Sister's Trio Squad

Chapter 31

Chapter 31

The sight of both their faces afforded her grim satis faction. Bart cringed as he caught sight of her, as though he'd been physically struck by the look on her face. Maura dropped the teapot and its contents spilled over the grubby tablecloth, turning it a uniform pale tan colour.

She tried to brazen it out. 'Jesus, Mary and Joseph! Sure, you could give a person a heart attack, Margaret O'Maxwell, creeping in like that.'

'What a pity I didn't Aunt! Although Uncle Bart looks as though he's about to have one. You weren't expecting me, were you? Or at least you thought I'd come knocking on the door and you'd be able to do your "party piece" of pretending not to be in. I still have my key!' She held it up. 'Well, you weren't content to leave things alone, were you? You had to get back at me, so you started rumours that I could take you to court for and so could Mr Vannin. For slander! You could finish up around the corner in Walton Jail, Uncle Bart!'

His face turned ashen and his eyes bulged. Maura sat down suddenly on the chair, oblivious of the tea drip ping from the soaked tablecloth on to her lap. 'God have mercy on us, you wouldn't do that, Margaret?' she said hoarsely.

'I won't, but I can't speak for Mr Vannin. But you will both go to him and apologize, personally! Not that that will undo the damage you've done!' 'We were all right until you three came here, that we

were. Damn our Sarah, she always was an

bitch!' Maura muttered.

Mary-Kate's temper snapped. That's it! That's it, Maura Milligan! Pack up and get out of this house by six o'clock tonight, do you hear me! Out!' Maura jumped up and faced her. You can't do that!

We've nowhere to go!'

'Oh, yes I can and I am. When I get back I will inform Mr Vannin that I've given you notice to quit, as from six o'clock, and he'll back me up, seeing as how you've besmirched and slandered his name and he carries a lot of weight in this neighbourhood, as well you know! So, I want you out!' She turned away, leaving them both gaping at her.

Oh, Sweet Jesus! Where'll we go? Where'll we go?" Maura whined.

Mary-Kate turned. "To hell, I hope, it's what you

deserve, both of you!'

Mary-Kate called into Mr Vannin's office on her way back, something she had never done since the day she'd taken him the back rent. As she crossed the yard she felt that every pair of eyes was watching her, but she held her head high and walked slowly and with dignity.

Mr Johnson, Lewis Vannin's Clerk, looked up with surprise. 'Oh, good day, Miss O'Donnell!' 'Is Mr Vannin in?"

'Yes, I'll tell him you're here.' He went into the other room for a few moments, then returned and held the door open for her. She thanked him. Lewis Vannin was sitting at his desk, but on seeing her

made to rise.

He still looked annoyed, Mary-Kate thought. There's no need to get up on my behalf. I've just been to see my despicable relatives and I have told them they are to get out of that house by six o'clock this evening." 'Have you indeed. May I ask why?'

'Because it was my aunt who started the malicious lies.' She couldn't bring herself to look at him. 'So I told them And what was their reaction?"

to get out or be taken to court for slander.'

Exactly as I expected. Whining that they would have nowhere to go. Frankly I couldn't care less. They are spineless, vindictive parasites and I'm ashamed that the same blood runs in my veins!'

He leaned back in his chair. He'd never seen her like this before. He hadn't thought she was capable of such anger; she was shaking with rage. He wouldn't like to be on the receiving end of her tongue in this mood, he thought. "So you have entirely washed your hands of them?' 'Yes!'

Then I'll send a couple of men around later to see if they've left and if not they'll "remove" them. I can easily let the house to tenants who will be an improvement." 'Anyone would be an improvement on those two! Thank

you for backing me up. I presume you will be home at the

usual time for supper?'

'Yes.'

"There is something I wish to discuss with you, but this is neither the time nor the place. I will see you later on and thank you, again. You won't regret your action.'

It had started to rain as Mary-Kate left the yard, but that didn't deflect her from her purpose. She caught a tram to Walton Vale, crossed the road and went in through the iron gates of the church and into the porch, crossing herself with the holy water contained in the shell held by a large, plaster angel. She walked up the centre aisle, almost to the front, genuflected and then knelt, staring up at the large, circular stained-glass window above the altar. She'd heard that Lewis Vannin had paid for it and she wondered just how much it had cost. She dropped her head in her hands and prayed that he would accept the compromise that had been Ellen's idea, for if he demanded that she leave, she could see only one way left open to her. To return home to Clonmel.

It was cold, wet and windy when she came out and her spirits, which had risen in the church's atmosphere of tranquil hope, dropped abysmally. She stood at the tram stop, holding tightly to her umbrella, her back to the force of the downpour, until the tram arrived. By the time she got back she was soaked, and she had only just got changed when Ellen arrived home, soaking wet, her face pale, her eyes over-bright. Mary-Kate's heart sank. Oh, she hadn't been in trouble again? That would just about put paid to any chance she had of trying to talk to Mr Vannin.

'Get your things off before you 'I think I may already have it." catch pneumonia!"

She felt Ellen's forehead. She was burning up. 'Did they send you home on your own in this weather? Why didn't they get in touch with your Pa, someone would have come for you?'

'I didn't want them to."

Mary-Kate stripped off the wet garments and wrapped Ellen in a towel and then carried her upstairs herself. She dried her hair and pulled a warm, flannel nightgown over her head before tucking her into bed.

'I'll be up and light the fire in a minute and I'm sending d**k for the doctor. Now just you lie there!'

The doctor confirmed that it was just a very heavy cold and told her to give Ellen plenty of hot drinks and keep her warm, but if she were to get worse, then she must send for him again. 'And a drop of whisky in hot water with sugar and the juice of a lemon won't do any harm either!' he added as they reached the front door.

As she was showing him out, Lewis Vannin came up the front steps and Mary-Kate remembered that she hadn't even started supper. Her own head had begun to ache and

her neck felt stiff with tension. He exchanged a few words with the doctor before seeing him to his car and then he came into the house. A heavy cold, she'll be all right,' Lewis Vannin said

gruffly. "Could I speak to you?' Mary-Kate couldn't wait any longer.

You know you can speak to me at any time." She followed him into the library and then realized with a slight shock that the clock on the mantel said three forty-five. Why was he home so early? She'd had such a confusing day that it was no wonder she'd lost all track of time. He was pouring himself a drink from what remained in the decanter.

'Well?'

'I was very upset about the things Annie said last night, that's why I was so angry with those two today.' She paused, trying to frame her words carefully.

'Will you sit down, Mary-Kate, you're making me edgy!' Her eyebrows shot up. It was the first time he'd ever called her by her Christian name. She sat. 'I realize that once things like that have been said, nothing can undo them, but if it would be acceptable to you, I will enquire at the convent about taking a room. I could come in during the day and stay there at night.' She folded her hands to stop herself from plucking ner vously at her apron. 'I think that would be the best solution for . for everyone, including Ellen.' She waited with her head down, her heart racing, a silent prayer on her lips. If he refused she would have to go home and that would mean leaving Ellen. She didn't care about what kind of reception she would receive in Clonmel.

Lewis Vannin cleared his throat. 'Last night I had a lot of time on my hands to think, after Ellen came down and told me what that little s**t of a scullion had said, and I came to a decision."

She looked up, her eyes entreating him not to dispense with her services. 'Yes?' she managed to utter. 'It is really the perfect solution to everything, including

Ellen, to use your own words.' 'Oh, it is!' she interrupted, thinking he had agreed to her suggestion.

Will you hear me out! I don't mean that you come in daily, although if you find my proposal too... searched for the right word ... unbearable. wasn't what he had intended to say at all and he finished the drink with some exasperation. Damn it, he'd never been good at this sort of thing! She was still staring at him with a slightly confused look in her hazel eyes. 'Well, what is your answer?' he That

'I'm sorry...

but what proposal do mean?'

you

'Marriage, Mary-Kate. I'm asking you to marry me!' She was so shocked she couldn't utter a sound. She just sat staring at him as though she'd been turned to stone.