Hidden past

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

And what will you be doing when you've got everything you've ever dreamed of? What will you do then?" I don't know. I still want to go to America. That's

where the opportunities are now. I haven't given up that dream." Oh, Chloe, what are you trying to prove? You are a success and you've enough money and clothes to last a

lifetime.' Chloe looked out of the window and watched the sunlight gleaming on the bronze feathers of the rooster that strutted around the yard, trying to find the right words. 'I don't know what I'm trying to prove, Ma. I just want to go on and on. It's all just like a dream - a lovely dream!'

'Don't waste your life chasing dreams, child! They have no substance. They're like bits of thistledown which, when you catch them in your hand, are limp and useless. It's only in the air that they float so beautifully.'

'I wanted to . . . to make Pa proud of me. To make the name O'Donnell one to be proud of, too."

Evelyn reached out and took her hand. 'He'd be right proud of you, Chloe. Even if you hadn't gone to London and become such a success. And the name O'Donnell is famous enough, I'm thinking. Kings of Ulster, isn't that famous enough for you? You can't re-write his tory, Chloe!'

She didn't answer. Her head was beginning to ache and lethargy was stealing over her. 'I think I'll lie down now, Ma.'

Evelyn got up and gently stroked the short Titian hair. 'You do that, meanwhile I'll fend off the army of so-called "Well-wishers" who will be beating their way to the door, led by Mrs Butler-Power no doubt! It's a wonder that woman's nose hasn't grown by a foot, for she's always

poking it into everyone's business!' Chloe laughed. No, things hadn't changed much. 'It's good to hear you laughing again."

The laughter bubbled up as though it had been sup. pressed, but to Evelyn it had the ring of hysteria and then Chloe began to cough. Evelyn patted her on the back. 'Now see the state you've got yourself in!'

'Oh, I just breathed in at the wrong time, Chloe spluttered.

And how long have you had that cough?"

Chloe was taking deep breaths just as Signora Scarlatti had taught her.

'Did you hear me? How long have you had that

cough?'

'It's not really a cough, Ma. I just get a bit short of breath sometimes. It's all to do with the breathing.' 'Is that so? Well, while you're here you can see Doctor

Byrne. I don't like "coughs"." 'Ma, stop fussing! I saw the doctor in London and he said I was just exhausted and needed a rest.'

And how long has he known you? You'll see Doctor

Bryne. He's known you all your life he brought you

into the world and there's an end to it. Now, get

some rest.'

Chloe sighed as she lay down. She was too tired to argue, but if it would keep Ma happy she would see old Doctor Byrne.

She went to see him two days later. She had insisted that there was nothing wrong with her that rest wouldn't cure, but Evelyn was adamant. She did, however, put foot down very firmly about her mother accompanying her. Edward would drive her there and back in the trap, she'd said determinedly, with the set of her chin that Evelyn knew of old. her

Doctor Byrne's house was in Queen Street and was the end one of one of a row of Georgian houses with ornamental ironwork railings and small balconies above the front doors. It hadn't changed and neither had he. He was a big, burly man with a ruddy complexion and for as long as she could remember he'd always worn tweed jackets that looked slightly shabby. In fact, he could be mistaken for a farmer not a doctor, Chloe thought. His bushy hair was a little greyer, as were his eyebrows which seemed to sprout in all directions, but the blue eyes still twinkled and the smile still hovered on his lips. She'd always liked him.

So, you've come home to see us at last!' He took her hand and shook it heartily. 'And just what have you been doing to yourself and what's all this about exhaustion and a cough?"

'It's Ma fussing as usual.' She smiled. 'Sit down and tell me all about it, then.'

She sat and told him of her collapse, of her hectic life-style and the diagnosis of the doctor in London.

'It's no wonder you dropped like a fly! Chloe, the human body will only take so much punishment before it rebels. Do you sleep well at all? When you find the time, that is?"

She frowned. 'I've never really thought about it.'

Think about it now.'

'I suppose so, although

'Go on.'

*Sometimes I wake up feeling ... hot and sticky.'

And this cough - how long have you had it?'

'It's not really a cough. I just sort of catch my breath wrong, if you know what I mean, then I cough and wheeze a bit, then I try to take deep breaths and it goes. So you see, it's not a proper cough.'

'How long have you had this cough that isn't a cough at all?' 'I don't know. I've not really taken much notice of it.'

She was beginning to feel sorry she'd come. 'A few weeks, a month, a couple of months?" he persisted.

Chloe was becoming irritated. 'Oh, I suppose a month,

maybe.'

'And the tiredness, the exhaustion?"

'I'm always tired, I work very hard!' She couldn't keep the note of sharpness out of her voice. 'I think I'll just have a listen to your chest and then

we'll see.' She became alarmed. She'd only come to pacify Evelyn. She started to protest and then, as if to confirm his doubts, she began to cough. He was instantly beside her, holding out a piece of white gauze.