The House by the Liffey (15 page)

‘Yes! As many of us as can manage it.'

The wedding ceremony took place in the garrison church in the RAF base. Tommy and Isabel looked like a couple from a fairy tale. They both had fair hair and blue eyes and with her small stature, and white dress, beside Tommy, Isabel looked like thistledown. He was much taller and looked splendid in his RAF uniform. As best man, and since it was in a British military base, Milo was entitled to wear an RAF uniform too and Tommy had persuaded him to borrow one for the occasion. Chuck had slight difficulty finding one to fit someone of his height and breadth of shoulders, but did manage it in the end. Milo looked superb, his dark colouring creating such a contrast with his fair-haired brother, albeit the black curls were now liberally sprinkled with grey, especially around the sides where it formed grey wings. As the years had gone by he had become ever more like his father, to the extent that looking at him sometimes made Maggie catch her breath.

The reception afterwards was in the Officers' Club. Chuck and Liz were highly delighted about the whole thing.

‘Hey, Milo, we're all members of the same wider family now. I can hardly believe it. And Joe and Helen have been able to get here too. It's just like old times – takes you right back!'

They were having a glass of champagne together and Chuck was happy and full of bonhomie.

‘It does indeed, Chuck. But while we've a few moments to ourselves, can I say how grateful I am at your acceptance of Tommy, given the background.'

‘Poor Tommy. I felt so sorry for him and he was so honest: gave us every opportunity to object strongly. Said he would understand if we did.'

‘Isabel is a remarkable young woman too. Not to have children is a very big decision for any girl to make.'

‘Milo, for all we know, Isabel mightn't have been able to have any children anyhow. How would Tommy have reacted to that? I don't doubt for a moment it would be exactly as Isabel has reacted to his dilemma. As for us? We're just delighted she's found such a remarkable young man. And we do have two sons, so maybe one day we'll have grandchildren anyhow. We'll accept whatever fate sends us, as we all did during the war!'

‘Thanks, Chuck, and I gather Liz feels the same way?'

‘Absolutely. But let's be realistic about this. It wouldn't have made one bit of difference what Liz and I had thought about it. Isabel loves him. She was determined to marry him and would have done so in spite of anything we might have said. Now, let's forget it and enjoy this uniting of our families. I'm so tickled about it. We should find Joe and do some reminiscing. Oh and by the way! There are so many young men on the base here who have heard your story and can't wait to meet you and Joe. I'm sure you'll spare a couple of hours to chat to them. There'll be an awful lot of questions to answer so stand by.'

Milo grinned.

‘Delighted! Who ever minded talking about himself?'

It was a wonderful day all round. Much to Izzy's delight the bridesmaids were consulted in the choice of their dresses. However, the climate dictated that long dresses would be a mistake and it was essential that the material should be very light and absorbent, for September temperatures in Cyprus are still high. A fine blue cambric proved to be acceptable. Milo got a huge kick out of being best man and gave a highly entertaining speech.

On the strong recommendation of Tommy and Isabel, after the wedding some family members went off to spend a few days in Famagusta, to be followed by a visit to Kyrenia before returning home. Bill had not been able to stay and Aunt May with Paddy and Aoife Flynn had also needed to get home, but Maggie joined them.

Because of the ongoing conflict between the Greek and Turkish Cypriots, members of the United Nations peacekeeping force were much in evidence all over the island. The men came from Europe, Canada, Australia and included a contingent from Ireland. They met some of these and were highly entertained to discover that the Irish troops were considered to be very good at keeping the peace between the opposing factions and, as a result, were often placed in the most volatile border areas separating them. Even off duty all members of the UN forces usually wore their uniforms and their blue berets were a familiar sight everywhere.

The family had done their sightseeing and visited Smokey Joe's. This was something they would talk about for years afterwards, determined they would return someday to repeat the pleasure. It was so different from anything they had previously experienced. It was very hot so the tables were outside, on a beaten earth floor, beneath a magnificent vine, which spread over the whole of the outdoor area of the restaurant. It was covered with an abundance of luscious red grapes which hung suspended over the tables, ripe and just begging to be plucked and eaten. The tables and chairs were village style and there were opportunistic cats, many of them strays, hungry and poised ready to take advantage of any dropped morsel or a surreptitious handout from the diners. On this occasion everyone decided to forego the steaks in favour of a “
meze
”, the wonderful meal where the dishes kept coming long after everyone had eaten way beyond their capacity. The dips came first, accompanied by fresh, crusty, locally baked bread. Tzatziki, humous, tahini and taramasalata were included, all new to the family. Then there were seafood dishes, including calamari, never eaten by any of them but sampled with delight. Red and grey mullet were there too. All sorts of local meat dishes followed: lamb kleftico, pork kebab or souvlakia, chicken, sheftalia and so on. And with it all a huge bowl of Cyprus salad, containing more new experiences for the palate: feta cheese and coriander added to the more usual lettuce, with slices of the huge and very flavourful field tomatoes and small, sweet cucumbers. Then the abundance of fruit: figs, warm and fresh from the tree, sweet melon and watermelon and, inevitably, grapes: huge pink/red grapes fresh from the vine. The whole meal was accompanied by bottles of local and very palatable wines. It was something of a gastronomic marathon.

‘Oh, Mum, I think I'm going to burst.'

‘Sarah! That's not the most elegant way of expressing yourself.'

‘I know but it describes exactly how I feel. I won't need to eat for a week.'

Maggie, an excellent cook, was really impressed with it all and quite determined that she would get some of the recipes and try them at home.

They had also visited Nick's wonderful fabric shop, where Isabel had bought her wedding dress material. She had been introduced to Nick and his shop by a teacher friend, who lived in Famagusta, and had met his wife, Tassoula, and the rest of the family too. Tassoula had done a lovely job in making the dress for her. Nick's shop was worth a visit not just for the variety and richness of the fabrics, but also for the collection of beautifully carved Cypriot dowry chests on display, as well as other items of local artistic significance.

On their last evening before moving on to Kyrenia they were all sitting in the bar of the most popular hotel in town, where they had a suite of rooms. They were chatting in a very relaxed way, sometimes exchanging greetings and comments with the fairly numerous UN representatives. Two more of these arrived. Looking exceptionally smart, they removed their blue berets and moved over to the bar to order drinks. They were just two more amongst many so no one took particular notice of them until they turned around, drinks in hand, to find a place to sit. The Butlers were the far side of the large and very full room with only Milo and Noola facing the bar. Noola looked up as they turned and catching sight of them dropped her drink. They caught sight of her and Milo at the same moment and stopped in mid-step.

‘Begorrah! If it isn't the Butlers! I don't believe it!'

Milo gaped at them speechless and the rest of the family swung around in their seats to face them. Then Izzy shrieked with delight and leapt up, weaving her way through the tables towards them as fast as she could, and launched herself at them, arms spread wide.

‘Bertie! Jack! Oh how brilliant. How absolutely brilliant and you both look
gorgeous
in your uniforms!'

‘Well! If it isn't little Izzy. And
you've
grown into such a beautiful young woman.'

For once in a way Mageen was speechless but also slightly embarrassed remembering her comments to them when they had first met. Izzy was right. They did look gorgeous and she swallowed a large mouthful of her drink. Looking at her granddaughter's face, Maggie smiled inwardly with satisfaction. She looked at Noola and the message flashed between them telepathically. At long last, perhaps the grieving was over.

They all rose to their feet and, dragged over to the table by Izzy, the two men were overwhelmed with the welcome they were given. Prior to Jack and Bertie leaving Riverside it had been agreed that first names were acceptable all round so the greetings were very relaxed and informal. And, of course, the two didn't miss a trick, they never did. Most important of all for Jack, Mageen wasn't wearing any rings.

‘Well, well, well. Bertie, Jack, and we never did know your surnames.'

‘No, and I'm afraid we can only talk generalities here, Milo. We need a very quiet corner somewhere.'

‘We've taken most of the top floor and there's a lovely sitting area facing out to sea. We can go up there. We've plenty to drink there too.'

‘Perfect.'

As they made their way to the lift Milo hung back and caught Jack by the sleeve.

‘When you left we still didn't know who was behind the abduction. Did you ever hear the end of the story?'

‘No. It was out of the question for us to make any attempt at further contact, much to our regret may I say. What happened?'

Milo told him as briefly as possible.

‘No! Freddie? Incredible! I never would have suspected. We all thought it might be some faction of the IRA, but thinking about it, while I don't like what they do, abducting young, vulnerable children somehow isn't quite their style. And poor Mageen. How awful for her.'

‘She went through a very rough time of it but I think she's all right now. Doing really well in the world of finance. She won't have anything to do with men though, I mean in terms of a serious friendship.'

‘But Izzy is marvellous. You'd never know she'd had such an appalling experience.'

‘Yes, I know. She recovered from it remarkably well
and
is making quite a name for herself in the world of music.'

‘Does she mind reference to what happened?'

‘No. She's comfortable talking about it. Even at the beginning she didn't mind. I think she talked it out of her system which was great. The only nasty legacy is she still has nightmares. At first she had them frequently but now quite rarely. She still dreams she's back in that cellar all alone. We got her a big dog, a Kerry Blue, which she named Jolly. They're good guard dogs and she sleeps in Izzy's room, actually on her bed, which has helped a lot in making her feel secure.

‘Okay, Milo, while I talk to the rest of your family would you put Bertie in the picture too, please. I wouldn't want Izzy upset but I wouldn't want Mageen upset either by references to the ghastly Freddie.'

Harry and Izzy were the only two present who didn't know that the two men hadn't, in fact, been members of the Southern Irish security forces. Looking at their shoulder flashes it quickly became obvious to Harry that there was something here that he hadn't been told about. They were in the Scots Guards, no less. It was no secret that these were amongst the most highly trained men in the British Army, with a longer and more rigorous training than most. Tough, almost certainly paratroopers at some stage, and whatever else he could only guess. He said nothing but Izzy put them on the spot. In her forthright way she was very like Mageen.

‘But why haven't you got shamrocks on your uniform, Jack? All the other Irish soldiers do.'

‘Ah, well you see, Izzy, we joined the Brits.'

‘Oh! Does Uncle Sean know? If he does I bet he was sad that you left.'

‘He knows that we didn't stay.'

Bertie distracted her.

‘Hey, Izzy, I hear you're a fabulous pianist. I've never heard you play.'

She was thrilled to bits and launched into her favourite topic.

Jack made sure he spoke to some of the other members of the family before he worked his way around to Mageen.

‘I truly didn't think we'd ever meet again, Mageen.'

‘I didn't either, not in my wildest dreams. I feel embarrassed that I didn't know the full story about what you did for us all before you left, so I never had a chance to thank you.'

The laughing blue eyes crinkled up.

‘Well, I'm here now and the most wonderful thank you would be if you would have dinner with me tomorrow evening. Come to think of it, why not spend the whole day with me tomorrow? We've got a couple of days' leave, which we had planned to spend here and I'd love to show you some of the sights. No strings, Mageen. Just two friends spending some time together?'

She smiled her wonderful smile and suddenly the old Mageen sparkle was back. Noola and Maggie, who had been surreptitiously watching, looked at each other knowingly.

‘That would have been lovely, Jack, but I'm afraid we're all off to Kyrenia tomorrow.' She sounded genuinely disappointed.

‘Well, let's see what we can do about that.' He thought for a moment. Bertie was regaling the rest of the family with stories about the kinds of problems that sometimes faced the UN troops. When there was a gap in the conversation he called across to him:

‘Bertie, the whole family is going across to Kyrenia tomorrow. How would you feel about joining them?'

Bertie had been aware that Jack had found Mageen attractive when they were at Riverside, so now, anxious to help his friend, he didn't hesitate.

‘Sounds like a marvellous idea to me. I love it over there and we haven't been for a while.'