Louis was no stranger to the scythe and glad of the work, threw himself into it wholeheartedly. Ned and Tom were relieved as they were up against it trying to get the hay in on their own before rain spoiled it.
The fields looked glorious to Louis’ eyes after the drabness of Eltham. Though busking meant he was out in the fresh air all day, he felt so much better working on the land.
He managed to discuss things about his busking and Cat finally agreed to him continuing with it. Louis’ convincing argument came in the form of an example when they sat talking following his arrival in Fethard.
‘After all,’ he had said, ‘you would make a dress for a sister and wouldn’t charge her, but you would charge someone else. I play for nothing entertaining friends and family, but charge strangers for listening – it’s the same principle.’
Louis convinced her and they agreed not to quarrel over it any more. He would carry on doing it for as long as it took until he managed to gain permanent work.
Louis saw a change in Ned. He thought he looked older; his movements seemed slower and he was inclined to stop what he was doing and stand about daydreaming.
Tom didn’t stop telling Louis how grateful he was for his help as he said he was finding it impossible to cope under the circumstances. Most of the local youths had drifted overseas looking for work and those that were left behind were unable to help themselves, let alone others. The price of produce had dropped and they were working harder for less.
After the long days gathering the crops, Louis, Cat and the children usually ate a meal with Maeve, Ned and Tom and his wife Norah at Monroe, then strolled slowly back to O’Connell’s hotel where they were staying with her Auntie Nellie.
One evening, just before the children went to bed, Louis was relaxing in the hotel bar with Mary’s husband Daniel, and Cat brought the children to him to say goodnight. As the children were kissing Louis, the lounge door burst open and Peggy rushed in.
‘Daniel!’ she said breathlessly, ‘Mary went into labour a while back. I couldn’t find ye, so I’ve sent for Mrs. Morrisey, she’s with her now.’
‘But, she’s not due yet,’ Daniel replied looking puzzled.
‘Well any fool can tell that! G’w’on off with ye,’ Peggy said flopping down onto a chair.
Louis and Cat looked at each other, and then at Daniel, who finished his drink then gathered his jacket and bag together.
Cat stood up. ‘Daniel, shall I come with ye?’
He nodded, ‘Maybe come along in a little while once ye’ve put the children to bed, Cat.’ He stooped to kiss the children standing before him. ‘Yes,’ he added, ‘that’ll be a good idea, thanks.’
After Daniel left, Peggy, Louis and Cat fell silent for a while before Cat spoke.
‘Are ye thinkin’ what I’m thinking?’
Louis sighed. ‘Yes, probably. Sounds like history repeating itself doesn’t it?’ He picked up his glass and finished his drink. ‘Better get the children settled down before ye go, Cat. It could be a long night.’
Peggy looked worried. ‘I hope she doesn’t go through what ye went through Cat. Though she has Mrs. Morrisey over there with her which is more than ye had at the time. I had better get back to the shop as I have to put Marie to bed. Let me know later how things are won’t ye Cat?’
‘Sure I will, but it won’t be for a while yet I suppose.’
‘No, I suppose not. Anyway, ye know where I am; just call me if ye need me, any time.’
After Peggy left, Cat and Louis went upstairs to put the children to bed, though Cat wanted to be away as quickly as possible.
Louis felt it would be better if she did not go because he was worried about her having the memory of her last birth resurrected, but she brushed aside the suggestion. He watched her prepare to leave.
‘Cat?’
‘Yes?’
‘Last night was pretty special to me. I just hope you do not become pregnant again as a result.’
‘Ah, Louis, ’tis not a worry of mine ye know.’ She was pinning her hair up and turned to face him.
‘But it would not be wise to have another baby, now or later.’
‘Perhaps we should have thought of that before last night, my love.’ She smiled at him, put the hairbrush down and crossed the room to fold her arms around his neck. ‘Louis, c’mon now quit worrying. We can’t stay celibate forever, ’tis just not possible. Ye only have to look at me and, well, ye know!’
‘Cat. Cat. I don’t want anything to happen to you, I was so frightened that night.’
‘Nothin’s goin’ to happen to me. Nothin’ at all.’
Louis looked down at her thinking how mischievous she seemed. He gave her a squeeze, and then playfully slapped her on the backside as she turned to finish her hair.
As she stood before the dressing table mirror, she watched him. He looked worried.
‘I’ll be here long after ye’re pushin’ up the daisies,’ she laughed.
‘Oh don’t say that. I hate thinking about that sort of thing Cat. Maybe I saw too much of it in the war, but I can’t bear to imagine us being parted by death, it’s horrible.’
‘C’mon then let’s not think about it. ’Twon’t happen.’ She straightened her blouse and tucked it into the waistband of her skirt.
After checking the children were asleep, Cat told Louis she was ready to leave for Mary’s house.
He was sitting by the window in the bedroom reading a book and she went over to him and from behind, put her arms around his neck, kissing the crown of his head.
‘Don’t wait up, I may be some time.’
He caught hold of her wrist and kissed the palm of her hand before she slipped quietly from the room and ran downstairs, emerging on to Main Street just as Breda arrived.
‘Hello there Breda, where are ye off to?’
‘I’m walkin’ out to tell Mummy Mary’s in labour. Ye’re goin’ over to Mary’s, aren’t ye?
‘Yes.’
‘Good. I hoped I’d catch ye before ye left. I’ll walk part of the way with ye.’ They fell into step walking a little quicker than normal, each anxious to get to their destinations.
Dusk diminished into nightfall, the country sounds subdued, so that church bell striking every half hour was all that could be heard. Midnight came and went followed by the early hours preceding dawn. Mary made little progress and was showing signs of exhaustion, so Daniel had to send for Dr. Murray as he was unable to tend to her himself.
Daniel and Cat slipped outside the house and strolled in the garden at around three in the morning leaving ‘Old Murray’ to minister to Mary.
They both felt the atmosphere in the bedroom was oppressive. Daniel had become irritated with Doctor Murray who had exchanged several cross words with both Mrs. Morrisey and himself.
‘Why on Earth won’t he just retire and let me take over the practice?’ Daniel complained to Cat. ‘His methods are antiquated and I feel my more up-to-date training would be far more effective. He’s out of touch and would be better as a horse doctor.’
Cat smiled, though she was beginning to feel very anxious. ‘I’m worried she’s gettin’ awful tired, Daniel.’
‘Yes, that’s what I mean. He won’t listen and let me give her somethin’ to help the birth along. I have some medicine in my bag which would mean it could be all over and done within an hour.’
‘What is it ye have?’
‘Somethin’ most girls that get into trouble would pay a lot of money for.’
‘Oh. Not somethin’ dangerous is it?’
‘Can be in the wrong hands. It’s a derivative of Ergot, not commonly used by all, as it can be disastrous, but I have a little and wouldn’t hesitate to use it now if necessary.’
‘What’s that when it’s at home?’
‘I’ll explain some other time, Cat. But if only he’d let me give it to her.’
‘Why don’t ye insist?’
‘I can’t administer to anyone in my own family. It’s against medical ethics.’
‘That seems a bit harsh.’
‘Not really. After all, say I wanted to commit a murder and it was a member of my own family, then it would be easy if I were allowed to treat them. It’s there to protect the doctor as well as the members of a family. It stops mal-practice. So ye see I have to let Doctor Murray have his own way, regardless!’
They strolled around the garden several more times, sometimes falling silent, then striking up conversation simultaneously and laughing.
Eventually they decided to go back inside and as they climbed the stairs they could hear a slapping noise coming from the bedroom. They looked at each other and grinned.
‘The baby’s been born, Cat, I can hear him slapping its bottom,’ Daniel said, and charged up the stairs followed by Cat.
They burst into the bedroom only to find that Mary was lying motionless in the bed and Mrs. Morrisey, kneeling beside her, was sobbing.
Dr. Murray, in a futile attempt at revival was slapping the back of Mary’s hand. The doctor turned and bowed his head.
‘I’m sorry,’ he said.