CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

 

On Christmas morning, Oona woke early and drew back the curtains. The street lamp was still on and she gazed down the garden, shimmering with frost, to the sleepy river beyond. How could she not remember? In her loneliness, she could hear Jacqueline’s laughter ringing in her ears; the patter of her little feet, and Sean’s protests when she pulled at his blankets. A tear rolled slowly down Oona’s face and she wiped it away with a stroke of her hand.

She heard Sean’s bedroom door open and jerked her head round. He plodded across the landing and stood in the doorway. His face held a sad expression. She guessed he too was remembering.

‘It’s all right, Sean,’ she said, pulling on her dressing gown. ‘We’ll open our presents downstairs.’ She walked towards him and placed her arm across his shoulders, unsure how he might react to the gesture. Now that he considered himself grown up, he had objected to any overt displays of affection. And although she wanted to hug him to her, she refrained, saying instead, ‘Happy Christmas, son.’

He didn’t reply, but just glanced down at his slippers, and she could see he was fighting back tears.

‘Come on, love. Let’s open our presents. The day will get better, I promise you. Aunty Connie will be here soon, and Grandad has bought tickets for us all to go to the pantomime tomorrow, at The Father Matthew Hall.’

A little smile brightened his face. ‘Can Tommy come too?’

‘I’m sure Grandad won’t have forgotten him; if he has, Tommy can have my ticket.’

Downstairs it was dark, and she switched on the lamp and the gas fire. Sean turned on the Christmas tree lights and the room came to life. He looked down at the brightly wrapped Christmas presents on the floor by the tree. Jack’s present was in the drawer of her dressing room table. She couldn’t risk Sean or the family asking awkward questions she wasn’t yet ready to answer.

‘Are they all for me?’ he asked excitedly.

In no time at all the room was littered with discarded wrapping paper and they found themselves surrounded by Meccano pieces and jigsaw puzzles.

Later, Sean settled down to watch television, while she busied herself in the kitchen. She wondered where Connie was. It was not like her to promise to help then not turn up.

By the time her sister did arrive, Oona’s face was flushed, and a strand of her hair had come loose and hung down over her face. ‘What happened? Where have you been?’

Connie stepped into the hall. ‘My, that turkey smells good.’

‘No help from you.’

‘Sorry, Oona. I’m sworn to secrecy. You can blame Dessie. There’s no buses running today, and we had to walk there and back.’

‘What are you talking about? Walk where?’

‘I can’t tell you. But it’s the reason I’m late.’

‘Where’s Dessie?’

‘He had to go home to pick up a few bits. Is Sean in his room?’ She glanced towards the stairs.

Oona smiled. ‘He’s trying on his new shirt.’

Connie walked across the hall to the dining room, which was only used on special occasions. The table was set for six, and Oona had made pretty serviettes from red crepe paper to compliment the white tablecloth. Red and green Christmas crackers decorated the table, and the glasses sparkled against the polished cutlery. A red candle in a silver holder centred the table. Behind every picture, a generous sprig of holly completed the room.

‘Oh, it all looks lovely. You’ve left me nothing to do.’

‘Don’t you believe it,’ Oona said, pulling her into the kitchen. ‘If we’re lucky, we might have time for a gossip and a glass of sherry.’

 

***

 

Oona was upstairs freshening up before serving dinner, when she heard squeals and whoops of laughter. She finished brushing her hair and hurried down stairs.

Sean was hunkered down, stroking the cutest crossbreed collie Oona had ever seen. Mainly black, it had a white apron down its front and two white paws.

Sean straightened up and threw his arms awkwardly around his uncle. ‘Thanks, Uncle Dessie. Is he really mine? Isn’t he lovely, Mam?’

Her eyes widened. ‘A dog!’ She leaned and stroked it. The animal looked up at her with brown soulful eyes, wagged its tail and gave a little yelp. ‘Does it come with instructions?’

‘I hope you don’t mind, Oona? It’s only six months old, and lovely natured,’ Dessie said.

‘And it’s house-trained,’ Connie added quickly.

‘Look, he likes me,’ Sean was almost bursting with excitement. ‘He’s licking my hand.’ He patted its head and the dog glanced up expectantly.

Perhaps it was just what Sean needed, and the twinkle in his eyes proved her right.

‘Well, what can I say?’

‘Sorry I didn’t warn you,’ her brother-in-law added. ‘I wasn’t sure until last night. Besides, it would have spoiled the surprise.’

It would have been better if they had consulted her first, but then, she might have said no. Now that she could see first hand how Sean had taken to the dog, how could she refuse?

‘Where did you get him?’

‘I bought him from a lady in Booterstown. Her husband’s away a lot and she doesn’t have the time to take it for walks. She seemed pleased when I told her it was for a young lad. We’ll help out with walks and stuff.’ Dessie clipped the lead to the dog’s red collar. ‘Here, take him a run, Sean. He needs to get used to his new surroundings.’

‘What are you going to call him?’ asked Connie.

‘Shep! I’m going to call him Shep.’

‘What’s wrong with Patch?’ Connie offered. ‘He’s got a brown patch over both eyes.’

‘Sorry, Aunty Connie. Come on, Shep,’ Sean called, then bounded from the house.

Oona closed the door behind them. ‘I can see he’s bonded with the dog already. Thanks, Dessie.’

‘I’m forgiven then?’

‘What do you think?’ She laughed. ‘Help yourself to a drink. Dinner won’t be long.’

When Oona’s parents arrived, their arms were filled with bags and brightly packaged parcels. Her father was carrying his melodeon strapped across his front.

‘Where’s Sean?’ he asked, as soon as he came through the door.

‘Dessie’s given him a dog for Christmas and he’s taken it for a walk,’ Connie explained, removing their coats, while Oona relieved her mother of the Christmas pudding and took it into the kitchen.

‘I’ve got Sean’s present outside,’ James O’Hara said. ‘I’ve hidden it behind Eamon’s shed.’

‘What is it?’ Connie asked. ‘You’ve never gone and got him a . . .?’

‘Stop, Connie. It’s a surprise. I’m going to leave it until later.’

‘What, another one?’ Oona cried, coming out from the kitchen. ‘This is turning out to be an exciting day for Sean.’

‘That’s how it should be.’ Her father followed his wife into the room.

‘Can you switch on your television, Oona?’ Annie settled herself in the comfy armchair. ‘The Kennedy’s of Castle Ross will be on in a minute. You know how I hate to miss it.’

Oona laughed. ‘It won’t be on today, Mam, not on Christmas Day. You’ll have to wait until next week.’

‘Oh, that’s a shame,’ she tutted. ‘I was looking forward to it and all.’

When Sean returned with the collie, his grandma made a fuss. ‘Where did you come from?’ She bent to pat the dog’s head.’

‘He’s mine now, Granny, and I’m calling him Shep. Do you like him?’

‘Of course I do, pet. He has eyes I couldn’t say no to, and I’ll save him all the scraps,’ she chuckled. ‘But wait until you see what I’ve bought you, Sean,’ she said, searching her bag, and finally pulling out a football magazine. ‘Although, I don’t think Georgie Best will be featured in it yet,’ she smiled.

‘Oh, thanks, Granny. I love it.’

‘And, look at this. I’ve knitted you an Aran sweater. It goes perfectly with your hair.’ She held it up against him.’

And so the unwrapping of Christmas gifts went on. Shep sat between Sean’s legs and watched him unwrap the rest of his presents.

Dessie passed round boxed nylons to the women. Connie, Oona and Annie had saved shillings on hosiery since Dessie got them at the factory for little or nothing. Some were imperfect, but the flaws rarely showed.

‘I’m afraid they’re all the same shade,’ he said. ‘I hope you all like American Tan.’

‘They’re my favourite. I keep snagging mine on that old desk at work. They are very welcome. Thanks, Dessie.’

When Oona’s dad stood up, everyone stopped talking. ‘I want you all to come to the door for a minute, especially you, Sean.’

‘What for, Grandad?’ He clambered to his feet, the collie at his heels. His granddad disappeared behind the shed and emerged with a shiny, black racing bike.

‘Cor, blimey! Who’s that for, Grandad?’

‘It looks about your size, lad,’ James O’Hara said. ‘I reckon you’re old enough.’

Sean’s eyes grew wider. ‘It’s smashing. I’ve always wanted a racer. Can I ride it now? Can I, please?’

‘Come on, wrap up warmly and I’ll take you up as far as the bridge.’

‘Mam, will you look after Shep until I get back?’ he called.

Smiling, they all watched him wobble a few times as he rode down the garden path, his grandad running to keep up with him.

When they got back, the smell of turkey and chestnut stuffing, roast potatoes and parsnips wafted down the hall as Oona and Connie carried the dinner to the table. It was a great success and, apart from the turkey having to be returned to the oven twice because it wasn’t cooked enough – and finally ending up with its legs burnt to a crisp – everyone said how much they had enjoyed it. Annie’s pudding went down a treat, covered with lashings of Bird’s Custard, made by Annie herself.

Later, when they played Snakes & Ladders, Ludo and party games, Annie fell asleep. But when James played Christmas tunes on his melodeon, Annie was singing along with the rest.

Everyone had gone out of their way to make Sean’s Christmas a happy one. He was the only child in the family now, Oona thought sadly, and it was understandable that they all wanted to indulge him.

That night, Sean made a bed in the corner of his room for Shep. They were already inseparable. Oona knew that he would be up at dawn to ride his new bike over to Tommy’s, and she was happy for him. They had all got through the day exceptionally well but, as she got ready for bed, she thanked God that Vinnie had decided to leave Ireland when he did. And she prayed that she would never set eyes on him again. When she heard Sean switch off his bedroom light, Oona, exhausted after the day’s events, fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.