Heroine Of Her Own Life

1. Belfast, Ireland-4

Meg sat down at the oak kitchen table, gleaming from years of beeswax polish rubbed in with a chamois cloth. Jinny draped her crocheted shawl over Meg’s shoulders. Her four sisters sat at the table, simultaneously stirring milk-infused tea in the thick white mugs inherited from their grandfather’s coffee shop.

The three brothers, Will, Bob, and David, stood in a line, leaning against the Belfast stone sink. The tall young men looked remarkably like their father, from broad shoulders and chests to heads of thick raven-black hair. Home on leave after six months at the front in France, Will and Bob were dressed in the khaki of the 36th Ulster Division. David wore his one good suit, now short in the legs and sleeves, a starched white shirt, hard collar, and black tie.

Everyone watched her.

Meg had to clear her throat to ask, “Where’s Father?” She blew on her tea and sipped. The harsh, black Belfast blend felt like rough cloth on her tongue. She reached for the sugar bowl and Florence pushed the milk pitcher forward.

“Orange Hall,” said Lizzie.

Jinny smiled encouragingly. “Miss Simpson assured us that you’ll have no more trouble from those creatures who hurt you. She told us she’ll talk to your chef about sacking them first thing tomorrow—they both have black marks against them already, very black indeed—and the guards will be told not to let them near the yard. She suggested we walk with you to work and back for a wee while, and we agreed. We’ll take turns and …”

“Here,” interrupted Will, the eldest brother, as he straightened to his full height, “What’s this blackguard’s surname?”

Turning to him, Jinny said firmly, “Now we don’t want more trouble, so let’s just keep her safe and not stir up anything. You three boys will walk her back and forth this week. Send a message to anyone wanting to hurt her.”

He slouched back against the sink and muttered, “It’s only we won’t be here much longer and we ought to set this fella straight.”

Jinny turned back, patted Meg’s hand, and smiled.

“You won’t tell Father … anything?” asked Meg worriedly.

“No,” said Jinny with another pat.

“You can tell him about your promotion, Meggie. Miss Simpson told us,” offered Florence happily.

“Aye, he’ll like that, more money in the coffers,” Bob laughed.

“Well done, Meg.” David pulled himself up straight and stretched until his fingertips touched the low ceiling, yellowed from years of smoke. “Why don’t we go for a walk? It’s a fine day.”

She shifted her gaze to the kitchen window. The light stung her eyes and she winced. “Alright.”

“Now David, not too far, mind,” said Jinny.

“Just a wee dander. The air’ll do her good. We’ll walk through the gardens to the river.”

“You two, all you ever think of is tramping about,” observed Annie, helping herself to another scone.

Meg felt so comforted by this familial scene, she almost smiled when she left the kitchen to dress. It wasn’t until she pulled on the skirt and felt the weight of the small knife that the terror of the attack hit her again: the writhing, the bruising, Bill’s smell, and Amy’s betrayal. Tears threatened to spill again and she wiped them impatiently.

Struggling to brush and shape her hair, she thought: put Amy and Bill out of your mind for good … especially Amy. She stopped brushing and shuddered, knowing Amy would get her back for the sacking. Stricken, she sat on the edge of the bed, the hairbrush useless in her hand.

David called up the stairs. “Meg, come on … come down.”

She didn’t move, even after she heard his steps on the stairs.

After a soft knock, David opened the door and stuck his hand inside to wave. Waggling his fingers, he said, “Come on Meggie, you’ll feel better. I’ll buy us mushy peas at the place on the river—the one at the boathouse. We can watch the fellas row the wee boats.”

Meg rose and opened the door wide.

“That’s it.” He crooked his arm to escort her down. She wasn’t sure how he made her laugh, but he always did. At the bottom of the stairs, he said, “You sit down and I’ll lace up your boots for you.” He held up a boot. “Milady?”

Somebody’s cleaned my boots for me.

While he laced, Jinny came into the hallway. “That’s the ticket. David’ll care for you. You enjoy your walk and forget all about them vile creatures.”