still full of fire!

Cat began walking towards him, smiling. Then, as though sharing a single thought, they both tore off their boots and rushed laughing to the river's edge where they sat down and thrust their bone-white feet into the rippling river while the summer sun scorched their backs.

‘Ye know, when I was a boy I used to sit in this very spot with me feet in the water. There's nuttin' like the feel of it is there?'

‘Mmm.'

‘Yer mother an' me used to walk along this bank when we were courtin'. Did I ever tell ye that?'

‘Maybe, but I don't remember. G'w'on tell me about it.'

‘We had to be chaperoned in those days and I remember once, yer mother showed her ankle in my presence as she twisted her foot on a stone. Ye should have seen the chaperone's face, old Nell Callaghan 'twas. Like she'd swallowed a cup of vinegar!'

He became silent thinking that here he was now with Cat, sharing the joy of working in this blissful place where he felt they had been hewn from the very rocks of the overlooking mountain - Slievenamon. Then after a while he picked up the story again.

‘'Twas an arranged marriage, so to speak. Me da asked for a marriage dowry of fifty pounds, but yer granddad couldn't meet the figure, so she was turned down.' He stopped talking and Cat looked at him.

‘So what happened then?'

‘Well, one day yer grandad met yer mother in town. He saw her comin' toward him in Main Street, but she was so humiliated 'cos she'd been turned down, she couldn't look at him.'

‘Poor Mummy.'

‘Yer granddad felt sorry for her then, so as she passed by he mentioned that he'd lower the price and take twenty pounds. Then, just like a little child, she looked at him and he could see she was delighted, and she just ran all the way down Main Street as though the Banshee was after her.'

Ned became quiet for a while before continuing. ‘How times have changed. I'm glad ye will never have to offer up a dowry, 'Tis all so old-fashioned now. I couldn't bear the thought of any of me daughters bein' bought and sold like cows at market. I'd rather ye all remained spinsters. And if ye don't want Paddy Hogan, for whatever reason, then I'll back ye all the way.'

He lay back watching the blueness above as swallows swooped and soared in concert directed by an invisible conductor. They flew in unison, their little bodies silhouetted black against blue.

Ned thought he would go and see the English Captain. He'd offer the hand of friendship to him just to show that there were decent Irish people who did not resent the presence of English soldiers or condone violence.

Suddenly he felt hungry, pulled his watch from his pocket, flipped open the small silver door.

'Dinner time,' he said, and helped Cat to her feet.

Stepping carefully over the discarded sallies, which lay in the bleaching sun, they picked their way across the crackling osier beds
⁴
. Then Ned stopped, took out his handkerchief and, wiping sweat from his forehead, turned to Cat. 'After dinner, we'll go on into town; I want to visit the English Captain.'

‘His name's Louis,' she said and looked away.

'Is it indeed?' Ned said looking at her. ‘G'w'on now, I'll just have a smoke and follow ye in a while.'

He lit the cigarette and watched her walk the well-worn pathway that led to Monroe. She looked back briefly at him and then disappeared from view leaving him staring into the void her departures always left.

The hotel bar was full. Ned suggested to Cat they should go in through a side door to Reception. When they entered, his sister Nellie O'Connell was sorting out bills; she smiled and moved out from behind the counter to place an arm around Cat's shoulder.

‘How're ye now pet?'

'I'm fine Auntie thanks, just gettin' over the wobbly feelin', and me ears have stopped ringin' now, thanks be to God.'

‘Thanks be to God,' Nellie said and turned to Ned. 'And what brings ye here this time of day? Is it thirst?'

'No, not entirely. Though I could be persuaded in a minute if that husband of yers can find time to serve us. Jesus, 'tis busy!' He walked a few paces to the entrance of the public bar, craned his neck above the crowd, and saw Mick O'Connell was busy serving. Mick looked up and nodded to Ned, who then ambled back to Nellie and Cat.

‘We've come to see the English soldier, Captain Ross if he's about, Nellie.'

‘He's in his room. Will I call him down?'

'Yes, do that will ye? We'll wait in the snug at the end; there's no space in the bar.'

They forced their way through the crowded bar to the far end, opened the door and squeezed inside.

Ned took off his cap and dropped it on a chair. ‘Phew, 'tis worse than bein' at a match. Sit yerself down now Cat. Take the little leather armchair, 'tis more comfortable than the others. I'll stand here by the hatch so's I can see the Captain comin'.'

He opened the window that overlooked the bar and leaned on the sill until he spotted Nellie pointing the Captain in their direction. Ned watched him battle his way through the crowd and, satisfied he knew where to find them, closed the window.

‘I see him comin' Cat, he's not lookin' so good. Still, maybe he'll look better after a couple of pints.'

Her stomach did a funny little somersault as Louis came through the door and smiled at them.

'Hello, this is a nice surprise,' he said shaking Ned's hand, 'and Miss Delaney. I'm so glad to see you again under better circumstances. Can I buy you both a drink?'

‘The drinks are on me Captain, and Ned's the name. What'll it be – porter?'
⁵

'Well, thank you very much. I'll get the next round, Ned. By the way,' he said smiling, ‘call me Louis.'

Ned turned to his daughter, ‘Cat, what'll ye have?'

‘Just a fruit cordial please, Dada.' The timbre of her voice sounded constrained and high pitched, and she immediately felt annoyed with herself for sounding nervous when she would like to have appeared nonchalant. She took deep breaths to calm herself while Ned bent down to look through the hatch trying to attract Mick's attention, but he was still busy serving down the far end of the bar.

‘Ach! We'll wait all day 'til he sees me,' he said and straightened up too soon so bumped his head on the window-frame. ‘Oh
feck
it! I'll go out into the bar. I won't be long now,' he said rubbing his head and lumbering towards the snug door.

Cat wished her dad had not uttered such profanity in front of Louis, though if he was shocked, she thought, he covered it up well because she had seen no sign of him flinching at her father's language.

‘Shall I come with you, Ned?' the Captain called after him.

‘No, 'twon't be necessary, I'll not be long. Make yerself comfortable and have a chat to me daughter.'

Louis sat down as Cat tried pulling her lace gloves off, but she was having difficulty as they were sticking to her fingers in the heat. Aware he was looking at her, she looked up and felt the same frisson inside her as when they had met last week. Out of modesty, she dropped her eyes and continued struggling with the gloves.

‘Here, let me help you,' he said kneeling before her; and he began gently pulling on the tips of each lacy finger. She found his nearness uncomfortable, yet exciting! He was so close - she could even smell coal-tar soap on his skin.

While he was busy with her gloves, Cat studied the top of his head. His hair was the colour of deep mahogany under the shaft of light from the window and when he looked up at her, having released the gloves from her fingers, she saw that his eyes were not just dark brown as she had first thought but had little flecks of green in the irises.

Excitement rippled through her but was quickly followed by shame at the sight of her bare hands. She plunged her fists, rough from working on the land, quickly into her jacket pockets and sat further back in the armchair.

He rose and returned to his chair and chatted in a very relaxed manner waiting for Ned.

Mick O'Connell was serving, so Ned waited. Looking round the crowded bar he saw his cousin Brendan, a Royal Irish Constabulary
⁶
officer in Fethard, standing just inside the door. When Brendan saw him, he gestured for Ned to buy him a drink, raising an imaginary glass to his lips. Ned grinned and pressed through the crowd to speak to him.

'Ye already owe me one from last night, remember? I won the arm wrestle.'

Brendan pulled a few coins from his pocket indicating he had no money, so Ned grinned and battled through the men again to the bar. Mick took his order and began drawing a pint of porter.

As Mick pulled the pump, he raised an eyebrow and indicated with a sideways jerk of his head that Ned should listen to the conversation taking place to his right. Ned's eyes settled on Paddy Hogan's back.

Paddy shouted in a voice loud enough for Ned to hear above the crowd. ‘I just off-loaded that Delaney piece. She was turned in the head, so I'm glad to be rid of her.'

Ned tapped Paddy on the shoulder. Paddy turned and saw Ned, but was unprepared for the fist that smashed into the bridge of his nose with a loud crunch.

He staggered, sprawling into the crowd, knocking some of them off balance causing them to spill their drinks. His arms flailed wildly as he lost his footing and the men roared at him to be careful; but covered in porter with his nose oozing blood, he hit the floor and stared blankly up at Ned who leaned calmly on the bar staring down at him.

'Right now Paddy, maybe we'll tell all these people what really happened, and how ‘tis the other way round!'

Paddy remained on the floor saying nothing.
Ned was aware of a hush and addressed the onlookers. ‘Why so silent? Cat got your tongue, so to speak?'

The men shuffled in anticipation, eager to see what Ned would do next. ‘Well then, maybe I'll provide the information! 'Twas me daughter gave this heap of worthless pig-skin here the elbow.
She
doesn't want
him.
So Paddy, perhaps ye'll do the honour of confirmin' this so's we can get back to our porter.'

Paddy took out a hankie and wiped his nose. He didn't answer but just nodded agreement. Then Ned kicked his boot against Paddy's.

'Now then, what is it ye have to say to these people about me daughter?'

Paddy mumbled, 'Cat Delaney and I are finished.'

He kicked Paddy's boot again. ‘Still not good enough, Paddy. Try a little harder so's everyone can hear ye.'

'Cat Delaney threw me over.'

‘There, that's better isn't it? And now ye'll go to Heaven with all God's other children who learn to tell the truth. 'Tis not so hard now is it?'

Mick O'Connell learned over the bar. 'Paddy, I see ye've settled yer differences with Ned now. Shall I pour him a drink and put it on yer bill?' He grinned and put another glass of porter on the bar for Ned.

Disappointed the excitement was over, the onlookers began mumbling to each other and this soon turned into chatter until soon the familiar buzz of conversation was back.

As Paddy staggered to his feet, Mick held his hand out for money. Paddy paid him. But Mick hadn't finished with him. He began polishing a glass and as he did so, spoke to Paddy.

'Oh and by the way, didn't yer daddy ever tell ye that Ned here was our bare-fist champion before ye were born?
No
, I'm sure he didn't! Well, I thought I'd just tell ye like.' He giggled then put the glass down. ‘Now get outta here, I won't have ye blackenin' me niece's name, sure I won't!'

The men parted to allow Paddy through as Ned collected his drinks tray.

As he entered the snug, Ned noticed a shy smile on Cat's face and as he placed the tray on a table, he wondered whether she was throwing her hat at this man. It crossed his mind that maybe this was the reason she'd given Paddy the elbow. He passed the drinks to Louis and Cat.

'Sláinte,'
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Ned said raising his glass to Louis.

Louis raised his glass. ‘Cheers and good health.'

Cat settled back in the armchair sipping cordial, watching Louis. She noticed everything about him: his black eyelashes closing on his olive skin; the rich dark hair falling across his brow; the movement of his Adam's apple as he swallowed; his hands quivering slightly as he placed his glass on the table. She saw small cuts across his face, neck and hands where splinters of wood had caught him in the blast, and the brown healing scabs growing over them, which were slightly reddening in places.

The men chatted easily, and Cat studied Louis intently, until she became aware Ned was watching her. She gulped down her drink and jumped up. 'I have to be off now.'

'Why, where are ye off to?'

'Confession, Dada, are ye coming?'

‘But we've only just got here!'

‘I must be goin',' she gave a pleading look at Ned, ‘are are ye comin' Dada?'

‘Ye go on and I'll catch up with ye after. I want to speak to Louis here a little longer; we've hardly said a word.'

Cat turned to Louis. ‘Goodbye then, Louis. Nice seein' ye again. I'm glad ye're feelin' better now.'

He looked surprised, and shook her hand. ‘Goodbye, Cat. And thank you for coming.'