Sister's Trio Squad

Chapter 2

Chapter Two

Sitting on the bed, twisting a strand of hair around her finger, she came to the conclusion that perhaps what had just been romantic daydreams, could in fact become reality.

Nancy knew exactly what she wanted from life and she intended to get it, by fair means or foul. Of course she loved her Ma, but it had been her Pa who had always held first place in her heart. When he had been killed something had gone out of her life forever. Her eyes had misted as she had thought of him. She'd always been his 'little Nancy' his "wild Irish rose' and he'd have moved heaven and earth for her if she'd asked him to. She firmly believed that he was watching over her from that heaven he was surely in and she had vowed she would make his 'little Nancy' someone he would have been proud of. She'd made that vow the day he had been buried and her 'wilfullness' as her Ma called it, had increased since that day.

'Have you been waiting up for me? I was just tidying up.

Both their thoughts had been interrupted by the appearance of their elder sister.

'I thought you'd decided to stay down there all night!" Nancy had muttered, irritably. Whenever she thought about her Pa it always made her miserable and snappy.

Margaret had ignored her and had begun to unpin the coil of light copper hair. 'Nancy, draw those curtains. With the lamps lit everyone can see in and it's indecent."

Nancy had jerked the curtains closed, shutting out the last remnants of the April night and the room had been bathed in the mellow light of the two oil lamps.

"Nancy wants to tell Ma about us leaving tomorrow."

Margaret's eyebrows had risen but that had been the only sign of surprise she had displayed. "Why?"

'Because I think the sooner we tell her the better. Things are going to get worse very soon and I've had enough." Don't you think we all have, especially Ma?'

You sound just like Lisa. Are you changing your mind, too?'

'Has Lisa?' Margaret asked with a frown.

'No, I haven't! It's just that… that I don't like to think of Ma being on her own."

'She won't be, eejit! She'll have Matty and all her friends."

You know what I mean, Nancy!'

Margaret had removed her blouse and poured the hot water from the jug she had brought up with her into the china wash bowl. She washed her face and hands, then stared at her reflection in the mirror on the wall as she patted her cheeks dry. She knew exactly what Lisa meant. Since her Pa's death she had drawn even closer to her mother in a way that Nancy or Lisa could never fully understand. Maybe it was because she was the eldest daughter. But the face staring back at her had reminded her that that fact was her sole reason for leaving. She was twenty-two and unmarried. Not that there was anything odd in that, she had often told herself resolutely. The men she considered 'eligible' couldn't afford to marry until they were in their middle or late twenties. But all those she had considered were now dead or had fled to America or Australia. The four b****y years of 'The Troubles' had left her with the legacy she feared most: that she would become an Old Maid, destined to look after her mother in old age, and a spinster aunt to her sisters' children. Always available, always dependable, her own wishes and needs ignored.

She was still attractive and her work in the little office at Hearn's Hotel she found not uninteresting, but she wasn't going to suffer the humiliation of those pitying glances, the gossiping and speculation of the married women. Her reason for leaving Ireland was to find a husband and so avoid the fate she dreaded, but was too proud to admit to.

Her eyes had softened. She wanted the love of a good man, she wanted children of her own. Was that too much to ask? She wasn't so old that all the emotions that lay deep in her heart had dried up. Oh, she knew that already some of the girls her sisters were friendly with thought her dull and prim, but she wasn't, not really, not in her heart!

"This time I agree with Nancy,' Margaret had said. "The sooner it's all out in the open the better it will be for Ma. It will give her time to get used to the idea, to try to accept it, even though it will be a shock.' Her love for her mother had made her feel terribly guilty about keeping anything secret from her and there had been times when she had been tempted to confide in Sarah. Only her promise of silence to her sisters had stilled her tongue. Margaret never broke a promise.

'I don't think it's fair at all! It would be better for her if we waited and then told her just the day before, that way she won't have time to brood and worry,' said Lisa.

I've had my doubts all along about our decision. It's cruel however we tell Ma!' Margaret said.

'Well, there just isn't a "fair" way to do it, so let's get it over and done with!' Nancy had begun to wish she had never started this discussion. Why did they have to argue over it? It was typical. It had been her idea and now she wished she hadn't even mentioned it to them in the first place.

As always, Nancy was running true to form, Margaret had thought. She was interested only in herself and her own little world. But on this occasion she had to agree with her. Then we'll tell her tomorrow, but we'll tell her calmly, Nancy. No hysterics or tantrums

'Oh, don't be so sanctimonious! Is it my fault I lose my temper more quickly than you two? I can't help it. If everyone were not so perverse then I wouldn't lose it so often!'