Every time Catherine tried to change the subject her mother brought it right back to the same thing. It was difficult for Mary to keep bottled up the pride she felt at Mary-Anne’s accomplishments. The bread and cakes she baked for the hotel were in huge demand by the clientele. They loved to have her wait on their tables and gave her gifts and money at the end of their stay.
“How your sister has blossomed since she took up her new position in the hotel. Nobody would believe she was the same girl who had been emptying chamber pots and changing bedsheets for years before that. Why, she is almost as sweet as you, love.”
“Yes, Ma. I can see the change in her, outwardly at least.”
“Why Catherine McGrother, please do not tell me that it’s you who is jealous of Mary-Anne now. That would be a turnaround, no doubt about it,” Mary smiled and patted her daughter’s hand.
“My name is Gallagher, Ma, not McGrother. And that is why I could never be jealous of my sister, no matter how wonderful her life appears to be.”
“Did she tell you about her latest good fortune?” Mary carried on. “One of the guests has asked her to be a companion for his wife while he returns to England. He’s a doctor, no less, and will pay Mary-Anne for her services. His poor wife is ailing and the air here suits her well.”
A tight knot was forming in Catherine’s stomach and she placed her cup on the table with shaking hands.
“I’m sorry, Ma. I must be going. I have a lot of chores to do.”
She kissed her mother on the cheek before taking her leave and had to bite her tongue at the words that were spoken softly in her ear.
“Don’t be letting envy take a hold of you, my love. It’s not in your nature.”
It was a very quiet and pensive young woman who dished up supper for her family in the Gallagher home later that evening. Patrick waited until the children were asleep before tackling his wife about her mood. He asked if he had done something to offend her and accepted her assurance that there was nothing about him that was causing her any trouble.
“Did your sister tell you about her good fortune?”
“Which sister, Patrick?”
“Mary-Anne. She was boasting about her new position as a lady’s companion. Maybe she’ll leave us alone now and we’ll have some peace,” said Patrick.
“Ma told me. Can I ask you a question about my sister?”
“Which sister?” Patrick smiled.
“The one who complained to me about a month ago that you were following her wherever she went.”
Patrick laughed and asked Catherine if she truly believed such nonsense.
“Then why do you tell me you’re going to tend the nets and when I pass by the boat, you are nowhere to be seen?”
The young husband laughed even louder and Catherine shushed him with a warning not to wake their children.
“If I tell you where I was you must promise not to breathe a word to anyone.”
“Patrick just tell me the truth. Where you meeting up with Mary-Anne or not?” irritation was getting the better of Catherine.
“I was teaching Petey Halpin to swim. He didn’t want me to tell anyone, that’s why I never said where I was going.
Patrick drew a very embarrassed Catherine onto his lap and loosened her hair from its bun. As the long wavy tresses fell onto her shoulders, he kissed her cheek and tasted the salt of a tear.
“I have no interest in Mary-Anne. Why would I, with such a beauty as yourself by my side? You should have asked me sooner, love, if it bothered you so much. You are like your father in that respect, brooding over something instead of speaking your mind.”
Catherine stood up and walked slowly towards the bed in the corner of the parlour, which made Patrick think he may have hurt her feelings.
Maggie had retired earlier with the children, to the small room that had been built onto the back of the cottage when Kitty Carroll lived there. The quietness of the house seemed more obvious to Patrick and he watched his wife braid her hair, as she sat on the edge of their bed.
Catherine kept her eyes averted from his gaze, but was acutely aware of him looking at her. As she pulled together the heavy curtains surrounding their bed she raised her eyes and smiled at Patrick.
“I might be like my father but I love you a wee bit more than he does.”
It wasn’t long before the young couple were wrapped in each other’s arms, discarding any feelings of doubt or anxiety. Unfortunately, Catherine was soon to find out that it wasn’t Mary-Anne’s jealousy she should be concerned about, but something much more threatening to their relationship.