Chapter 31
As she made her way to the narrow lane where Áedach lay waiting for help, Moira tried to rein in her thoughts. She passed the pub with its dirty windows and black smoke ever curling from the chimney skyward. She was passing the road that led to the parish church, gray and foreboding, when something nagged at her. She stopped and surveyed the land and sea surrounding her. All was quiet except for the bare gorse branches clacking in the brisk Atlantic wind. Something was missing.
She checked the items in her basket. Carrageen, cheesecloth, a jug of hot water, all tucked carefully within the folds of her apron, which served as a basket lining. All was as she had intended.
“If ye decide to help, Peg and I will be there with ye, each step of the way.” Colm’s words bounded into her mind like a spring lamb on a grassy hill.
“Thank you, Lord, for the reminder,” she whispered, dismayed at how close she had come to repeating her mistake of tending to the young lad alone. Colm had once described where he lived—for giving the whereabouts of one’s home seemed a required portion of an introductory conversation in Donegal.
“Over the hill beyond the center of town,” he’d told her.
The hill wasn’t far from her now. Its crest loomed on the near horizon, and she recognized it as the hill she had ascended on her first day exploring Ballymann.
The journey to the top was just as arduous as it had been the first time, and she was grateful for the downward slope on the other side. Another small road, not unlike the one where Áedach’s hovel stood, peeked from behind a holly bush just as the hill flattened out briefly, before starting the ascent of yet another knoll. Thankful for the turn to flat ground, Moira started down the path.
Not more than fifty yards ahead, rising behind a hillock, Moira spotted one of the finest examples of a clean thatch she’d ever seen.
That must be Colm’s place.
Her steps quickened, and she struggled to keep the basket level as she dashed toward the cottage.
She arrived at the Sweenys’ door breathless but excited. Before she could knock on the post, the door swung open. “I was wonderin’ when ye’d show.” Peg smiled wide, her willowy hair swaying with her.
Moira couldn’t hold back the nervous laugh that bubbled within. “Yes, well, I suppose I was a bit slow to come around.” Heat crept up her cheeks.
“Tsk, tsk! The good Laird works with each of us in His oon way, in His oon time.” She patted Moira’s shoulder affectionately. “Now, just give me a wee sec and I’ll be right as rain and ready to go.” She ushered Moira inside and motioned for her to sit in a wooden chair near the door. Peg then scurried around the corner to what was obviously the kitchen, given the decadent scents wafting in her wake.
Humble but bright, the cottage was clean and inviting. Shame nipped at Moira. She hadn’t envisioned Colm living in such a quaint and lovely home, let alone married to such a delightfully kind woman.
Maybe I’m the one who knows not what I do.
In a flash, Peg reappeared carrying a large basket. Rounded tops of brown bread peeped over the edge and the strong scent of fresh tea floated in on ringlets of steam. Tucked behind the bread was a stack of lemons, as well as other small bags and containers that were unfamiliar to Moira.
Peg deftly slung a cape across her shoulders with her free hand and nodded for Moira to open the door. The pair stepped out into the brisk spring morning and started for the main road.
“Wait! Wait, my dears!” Colm appeared from behind the house, winded and carrying a small whiskey jug. “Nothin’ cures the ails of the Spanish Flu like a bit o’ strong whiskey and ginger.”
“Och, ya crazy auld man.” Peg rolled her eyes, but she took the jug from her husband and pressed a kiss on his cheek.
Colm winked at his wife then turned to Moira. “I’ve sent Sean to the schoolhouse to tell your other students they can have the day off, Miss Doherty. Give ’em not a worry.”
“Oh, thank you, Colm. I completely forgot about the school.” A sheepish smile lifted the corners of her lips. “Some teacher, eh?”
Colm waved a hand. “Don’t give it another thought. Ye’ve important work at hand.”
After parting from Colm, the women walked in silence for a pace. Moira spoke first. “I can’t thank you enough for coming with me, Peg. But . . . how did you know I would do it?”
The old woman turned her face to Moira, the unmistakable twinkle of kindness in her eye. “Ye’re a fine lass, Moira. I knew ye’d eventually come around. And even if ya hadn’t, I was prepared to visit the lad within the hour.”
Peg smiled and Moira relaxed, feeling like she could trust the woman with her life.
“Ah, have ye seen our halla yet? There she is. Isn’t she lovely?”
Moira followed the direction of Peg’s outstretched finger. Her eyes finally fell on a long stone building, its roof thatched just as expertly as the Sweeny home. “My Colm thatched that, so he did.” Pride shone on her face. “Along with the church, this is the heart and soul of Ballymann.”
Moira slowed her pace as she approached the building with reverence. She pressed her hand on the wall, wishing the cold stones could share their memories. Had her mother rested her hand on this very spot? Moira’s throat tightened at the thought of her mother, young and carefree, strolling here with her friends. “It’s absolutely beautiful, Peg.”
The woman smiled but seemed confused by Moira’s intense reaction. “Come now, dear, we must be off. Poor Áedach has waited long enough, aye?”
It pained Moira to leave the hall so soon after discovering it. If she’d only continued on over the hill that first day, she would’ve stumbled upon the hall ages ago. Now she was finally here and had to leave before even getting to experience it. But she knew Peg was right.
Moira had selfishly let Áedach lay alone for a whole night before deciding to come to his aid. She wished she hadn’t promised him that she would return soon. Perhaps the illness had distorted time, making the lad unaware of how long she had truly tarried.
The pair continued on the way toward their patient, silence lending a quieting calm to their journey. Moira knew it was a rare thing to be so comfortable with another human being when no words were being spoken. She tucked the sweet satisfaction away in her heart and smiled to herself as they turned onto the lane where Áedach lay waiting.