Chapter
Two
.oOo.
Frankie was so astonished she didn’t know what to say, so
she said nothing. That Vincent, who was so together and sure of himself, was an
alcoholic, was almost incomprehensible to her. Vincent felt sorry for her. She
had just told him what was obviously a traumatic story for her and then he
dropped this bomb on her.
“Frankie, say something! It can’t be any worse than what
I’ve already heard,” he said, hoping that he hadn’t said too much too soon.
“I just don’t know what to say! You are so capable and well
able for anything that you’d be the last person I would’ve pegged as an
alcoholic.” Another realisation dawned on her. “I mean, you own a pub for God’s
sake! That’s like me owning a cigarette factory or something! I am amazed!”
“You wouldn’t have thought that if you knew me two years
ago,” he said, trailing off a bit. He wondered if he should go into further
detail tonight. They’d have other opportunities to talk in the future.
“You know what Vincent,” she said, standing up. “This is not
a conversation we should continue to have over a kitchen table. Go on inside
and light the fire. I’m going to get changed, get some dinner ready and we are
going to have this out. You were kind enough to listen to me, it’s the least I
can do.”
Vincent looked at his watch and realised how late it was
getting. “Frankie, maybe we’ve talked enough for one night. We can do this
again some other time. I have to get back to Avril’s place and lock it up.
Thanks for offering to listen though. I would take you up on it, but-”
“We haven’t talked at all,” she interrupted, “I yattered on,
you listened! But if you have to get back I understand. Avril wouldn’t be too
pleased if her house sitter was out half the night. Promise me that we will
continue this and that you won’t leave it too long.”
“OK, it’s a promise. Don’t feel I’m avoiding this, I’ve had
someone to talk to and there’s an A.A. in Cilldargan I’ve gone to a few times.
But, when Avril gets back, I’ll be allowed out at night and we’ll arrange something.
She should be back on Sunday I think. The Cat is racing in
“Don’t talk to me about that goat. Remind me to tell you
what those two twits put on their accident report!” she laughed at the memory
of Dónal’s face.
“Good to see you laugh Frankie,” he said. “You haven’t had
the easiest time this week and I’m sorry you went through it alone.”
“It was good in a way, to go it alone,” she said, as she
showed him out. “But thanks for listening. I feel so much better now that
someone knows. At least those cigarettes in the drawer can’t thwart me
anymore.”
“It’s like drink Frankie, just because you don’t have it to
hand doesn’t mean there aren’t days where you’d give anything, just for one.
Remember who to call if you feel that way. Don’t hesitate.” He took her hand
and gave it a squeeze of support.
“I hope you know it works both ways,” she said, squeezing
back before she let go. “Safe home. By the way, did Avril’s cat Stumpy show up
yet?”
“How did you know it was missing?” he asked. “Avril left a
note for me reminding me to feed it if it showed up or to call Siobhan if it
was sick.”
“She asked me to keep an eye out for it. That stupid
moggy, this is the fourth time he’s disappeared. He always comes back,
generally with some piece missing! Good night Vincent, drive carefully!”
“Yes Guard!” he saluted. “Thanks Frankie, for everything.
Don’t tell Avril you fed me apple tart. Good night, see you tomorrow.”
“Bye Vincent!” with that Frankie closed the door and leaned
up against it. What a night. Firstly, she never for one second thought she’d
tell anyone about Derek or about what happened last weekend. And secondly,
Vincent admitting he was an alcoholic… unbelievable! “No wonder he was so
shocked when I breathalysed him for drink driving,” she thought to herself.
“You just never know…”
.oOo.
When Vincent arrived back at Avril’s place he remembered to
lock up the gates and to check that all animals were safely secured. When he
got to the front door he was amazed to see that the cat had returned. Frankie
was right; he seemed to be missing a piece of his right ear. Vincent bent down
to pick up the cat but Stumpy was in no mood to be handled and lashed out with
a well-aimed claw.
“Yeouch!!!” yelped Vincent, examining his hand. “You flamin’
cat! Right, make your own way in then!” As he opened the door, Stumpy trailed
miserably after him and flopped into a pile of horse blankets, an obvious
favourite retreat. Vincent wondered what to do, should he call Siobhan now or
wait until the morning? However, the cat was obviously injured he decided it
would be best not to wait. He went into the kitchen and picked up the phone,
where he saw Siobhan’s number on speed-dial.
“Hello?” answered Siobhan.
“Oh, hi Siobhan, Vincent here,” he replied.
“Vincent! What’s up? Anything thing wrong with the horses?”
asked Siobhan, instantly in ‘vet’ mode.
“No, they’re fine. Sorry for the late call but it’s Avril’s
cat, Stumpy. He’s shown up minus a piece of ear and looking wretched in
general,” he explained.
“Ah, I see. Well, if I remember that cat, don’t try and
touch him. The bloody yoke will scratch the hand off you! I’m on my way.”
“Thanks Siobhan. Too late about the scratch warning, he’s
already taken a swipe at me,” Vincent replied.
Siobhan laughed and told him she was leaving immediately and
to stay well clear of Stumpy. Within fifteen minutes she was there, equipped
with strong gardening gloves for handling unruly patients.
“Let’s see what you’ve done to yourself this time Stumpy,”
she said, picking the cat up. “Do you know Vincent, this is the fourth time
this cat has returned with some sort of injury? The degree of violence suffered
varies but somehow he’s always managed to survive.”
“Yeah, Frankie told me about him earlier. What can you do
for him?” asked Vincent.
“I’ll have to take him to the surgery. This is a lot nastier
than it looks and I hope he doesn’t have an infection,” she said, as she put
Stumpy into a cat carrier. “Frankie and Stumpy go back a long way. When it was
her first week here, Stumpy got into the squad car when she was visiting Avril.
Then she got an urgent call so she had to go and jumped into the car, switching
on the siren. Well, Stumpy went ape and frightened the life out of Frankie. She
got such a fright, she tried to get out of the car and her seat belt was still
on…”
At this stage Siobhan was laughing so hard at the memory
tears were rolling down her cheeks. Vincent could just picture the scene and
started laughing too.
“Oh God, Vincent, it was too funny!! Here she was,
struggling with the seat belt, the siren going and Stumpy yowling and hissing
in the front seat. Such language from Frankie - I’ve never heard the like of it
since! To this day, she makes damn sure to close the car door if she comes up
here. I had a grand view of it all as I was with one of the horses. I couldn’t
even look over at her when they managed to get Stumpy out of the car because I
was so afraid that I wouldn’t be able to stop laughing once I started.” Siobhan
continued to giggle to herself as she loaded Stumpy into the back of her jeep.
“Goodnight Vincent, I’ll keep him for a few days. Avril can pick him up when
she gets back.”
“Goodnight Siobhan, say hi to Brendan and Aisling for me!
Thanks for coming out. Bye!” he called, as Siobhan made her way out of the
yard.
Vincent locked the gates behind her and went back inside,
smiling at he thoughts of Frankie and the cat. “What a day,” he sighed as he
got his supper. He was glad that he had the chance to clear the air with
Frankie. Sometimes, like today, he felt sorry for her because she didn’t seem
to have anyone in Ballykissangel to talk to. He was glad that she felt able to
confide in him and he was glad too that he could finally tell her about his alcoholism.
As his father said “heavy secrets get lighter when you share”. Well, he wasn't
too pleased when his rebel son returned from
.oOo.
On Sunday, everybody in Ballyk was glued to their
televisions to see The Cat race in
“Pull up a stool Father,” said Óonagh, back from her week
away. “It’s just about to start.”
“Thanks Óonagh,” he said, fitting the stool into the only
space available. “How was your week?”
“Oh, it was fine. I went to my mother’s place in Mullingar
to see her. She gets a bit lonely now we’ve all left home. Oh, before I forget
Father, there’s a room free from Tuesday night, if you want it,” she said.
“I do indeed. I’ve imposed on Avril long enough. Book me in
Óonagh,” he said. “Fr. Mac will be pleased,” he thought.
“Whist, whist, will yis! Isn’t it ‘bout to start an’ all
der? I hope ya’ said a few prayers for her ‘n’ De Cat, now Father!” rambled
Louis, in his usual manner.
Vincent, not having a clue what was just said, opted for the
easy way out. “Erm, yes!” he smiled, hoping that would cover it.
“Good man yersel’, whist now, der off!!!” shouted Louis.
Vincent was already looking at the screen. He hoped, mostly
for Avril’s sake, that The Cat would do well. She didn’t have to win, just run
a good race. The group were shouting from the start. The Cat cleared the first
four fences easily and was doing well, when Frankie ran in.
“Ah no!!! Is she still running? I missed it!” she exclaimed
looking for a free spot, trying to see over the forest of heads in front of
her.
“Quick Frankie, over here!” said Vincent and pulled her in
front of him. He cried out “Ohhh, watch out! Bloody hell!!” when another horse
swerved across The Cat’s path.
The horse ran on out of the way and they all heaved a sigh
of relief. The Cat cleared the next fence and the next. They were really
cheering her on now, as the riders turned down the home straight. The Cat was
neck and neck with the second horse and they were only a length behind the
leader. All of a sudden The Cat took the last jump too early and the
unthinkable happened, horse and rider crashed out of the race bringing four
other horses with her on the way down. The stunned silence in Fitzgerald’s said
it all.
“Well, Holy God!” said Louis.
“Oh no! What could’ve happened?” asked Frankie.
“Your guess is as good as mine,” replied Vincent. “She was
doing so well but it looked like she took the last jump too early. Look,
they’re replaying it now.”
They all turned their attention back to the screen and sure
enough, it was plain to see, The Cat took the last jump far too early and threw
her rider. The commentators said nobody was seriously hurt and all horses were
uninjured.
“Poor Avril,” said Óonagh. “I wonder what’ll happen now?”
“Nothing will happen!” said Paul. “Avril’ll bring the horse
back here and she’ll live to run another race. I’m surprised she did as well as
she did without the goat. Just shows ya’ that that horse will be a real runner
in time.”
“I suppose you’re right Paul,” said Vincent. “But it can’t
be easy for Avril. She had a lot to prove with this race. Shame it turned out
this way.”
“God, you’d think the bloody horse died or something!”
declared Paul. “Where did everyone go?
Vincent looked around
and saw the crowd had melted away. There was only Louis, Frankie and himself left
in the pub.
“Hummm – not good for business Paul? You open an hour
earlier and already most the regulars are gone! You’ll just have to wait for
another race meeting,” said Vincent. “I’ll have another orange there, please
Óonagh.”
“You and your orange,” snorted Paul. “Try something a little
stronger for once!”
“Hey, don’t take it out on me just because you can’t keep
your customers!” said Vincent. “You should be happy I’m here at all!”
“Whatever…” said Paul, as he went down to the cellar.
“Sorry about that Father, here’s your orange,” said Óonagh,
passing him the drink. “He’ll be in better form later. Can I get you anything
Frankie? Louis, you all right there?”
“I’m fine Óonagh, I have to be off anyway” said Frankie,
thinking about Vincent’s exchange with Paul. “Nice save,” she thought, “if I
didn’t know better I’d never suspect he was an alcoholic. Never.”
“Grand missus, grand,” mumbled Louis to Óonagh.
“OK then!” smiled Óonagh, as she made her way into the
kitchen.
Frankie gave Vincent a small smile. “A bad race for Avril -
when is she coming back?” she asked.
“Tonight, I think,” he replied. “Where are you off to now?”
“I’m going to see Sheelagh, see how she’s doing,” answered
Frankie. “When Avril gets back tell her I was asking for her.”
“I will. Tell Sheelagh I’ll drop b and see her on Tuesday,
if she’s around,” said Vincent.
“All right. Bye Father, see you around. Bye Louis – stay
away from that van today. You’ve had a skin-full already!” she instructed.
“I will, I will, I will Guard! Sure, an’ wouldn’t I not be
drivin’ her on a Sunday in any case, at all, at all?”
Vincent listened hard
but he still couldn’t understand a word the man said. Frankie, on the other
hand, had no such problems.
“What’s it doing outside then? Did it drive here by itself?
I’m warning you Louis. Leave it there.” With a nod to Vincent, she was out the
door.
“What does tha’ one be thinkin’ of? Sure wouldn’t I be doing
no one no harm except to mesel’, be driving it home? I dunno Father, life be
very hard ‘n’ cruel be times with the likes of her bossin’ the likes of me
around,” sighed Louis.
“Erm... yes.”
.oOo.
Vincent finished his lunch while talking to Óonagh. Louis,
thankfully, hadn’t said anything else since Frankie’s departure, much to
Vincent’s relief. He wondered why Frankie was formal again, was she trying to
gain some distance from their conversation last night? On second thoughts,
knowing Frankie, she wouldn’t want anyone to know that she had a softer side.
However they may talk when they were alone, she would not be the sort of person
to carry that informality over into general conversation where others would
hear. It was just her way. Brendan, Siobhan and Avril for instance, called him
Vincent all the time now and joked about with him quite openly. It wouldn’t be
Frankie’s style, he suspected. He’d have to remember that. He thanked Óonagh
for the lunch and reminded her about the room on Tuesday. Óonagh assured him
that all would be ready and she would make sure that Paul was is a better mood
by then! Vincent waved his thanks and was about to say goodbye to Louis,
sleeping in his corner. “Why bother!” he mused, “I’ll only end up saying yes to
whatever the man says!” With that he made his way out and headed for his car
parked in the church grounds. Fr. Mac would want to see him today, to report on
the week’s happenings. Just as he was getting into his car, his mobile rang.
“Hello?” he answered.
“Bloody horse!” came the reply.
“Ah, Avril. Need I ask how you are?”
“No, you needn’t. I’m coming home. I tried ringing the house
but you weren’t there. Is Johnny about today?” she said, sounding defeated.
“I don’t know. I left early this morning and I haven’t been
back since. I suppose he’ll be in to look after Flash,” he replied.
“Are you going back there now?” she wondered.
“I wasn’t going to but if you need -”
“No, it’s okay, I just wanted Johnny to get The Cat’s stall
ready. I suppose he will anyway. Sorry I didn’t call before now. How is
everything there?”
“Everything’s fine. People are sorry about the race. We
couldn’t believe it!”
“You couldn’t believe it! I don’t know what went
wrong,” she paused. “Right, well I don’t want to talk about this now. Nothing
else?”
“Stumpy showed up minus a bit of ear, he’s with Siobhan. And
there’s some letters, including one registered one for you,” he answered.
“Oh good, I was sure he wasn’t going to make his way back
this time. What’s in the letter?”
“Avril, I didn’t open it!!” he said, surprised that she
would think he would snoop.
“I was just wondering! Maybe you thought it was urgent or
something. Never mind, I’ll get it later. It’s a long drive back but I’m
leaving within the next hour or two. I expect to be there around eight or
nine,” she explained. “I’ll see you then.”
“Yeah, see you then. Have a good trip.”
“I will, see ya’,” she said and hung up.
Vincent put his phone away, thinking that she sounded very
down. He’d get back to the house as soon as he could and get dinner or something
– or hide the evidence that he didn’t eat any of her weird and wonderful
inventions!
.oOo.
When Vincent arrived at Fr. Mac’s house, he saw one of the
other curates leaving.
“Oho!!! You’re in trouble – you’re late!” called Angus.
“Yes, I realise that, mate!” he said tightly. “However,
since I am the favourite around these parts, I’m sure he won’t mind.”
“Yeah, dream on, Vinny! See you next week,” answered Angus.
He was an even-tempered young man from Donegal and was doing well in a small
parish near Ballyk called Ballinaclash. There were, at most, forty people
living there and they were scattered around the foothills of the mountains.
Most of Angus’ time was taken up by driving up to one house, back again and
into the neighbours. The long tracks into each house made it difficult for
anything without four wheel drive to get by. Even with the required jeep one
more than one occasion he was caught in some ditch and had to be rescued by
tractor.
“Bye Angus, don’t fall down any bog-holes this week!” called
Vincent as Angus waved goodbye.
“Father Sheahan, if I’m not interrupting anything, perhaps
you would be so good and to come inside,” came an irate voice from the doorway.
“Just coming Father. How are you?” inquired Vincent as he
made his way in.
“Hurmp!” answered Fr. Mac. “Have you found any where else to
live yet?”
“As a matter of fact, I have. Fitzgerald’s has a room free
from Tuesday, which I’ll take,” said Vincent. “I don’t know how-”
“It’s only marginally better, having my curate living in a
pub. But it’ll do for now. How long will you be able to stay there?” Father Mac
looked at Vincent with a frown. He was fed up with this messing about and
wanted Vincent in a place of his own before the year got much older.
“As I was just about to say, I don’t know how long I can
stay. I suppose we’ll worry about that bridge when we get to it?” replied
Vincent, in his most conciliatory voice.
“No Father, we’ll worry about it now, if you don’t mind! You
need to be in Ballykissangel, so you can’t stay here but I can’t have you
roaming about the place-”
“Fr. Mac,” he interrupted, “I know that it’s a difficult
situation. But until we find another house, there’s nothing we can do. I’ll be
fine, I just need you to trust me!”
“I’ve been asked to trust my curates in the past, Father. It
didn’t work out too well, especially in Ballykissangel.” Fr. Mac ushered
Vincent into his office and gestured for him to take a seat. “You have to
understand, I must look out for your best interests as well as those of your
parishioners. You may feel that you will never be tempted to break any of your
vows, but you can’t be sure what other people will do.”
“I’m not following you Father,” said Vincent, deciding that
now would be the best time to force Fr. Mac to say what was on his mind.
“Don’t be so obtuse! You know exactly what I mean. You may
say that you are perfectly comfortable living with a single woman and it may be
so, for the moment. But you need to take *her* feelings into consideration
also!”
“Avril Burke is in no danger from me, anymore that I am in
danger from her! You know that!” said Vincent loudly.
“Don’t shout at me Father! I’m not just talking about Avril
Burke. I could be talking about anyone. You need to have a certain distance
between yourself and the people in your parish. The Church in
“Fr. Mac, I understand what you’re saying, but you have to
believe me when I say that I am happy here. For the first time in my life
maybe. I wouldn’t do anything to jeopardise that.”
“Vincent, I know you are and I’m glad. But sometimes, I get
a feeling about you that something is not quite right. I don’t know exactly
what it is and I’m sure if I ask you now, you won’t know what I’m talking
about. I’m asking you now to come to me first if you have any sort of
problem at all. I may not be who you want to come to, but I am your parish
priest and the person responsible for you while you are here. I’ve learnt from
my experiences not to force you to do something you don’t want to do, so I’ll
try and help you in whatever way I can.”
Vincent was shocked at this speech. Was Fr. Mac talking
about his alcoholism? “Fr. Mac, emm, well I think I know what you mean. I never
told you this, but between
“I know.”
“How…?”
“Do you think I’d accept a priest as a curate without
knowing everything about him? Give me some credit!”
“So, you always knew?”
“Of course I did Father! I was surprised, but if you were
going to give yourself another chance, who was I to stop you? That isn’t what I
was referring to however. Whatever your problems in the past were, I hope
you’ve found some comfort to be able to deal with them now. The other problem,
well, I don’t know what it is. Is it that you are much younger than I and see things
so differently that I’m uneasy? I don’t know. Whatever it is and if it arises I
want to be the first person you call. Can you promise me that?”
“Well, I don’t know what I’m promising here! But you can rest
easy Father. If I get in some kind of trouble, I’ll speak to you first,”
promised Vincent. “Can I ask you a question?”
Fr. Mac nodded.
“You keep talking about ‘the past’ and ‘before’. What
exactly happened here? I know it had something to do with the woman who ran the
bar and the curate of the parish, but nobody wants to tell me what happened.”
“That’s because it’s a sad story and the people miss
Assumpta and Peter greatly. It didn’t start out sadly but gradually over time,
Fr. Peter Clifford fell in love with Assumpta Fitzgerald. He denied it all
along and when neither of them could take it anymore, he told her. However,
Assumpta had an accident in the bar while changing and old fuse and was
electrocuted. She died immediately and Fr. Clifford left the parish,
devastated. I never heard from him again but I believe he’s still a priest. The
poor man. We didn’t get along too well, you know, but I wouldn’t wish that on
anyone,” said Fr. Mac, recounting the heartbreaking story.
“That’s awful! I understand now what you were talking about
earlier.”
“There’s a lot more to it than what I just told you but
that’s how it all ended. He was greatly loved in the parish. I thought he’d
find it difficult to begin with as he was English, but he just fitted right in.
A bit like yourself, actually. Fr. Aidan O’Connell then took over and he was
there until the week before you arrived. He moved to an abbey in
“I’m fine thanks Father, I should be getting back anyway. Is
there anything else?” asked Vincent.
“No, I think we’ve covered enough for today, wouldn’t you
agree?”
“I would! Thanks for everything Father. I’ll see you during
the week, OK?”
“Goodnight Father. I’m sure I’ll drop in to catch up some
time. You’ll let yourself out?”
“I will, bye now!” replied Vincent as he left. He got into
his car and drove off back to Avril’s place. He thought about his conversation
with Fr. Mac during the drive. “Well, this has been some week! First I have a
soul-searching chat with Frankie and then I get the same with him! Very strange
indeed. I wonder what he meant by ‘not quite right’? How would he know if
something is ‘not quite right’ if I don’t know myself? Weird!” Vincent arrived
back at the yard and parked his car. He left the gate open for Avril, as Johnny
had secured all four legged animals for the night. He spotted that The Cat’s
stall was all ready and waiting for its occupant. Flash was whinnying softly to
himself and munching on some hay. It was a pleasant place to live in he
thought. In the early morning and in the evenings all was quite and peaceful.
He would miss it when he left.
.oOo.
At
“Hi Avril, welcome back! Can I give you a hand there?”
“Hi Vincent – Ow!!! God, I’m stiff from sitting in that
thing for so long!” she hobbled around to the back of the van. “Grab that other
handle there and on three, let the back down. One, two, three!” The two of them
lowered the back down to the ground and Avril went in to unhitch The Cat. “Come
on you! There’s a nice fresh bed for ya’ – poor thing - must be tired after
that journey. Come on.” She gently coaxed the tired mare out and led her into
her stall. Vincent leaned over the door to talk to her.
“Did you have a good drive back?”
“It wasn't too bad really. Depressing that I didn’t return
in a blaze of glory. She really misses the goat I think. I’ll have to think of
something for her,” said Avril brushing The Cat down. “So, Stumpy showed up did
he?”
“Yeah, I came back late on Thursday night I think it was,
and here was the poor old cat waiting to be let in. You see this scar?” he held
up his hand to demonstrate. Avril nodded her head. “Well, that’s what your
beloved Stumpy did to me when I tried to pick him up.” He gave her a hand to
shut the stall door and they made their way inside.
“Awww, poor you – did the nasty cat give you a big ol’
scwape?” said Avril, in a baby voice.
“Yeah, laugh all you want at me. And all I did for that
flamin’…”
“Now, now!! Watch the language!” she laughed. “Thanks for
looking after Stumpy and the house. Did you find the food I left for you?”
Vincent decided to tell the truth.
“Yeah, it was exactly where you said, thanks!” It was the
truth - he found it, he just didn’t eat it. “Do you want some grub now?”
“ ‘Grub’ would be lovely. What do you have?”
“I just stocked up on whatever you normally buy from
Kathleen. It must be useful to have her. You can never forget anything on your
shopping list!”
“She has her advantages! Oh, hand me that letter over there,
would you?”
Vincent unpinned the registered letter from the board and
gave it to her. Avril sliced it open with a knife that he had just put down on
the table and read the contents.
“What the…”
“What is it?” he asked, curious.
“I don’t believe it!!! Sod this!!!” Avril slammed the letter
back on the table.
“What?”
“That bloody Frankie Sullivan and her stupid speed camera!
It’s a feckin’ fine of a hundred quid, is what!! Christ Almighty!!” Avril was livid
and ranted at Vincent. “Can you believe it? Has she nothing better to do with
her time that patrol back roads from here to Cilldargan? And I have to -
“present your license at your local Garda station. Failure to do so will result
in further action” Further action! I’ll give her further action!”
“Hey, come on! Sit down and have this,” he said, giving her
some of the weird concoctions she liked and tea. “Frankie was only doing her
job, she-”
“I might have known you’d defend her!” said Avril, definitely
in no mood to hear anything about Frankie. “Where am I going to get a hundred
quid and just hand it over?”
“I’m not defending her!” he said, stung. “I’m just saying
she has a job to do like the rest of us. One hundred pounds is a bit steep
though. How fast were you going?”
“Says here I was clocked at sixty-five in a thirty mile
zone. There’s a photo too.”
“Sixty-five!”
“Don’t look so shocked! You had your own problems with the
law too! It’s a straight road around the back of O’Brien’s field near the entrance
to Cilldargan. I can’t believe she caught me and I never saw her. Damn!”
“What are you going to do?” he asked, letting the comment
about his drink-driving scare slide.
“What choice do I have? I’ll have to pay up and give in my
license.”
“Give in your license!! Will they take it from you?”
“Oh no, they normally just enter it into a book and give you
a stern talking too. Thankfully the penalty points system isn’t up and running
yet. I suppose that’s one good thing. Some Gardaí really have sod all to do
with their time!” she said getting angry again.
“Avril, it happened. For tonight, forget about it and eat
up. Talk about the race or something, or maybe not,” he said, catching her dark
look. “Hey, I won’t be here after Tuesday. Óonagh says there’s a room free in
the pub so I’m moving down there. I’ll miss these little chats!”
“Shut up Vincent!” she said, smiling a little. “Thanks again
for looking after the place. Saved me worrying about it. Hope you manage living
with the Dooleys!”
“It was no trouble, apart from Stumpy! I’m sure it’ll be
fine in Fitzgerald’s – I hope. I can always move on again though, plus the new
houses should be starting soon.”
“Is Fr. Mac going to buy one?
“So he said but if anything else turns up first, we’ll go
for that one.”
“You must have caught him on a good day!”
“Oh, I don’t know. He’s not so bad really. Just a bit old
fashioned I reckon.”
“A bit old fashioned! I think that’s an understatement!”
“Yeah, well, I’ve got to work with him so I may as well get
used to him,” he replied, not wanting to into any further detail.
Avril sensed there was more to it but she didn’t push. After
all, it was not for her to worry about the inner workings of the Church. She
put her dishes away and yawned. “I’m whacked. It’s been a long day, wouldn’t
you agree?”
“I would! Well, goodnight Avril. Sorry about the fine.”
“Not as sorry as I am. I’ll just put this day down as one to
forget. Goodnight Vincent. See you in the morning.”
“Yeah, see ya’!” he waved goodnight and went upstairs.
Avril finished cleaning up and just as she was about to
switch off the light, she spied something on the counter.
“Vincent Sheahan, you cheat – do I see apple tart?”
.oOo.
The following Tuesday was move-out day for Vincent so Avril said
she’d accompany him to Fitzgerald’s and go pay her fine too. Vincent arrived
around
“Welcome Father! Avril, nice to see you. I just have the
room ready for you, Father. Would you like any lunch?”
“Ah, no thanks Óonagh, I had some before I left. I’ll just
leave my stuff and head off.”
“Okay then, you know the times for dinner but help yourself
to whatever’s in the kitchen if you get hungry before then,” she said leading
them up the stairs. “The kids will be home around three, so grab what you can!
The TV is working in your room too. I leave you to get settled in.” With that,
she went back down to the bar.
“Not bad,” said Avril, looking around. “Where’ll I leave
these books?”
“Oh, just dump them on that table there. I have to get a
move on. Thanks for having me to stay Avril, it was great of you.”
“You can come back any time you know Vincent. I’ll miss
having you around.”
“I’ll be dropping by as always! Remember to give me a call
if you ever need me.”
“I will,” she said giving him a swift hug. “You’re a good
man Charlie Brown! I’ll see ya’ around!”
“You’re not so bad yourself. Cheers Avril, thanks again!”
He saw her out and started to unpack his bags. He was
looking forward to getting his own place, and this was as close as he’d come in
the past few weeks. He was half finished when he realised that he would be late
for
Meanwhile, things were not going as smoothly for Frankie and
Avril.
.oOo.
“I want a word with you!” exclaimed Avril as she burst into
the station, frightening the life out of Frankie who was reading her paper.
“Christ, Avril!!! What’s wrong with you?” cried Frankie.
“Don’t play innocent with me Garda Sullivan. If you hand out
hefty fines like this to your supposed friends, I’d hate to see what you do to
your enemies!”
“Avril-”
“It’s Ms. Burke actually”
“What!?!” exclaimed Frankie, totally bewildered.
“We are no longer on a first name basis. If you want to be
officious then I can be too,” stormed Avril. “Here’s your blood money and
here’s my license. Post it back to me when you’re done.” With that final command,
she marched out and slammed the door behind her.
Frankie sat back in her chair in utter amazement and picked
up the documents Avril had flung down on the ledge.
“What the hell is this all about?” she said to herself. She
started to read the official fine notice and saw the details. “Oh for crying
out loud! Sixty-five!” She then realised that Avril thought she had caught her
on speed camera. Avril didn’t know that Cilldargan were randomly setting up
speed traps around the area as the number of accidents due to speed were on the
increase. Even if she had been the one at the speed trap, she couldn’t just let
it slide that Avril was doing sixty-five in a thirty mile zone, friend or no
friend. She didn’t think it was fair for Avril to behave this way towards her
and she would tell her that. Frankie entered the details into the record book
and sent the fine on to the
.oOo.
Avril was still hopping mad by the time she reached
Siobhan’s surgery, so she took some time outside to cool down.
“Hi Avril! Are you looking for Siobhan?” inquired Brendan on
his way in with Aisling.
“Oh, hi Brendan – didn’t see you there! Yeah, I’m just
taking a breather. How’s Aisling?” she smiled at the little girl who turned
suddenly shy and buried her face in Brendan’s shoulder.
“She’s fine,” he said, laughing at Aisling. “Siobhan’s inside.”
He ushered Avril in ahead of him, wondering why she looked so flushed.
“Hi everyone!” said Siobhan, looking up from a bag of
surgical instruments. “Oh Avril, good to see you, Stumpy is ready to go home.
Brendan, I’ll just be a minute,” she bent to give Aisling a kiss. “Hiya’ pet!
Were you a good girl?”
“Uh huh, an’ Daddy boughted me a kite!” answered Aisling.
“Did he now? Well you can show it too me when I give Miss
Burke back her sick cat. You wait there with Daddy.”
Siobhan went into the surgery followed by Avril. “Here he
is!” she said, lifting Stumpy carefully out of his cage. “He has an infection
in that ear Avril, so you’ll have to keep him on these antibiotics until the
end of the week. Otherwise, he’s fine.” She put the cat gently into a carrier
that Avril brought along. “Make sure you mash these in with his food,” she
instructed handing Avril a box of antibiotics.
“Thanks Siobhan. Will you send the bill on to me and I’ll
settle it up with you?”
“Of course. Sure, leave it until I come out to the stables.”
Siobhan knew Avril would pay her when she could.
“You’re a life-saver! Thanks for looking after this fella’!
I was sure he wouldn’t return this time.”
“He’ll always make his way back Avril. Like any cat, he has
nine lives and he hasn’t used up half of them yet! Do you remember the time
when he lost his cool in the front of Frankie’s car? I still laugh when I think
about it!”
“Don’t talk to me about her! You won’t believe what happened
this morning.”
“What happened? I thought you two were friends!”
“Huh, so did I! But Frankie slapped a hundred quid fine on
me for speeding and recorded my licence.”
“No way!”
“Yeah, I was caught on the back road to Cilldargan last
week.”
“Umm, Avril? Was there a photo with the fine?” inquired
Siobhan.
“Yeah...” said Avril, warily.
“Then it wasn't Frankie who fined you. The boys from
Cilldargan have these new fancy speed traps set up all over the place. I saw
them putting in the one on the back road. It’s an automatic fine of up to a
hundred pounds and they send along the photo as proof. Sure, you know Frankie
only has the radar thing and you can spot her a mile away!”
“Oh, you’re not serious?” said Avril, immediately ashamed of
herself. “I just let rip over there. I was so angry!”
“Well, I’d patch it up if I were you!” advised Siobhan. “I
can’t believe she let you shout at her!”
“She didn’t have much of a choice. I kind of slammed in and
slammed out. No wonder she hadn’t a clue what I was talking about. Damn it.”
“Opps!” said Siobhan.
“Opps is right! I feel such an idiot! What must she think of
me?”
“Knowing Frankie, she probably doesn’t think a whole lot of
you right now. If I were you, I’d apologise soon, you don’t want to let
something like that go on.”
“I know, you’re right. It’s just-”
“Avril, get over it. Swallow your pride and say sorry. Why
loose a friend over something like this?” advised Siobhan.
“I’m going!” said Avril with a smile. “Brendan’s not the
only teacher around here, is he?”
“I don’t know what you mean,” said Siobhan, deadpan. She
spotted Stumpy sitting in his cat carrier on the desk and called after Avril.
“Hey, don’t forget the cat!” Avril did a double take and reached back to pick
up the carrier.
“Thanks Siobhan – for everything. I’ll talk to you during
the week.”
“See ya’ Avril. Bye Stumpy, see you again I’m sure!”
“Meeowwww”
.oOo.
Avril walked back through the village to the Garda station with
Stumpy in tow. Before going in she ran across the road and loaded him into the
back of her jeep. She hovered outside the door of the station, fist poised to
knock, or should she just walk in? Taking a deep breath, she opened the door
and walked up to the hatch. She looked into Frankie’s office but there was no
sign of her.
“Back for round two, is it?” came a voice from behind her.
Frankie stood there with a cup of coffee in her hand and a scowl on her face.
Avril turned around.
“No, not round two, I’m here to apologise.”
“I see.”
“Frankie… I behaved like an idiot. Sorry. I realise it
wasn't you who fined me and-”
“Avril wait,” she said, putting her coffee down on the desk.
“It doesn’t matter that I wasn't the one who caught you speeding, you still were!
You broke the law and sixty-five miles an hour isn’t a minor thing you know.
Even if I did catch you, I would’ve had to fine you. I can’t let people away
with things just because they’re my friends. I thought you would’ve understood
that.”
“I do Frankie, really. It’s just money is short at the
moment and the last thing I needed was a big fine like that. I do apologise and
I do consider you a friend. I hope I haven’t ruined it.”
Frankie gave a small smile and thought about her answer.
“No, nothing’s ruined. But you need to know that something like this could
happen again. If that’s going to be a problem then-”
“It’s not going to be a problem,” assured Avril. “If I had
taken Vincent’s advice and realised you had a job to do, instead of jumping up
and down, I wouldn’t have behaved like a fool and insulted you. He tried to
tell me but I was determined to rant and rave. To get something for my money, I
suppose.”
“Right, well, say no more about it. Next time, listen to Fr.
Sheahan. Here’s your license back, which you were supposed to wait for, and by
the way, you were supposed to send that fine to
“Oh, I’ll do it n-”
“I already sent it on.” Avril’s face reddened and she felt
even worse as Frankie had done her a favour on top of what had happened.
“I really feel so stupid right now and once again I am
really sorry. It won’t happen again,” she said, embarrassed.
“OK Avril, we’ll leave it at that! At least we cleared the
air.” Frankie still wasn’t thrilled and her tone was a bit frosty.
Avril heard the clipped sound to her speech but decided not
to push her luck. Frankie would simmer down eventually, now that she had an
apology.
“At least that! Bye Frankie, I’ll see you around. I’ve got
to get Stumpy home – I’ve just picked him up from Siobhan.”
“Cheers Avril. Keep that cat away from me!!”
The two of them parted on civil terms and Avril drove back
home. Frankie had documents to fill out so she continued working in her office
and thought about what happened. She figured it was typical Avril to behave
that way. Avril was known to be a kind of “act first, think later” person, but
her genuine remorse over any wrongdoing was plain to see. Frankie didn’t like
fights at all. She was amazed at how some people could carry on with their
lives after having a big falling out with another person. A simple argument
would remain on her mind until everything was straightened out.
In a way, it’s what made her a good Garda. If something
wasn’t right, she kept looking for answers until she got them. The downside was
that she did find it hard to switch off. If there was a case she was involved
with, it took up her attention. She remembered the time she was with CAB, that
case has consumed her every waking hour and most of her sleeping ones too. As
she was undercover, she had to act a part and her dreams became a muddled mess
of her real life and her fake one. The day her cover was blown was one of the
worst in her life. Drug dealers were so paranoid that anyone new to the field
was thoroughly checked out and Frankie wasn’t as careful as she should have
been. She didn’t know how long they were on to her and feeding her false
information, but it must have been some time. It was how they flushed out
police informers, give them enough information and they’ll hang themselves.
She still had flashbacks of the gun pointed straight at her
head and a bang as Derek fired first. It was so far removed from her current
life that it seemed like it was one of her dreams. Here she was, in a small,
rural village so safe from everything. What did she really have to worry about?
A few poached salmon from the salmon farm, illegal parking, the odd ‘miracle
worker’, a ghost here and there, petty theft – it was idyllic really. She
wasn’t going to complain, she loved it here. The dark, murky criminal
underworld of
She knew that her transfer request from
This was something that she wanted to keep to herself, it
was better for everyone that they didn’t know about it. Only five people,
herself included, knew about her undercover operation and that was the way she
wanted it to stay. Her Inspector at the time encouraged her to tell someone she
trusted, as it would help should she ever need to talk about it. Frankie was
resolute though; she didn’t want anybody, especially her family, to have that
extra worry. She knew Inspector Malone was right, it was a big thing to keep to
herself, but he understood and told Frankie to contact him immediately if she
ever felt in danger. He assured her that the case would remain a sealed
investigation until the last member of the gang was rounded up. He reminded her
that as far as that guy knew, Frankie had been an informer not an actual member
of the Gardaí which was something to be thankful for. She wanted to tell
Vincent about it the other night and had come very close it. However, she
stopped herself from talking because she didn't want him to worry either.
What she wanted most was to receive a phone call from Malone
telling her the last gang member was either dead or in custody. She supposed
then that she would be called back to Dublin, maybe finally becoming a
sergeant. She suspected that if she wanted, she could stay here. They wouldn’t
force her to back if she didn’t want to, but the likelihood of her becoming
sergeant would be greatly diminished. She knew the choice would be hers to make
should it ever arise.
Frankie continued to ponder her future, thinking about what
she would do and where she would go. Suddenly, she realised that she’d been
staring at the wall for the better part of an hour for the second time today!
“What the hell is wrong with me?” she cried out.
“Where do I start?” came the reply. Frankie covered up her
fright as much as possible. It wouldn't do to be startled out of her wits
again.
“Do you think that’s funny Brendan?”
“I’m not laughing Frankie!” he said. “I was just wondering
when you were going to stop talking to yourself and staring at the wall?”
“Oh, you’re such a comedian. You totally missed your
calling,” she said icily. “What can I do for you? And how did you get in here
so quietly?”
“The door was open, I just walked on in,” he explained. “I need
you to sign these passport photos for Siobhan.” He passed them across to her.
“She’s supposed to give them to me in person.”
“Ah come on, don’t start! She probably would have, but she’s
up to her elbows-”
“I don’t want to know what she’s up to her elbows in,
thanks. I suspect it’s something disgusting. Where’s the passport application
form?”
“The what?”
“She would’ve had a form with all her details on it. I need
to stamp and sign it too.”
“Oh damn! I didn’t bring it. Hold on, I’ll be back, it’s in
the car,” he said as he made his way out. “You carry on with whatever it was
you were doing – sorry if I interrupted anyone!”
“Get lost!” Frankie was smiling now. She was grateful to
Brendan for snapping her out of her melancholy thoughts. She finished filling
out her documents and was just about to file them when Brendan arrived back
with Aisling.
“There you go Frankie,” he said as he handed over the form.
“Say hello to Garda Sullivan, Aisling.”
“Hewo, Gwada Suwifan” stumbled Aisling, the finer points of
Frankie’s title escaping her.
“Hello Aisling. What are you doing today?”
“I flied my new kite. Whats are you doin’?” she inquired,
wondering what the banging sound was.
“I’m putting a stamp on your Mammy’s form so she can go on a
holiday,” answered Frankie, amused at Aisling’s precociousness.
“Can I have one?” Aisling was taken with the purple ink and
the Garda crest on the form. “It’s pwetty.”
“Garda Sullivan will give you one stamp if you ask nicely,”
said Brendan.
Frankie who was reaching for the stamp already, waited for
Aisling. Brendan and Siobhan were currently trying to teach Aisling the
importance of “please” and “thank you”.
“Pwease can I have a stump sank you,” said Aisling in one
breath.
“Of course you can,” said Frankie, stamping a bit of paper.
She put Siobhan’s form and photographs in an envelope and handed the lot to
Aisling. “Now, there’s your form and there’s the one for your Mammy.”
“Ohhh, sank you,” squealed Aisling, delighted with herself.
Frankie laughed and looked at Brendan. “She’s a clever girl
Brendan! Remind Siobhan to post those through the post office. They have that
passport express thing now so you don’t have to go into Wicklow.”
“I will Frankie, thanks for all that. Bye now.”
“Bye Brendan, bye Aisling.”
“Byebye Gwada Snuffalin!” she called, still not quite
getting it and wondering why her Daddy was laughing.
.oOo.