On the Edge of the Loch: A Psychological Novel set in Ireland (19 page)

‘Aunt Peg!’ Lenny exhaled as Emer gasped noisily. ‘Aunt Peg, you wouldn’t have a – ’

‘Right here, darling.’ She held up a single key and unlocked the apartment door. ‘He looks like a heavy one, let me give you a hand.’

‘No, no, we’re fine, he’s okay, really tired. He’ll sleep on the floor,’ Lenny said. ‘Aunt Peg, this is Emer, my friend.’

Peggy Reffo smiled warmly. ‘Leo will be beside himself, darling, knowing you’re home. Now, get some rest.’

‘Very sorry to wake you, thanks a million,’ Emer said, still panting.

‘You didn’t, love. I was preparing things inside. Breakfast is at a quarter to six for the early tee-offs. Goodnight now.’

‘Wait, Aunt Peg. My father, is he here?’

‘He is.’

Lenny let out a sigh.

‘The Avalon Masters Tournament starts in three hours. The house is full.’

* * *

Six hours later both girls walked through the chandeliered lobby, into a nearly-empty lounge of plush decor, where they found Peggy.

‘I’ve a nice table all set up for us,’ she said. ‘It’s a lovely surprise both of you coming down from Dublin to see us. Leo just ran over to the house to get something; he’ll be here in a tick and we’ll all have a bit of breakfast.’ She escorted the girls into a smaller, pink-curtained dining room, to a window table set for six.

Just then, Leo appeared.

‘Princess!’ he said, throwing open his arms. Lenny brightened instantly but responded with a restrained hug and dropped back into her seat. Over breakfast their chatter laboured from time to time under the awkwardness of Lenny’s detached bearing. But on each occasion Emer’s perceptiveness and timely wit provided relief.

‘We have to go now,’ Lenny said just minutes after they’d finished eating, and stood up from the table.

‘What’s your hurry, darling?’ Peggy said. ‘Charles will be in any minute now; I rang him.’

Emer’s stare cut into Lenny, demanded compliance.

‘Speak of the divil,’ Peggy said.

‘Good morning, good morning.’ Charles approached briskly, sweeping back his thick greying hair. ‘Leonora!’ He spoke her name endearingly as he manoeuvred around the table. She gave a dispassionate smile and stayed distant from his embrace. He stepped back and regarded her with pride before sitting into the vacant chair.

‘Darling, aren’t you . . . ‘ Peggy’s eyes prompted Lenny.

‘This is Emer, my friend, Emer O’Hare,’ she said. Emer bounced up, bumping against the table, and shot her hand into Charles’ two-handed grasp.

‘So Leonora, what a day you have coming up. You’ll have the lot of us up there at your conferment,’ Charles said. ‘Leo and Peggy and myself, and a few more, I’d say, from the area. Paddy McCann and Fr Foley for sure; your dear mother thought very highly of them both.’

‘Aye, that she did,’ Peggy said, as though indulging private thoughts, then took hold of Leo’s hand. ‘It’ll be the grandest day in many a year.’

‘That’s what they call it, Lenny, is it, a conferment?’ Leo asked.

‘Halloween’s what
we
call it!’ Emer interjected, breaking the awkwardness that was mounting and drawing laughter from all. ‘Big black capes and silly hats and gallons of black mascara, and that’s not – ’

‘I won’t be going,’ Lenny said tersely. ‘The ceremony isn’t till June fourteenth.’

‘Why would you not be going, darling?’ Peggy asked. ‘You’ve passed all your exams, every one of them, with flying colours. And please God you’ll do the same in the ones that are left.’

Lenny straightened herself in her seat and looked askance. ‘I’ll be in America.’

‘America?’ Charles said. ‘What would take you to America?’

‘Work. In Manhattan.’

‘What a surprise,’ Charles said. ‘You’re not going alone, I hope. America’s not Ireland, not the safest of places, by a long shot, especially New York City.’

‘Would you not put it off until after your graduation?’ Leo asked. ‘That way we could all go up to Dublin, make a day of it. You could fly off then if that’s what you still want to do.’

‘Can’t.’ Lenny’s head shook decisively.

‘But, darling,’ Peggy said, ‘you’ve worked so hard, four long years. You deserve your big day, God knows, if anyone does.’

‘See, it’s because of the visas, the J1 visas for America, that’s the problem.’ Emer distributed her words around the table. ‘See, you have to get one long before, months before, they let you go to work for the summer over there, and if you get one you’re really, really lucky, like Len, and if you don’t go early, then they can take it back off you; and even if they didn’t, after a few months you can’t use them any more, so you kinda have to go, really early. Right, Len?’

Silence fell over the group.

Lenny turned to Emer. ‘Ready?’

Emer’s face objected.

‘We have to go,’ Lenny said, to no one in particular.

‘We’re off to Mweelrea,’ Emer said, remaining seated. ‘Just a little bit up, to see the views. I want to see the Twelve Bens. I never seen them before. When I learned about them in geography class, when I was eleven, I used to think they were twelve fellas named Ben who lived in Mayo.’

‘It’s to be bitter cold on the mountain today,’ Peggy said with reservation in her words. ‘Best you stay to the lower parts, the Ballygall pass, no higher.’

‘Oh definitely, we will; I’ve a horrible head for heights anyway,’ Emer said. ‘When I was small my dad and my sister and me got lost on The Scalp, in Wicklow, for a whole Sunday. I was whispering the Rosary the whole time that we’d be found alive. It took four-and-a-half Rosaries to get us rescued. After that I wanted to be a nun.’

‘You’ll need money for the States, Leonora?’ Charles asked.

‘I’ve been self-sufficient for two years, haven’t I?’ Lenny said.

‘I mean will you need extra money, until you find work, just to – ’

‘Len’s been doing great, Mr Quin,’ Emer intruded, ‘with the photography, I mean. She gets jobs from big companies now, and sometimes I go with her.’

‘You’re a photographer too, love?’ Peggy asked.

‘Ah no, I just put things in the right place, the lights and stuff; it’s really hard to get all the things right, but Len knows how.’

‘You’re going out together? Out to the States, I mean.’ Charles asked.

‘Part of me’d love to, Mr Quin. But I’m a real chicken; I think America’s too big. Anyway, I can’t even if I wanted to; I start a job in RTÉ Television in July. Making tea and sambos for all the big-heads. Can’t wait. Maybe I’ll get discovered and be famous.’

Emer’s dramatics drew smiles from all but Lenny.

‘No, seriously, I’ll be doing programme research for Joe Packard and Des Duggan.’

‘Well done; they’re very popular fellas,’ Leo said.

‘A girl who works there told me that both of them think they’re rock stars; that’s what I heard anyway. I’ll find out soon.’

‘Never know, darling,’ Peggy said. ‘They’re both young, and grand-looking lads. You could end up marrying one of them, an attractive girl like you, and with your sense of humour.’

‘Me, married? Never, ever, ever.’ A blush burned Emer’s cheeks. ‘I was thinking of going into the Convent. My ma said they’d never take me because I curse too much and I only get holy when I’m freezing to death on mountains.’

‘Lenny’s a lucky girl to have found a nice friend like you.’ Leo smiled broadly. ‘Why haven’t you come up to visit us before?’

Emer stalled. ‘Sure Len’ll be home in September; won’t you, Len?’ Lenny didn’t respond. ‘We’ll have tons more time then to do lots of things together. The studying will be over for good. Can’t wait.’

‘Is something wrong, Leonora?’ Charles asked.

‘No. Nothing. Just like always.’

Charles ignored what was in her voice. ‘You will come back up before you leave for the States, won’t you?’

‘Can’t. Have to study. Last exam is on the eleventh; I’m going on the twelfth.’

Nobody spoke right away.

‘Have to be extra careful, Princess,’ Leo said. ‘America can be a tricky place when you don’t know it, especially now with the American hostages in Iran and all that trouble.’

‘We have to leave now.’ Lenny glowered at Emer. ‘All set?’

‘We’re bringing Dermot out to introduce him to all the moo-cows and sheepses.’ Emer blushed, and was clearly amused at her own words. ‘Seriously, we want him to see parts of the west. He’s never been anywhere outside Dublin. Or inside Dublin either. He thinks the northern hemisphere is upstairs in his house.’ Everyone smiled, but not as before; all now seemed distracted.

‘Who’s this Dermot person?’ Charles asked.

‘Medical student from Dublin,’ Lenny responded immediately. ‘We’re bringing him to Mweelrea – ’

‘For a miracle,’ Emer said.

‘He’s Emer’s boyfriend,’ Lenny said.

‘Friend! Not boyfriend.’ Emer’s tone reprimanded her comrade. ‘Actually, he’s a friend of a friend of me ma’s second cousin, twice removed, but he came back both times.’ She broke into a chuckle, then quickly aborted it.

* * *

Dermot shuffled out of the apartment, hair hedgehogged, clothes crumpled, and searched his surroundings. Eventually, he found his way to the lobby, to a perfectly attired concierge with a professional face.

‘How’r’yeh. Where am I, will you tell me that?’

‘Why, certainly, sir.’ The concierge sculpted each syllable. ‘As we speak, you’re in the east wing.’

‘The what?’

‘Hmm, I see. Late night; missed your tee-off time?’

‘Missed me what? Look, all I want to find out is where am I. What’s this place?’

‘This place? Why, it’s Claire Abbey, sir. You’re a guest?’

‘Might be. Maybe. Don’t know. Where’s this place anyway, tell me that.’

‘I beg your pardon, sir. I’m afraid I don’t quite follow.’

‘This gaf. That I’m in now, talking to you in. Where’s it at on the atlas?’

‘Claire Abbey, sir? On the atlas? Let me think: we’re one-and-one-half miles north of the village of Aranroe, on the west coast of Ireland, fifty-four degrees north latitude, and I believe eight degrees west of Greenwich, approximate in both instances. Known otherwise, for quite some time, as County Mayo. Should I go on, sir, or would that be – ’

‘Fucking Mayo?!’

‘Eh, no. County Mayo. It is possible, however, that it has on occasion been referred to in the manner you suggest. Perhaps at football grounds, when Dublin were losing to our Mayo men.’

‘How’d I get here? Tell me that. I don’t live nowhere near Mayo. Somebody’s messing with me head. I didn’t come here?’

‘Perhaps you were brought against your will, sir. Kidnapped?’

Dermot reflected, then shook his head.

‘Not kidnapped. Hmm.’ The concierge’s eyes searched upward. ‘Making a pilgrimage to Knock’s holy shrine, where the apparitions happened?’

Dermot shook his head again.

‘Missing person?’

‘What? Nah.’

‘Hot air balloonist, came down in bad – ’

‘Nah.’

‘Parachutist? Did us the honour of dropping in, if you’ll forgive the pun, sir.’

‘Me? Nah. Don’t trust them things. Must’ve been paralytic.’

‘I’m afraid that’s all that springs to mind right now.’

‘You’re having me on, right? This isn’t Mayo. Mayo’s fucking miles away.’

‘I’ll fetch the manager, sir, if you wish. I’m sure he’ll confirm what I’ve told you, to within a degree or two.’

‘Nah, forget it. Just tell me this, do yous have black coffee here and somewhere I can sit down and drink it?’

‘I’m afraid the main dining room is closed until 12.30. However, I can have a pot of coffee served to you in the B.B. Bunting Room. That’s the smaller dining room, at the east end of the great hall.’

Dermot scanned the interior. ‘Down there, right?’

The concierge’s eyes swung in the opposite direction. ‘And the gentlemen’s wash room is directly west of where we’re presently standing. Your left.’

‘Nah, I don’t need to go; I went already.’

‘I see. Well then, if there’s nothing else, sir, enjoy your beverage.’

‘Listen, chief, y’didn’t see two girls, did yeh?’

‘Hard to say, sir. What sort of girls did you have in mind?’

‘A lanky one, snazzy looking bird.’ His hands drew curves in the air. ‘Know what I mean? Other one’s smaller, got a big mouth, a bit fat. See them, did yeh?’

‘Hmm. One slender, good-looking lady, and a shorter, somewhat rotund lady with a larger than average mouth.’ The concierge stared meditatively. ‘No, no, I don’t believe I have. Perhaps they went back to work? Or might I say, to bed?’

‘Nah. I was with the both of them last night. Least I think it was last night, then I can’t remember after that.’ He pressed his hands to his temples and groaned. ‘Have to get meself a pint of strong coffee. I’m half fucked, so I am.’

‘Excellent idea so. I’m told our coffee is to-die-for, as our American guests are fond of saying. I’ll have your coffee sent down to you. Enjoy the rest of your morning, sir.’

* * *

‘We’re leaving,’ Lenny said, this time getting to her feet and pushing back from the table.

‘You’ll be back to see us in the afternoon, won’t you, before you head off?’ Leo asked.

Emer glared again at her friend.

‘After Mweelrea we’re driving to Westport, then straight to Dublin,’ Lenny said.

‘Then mind Peggy’s words, girls; the mountain’s another world.’ Leo paused as though awaiting Lenny’s eyes, which didn’t arrive. ‘Looks harmless from a distance, but souls have been lost up there, especially – ’

‘Dermot!’ Emer exclaimed, her attention jumping beyond the group. ‘What are you doing alive?’

Rough and grimacing, Dermot halted.

‘Come in, son, come in,’ Peggy said. ‘We’ve been talking about you and your studies.’

‘How’re yous,’ he said with pained pleasantness, then side-eyed the girls. ‘There yous are.’

‘Everybody, this is Dermot Connolly,’ Emer announced, ‘Known as Dermo to his enemies.’

‘Join us, please,’ Charles motioned to an empty chair next to him. ‘How are things in medicine these days?’

A gawky blankness took over Dermot’s face.

‘Demanding field, no doubt. How are you finding your lecturers?’

Dermot’s open-mouthed plea went to Lenny, then Emer. Neither responded. ‘Well, eh, like, eh, like I don’t really, like – ’