Safe Home (The Tipperary Trilogy)
Page 29
Three pounds to Ned Flood, who was like a son to me, in the hope that he and his wife will build a new life for themselves in the colonies. I only wish that I could accompany them on their adventure.
The remainder of my estate, which amounts to eleven pounds, four shillings and thruppence, I leave to my late brother’s wife Roisin.
‘There’s an addendum here,’ she said, ‘a note that says an additional four pounds, two shillings and sixpence is owed to Ned, for miscellaneous expenditures.’
Ned shook his head and, after he’d coughed to clear his throat, he managed to speak. ‘Ferget dat pairt,’ he said. ‘Ooncle Robbie has a’ready taken care o’ dat.’
‘As you wish, Ned. In that case, I have just one final request to make of you. Would you bring Robert’s body back here to Gortalocca? He was as much a part of this town as his brother was and I want the two of them to lie side by side.’
Mikey stayed with his mother and the two girls, while Jamie accompanied Ned to Mick Sheridan’s cottage, to get a wagon. After their brief explanation, Mick quietly went about hitching a horse up to a wagon for the job of retrieving the dead man’s corpse and the three of them set out for Nenagh to perform the grim duty.
While the young people talked amongst themselves, Roisin re-read her letter from Robert.
My dearest Roisin,
If you are reading this note, then I am dead, and I expect no tears to be shed over me. I know that you hold me in disdain, and for that I am heartily sorry, but one thing that binds us together is our love for Liam. As well as being my brother, he has always been the only true friend I ever had and only now, as I pen this letter, alone in my office, am I beginning to come to grips with my own grief.
I have done my best to watch over Gortalocca for as long as I was able, fulfilling a promise I made to myself and to my late brother all those years ago. I consider my vow upheld, and now it is up to you to take over. If my mission has been successful, then your son has been reunited with you. If not, then I tender my apologies and trust that you know I did my best. Perhaps, one day, you will think fondly of me.
Yours, sincerely and affectionately,
Robert Flynn
Robert’s body had lain in state in the big hall at Nenagh castle and various dignitaries had come to pay their respects. Higgins had presided over the funeral, which had been carried out in the English tradition.
Ned provided entry to the castle for the two Irishmen and, and after a brief but animated discussion with the new sheriff, they removed the body and returned to the village.
Roisin had already made arrangements for Robert to lay in the Flynn cottage, in the same place Liam had occupied just two months before. Robbie had kicked up a fuss, saying that he wouldn’t share the house with a stinking corpse, but big Mick Sheridan and Ned Flood had convinced him to take his wife and spend the night at Hogan’s.
When it came time to honour the dead man with stories, Michael asked Ned what had become of him after he separated himself from the party. Ned was a natural born storyteller and he captivated his audience with tales of the chase involving the jaegers, down in County Cork. Even Robbie showed an interest.
‘What happ’ned t’ d las’ two Prussians?’ he asked, when Ned came to the end of his story.
Ned shrugged his shoulders. ‘Dunno. Oy w’s a bit too busy t’ foind out,’ he replied innocently.
‘You’re a legend, Ned Flood!’ declared Mikey, clapping Ned on the back.
Ned looked down on the pale corpse of his former mentor. ‘Oy don’ wanna be no legen’,’ he said, sorrowfully. ‘Dere’s a legen’ layin’ dere. Dem folks us’ally die young, an’ us’ally dey die vi’lently.’ He took Mary’s hand. ‘Oy wanna doy peacef’lly, layin’ nex’ t me woife, when Oy’m ninety years auld.’ He gave her hand a squeeze.
The next day, Higgins and his sergeant arrived in Gortalocca early for the interment. The day was coloured slate-grey, the perfect backdrop for a funeral, and rain drizzled steadily. Higgins was surprised to find that his predecessor was no longer dressed in his uniform, but wore a simple leine and pair of trews.
Both Mary and Morna kissed the old man’s forehead, then stood back, making way for Roisin to approach the coffin. She leaned over it.
‘I never really knew you, Robert Flynn,’ she whispered, ‘and I blame myself for that.’ She kissed his cheek. ‘Thank you, thank you for everything.’ She stood back as the lid was nailed shut and the coffin lowered into the earth, alongside Liam.
Afterwards, Higgins approached Ned and offered him the sergeant’s position, in the hope that it would tempt him back into the service.
‘No t’anks, Oy’m done wit’ all dat,’ he said. ‘Me an’ me wife are goin’ t’ Mary Land.’
Mikey asked him when he and Mary intended to leave.
‘After Oy had a drink t’ d’ auld man’s mem’ry,’ he replied.
The funeral party moved off to the Flynn cottage and Mick stayed behind with Jamie. They began to fill in the grave and the noise which the earth and gravel made, as it hit the top of the casket, was a sound all too familiar to them.
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