Sister's Trio Squad

Chapter 43

Chapter 43

Lisa wanted to stop off at Feinstein's Bakery on her way home, but thought better of it. Just in case Mrs Craig found Eileen unsuitable, she didn't want her to lose the job she already had. Eileen deserved her chance, too, she thought. Oh, what a glorious day it had been.

As she opened the door she saw the envelope on the floor and picked it up. It was postmarked 'London'. It was the first letter she'd ever had from Nancy. Of course, Margaret kept her up to date with all Nancy's news, but Nancy wasn't exactly a prolific writer. Lisa tore it open. Inside was a brief note and a ticket.

Dear Lisa,

I've sent you a ticket for my opening night. You simply must come! It's going to be wonderful and I've taken a box for you and Margaret - the best seats in the house, no less! Love Nancy

She looked at the ticket. It was for a box at the Theatre Royal for the opening of 'Steamboat' for the fifteenth of the month. She sighed heavily and frowned. That was the day she started working at and Lye! Copeland

Margaret smiled as she opened the letter. It wasn't often Nancy took the time and trouble to write. She read the brief, scrawled note and looked at the tickets and her smile faded. Lewis wouldn't go. He'd consider it a total waste of time and money. She looked up and caught sight of herself in the small mirror in the centre of the hallstand. Had marriage changed her? Or was it Lewis who had changed? All she'd ever wanted was to be a wife and mother and now she often wondered if the desire to achieve those objects had blinkered her vision, obscuring the reality of marriage.

She hadn't loved him, they had both known that, but somehow she'd thought that love would grow, but it hadn't. She'd finally admitted to herself that she was guilty of longing for a romantic fairy-tale love affair as Lisa was. It had all happened so fast and she had been in love with the idea of marriage. So much so that she had refused to even contemplate what it really entailed. She could never think about their wedding night without a tinge of colour creeping into her cheeks. It had been so repulsive and degrading and she had lain there, every muscle taut and rigid, biting back the cries of pain. Afterwards she had quietly cried herself to sleep and the following day they had both acted as if it had never happened at all. She had been so tempted to fling herself into her Ma's arms and beg her to take her home, but she couldn't do that. She had to appear the contented new wife, happy with her lot. But the day that Sarah had

A bicycle! Does she think I'm made of money?" 'Lewis it's her birthday! She's outgrown dolls and doll's houses." I don't approve of young girls riding bicycles.'

That's ridiculous! Lots of girls have them now.' 'Young ladies don't!'

Young ladies most certainly do! Don't be so old fashioned. Doctor Salmon's girls all have them, it's good exercise according to him, and Ellen's set her heart on it.' 'It's much too expensive! She had a small fortune spent

on her at Christmas." Lewis it's not Ellen's fault that her birthday falls so close to Christmas and besides, the things she got were small items. She didn't ask for a bicycle then, did she?"

'She knew she wouldn't get one!' 'Lewis, please...?'

'She can twist you around her little finger, Margaret. She's spoilt."

'No more spoilt that her sister is,' she'd retorted, heatedly.

'What's that supposed to mean?" 'Only that it seems strange that you hand out money

to Elizabeth for the least little thing, when she has a husband who is supposed to support her. Oh, I know she's only been once lately, but I don't know how often she used to come before we were married. You can't call that fair treatment, to deny Ellen her birthday present and give Elizabeth whatever she wants just to avoid one of her tantrums!'

It was the first time she'd ever mentioned that she knew what Elizabeth came for and Lewis had turned away from her, a cold look in his eyes, his mouth a tight, thin line. But Margaret had been determined that now it was out in the open, she was going to let him know her views.

'I don't know what excuses she offers or what tales of woe she uses, but really, Lewis, she does have a good, hard-working husband. She shouldn't need to come to you for money. If she can't manage on Ernest's salary, she should get some kind of work. We are not a institution.' charitable

'She's never worked. Molly wouldn't hear of it and I ... I indulged them both.'

'As it was your privilege to do, Lewis. But think how badly Ernest must feel? Would you be happy if your wife was running to her father for money? Of course you wouldn't! It's undermining his self-respect and it's demeaning.' Lewis had nodded his agreement, reluctantly.

sorry if I have upset you by speaking out like this, but it's so unfair to everyone, particularly to you, Lewis. You work very hard, you've always given her the best of everything, but she's Ernest's responsibility now.'

'I'm

Thus appealed to, he was mollified. 'You're right, my

dear,' he had agreed, and Ellen had got her bicycle.

Margaret looked at the other letter. It was from her Ma and she hesitated before she opened it. Hatred and bitterness were the dominant feelings in Clonmel now. But perhaps there was some good news. She opened it and began to read. The crease between her brows deepening again as she frowned with consternation. The Feehey's had suffered yet another tragedy. This time the house had been burned down, totally gutted, and Michael had been hurt trying to defend his home and his parents, despite the fact that everyone thought he was in league with the Irregulars. Apparently his wound had been slight, but when the army had arrived he had disappeared and no one knew where he was and his poor father was distracted. A couple of men from Cahir had come to the farm asking pointed questions and Sarah had given them the rough side of her tongue. But they'd returned later when Matty and Uncle Richard were home and they had allowed them into the house, despite the fact that they were obviously Irregulars, and Margaret knew how she felt about them. Only when

Sarah had resorted to hurling everything from the flat iron, to her best soup tureen at them had they left and then she'd given both her brother and her son a piece of her mind. And now they were reduced to eating off chipped enamel dishes until she could replace smashed plates, all of which 'those two great eejits' could pay for!

At this news Margaret went white. Oh, what right did she have to be discontent with her lot when Ma and Matty and Uncle Richard lived in such danger! And what was wrong with Matty? Didn't he know that getting mixed up with them would only cause trouble? Look how it had torn the Feehey family apart and utterly ruined them. Oh, she'd write today and give Matty O'Maxwell a piece of her mind, too!

When Lewis came home at lunch time, which he some times did now, he noticed her preoccupation. 'Is something wrong? You look pale?'

'I had a letter from Ma this morning.' Margaret set his

meal down in front of him before handing him the letter. He read it quickly. 'I would have thought Matty was sensible enough not to get mixed up with anyone from either side. Doesn't he realize he has responsibilities? Does he want to end up like this Feehey boy?'