The House by the Liffey

by Niki Phillips

  ‘Yes. But it’s not quite as straightforward as that.’

  ‘You mean he’s so much older than you and lives in Minneapolis, which means you would be moving a long way from home. This will be difficult for us to adjust to. It’s so very far away, but if that’s what you want, well, so be it.’

  ‘There’s quite a lot more to it than that, Mum.’

  ‘Oh? Like what?’

  ‘Jed Seabourne. Did you like him?’

  ‘Yes. Granny and I both did, very much, but the age difference seems to me is too great. Granny thought that too. However, if you’re really certain that you love him enough then how can I object? He feels the same way?’

  ‘Oh yes. Very much so, but there are other problems.’

  ‘Now I’m intrigued!’

  ‘Jed’s original name is Eddie: Doctor Eddie Conran.’

  The penny dropped with Milo first and he leapt to his feet in protest.

  ‘No! No, no, no. You just can’t do this, Izzy. My darling child, think what you’re saying.’

  ‘I know, Dad, the whole story – everything. He’s held nothing back.’

  Milo sank back into his chair and, as with Sean, she then told them the full story, making it abundantly clear that Eddie himself had the same objections as they had.

  ‘I’ve been to see Uncle Sean and talked it through with him. He thinks we might be able to work something out, but wanted me to tell you both the whole story first.’

  There was a long silence while Noola and Milo digested all this. Izzy waited patiently for their reaction. Eventually Milo, trying his best to stifle his dismay and revulsion at the whole idea and remain as rational as possible, gave his response.

  ‘Much as I love you, Izzy, and always will, no matter what happens, I just can’t agree to having this man in our home, not ever. There’s much too much history between us.’

  ‘But, Dad, . . . ’

  ‘No! I want to make a suggestion. I’d like you to agree to wait for a year before taking such a big step. Then if you still feel the same way we’ll think about it again. Perhaps your mother might feel she could go to a quiet wedding in the USA, but I’m afraid I can’t cope with it. What do you think, Noola?’

  ‘Waiting for a while does seem to be a good, sensible compromise, although I’ll still have huge reservations about it for a number of reasons.’

  ‘But I can’t possibly wait a year; I’m pregnant!’

  ‘Oh my God! But you said he categorically rejected any suggestion of all that!’

  ‘Yes, he did,’ and she told them just as she had told Sean, then added, ‘It was the only way I could make sure he would eventually agree to our getting married. Even then I couldn’t be sure I would become pregnant. It’s all my doing not his. Please, Dad. I love him so much and from my early teens I’ve had wonderful visions of getting married here, with a reception in my own home by the river.’ Now the tears were rolling down her cheeks. ‘I so want it to be here, however small and quiet, but if not then I’ll just have to go over there, on my own if need be, and get married in Minneapolis.’

  Milo and Noola were really shaken. Neither knew quite how to react.

  ‘We need just a little time to think this through, Izzy. We love you and we’ll support you as best we can. If Dad feels he can’t go to your wedding, wherever it takes place, then I’ll certainly go but I must say I do understand how he feels. He laid his life on the line in his attempt to rescue you from this man and his fellow villains. He could have been killed like some of the others out there at Powerscourt Falls.’

  ‘I know, Mum, I know, and I’ll never forget that. You two and Eddie are the three people I love most in the world.’

  ‘As I said: just give us a day or so to get used to this idea and see how we feel then. I think we’ll talk it through with Granny. Would you be happy for us to do that?’

  ‘Yes, of course.’

  Chapter 41

  As on many evenings, Maggie joined the family for dinner the following day. Noola had told her that she and Milo wanted to have a private chat with her afterwards and she was intrigued. Dramas in this family had become quite a commonplace occurrence and she wondered what had happened now.

  They were in the intimate and comfortable atmosphere of the den again and Noola and Milo between them told her the whole story, with Milo still adamant that he wasn’t able to come to terms with the situation.

  ‘No wonder my hair’s almost completely grey, Maggie, and Noola’s too come to that. I keep hoping that we’ll have a break from it all, a lovely, long period with no more problems, but one after another they keep coming.’

  ‘That’s true, Mammy, it can be very depressing sometimes,’ added Noola. ‘And although aside from Bill the various other problems have sorted themselves out, I’m afraid now we’ve an unfortunate first: a young, single girl, pregnant and needing to get married in something of a hurry. That hasn’t happened before in either family, has it?’

  Maggie looked at the two of them for quite a long few moments, making up her mind as to exactly what she should tell them.

  ‘Sorry, Maggie! We shouldn’t have landed it in your lap quite so bluntly. You’re obviously shocked.’

  ‘Well, before answering that, I want to say first how much I admire you both and how you’ve coped throughout all the problems and difficulties that have been thrown at you, none of which you deserved. As for being shocked, no! Astonished, yes, about who this man is that our Izzy has fallen in love with. It reminds me of that film, Casablanca: what Humphrey Bogart said about Ingrid Bergman walking into his bar. Of all the pharmacies in the world that Izzy could have walked into it had to be his! It makes you wonder about “fate” doesn’t it?’

  ‘But you’re not shocked about Izzy being pregnant?’

  ‘No, I’m not. Perhaps it’s time to tell you both some of the family secrets and in the circumstances I feel sure I would be forgiven by those no longer with us. You see, Noola, I was pregnant with you before Billy and I got married and we did indeed have to get married in a hurry.’

  ‘Mammy! And I never knew!’

  ‘Of course you didn’t. It’s not something I would have boasted about, most especially in those days – complete disgrace for the whole family!’

  ‘Poor Maggie! That must have been so difficult for you. At least Billy really loved you and did want to marry you. Otherwise what an awful dilemma for you! But, you know, I’ve a feeling Granny Butler would have stood by you. She was very devoted to you.’

  ‘You’re absolutely right, Milo, she would and once said as much, but that’s not the end of the story.’

  ‘What more can there be to tell?’

  ‘Sorry if it upsets you, Milo, but your own mother was pregnant with you before she and Tom were married.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘Oh yes! That’s why they got married so quickly after he returned at the end of the war and why they went and stayed in the villa at Monte Carlo until after you were born. Ostensibly it was to give Tom a chance to recover both physically and emotionally, having had his twin die in his arms and being severely injured himself.’

  Speechless, Milo and Noola stared at her.

  ‘It probably happened quite a lot in those days. Young people in love frightened, each time they parted, that they might never see each other again and with good reason – I don’t need to tell you what the casualty rate was. So, both of you, don’t be too hard on Izzy. And, let’s face it, although like you I’d prefer it hadn’t happened, there’s not the stigma that there used to be. Anyhow, don’t tell me that you two didn’t hop into bed together before you were married, because knowing you both so well I’d find that really hard to believe. So that’s that part of the problem out of the way. The rest is a bit more difficult I know.’

  ‘There’s no way I can agree to having any contact with that man, Maggie.’

  ‘Okay, Milo, fair enough. I can understand how you feel. It’s an awful lot to ask of you. But think of this. If Izzy goes
out to Minneapolis, gets married and dies giving birth to her child how would you feel if you had refused to have any part of the whole thing? I know it doesn’t happen so often these days but it does happen. She’s only a little scrap of a thing and there could be all sorts of complications. After all, she didn’t ask or plan to fall in love with this man.’

  ‘But, Maggie…’

  ‘Milo, as Izzy herself has pointed out, more than once, if it wasn’t for him then she wouldn’t be with us today. You and Noola did finally agree with Sean’s suggestion that he should be allowed to slip away.’

  ‘Yes, and to add insult to injury we gave some financial support to help set him up in a new life. The irony of it!’

  ‘You’re angry, Milo, and understandably so. I would suggest that you take a few days to cool down and think this over before you make a final decision as to how you’ll play it, a decision you might regret later if made in haste.’

  ‘Well whatever the decision, in the circumstances we can’t spend too long making it.’

  ‘That’s true, Noola darlin’, and if it’s all right with you I’ll have a chat with Izzy myself. The girl needs to know she has somebody who’s unequivocally on her side regardless of the circumstances.’

  ‘That would be great, Mammy, but she does know that, unhappy as I am about it, I will stick by her; go to her wedding and be there when she has her baby.’

  ‘She knows I’ll always stand by her too. I’ve told her as much, but I do have my limits. You know I feel almost betrayed! Isn’t that silly?’

  ‘No, Milo darlin’. It’s completely understandable but something’s just struck me that may take any decision out of all our hands.’

  ‘Oh?’

  ‘How is Eddie going to complete the details required on a marriage certificate here? Details about his parents’ names, his place of birth, etc.? Because of all that I’d say it would be impossible or at the least extremely difficult for him. He can’t use his real name, he’s supposed to be dead!’

  * * * * *

  Izzy eventually agreed that, quite aside from all those complications, it would look very strange indeed if she had a “hole-in the-corner” wedding at home. Not only was she too well known to get away with it, but also it would look especially odd considering the big celebrations there had been at Riverside for Mageen’s and Sarah’s weddings. Milo came up with what, in the end, even Izzy thought was a good compromise. They would go to some exotic location to get married. That was becoming increasingly fashionable and for someone who was a celebrity it wouldn’t seem too strange. It would fit the “star” pianist image. It could be done very quietly and the world told much later. They talked it through with Sean and he agreed that Eddie could slip into the country for a quick few days later, perhaps after the baby was born, so that Izzy could at least have a family celebration at Riverside both of her marriage and the birth of her child. They’d have to keep it as small as they dared so as not to raise too many eyebrows, but the big question now was would Eddie agree to the plan?

  Izzy tried to break the news of her pregnancy to him gently but he was still very shaken. So far as he was concerned there was no argument that they must get married but he was all too aware of the complications involved and the reservations of her family were completely understandable to him.

  ‘No wonder they’re shocked and shaken, Izzy. I would be in their place. I’m shaken myself, even though the thought of marrying you is wonderful. Don’t for a moment think it doesn’t give me the greatest pleasure. And then the added delight at the idea of being a father, something that in my wildest dreams I didn’t think could ever happen for me, given my history. I just don’t deserve all this good fortune.’

  ‘Well, I’m very relieved to know that you’re happy about it. What about this quiet wedding idea?’

  ‘It makes so much sense. But let’s forget about somewhere exotic. How about we go back to Las Vegas? As you yourself pointed out there’s ample provision there for spur of the moment weddings. They’re not unusual there and would raise no eyebrows around here.’

  ‘And it’s where it all happened! That’s a brilliant idea and, don’t forget, for us here Las Vegas does sound quite exotic, even really exciting.’

  * * * * *

  In the end Milo, taking on board the points made by Maggie, did decide to go to the wedding with Noola and Maggie. So far as the world was concerned they were going to meet Izzy’s fiancé and even other members of the family weren’t put fully in the picture. With excitement and anticipation, all assumed the wedding would be at Riverside. Mageen was quite determined that Jack would take leave and they would all come over for the big day. That put the final seal on the sense of the wedding taking place abroad, for Jack was one of the few people who would, with his training and astuteness, undoubtedly recognize Eddie, however much altered or disguised he might be.

  In spite of his deep reservations and prejudices, Milo found himself warming to Eddie. They had a long heart-to-heart during which Eddie made it clear that he understood well how he and Noola must feel and that he had not planned or intended that things would work out as they had. However, he also made it abundantly clear how utterly devoted he was to Izzy and his whole existence from then on would be dedicated to the care of her and their child.

  ‘I’ll do everything in my power to make her and keep her happy. As you know, I would give my life to protect her.’

  ‘Yes, well you’ve already proved that, Eddie – I must get used to calling you Jed now.’

  Eddie’s friends, especially the Earles, were disappointed at the sudden wedding in Las Vegas, but accepted it with a good grace and insisted on giving a huge party for them when they returned to Minneapolis. Izzy and Eddie agreed, on the understanding that there would be no publicity relating to Izzy’s celebrity status.

  The other members of the Butler family were astonished and, like Eddie’s friends, disappointed at being denied a wedding celebration, especially one at Riverside. However, they too accepted with a good grace and when word of Izzy’s pregnancy filtered through no more was said. However, they all looked forward to meeting “Jed”.

  Chapter 42

  Androulla arrived at Riverside in October, two weeks after Milo, Noola and Maggie returned home from Izzy’s wedding. Wanting to make her feel really welcome, in circumstances which they realized could be quite stressful for her, Noola and Milo both went to meet her at the airport. When they had spoken on the phone Androulla had asked how she would know them and Noola had assured her that she would have no difficulty in identifying Bill’s father.

  They, in turn, had no problem in recognizing the lovely young woman, described to them in detail by Tommy and Isabel, with eyes so dark they looked almost black and raven-coloured, shoulder-length hair. Both could see at once what had attracted Bill. Milo, in particular, was taken aback at her effect on him and found he had to dampen down his very male response to her.

  Even though she had been forewarned, Androulla was surprised at Milo’s strong resemblance to his son. He was exactly what Bill would have looked like in another thirty or so years’ time. She was touched at the warm welcome given to her and felt comfortable with both of them from the outset.

  When they arrived at Riverside, like many before her, on first seeing the splendid old house she was so overwhelmed that for a few minutes she was lost for words. The entrance to the estate was graced by huge, antique, wrought-iron gates where, set slightly back from these, Paddy and family lived in an elegant lodge. The long, almost straight drive gave an unimpeded view of the house, which, although originally a large Georgian edifice, typical of it’s kind to be found scattered all over Ireland, had been sensitively extended by different generations to accommodate changing needs. One of these extensions was a large conservatory which, she would discover later, housed a number of specimen shrubs and plants familiar to her from her homeland.

  To left and right stretched parkland. On the right this gave way quite quickly to a copse of trees,
while to the left horses grazed and ornamental trees were displayed to full effect. Close to the house were beautifully tended and groomed flower beds and although it was October, there were still roses, chrysanthemums, michaelmas daises, begonias, and dahlias, with other survivors of the summer flowering season.

  ‘What a beautiful place. I’ve never seen anything quite like it, even in the area where I live in Stratford, and there are some pretty impressive places around there. I feel quite overwhelmed. Its upkeep must take an army of staff.’

  Milo laughed in delight at her reaction.

  ‘Not quite an army, Androulla, but it does take a lot of hard work to maintain.’

  She was equally impressed with the interior of the house, like Jack and Bertie noting and appreciating the quiet good taste in evidence everywhere. She too recognized the many valuable antiques in both furniture, furnishings and ornaments, all judiciously placed to display them to best advantage.

  She was shown to her room, the windows of which overlooked the beautifully sculptured lawns, sweeping in terraces down to the river. After she had washed and changed she came down for tea in the sitting room where the whole family had assembled to meet her. As well as Milo and Noola, Maggie, Aunt May, Sarah and Dai were there. Harry arrived slightly later, leading Johnny by the hand. When Androulla saw him, again in spite of knowing what to expect, her face drained of all colour. Noola, spotting her distress, put her arm around her.

  ‘I don’t think I need to introduce Harry and this is his son, Johnny. Harry, Johnny, this is Androulla.’

  To everyone’s keen delight, Johnny, a very sociable child, held his arms out to give her a hug.

  ‘Hello, Loola, I’m Johnny!’

  The slightly strained atmosphere completely relaxed and everybody laughed.

  ‘Well, Johnny, I’m delighted to meet you and even at such a young age you certainly know how to make a girl feel welcome!’ She stooped down and gave him a big hug, which was returned with enthusiasm. She continued. ‘It obviously runs in the family and I do love the name Loola.’ She smiled at them all. ‘It sounds very like Noola!’