‘Wow!’ all three boys said at once.
When Marcus gave up in frustration, Hugh had a go, also without much success. Then Freddie put Mandrake on the ground and had a try.
‘It’s too hard,’ he said, stamping his foot furiously after running to retrieve the boomerang, which had dropped to the ground near a hydrangea bush a few yards in front of him for the third time.
‘It takes practice,’ Finn said, ‘before you can throw like the natives.’
‘Are they black natives like in Africa?’ Hugh asked, eyes wide.
‘With fuzzy hair?’ Freddie jumped in.
‘They don’t have fuzzy hair, but they’re certainly black.’
At that moment the front door opened and Ma came out wheeling Grandma. Beside them was Ronan. After they had greeted Uncle Finn, Lillie saw him smile at Ma. ‘I brought you a present as well,’ he said. ‘You too, Lillie and Ronan.’ He glanced at her father who had just driven up and come over to join them. ‘Nothing for you, old man. I reckoned you’ve got all you want with this lovely family. But I did bring something for you, Mrs O’Sullivan,’ he said to Grandma, bounding over to his car.
A moment later he was back with a scarf for Grandma, a shiny leather whip for Lillie — which went a long way to improving her mood — and a book on sailing for Ronan. Lastly he handed Ma a package.
‘You shouldn’t have done that,’ she said.
‘I found it in a record shop in Grafton Street. Open it.’
When Ma unwrapped the paper, Lillie saw it was a Buddy Holly record. One of Ma’s favourite artists. The singer had died five years ago and Uncle Finn must have known how sad Ma had been.
‘You’re very kind,’ Kathleen said, leaning forward to give Finn a kiss on the cheek. ‘Trust you to know how much this’d mean to me. Thank you.’
‘Ah, it was nothing.’
Lillie looked at Uncle Finn. If she was being honest, much as she loved Dad, Uncle Finn was better looking and more fun, too. Then, she supposed, he didn’t have the responsibility of running a struggling estate like Rathgarven and feeding and educating four children. Finn flitted in from Australia to go fishing and visit his best friend and his family, so it was easy for him to seem carefree.
Would Ma tell him about that man Donoghue visiting? And how Dad owed him a small fortune? Lillie doubted if Ma would, for that would be disloyal.
But would Dad tell his good friend what he’d done?
* * *
After dinner that night Kathleen, James and their guests retired to the drawing room where Finn entertained them on the harp as they sat around the roaring fire. James always thought it incongruous that his burly friend was such a master of the strings. Tonight he played ‘Danny Boy’, one of James’s favourite ballads. James watched his friend’s face as he sang, illuminated by the darting flames. Age had not been unkind to Finn; although his face was lined and burnt by the harsh Australian sun, he had gained a ruggedness that suited him. Finn should have gone back to Australia a week ago but had stayed on in Ireland to attend the funeral of his favourite cousin in two days’ time in Cork. James knew Finn wasn’t looking forward to this. Finn, an only child, was devastated that his cousin, who’d been like a brother to him, had taken his own life. Furthermore, at the funeral he would come face to face with his estranged father.
Before the war Finn had worked on his uncle’s rubber plantation near Calcutta. When the war broke out, like a number of Irishmen, despite past political differences he volunteered to fight with the British forces, and enlisted with the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry. Following the huge losses at Tobruk in 1942 his battalion was disbanded and he returned to India. After the war he worked his passage on a liner to Australia, where he found a job as a roustabout on an outback cattle station in the Northern Territory. He fell in love with Australia and worked up the courage to write to his family in Cork to tell them he wouldn’t be returning home to study law and join the family law firm. His father was furious and told him he was wasting his life. From then on he had disowned him. This spurred Finn on to make a success in Australia, where he now had a horse stud, Eureka Park, in the New England district of New South Wales.
James remembered so well when he had first met Finn. It was on the train from Killarney to Dublin, where he was going to boarding school at Blackrock College. After the train stopped in Cork, he had seen the hunched figure of a boy about the same age as himself standing alone in the gangway between two carriages in a howling wind. If the train was crowded, schoolboys weren’t allowed a seat. When James joined him, Finn took out a pack of cigarettes.
‘Here, have one,’ he said, shoving the pack at James.
And it being so cold, James had taken the cigarette even though he had never smoked before. It turned out Finn, who had the largest feet James had ever seen, was starting at Blackrock as well. They worked out they would probably be in the same class. From that moment on they were as thick as thieves, and Finn spent many school holidays at Rathgarven. Even then Finn and his father didn’t get on, so he preferred to visit Rathgarven rather than go to his parents at Cork. When he was in India, Finn wrote to James most months, and when he came back to Ireland he would come down to Rathgarven to stay, or James would meet him in Dublin. In later years they would meet up with Dermot if he was in Dublin on leave.
Now watching him play the harp James thought of Finn’s cousin, who had left a wife and three children behind. It made him consider his own situation. No matter what dire straits James had got himself into, he would never be able to abandon his family by taking his own life. He looked across to Kathleen, who was watching Finn as he sang. It was a long time since he’d seen her relax like this. There was no way he could spoil her night by telling her his doubts about the loan from the bank. In any case, it was still possible the bank might come up with the money. Yet, even if that happened, James would still have to work out how to make the repayments.
Later that evening, after the Fitzpatricks had made their farewells, James and Finn walked down the drive in the cool, crisp air to shut the gate behind their car.
‘I gather Hugh’s going to keep living with them for a while,’ Finn said.
‘Yes, his parents have a second posting with Irish Rubber in Malaya. Probably won’t be home for a couple of years.’
‘Just as well the Fitzpatricks are there for Hugh, then.’
James nodded. ‘I think they regard him as their own now.’
‘And the older brother? Charles, isn’t it?’
‘He’s gone to Malaya to his parents. Unlike Hugh, he prefers the heat of the tropics to freezing cold Ireland.’
‘Can’t say I blame him. So, how are things with you, my friend?’ Finn placed his hand on James’s shoulder. ‘Jessica still giving you trouble, eh?’
James sighed. ‘Yes. And more, I’m afraid. Much more. Urgent this time.’
He told him about his meeting with her at the Shelbourne.
‘Jesus,’ Finn said, shaking his head. ‘What a bloody shemozzle!’
‘I know. We left it that I’d get in touch with her by the end of the month.’ He leant down and picked up a piece of grass, wet with dew. For a moment he fiddled with it. ‘Of course I can’t tell Kathleen.’ He sighed deeply. ‘And to make matters worse I stupidly bet on what I thought was a sure winner at the races, hoping that might make enough money to give to Jessica without putting any more strain on Rathgarven. Placed rather a lot on the darn beast. Lost, of course. Tried to get it back on later races. Made it worse. Now I’ve got Donoghue, the bookmaker, on my back as well.’ He sighed even more deeply. ‘If I don’t come up with some money, not only will Jessica make good her threat, we also have a good chance of losing Rathgarven.’
‘Christ, mate. Why didn’t you tell me?’
‘I’ve been in a bit of a stupor over it. Not quite sure what to do. If it was only Jessica I might have been able to raise that amount. But with the money I lost to Donoghue … Well, that compounds it considerably.’
<
br /> Finn cleared his throat. ‘What if I was to pay Jessica off for good? Get her off your back?’
James shook his head. ‘Thanks, old boy. There’s no way I can take that sort of money from anyone. Let alone you.’
They paused when they came to the green painted fence around the meadow. As they leant over the top watching the moonbeams shine over the cove, James could feel the fresh salt air on his face; it was low tide and he could smell the seaweed.
‘Things are going well out at Eureka,’ Finn said. ‘I’d a good windfall the other day. Young foal sold for a record price.’ He grinned. ‘And besides, I’m quite fond of Jessica. Even knowing what she’s done to you over the years.’
‘Thanks, Finn. But this is my worry, not yours.’
‘Listen, mate. I’m not going to let her hold you over a barrel like that. What I’ll do is go and see her when I’m in London on the way back to Australia. Leave it to me. I’ll pay her something. Blowed if it’ll be all she demands. Still, it’ll be enough to sort her out. You can pay me back later. And what about this man, Donoghue? Is there some way I can shut the bastard up as well?’
James thought for a while. If he could get Jessica off his back that would be something. For he had grave fears what would happen if he didn’t continue to give her money. It was a risk he couldn’t take, as Finn knew only too well.
‘If you went to see Jessica,’ he finally said, ‘and — between us — you could get her off my back, that would help.’
Finn gestured towards the house. ‘Despite how much you love this place, have you considered throwing it in? It’s been one heck of a struggle ever since you took over from your father. This Kerry land may be God’s kingdom but as we know it can be hard land to make a living from. As I said, I’m doing well in Australia. In fact, there’s more work than I can cope with on my own with the present manager. What I need is a business partner who knows something about horses. Someone I can get along with. Someone I can trust.’
James gulped. ‘Are you suggesting I sell up Rathgarven and come and join you?’
‘Just a thought, mate. Could solve your problems and give you a whole new lease of life. Kathleen and the kids might even like it. I’d move into the manager’s house. Leave you lot the homestead on the river. It’s called the Peel. Bloody good stretch of water.’ He glanced back at Rathgarven. ‘It mightn’t be this sort of homestead, but it’s not a bad place at all. If you were to sell up and pay off Donoghue you and the family could make a new start.’
‘In Australia?’
‘Many Irish have.’ He chuckled. ‘Including your good friend, Finn Malone.’
‘And what about my mother?’
‘She’s a strong woman. She’d cope.’ He paused. ‘She might even come herself.’
James shook his head. ‘Thanks all the same, Finn. If you could see Jessica, I’ll try and handle Donoghue. It’d break my heart to leave Rathgarven. Kathleen’s as well. Not to mention my mother’s. And, of course, Ronan has always thought it’d be his one day.’
‘He might be glad not to have the noose of debt hanging around his neck.’
‘The economy’s sure to have improved by the time he inherits.’
‘Ah. But in the meantime you’ve got to hold onto the place. Anyway … the offer’s on the table if the bank doesn’t come good.’
‘Thanks, Finn,’ James said. ‘I’ll remember that. And thanks a million for taking Jessica on. That’s a huge weight off my shoulders. As soon as I can I’ll fix you up. Rest assured I will. Now,’ he added, glancing up to the house and the light in the main bedroom, ‘we’d best be heading inside or we’ll never be up early in the morning. I know Ronan and Marcus want to take you fishing at dawn.’
‘Ah, I be looking forward to that.’ He paused. ‘And the next day is the funeral.’
‘Your cousin was a troubled man.’
‘Silly bastard. What fool would want to go kill himself like that, particularly with a family? Bloody selfish act if you ask me. Leaving his mess for others to sort out.’
‘And you’ll talk to your father?’
‘Not if I can help it. But let’s not be maudlin. Not on a grand night like this.’
James sighed. ‘Thanks again, Finn, for your kind offer.’
‘Ah. It’s nothing at all. Go to your beautiful Kathleen. You’re a damn lucky man.’
James nodded. ‘And don’t I know it.’
Finn pulled a photograph of a dog from his wallet. ‘This is the only being I’ve got waiting for me back at Eureka.’
Finn was an alcoholic. He could go for months without a drink, then something would set him off and he’d go on a bender. His ex-wife, Dawn, had put up with it for years before she finally moved to Sydney, leaving Finn at Eureka Park on his own, although she had written to James and Kathleen to say that her friend Winifred Black was going to look in on him. Winifred’s very caring, she wrote, so I know she’ll keep an eye on him.
James glanced at the photo of Finn’s dog. ‘He looks happy enough.’
‘Dingo’s his name. Bloody loyal friend.’ He put the photo back in his wallet. ‘Now then … you head on up. I’ll enjoy this fine Kerry air a little longer.’
As James walked back to the house he thought how lucky he was to have Finn as a friend. And to have Kathleen waiting for him. When he entered their bedroom she was sitting at her dressing table brushing her gleaming hair.
He walked over and kissed the top of her head. ‘A great evening, darling,’ he said. ‘I believe the Fitzpatricks had a grand old time. She’s a card, isn’t she? And he’s always good for a laugh.’
‘It was fun, wasn’t it? I think Finn enjoyed himself. It’s great to see he’s not drinking.’
‘I think he’s finally got it beat this time.’
‘Let’s hope so.’ She looked at him in the mirror. ‘So how did it go with Declan?’
James waited a moment before answering; what he was about to say was far from the truth. ‘It went well. We should have a loan through before too long.’
‘Oh, that’s great. And I’m sorry for getting annoyed yesterday. It’s just that Donoghue makes me curdle inside. He’s so darn smug.’
James went over to the bed and sat down. He took off his tie, then leant down to undo the laces of his brogues. ‘I’m sorry I wasn’t here to meet him so you didn’t have to confront him on your own.’
‘I’ve been thinking,’ Kathleen said, turning around. ‘You know how I sometimes do Hindi interpreting for the Indian Embassy in Dublin. I thought I’d write and see if they have any more work. It’d be great to have the extra income, even when the loan comes through.’ She smiled. ‘I know how hard you slog trying to keep our heads above water. And that to do what you did you must have been desperate to get on top of things. So the least I can do is try and help a bit more.’
This made James feel even worse. He went over and wrapped his arms around her. ‘Darling, we’ll be fine. Honestly we will. I’m so sorry I did what I did. And you’re quite right that it was a desperate attempt. Even so, I should have thought it through more. But it seems it will all end well.’
If only he could be sure of that.
CHAPTER
4
After they had seen Finn off on his way to Cork, Kathleen, Lillie and Ronan drove up the steep winding road to the station at Killarney to meet Clara. Kathleen had thought of trying to put her off — she hadn’t felt much like entertaining another person in the house just now, let alone the daughter of her great friend. If Clara was to get a hint of the difficulties they were in at Rathgarven, Kathleen felt sure she would relay it to Jessica. And Kathleen couldn’t bear the thought of Jessica feeling sorry for her. But now that things seemed so much brighter, Kathleen was looking forward to seeing Clara after all.
‘Thank you, Lillie, for getting your room ready to share with Clara,’ she said, shifting gears as they reached Moll’s Gap, the narrow pass with the view over the towering purple of Macgillycuddy’s Reeks that she never t
ired of.
‘I made lots of space in the cupboard as I bet she’ll have heaps of great clothes as usual.’
‘She doesn’t have that many,’ Kathleen said.
‘She has a lot more than me.’
‘Jessica probably has more money than we have. And Clara’s older than you as well.’
As they passed Lough Leane, the largest of Killarney’s magnificent lakes, Kathleen glanced at Ronan as he sat beside her. He seemed quieter than usual. Clara had been coming to Rathgarven since she was five years old. She and Ronan were great friends, which Kathleen knew sometimes caused Lillie immense jealousy. Was Ronan worried that now she had turned seventeen Clara would find her childhood playmate dull compared to her London friends?
When Clara stepped down from the train at Killarney, Kathleen hardly recognised her. Last time she had seen her she had seemed a mere girl. Now she was a beautiful young lady dressed in a tartan skirt with a red jumper, silk stockings and dark blue patent leather kitten heels. Her long blonde hair was loose around her shoulders and there was a hint of rouge on her cheeks. She’s like a rose that’s burst into bloom, Kathleen mused fondly.
Kathleen thought back to when she was that age. Surely she’d not been as grown up as Clara? She remembered how her much-loved Aunt Mildred had taken her out of her dreary Dublin boarding school and down to Bewleys’ tearooms to celebrate her birthday. In some ways it felt like yesterday. In other ways it felt like another world, so much had happened in between.
Now Lillie rushed ahead to give Clara a hug. Kathleen knew her daughter had spent an age deciding what to wear to the station. Ronan, on the other hand, had feigned indifference, though Kathleen could have sworn he’d taken more time with his appearance than he had in quite a while. He moved forward to take Clara’s suitcase. Normally they’d slap each other on the back and before long be exploding in fits of giggles. But now they stood looking awkwardly at each other, neither seeming quite sure what to do next.
The Homestead on the River Page 4