A short while later the iron church gate creaked and all three turned to look as Joseph came into the small yard, his longish hair neatly trimmed for the occasion, with Angela on his arm.
The sight of Angela in her classic-style white lace dress and veil had Nance searching for her hanky. Fiona watched as her mother went to greet her son and daughter at the door. She couldn’t hear what she said to them, but both Joseph and Angela nodded at her and smiled. Then, Nance whispered “Good luck” to the girls again, and went off with a quiet dignity, down the carpeted aisle to join her sister at the front of the church.
Fiona was grateful for the way events had worked out over the last number of weeks. Things had settled back down at home with her mother working full time in the shop and helping in the bar a few evenings during the week. With Bridget in the shop too, Fiona had more time for herself, and was free to travel up and down to Clifden now that Michael had returned to finish off the cottage. Somewhere, she had found the courage to tell Mam that she was staying a few nights in Galway with him while they were choosing furniture. Her mother had sighed and said it was her own decision, but to be very careful.
“I will,” Fiona had said, “but I need to be sure. I need to spend as much time with him to know if the relationship is going to work out in the long-term.”
So far, she had no doubts. Michael O’Sullivan was everything she had looked for in a man – attractive, interesting and romantic – but more importantly, like Edward, he was kind and considerate. His blue airmail letters had come regularly and with each one she felt she felt she was getting to know and understand him better. It was not the same as seeing him every day, but it was the best they could do. But even if they both were living in Ireland, Fiona would have felt she needed to take things slowly.
After hearing of Angela’s sudden marriage plans, Michael had recently written to say that at some point in the future they might want to formalise their own relationship and look at plans for the future. She had been thrilled when she read it, and it confirmed to her that he had taken the physical closeness in their relationship as the same serious commitment that she had.
But, it had occurred to her recently that while she hoped they would work out a future together in Ireland or America, there was a part of her still wanted to experience the adventure she had originally planned. The same adventure she had dreamed of before her father died.
After giving it careful thought, she had written to Michael about it, explaining as best she could, and suggesting that she take the nanny position with the Davis family in Park Avenue for a year. Since he was based a lot of the time in New York, it would mean they would see each other regularly, and they could explore all the places she had planned to see in New York together. They could even go to the dances with Elizabeth and her boyfriend.
Michael had sent a letter back saying anything that started the process of them being closer together was great by him, and he would introduce her to Boston and his family as well. His mother she would meet for the first time in a few weeks when she came to stay in the renovated cottage in Clifden.
The only problem was telling her mother she was going. But she would find a way to reassure her that she wasn’t disappearing forever, and that she would travel home as often as she could afford.
If she was accepted into the convent as a postulant, Bridget would still come back home on occasions, and Mam was busier now with her drama and the golf lessons she had recently started. And, she was travelling up to Dublin more often, and had recently stayed a weekend with her sister. Aunt Catherine was also spending time down in Tullamore, and had offered to help in the shop any time they were short of staff.
The situation with Joseph had been quietly dealt with and, after a long talk, it had been agreed that Catherine would continue to be called his mother, and Nance would still be his aunt. In his eyes, he said, nothing had really changed apart from the fact he now had three lovely sisters instead of three lovely cousins.
Mam had broached the subject of him coming to work in the bar in Tullamore, but he said he was happy enough in London. Maybe, in the future, he might come back, but for the time being he wanted to get more experience in the hotel, and continue working with his friend on their music. They had sent demo tapes off to a record label, and things were looking hopeful for a contract. That sort of opportunity, he explained, was much harder to come by in a smaller city like Dublin.
Fiona smiled now as Joseph went first towards Bridget, and then came to her to give her a hug and a kiss. He then turned back to Angela, to make a whispered, inane joke about it being her last chance to back out and make a quick getaway. They all laughed and then, as the taped bridal music started to play Pachelbel’s Canon, everything suddenly became serious and they moved quickly to get into position for walking down the aisle, Angela on Joseph’s arm, with her two bridesmaids in attendance close behind.
As they moved through the doors, Fiona noticed that Angela did not seem in the slightest bit nervous.
She had already told Fiona that she and Edward planned to start a family immediately – hopefully on their European tour honeymoon. With Edward’s age, she explained, they had no time to waste. Fiona could already imagine Edward as a father, with his open enthusiasm about the most trivial of things. Angela knew – with great certainty – exactly what she was doing, and what she hoped for the future.
As they took the first steps in the short journey down the aisle – the journey which would lead to Angela becoming Mrs Edward Harrington – Fiona wished she had the same certainty about her own life. Then, as she got closer to the crowd who were waiting with great anticipation, her eyes flickered along the rows of people and her gaze came to settle on the back of Michael’s head.
Seeing him sitting there, beside Patrick and Mrs Mooney and Maggie, made him look more familiar and closer to her than ever. And she realised she would probably never find anyone else who she would feel this way about, and be so attracted to. He caught her eye as she passed by the pew and he winked at her and she had to stop herself from smiling.
As the altar and the waiting Edward loomed into view, a quiet assurance seemed to settle over her. Whatever they decided – however they worked things out – Fiona somehow knew that all would be well.
Also by Geraldine O'Neill
It is 1973 and Connie Devine prepares to leave County Offaly to study medicine in Manchester. Her mother Kate, however, had her heart set on Connie going to university in Dublin and is bitterly disappointed not to get her wish. She fears that her daughter will make a life for herself in England and settle there. Also, Manchester is the home of the beautiful and successful Tara Kennedy, Connie s aunt, and Kate for reasons of her own is determined that Connie will have no contact with Tara.
Then, before she leaves Offaly, Connie encounters Tara's young brother-in-law, William, at a party. They are instantly attracted. But when Kate discovers that William has a guilty secret, she exposes it to break up the romance.
Settled at Manchester University, Connie tries to forget William. She begins a weekend job which Kate has organised, looking after children. Initially dazzled by the luxurious house on Silver Street, and the generous money she earns there, Connie comes to realise the couple are reckless in their lifestyle and neglectful of their children.
Then, an incident occurs on Silver Street which threatens to shatter Connie s hopes of a medical career, and Kate s worst fears are realised when Tara is brought into the picture.
Read "The House on Silver Street" Now
Sarah Love
As she puts the final stitches in her perfect wedding dress, Sarah Love receives dreadful news which wrecks all her future plans. Heartbroken and humiliated, she leaps at a chance to make a fresh start away from her native Tullamore.
Within a week she has crossed the Irish Sea, and is lodging with other young women in a house off Newcastle city centre, just a short walk from Harrison’s – the rundown knitting and sewing shop where she will work for reserved and troubled spinster,
Lucy Harrison.
Sarah now finds herself amongst people of different classes, religion and race, and when her Irish nationality is attacked she must discover the skills to survive.
Putting the past behind her, she channels her energies into rebuilding the old-fashioned, neglected Harrison’s into a thriving business and her wonderful sewing and design skills soon lead her down a new and exciting path in life.
A path without love though, as she is too raw to consider romance again. Or so she thinks…
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Leaving Clare
Growing up in the 1950s in Kilnagree,, a small village in Co Clare, Rose Barry lives a quiet, predictable life. Working part-time in the local pub while helping her grandmother at home, Rose's only ambition is to marry a decent local lad and stay close to her family in Kilnagree.
In Offaly, Rose's pretty, precocious cousin Hannah Martin is hiding dark secrets. Dreaming of the day she can flee her vicious-tempered mother, Hannah finds a welcome escape with her cousins in Kilnagree where she is the life and soul of the party.
Lenora Bentley, whose daughter lives in Kilnagree, also finds peace and tranquility when she visits Co Clare. A wealthy widow, living in a large empty house in Dublin, Lenora is nursing a wound that refuses to heal. In trying to come to terms with her grief. Lenora has closed herself off from a fulfilling social life and the one man who could open the door to a very different future.
Will Rose find happiness in Killnagree or do her fortunes lie elsewhere? Will Hannah break free from her domineering mother and her own dangerous behaviour? And will Lenora ever be able to let her guard down to enjoy a full life again?
All three women are searching for a new life which means leaving the old behind. For Rose Barry it may well mean leaving Clare.
Read Leaving Now
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