THREE

      When Celia awoke she didn’t forget how outraged she had been by what Norah had said about Andy the previous evening, which she’d thought grossly unfair, but she didn’t get a chance to get her to herself until they were walking to nine o’clock Mass. The day promised to be a good one; a hazy sun shone in the blue sky, only broken by the fluffy white clouds scudding across at intervals blown by the slight breeze, and she couldn’t help thinking that Lough Eske would look lovely with the sun shining on it.

      Strictly speaking, Celia and Norah weren’t really alone for they had charge of Ellie and Sammy. Neither of them liked to walk sedately though Peggy insisted they did on their way to Mass because it was more seemly and they would be dressed in their best clothes. However, that morning it suited Celia to let the two youngsters run ahead down the lane because she wanted to have it out with Norah who she accused of unfairness with regards to Andy McCadden.

      ‘How do you work that out?’ Norah asked.

      ‘Because you’re so snooty when you talk about him being a hireling boy,’ Celia claimed and demanded, ‘Would you feel the same way about our brother, Jim, for Andy McCadden is in just the same place as the second son of a farmer? It’s just that he doesn’t have a rich relative in America willing to sponsor him.’

      ‘I know that,’ Norah conceded. ‘And yes it probably is unfair but that’s life and it still doesn’t mean Mr McCadden is suitable for you.’

      ‘Why not?’

      ‘He has no prospects.’

      ‘Oh for heaven’s sake …’

      ‘You can scoff and roll your eyes all you like but from what I’ve heard fresh air isn’t very nourishing,’ Norah said.

      ‘Look, Norah, I only danced with Andy,’ Celia said. ‘I didn’t give him my hand in marriage or anything, and at least the man has a job.’

      ‘That’s just it,’ Norah said. ‘He has a job and incidentally I hope you’re not referring to him in that familiar way. He should be Mr McCadden to you.’

      Celia looked at her sister incredulously and then, head on one side, she asked, ‘You sure you’re ready for America, cos things are a lot less formal there, Jim says? And while we are talking of America, who is going to police you and make sure you only mix with suitable people, cos Jim says that Aunt Maria is much more relaxed about things than Mammy and Daddy? And if you’re honest that’s one of the major reasons for you busting a gut to go to America.’

      Norah was silent because she knew her sister was absolutely right and Celia went on, ‘Anyway you are telling me off but you’re not so squeaky clean yourself. You played with Joseph till he thought you two had a future together and then threw him over. I think that is far worse than me being friends with a hireling boy.’

      Again Norah didn’t answer Celia but instead, as the church came into view, she called to Ellie and Sammy to tell them it was time to calm down and enter the church in a respectable manner.

      There was no time to speak of this again for they were greeted by fellow parishioners as they approached the church.

      It was much later, after the big roast dinner and apple pie and custard was eaten and the mountain of washing-up done, that Celia had time to think of Andy McCadden and where he would be that afternoon. She knew she would be in big trouble if it was ever discovered that she was slipping out to meet a man on her own and especially when that man was a hireling man.

      Celia listened to the ticking of the clock and the settling of peat in the grate and she looked around at the others in the room. Her father was already snoring and her mother almost asleep. Tom had long gone, she could hear Dermot and the young ones playing football in the yard and Norah had finished her embroidery and was looking as bored as she was. Suddenly Celia felt stifled and a spirit of recklessness seemed to run all through her body and she leapt to her feet and said, ‘I fancy a walk.’

      ‘A walk,’ repeated Peggy, jerked awake as if such a thing was beyond her understanding.

      ‘Yes, a walk,’ Celia said. ‘It’s such a nice day and a shame to spoil it staying inside. Are you coming with me, Norah?’

      ‘Yes,’ Peggy said, coming round to the idea. ‘It will do the pair of you good. I used to walk miles at your age.’

      Norah could hardly say then she didn’t want to go, not without betraying Celia, because she was well aware that this was no innocent walk; she knew her sister well and her face was very expressive. However, she said nothing for she felt a little like a hypocrite because once she was in America and away from her parents and the insular Catholic community she intended to have as much fun as she could. Maybe then she shouldn’t judge her sister for squeezing a bit of happiness out of life for herself. Nothing could come of it and, although Norah wanted no part in deceiving her parents, she knew she had to go along with Celia to make sure no harm came to her.

      ‘So?’ Norah said as they reached the lane.

      ‘What do you mean, so?’

      ‘Come on,’ Norah said. ‘I wasn’t born yesterday and you have never suggested going for a walk before.’

      ‘People can change you know. It isn’t a crime.’

      ‘Celia, stop playing games,’ Norah said with a sigh of exasperation. ‘Have you arranged to meet someone on this walk or haven’t you?’

      ‘All right,’ Celia said. ‘Nothing is arranged but Andy did say he fancied walking round Lough Eske because Dinny told him how beautiful it was.’

      ‘It very likely is,’ Norah said. ‘It’s some time since I have been that way and I doubt it will have changed much.’

      ‘Well we’ll soon see that for ourselves,’ Celia said.

      ‘Oh no we won’t,’ Norah said. ‘Because that is the one place we must avoid at all costs.’ And she stood stock still on the road.

      ‘Why?’

      ‘You shouldn’t need to ask that.’

      ‘Norah, you’re the one that said I am too anxious to please,’ Celia cried. ‘And that I do things I might not want to do in case I upset people – and you’re right. But sometimes you have to upset people for your own sake.’

      Norah felt a bit guilty then for telling Celia what was expected