Carrig Of Dromara

by Frances McCaughey

  Bridget told them his name and phone number, and the two women stood looking at each other in disbelief.

  “Then you got the lice from an already infested home. It certainly looks that way.”

  Annie was so happy for her new friend, just to know that the fault lay with her landlord.

  They listened to the big man speaking: “Can you come over to the house now, please?”

  It was only a short time until the landlord, a farmer, arrived to see what was going on.

  “What’s this all about?” he asked as he jumped out of his truck.

  “Well,” the big man spoke again, “we have been asked to come and fumigate this property, and from our findings we can verify it has been infested for some time.”

  “Oh, that’ll be the family who had the house for the last two years and left without paying the final month’s rent.” The farmer spoke again: “Can you fix it up again?”

  “Yes, we can do that, and give you an assurance that it will be absolutely cleared of all infestation.”

  “What about the cost? I suppose it will cost a bit.”

  “When we finish the job we will let you have the bill, and, when the family are able to return, then it’s up to you to decide what you’re going to do. Personally I feel that this wee family, who have suffered so much because of the lice, should at least have a month’s free rent. We won’t inform the authorities if you agree to what I have suggested.”

  “Oh, absolutely, I agree. Just show me where I have to sign.”

  Dinner that evening was a brown stew, with vegetables and mashed potatoes. Annie dished up the dinner just as Peter came into the house.

  “Sorry – I was helping Dennis drenching the cattle – I forgot to say at lunchtime, dear. Anyway, how are you, Mrs Millar?”

  “Just call me Bridget, Peter. Yes, I am fine, thank you, now that we’ve got rid of those terrible lice.”

  “I can’t imagine how you put up with them for so long.”

  “All thanks to Annie here for taking the situation in hand and making all the arrangements for getting the house sprayed.”

  “Oh, that’s Annie for ye. When she gets hold of something she’s like a terrier with a rat. Well, stay here until you’re ready to go back into the house again. Don’t be too quick to move back in again. There’ll be a bit of a smell for a while.”

  Annie and Peter had a chat in the bedroom later and both agreed that the Millars should stay until Monday. We’ll go and have a look at the house together and see how it looks. I mean, the man who did the job said it was safe to return on Sunday morning.

  Once again Carrig was left in charge of the biscuit barrel and the milk jug, and Peter set up a film for the children to watch while he, Annie and Bridget were over at the house.

  “Would you like us to help open up the house again and let the fresh air get through?” Peter asked a relieved Bridget.

  “That’s great, Peter. We can see how it feels.”

  All three entered the home and although the smell could be detected a little it seemed to be mostly gone. All the windows were opened wide and the north-west wind swept through. The mattresses had been put up on their sides and the bedding spread out over the tables and chairs. He assured us that all the parasites would be gone and we could make up the beds again, and sleep in them as usual. Placed on the table in the kitchen was a certificate of clearance and a copy of the agreement signed by the owner of the house to allow the family to live rent-free for a month.

  Carrig Anderson was eleven when he broke his leg. The friends still enjoyed sporting about together, but now the group had grown. Since wee Willie Millar joined the group, Andrew was still his usual obnoxious self at times, and if it hadn’t been for Louise he would have long ago been expelled from the happy group.

  The children had been sporting around, and Annie could hear their happy voices as she hung the washing out.

  Suddenly Louise screamed out for Peter to come: “Peter! Peter, come quickly! Carrig’s hurt himself.” Her voice could be heard from the top of the ridge.

  Peter dropped his bucket and ran down towards the river. Carrig was lying on the ground with the others gathered around him.

  “Andrew, you run back to the house and ask Annie to ring for an ambulance. Tell her I think Carrig has broken his leg. How did it happen, son?”

  “Well, I was just swinging out over the water on the swing rope and the branch snapped. I fell into the water and hit a stone. The others all pulled me out. Gee, Dad, it really hurts.”

  Just then Andrew came hurrying down the hill, calling out, “The ambulance is on its way.”

  Annie and Elenor Russel came down to join the others.

  “What a thing to happen!” Annie spoke as she folded her jacket and placed it under Carrig’s head. “Are you in much pain?”

  “It’s not too bad now, Mum, when I keep really still.”

  “They’ll give you something for the pain when they get here,” Annie said, touching him gently on the shoulder. “Here they come now.”

  The loud siren could be heard coming along the main road, easing off as the ambulance turned into the main drive. The ambulance men gently placed Carrig on a stretcher and lifted him on to the ambulance bed. They gave him an injection for the pain, and Annie went towards the house to pick up a few things she felt he might need, should they keep him in overnight.

  “I’m coming with him.” Annie spoke to one of the ambulance men.

  The day had changed for everyone.

  “Ring me from the hospital and let me know what’s happening,” Peter called out.

  They all stood and waved goodbye to Carrig. Holding back the tears, Louise stood back from the others. The doors were shut and they drove off slowly towards the main road.

  It was several hours before the doctors had diagnosed what type of fracture it was and decided what to do treatment-wise. The X-ray took a long while and then they had another wait in the plaster room. The surgeon explained to Annie that the fracture was simple and would heal well, and he said that as soon as Carrig had a plaster applied he could return home again.

  “The plaster will stay on for six weeks and then I will see him back here at the clinic. You will receive a letter giving you an appointment later.”

  It was five o’clock in the afternoon when Annie rang Peter, saying Carrig was ready to come home.

  “Come to the front entrance, and we’ll meet you there.”

  Carrig was all settled with his leg propped up when the doorbell rang.

  “We just wondered if we could see Carrig for a wee while.”

  “Come in, children. Just remember he can’t move much; all he can do really is play a game or something.”

  Annie brought them drinks of orange and biscuits. Willie and Louise sat on either side of Carrig and Andrew in front.

  “I’ll have to write a letter explaining to the headmaster that Carrig will be absent from school for six weeks. I’ll give it to Freddie tomorrow morning at the bus stop.”

  Carrig had to be given aspirin for the pain. It was kept beside his bed in case he couldn’t sleep, but it was morning when he awoke. He felt good and had no pain at all. Peter helped him through to the sitting room, and that is where he would spend a lot of time while the leg healed up.

  It was a long day, waiting for his friends to call in, especially as they had to do their homework before that.

  Bridget Millar called in with a book and paints for Carrig.

  “I just thought you would enjoy these while you’re recovering, Carrig.”

  “Oh, I will. Thank you so much. I was just wondering what I could do today.”

  Annie came in from the yard.

  “Oh, Bridget, I didn’t know you were here.”

  “Look, Mum, what Mrs Millar brought over.”

 
; “Oh, thank you so much for thinking of him. It was a bit of a shock when it happened, but the doctors were so lovely at the hospital. He has to go back in six weeks. Have you time for a cup of tea, Bridget?”

  “Oh, that would be lovely, thanks. I have some good news for you: I was over at the school the other day, explaining about the bugs to one of the teachers, and we had a good chat. She was telling me there was a job going at the school, five days a week, three hours per day, three until six. She really surprised me by saying, ‘Why don’t you go in and ask the headmaster now?’ She showed me to his door and knocked. He’s a lovely big man, and after a good chat he asked me if I could start on Monday. So here I am – you’re looking at a working girl. All thanks to you, Annie.”

  Annie thought to herself about what Elenor had said about cars going down the lane late at night. She thought for a while and decided to keep this to herself for the time being. The two women hugged.

  “I’m so happy for you, Bridget. I hope all goes well for you.”

  When they were alone again, Carrig asked, “What’s for dinner, Mum?”

  “Oh, well, let me see. If Dad’s in a good mood maybe we can have takeaways.”

  And so it was fish and chips with salad for dinner that night.

  It was April and still the weather continued to be mild, and so Peter suggested that the family should have a barbeque before the cold came in again.

  “What a great idea!” Annie exclaimed. “We’ll ask all our new friends, and of course Dennis and Elenor, and Wally and Mrs Watson, and what about wee Willie and his family, and Freddie and his family? Oh, hold on a minute – how can we fit them all into the wee garden space?”

  “Oh, we’ll manage just fine.”

  “Yes? Well, that’s settled, then. We’ll talk about it again.”

  Mary had stopped writing, so it was always a great delight to the family when Martha’s long letters arrived to give them news of what was happening in Ireland.

  Mary’s health is failing [Martha wrote], and although she can still get around she is becoming very forgetful. I have to make sure she gets to her appointments on time. Her eyesight is not so good now, so I do the driving. Dr Martin calls to see her every week, and they talk about art and listen to their favourite music together. Then they have tea and scones, and she’s always so much brighter when he has been to see her. Mary loves the boys, and was extra-pleased when James took a job at Dromara – well, I still call it Dromara. They’ve changed the name now and I can never remember what it is. Ross is at Greenmount Agriculture College, Peter. You’ll be glad to hear that, as I’m sure you inspired him to go.

  Mary loves it when we are all together on the odd weekend when Alex isn’t working and can join us for a barbeque – depending on the weather, of course. Otherwise it’s round the table as usual.

  Well, it’s goodbye for now. I look forward so much to your letters coming.

  Love to all.

  Martha.

  Carrig and Freddie had to travel into the city each morning on the bus. The friends were inseparable – two country boys amidst the townie kids, as they called them. Carrig had chosen ‘library’ as his alternative subject on sports day. He really was not interested in sports, except tennis. He and his dad used to play at the local courts, near the primary school.

  They had gone fishing many times, along the river, he and his dad. Sometimes Mum would come along for the fun and bring her knitting with her. They often had a picnic lunch, and Peter would treat them to tea at the local café.

  “Don’t forget to take some photos, Mum, of Dad and me fishing to send to Grandma Mary.”

  “I won’t forget.”

  Annie sat down and began to write a long letter to Martha, which would include photographs of everyone.

  “I’ll wait until after the barbeque and then I’ll have more to put in the letter.”

  “What’s happened to those folding chairs we had in the woolshed, Dennis?”

  “Oh, they’re still there, I think. Do you want them brought out? I’ll bring them with me when I come back over at lunchtime.”

  She smiled and flushed at the momentary good feeling between them.

  One by one they filed through the wooden gate at the entrance to the cottage. Annie went out to greet them. The first to arrive was old Wally, followed by Mrs Watson with an armful of goodies.

  “It’s good to see you again, Wally.”

  Peter shook the big man’s hand and Mrs Watson said, “I’ll just get rid of this lot, and then I’ll shake yer hand, Peter.”

  Freddie and his mother, Margaret, came in at the far gate and Carrig went over to greet them. The Russels all came together, and sat down together.

  “Elenor and Margaret, come and sit by me and we can all have a wee chat while I sort out the cutlery.”

  The wee ones all huddled together, excitedly chattering together.

  “Have you met Wally, our friend from along the road?” Peter asked Dennis Russel.

  “Oh, aye, everybody knows the smith. I’m sure there’s not too many people who haven’t used your services over the years – would I be right?”

  “Oh, aye, a gate there, a hinge here, not a lot of shoeing now with the tractors taking over, of course.”

  The young ones began to sport about and the menfolk took over the cooking while having a beer. Annie had a good chat with the women, getting to know them better. She kept glancing over towards the gate, waiting hopefully for her new friend Bridget to come, but there was no sign of her yet. Louise passed around a large bowl of crisps and dip.

  “How are you enjoying your new school, Louise?” Annie asked her when Louise came and sat beside her for a while.

  “Oh, I love it – well, most of the time. There’s a few of the girls who are rather catty and small-minded, but most of them are lovely and good fun to be around. Loads of homework though. It often takes me two hours and sometimes longer – not at all like primary school.”

  “It will all pay off someday – you’ll see.”

  The men chatted about farming in general as the food began to sizzle and lovely smells drifted over the garden. The small gate rattled and there was wee Willie with his mother, who had Daisy by the hand. Carrig raced over towards them and Willie followed him to the table where the crisps were.

  “Come on in, Bridget,” Annie called out. “Come over here.” And slowly, one by one, Annie introduced her to everyone. “And this is wee Daisy, called after her grandmother.”

  Annie didn’t quite know how Elenor would take to the situation, but she carried on introducing everyone and before she knew it they had all merged into the group, and all was well.

  “Can I be of any help, Annie?”

  Mrs Watson moved towards the stack of plates on the table.

  “That’s great, thanks. Just give everyone cutlery and a plate, and then they can help themselves,” Annie replied, uncovering the large bowls of salad.

  There was something very satisfying about having all their friends enjoying a meal together and chatting away.

  “Oh, this is the life!” Dennis Russel spoke cheerfully. “We must start to have more of this kind of thing. What do you think, Elenor?”

  “Well, it’s a great idea. What better way to get to know your neighbours and catch up on all the news?”

  “How’s your job going, Bridget?” Annie called as she came out with a bowl of trifle.

  “Oh, I love it. It was life-changing for me to get that job.”

  Annie sat beside Bridget, and they chatted for some time. The trifle was handed out by the children, and everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves, chatting, and after seconds for the young ones the plates were empty.

  “Well, that’s that!”

  Peter helped bring in the plates and bowls and Annie put all the cutlery in a large bowl of hot
sudsy water to help with the washing-up.

  Wally asked Carrig to come and see him the following week as he had a job for him. “But make it right with your mum and dad first. I can’t interfere with your homework or chores at home.”

  The men had to change into work clothes again and get on with the milking. Elenor and Andrew helped carry the folding chairs back home and Louise helped Annie with the dishes and tidying up the garden chairs and tables again.

  “Thank you, darlin’,” Annie called after the girl. “I couldn’t have done it without your help. Bye and thanks.” She waved Louise goodbye.

  Annie had been going to keep-fit classes for a month now, and really enjoyed it. She had asked Elenor if she would be interested in coming with her.

  Elenor had called back after her, “Only for a trial, mind you, to see if it’s my thing or not.”

  The following Wednesday the pair set off to the local community hall, where a crowd of women were gathered, waiting for the instructor.

  “Good morning, everyone. Now I want you all to pretend you’re Marilyn Monroe. I would like you to walk around the hall just like you think she would have walked.”

  The music was lovely and made the women feel like trying harder. There was a lot of giggling, but they carried on, with the instructor showing them how to swing their hips and arms out to the side, and the women became really good at it.

  “Now form into rows, and give each other space to swing your arms as I am going to give you ten exercises which I want you all to do as often as you can until next Wednesday.”

  The women left feeling really good, as if they had achieved something worthwhile.

  After several months of classes, Elenor asked Annie to come shopping with her, and the pair had a marvellous day out together.

  “Do you know,” Annie said to Peter that evening, “I’ve never enjoyed an outing so much. Do you know, we went to Balantyne’s, and the price of clothing! Well, I certainly couldn’t afford them, but Elenor wasn’t having any of my protesting and made me choose a beautiful skirt, which she put on her bill, saying jokingly, ‘I just put everything on my bill, and His Lordship pays it each month.’ ”