Cat watched Louis struggle with the straps of his travelling bag. ‘Ye'll squash the bread. Why not take it out and carry it?'
‘Yes, maybe that would be better. I'd be sorry to find I only have breadcrumbs to eat tomorrow.' He undid the straps and took out the loaf Maeve had given him. Lifting it to his face he breathed in the aroma through the muslin wrap. ‘There's nothing like this you know, Cat. I love it.'
She stroked the back of his neck as he refastened the straps.
He turned and saw her eyes filled with tears.
‘I hate sayin’ goodbye, Louis. I feel as though I'll never see ye again.'
‘Oh come on now you silly thing, you know you will. It's only for a little while until you are strong enough to make the trip home. You know it makes sense and your parents will love having you here. Take advantage while you can and let them help you with the children. It will be hard enough when you do come home now Ellie has to live in with her new job. You'll miss her not being around to help won’t you?'
‘Yes, I know ye're right, but I'd rather be goin' home with ye.'
‘And I'd rather you got yourself fit and healthy again, otherwise I will have three children and an invalid on my hands.'
‘Louis?'
‘Yes?'
‘I wish Ellie and Michael would change their minds about goin’ to America after the wedding. I assumed the idea had died. Ye know they haven’t mentioned it for a while.'
‘I know it's a hell of a distance to go for work isn’t it?'
‘’Tis. And the worst of it is Michael has no particular job to go to when they get there.'
‘Well, they still have time to change their minds, the wedding isn’t until April and maybe something will turn up for him before then in England. I hope so.'
‘At least Ellie has a job at present, though it sounds as though that family are workin’ the hide off her. The only good thing about it is she doesn’t have to find cash for food, rent and clothes. D’ye suppose ye will see her on her next day off?'
‘I hope so, though it depends. I expect she will want to spend her time with Michael, not me!'
He lifted his bag off the bed and heaved it outside into the main room where Maeve was busy peeling potatoes. Billy and Marie were looking on, collecting up the peelings as they curled away from her knife. He dropped the bag on the floor beside her.
‘Well Maeve, I'll be off now.'
‘Oh Lord ye gave me a fright. Are ye away now?'
‘Yes, time to go. I'll just take my bag out and put it on the cart, and then I’ll have to be going.' He lifted his bag and went outside to where Ned was waiting with the donkey cart.
Ned turned in his seat and looked at Louis. ‘There ye are then. Put the bag in the back and I'll turn her round.'
Louis swung the bag onto the back of the cart and Ned made a clucking noise with his tongue and Bessie knew it was time to turn. Obediently, the animal moved forward and Ned manoeuvered the cart until they were facing the gate.
‘I'll just say my last goodbyes, Ned, and then I'll be off.'
‘No rush. God made time – and plenty of it.'
Louis grinned and went back inside the cottage.
‘Well Cat, this is it. I'm off now.' He embraced Cat tightly then turned to Billy sitting at the table hoarding his pile of peelings away from Marie.
‘Be a good boy, Billy, and look after Mummy.' Billy looked up at him, but was more interested in his pile of peelings, which he was guarding from Marie's watchful gaze.
Louis picked Marie up and kissed her. She nestled into his neck and for a moment he stood there holding the child close to him before putting her down and lifting the baby, Eileen, from her crib. He kissed her forehead and placed her back quickly so as not to disturb her sleep.
‘Goodbye, Maeve,' he said hugging her, ‘and thanks for everything you've done.'
‘Ah g’w’on with ye, ’tis a pleasure Louis. ’Tis a real pleasure. Off ye go now or ye'll miss the train. And write as soon as ye can.'
‘I will. Goodbye,' he called climbing aboard the cart.
The donkey moved off immediately, pulling the cart over the cobbles which clashed beneath her hooves until once through the gate, the grass muffled the sound.
Louis turned to look at Cat, Maeve and his children framed in the doorway of Monroe as the cart jogged its way along. Nearing the corner of the boreen where the terrain was firmer, Bessie suddenly bolted forwards just as Louis turned round, so denying him the last sight of his wife and children waving goodbye.