To learn that the guy had deliberately cut himself and peeled back flaps of his own skin, well that just confirmed his fears. The guy was a nutjob. A disciple of disorder. These were not the actions of a balanced person. And certainly not the kind of company he wanted for his daughter.
‘Is this sabotage, Nina?’ Alison wasn’t letting it go. ‘Do you really want to wreck my chances of election before I’ve even started? Because that’s what it feels like. Where’s your loyalty? Do you want to pull the whole Considine encampment down on top of me?’
‘Oh for God’s sake, Mum, stop calling it an encampment. It’s a mobile home and caravan. They’re just there until the planning permission comes through.’
‘Considine?’ asked Luke. That name sounded familiar.
‘Don’t tell me you don’t know who this scumbag, Sebastian, is?’ Alison’s laugh was bitter. ‘Your precious daughter is only screwing the bastard son of Lucy Considine, that pain-in-the-butt activist. “Friend of the earth and friend of the people”, or whatever bullshit name she calls herself.’
Lucy Considine was at the centre of the wind-farm controversy that was dominating the local airwaves. That’s where Luke had heard the name before.
‘You know what you can do now, sweetie? You can show me some support. You can come down to the community hall and be there for my first public meeting. You too, Luke. Instead of sneaking off to the basement. A show of support from both of you would be nice.’
Nina glanced at Luke with dismay. She shrugged her shoulders as if to apologise for what she’d walked them into.
‘Why do you want me there when I’m such a disappointment to you?’ She eyeballed Alison.
‘You’re not wrong there, sweetie. But here’s some useful news. Folk don’t trust politicians that don’t have children. Especially female politicians. So slap a smile on that face, because you’re coming.’
So much for a quiet evening. A political broadcast by his wife in a dusty town hall was the last place Luke wanted to be. He thought by now Nina would have learned when to keep her mouth shut.
The Gathering
A crowd had gathered on the steps outside the town hall. Luke, Alison and Nina arrived in Luke’s car, a picture of family solidarity. Gilligan was on the kerbside, ready to open the door for Alison.
‘Thinks he’s FBI,’ muttered Nina. ‘What a dick.’
Alison emerged to claps and cheers. Swarthy-looking characters in heavy overcoats clapped her on the back as she ascended the steps towards the paint-peeled doors. Luke and Nina left her to it as they drove off to park the car. By the time they returned, the crowd outside had swollen in size. Luke was surprised to see so many on a cold winter night. Alison was busy pressing the flesh of those milling about her on the top steps.
‘Who are all these people?’ Luke muttered. Some of the faces were familiar but he didn’t know from where.
‘Think, Dad.’ Nina was impatient. ‘You know … it’s the guys from the scrapyard at Crow Hall and their families. Grandpa’s employees.’
Of course. Behind the house at Crow Hall were stables along with a hotchpotch of brick and stone outbuildings where Cornelius ran his scrapyard. His father-in-law was an enterprising man.
‘Alison!’
A voice rang out behind them. Alison turned at the top of the steps, waving delightedly at the cameras flashing in the dark.
‘You didn’t think they’d leave anything to chance, did you?’ Nina asked. ‘Grandpa’s got everything covered.’
Inside the hall it smelled of wet coats and bleach. A harsh white light flickered from a single-tube fluorescent light. It made a zapping sound. A steward with thick black hair and jawlappers jerked his chin, indicating that Luke and Nina should go to the front. Luke ignored him. He directed Nina to the plastic chairs midway down the hall. He didn’t want to be conspicuous in the front row.
‘You’ve upset Elvis, Dad,’ Nina whispered. The guy was wearing a hi-vis vest with ‘Thompson Metals’ on the back.
‘One of Grandpa’s lads?’
‘He sure is.’
Cornelius was patrolling up and down the aisles, a word for those he knew, eyes clocking and processing those he didn’t. He pulled at his cap. Indoors and out, he wore the deerstalker like a Roman emperor with a crown of laurels. A look of displeasure crossed his face as he noted where Luke and Nina had chosen to sit. He stopped to speak to the woman in front.
‘How’s Sean doing? Did he get that stairlift fitted?’
‘We’re on a waiting list.’ The woman coughed.
‘Give me your number, Lou. I’ll pass it on to Alison. Ali is a great woman to get things done. Just imagine all she could do if she wins.’ Sliding his glasses down his nose, he punched the woman’s number into his phone and recommenced his walkabout.
The hall was filling up. Nina looked over her shoulder, her long hair swishing into Luke’s face. He didn’t mind. He liked the smell. Turning round he spotted what had caught Nina’s attention. Who had caught Nina’s attention. He bristled.
Sebastian Considine.
There he was, threading his straggly hair across his cheek and through his mouth. He leaned back, making a right-angle triangle against the hard back of his chair. It couldn’t have been comfortable. Yet the guy managed to look both slothful and indolent. Beyond, the Elvis impersonator closed both doors. He lifted a heavy metal bar into place, locking them. The hall was packed, every chair occupied. It was just gone 8.15 p.m. Luke turned back, straightened up, and redirected his attention to the stage.
Alison stood to welcome the gathering. There were two tables on the stage. One for the landowners, the other for Lucy Considine. The opening address dispensed with, she returned to her chair at the apex of tables. A hesitant Lucy Considine took to the floor. The hall fell silent.
‘I’m in favour of clean, green energy.’ Her tremulous voice wavered across the hall. ‘But it has to be delivered in a way that’s not detrimental to the health of those living near these sites.’
Straightaway, Gilligan cut in. ‘There’s no scientific evidence showing a link between wind turbines and ill health.’ He was seated with his neighbouring landowners.
‘With respect,’ she responded, ‘Noise and Health has just published a study showing a direct relationship between wind farms and clinical indicators of health such as sleep and mental health.’
Gilligan muttered something behind his hand. There was a titter at his table. The activist carried on. She referenced notes and trotted out facts and figures. Low conversations sprung up around the hall. The audience grew bored. So did Luke. He could be in his basement. He had stuff to do. His eyes wandered, taking in the naked unlit bulbs on the side walls, some broken with jagged edges. A basketball hoop was pushed against the wall.
‘We have anecdotal evidence too.’ Two clown-like circles of red had sprouted on Lucy Considine’s cheeks.
Gilligan shook his head.
The woman grew increasingly agitated. ‘The evidence doesn’t make it into the public domain because people settle out of court. They are bound by confidentiality clauses. Hush money, if you like.’
Out of nowhere, someone clapped. The sound rang out like gunshot. All went still. Ahead, in the front row, Cornelius turned. A pall of silence descended. There wasn’t a rustle, not a whisper. Cornelius reached for his glasses. He took them off and pinched the bridge of his nose. Pulling a handkerchief from his pocket he wiped the glasses. Right lens. Left lens. He settled the glasses back on his nose. Putting the handkerchief back in his pocket, his head swept slowly like a minesweeper, right to left, left to right, scouring the hall.
Where was the lone applauder?
Who was the lone applauder?
Zzzz zap. Zzzz zap.
The only sound was the faulty fluorescent lighting.
There came a low murmur. Luke’s attention was pulled across the aisle. His eyes followed those of the crowd. He zoned in on the source of the clapping. A guy in leathers with a motorbike helmet
on his lap. He was staring ahead, defiant. There came another sound from a skirting board nearby. A scrabbling sound. A mouse perhaps.
‘Will there be construction jobs for locals?’ a man next to Cornelius called out.
Cornelius nodded his approval. The tension lifted. A collective exhalation followed. Cornelius turned back to face the stage.
‘Now you’re asking the right questions.’ Gilligan beamed from the stage. ‘Almost certainly there will be jobs.’
‘That is not the case.’
The crowd held its breath again.
Lucy Considine’s earrings swished. ‘I have it on good authority if the project goes ahead, most of the construction work will be done off-site in another country.’
‘Perhaps you’d like to share the name of that authority with us?’ Alison pulled the collar of her cream shirt upright. She crossed her long, shapely legs, sitting at the apex between the two opposing sides.
‘I’m not at liberty to say,’ the activist replied. ‘But rest assured I’ve done my homework. The guidelines on the siting of turbines are out of date. Infrasound will come through the roof, in through the walls, it can shake the organs in your body.’
‘Isn’t it the case you’re just peddling fear, Miss Considine?’ asked Alison.
Nina stopped craning over her shoulder at Sebastian. It was too embarrassing, her mother doing battle with her boyfriend’s mother.
‘Surely it’s not all bad?’ Alison asked. ‘There’s a sizeable stipend payable to those willing to site the turbines on their land.’
‘You’re happy for people to be bought off? I thought you were supposed to be chairing this meeting, you’re hardly impartial in this matter …’ the activist’s earrings were swinging like wind-chimes in a breeze ‘… your business partner, Roddy Gilligan, has been seen with Zephyr Energy in the Lakeland Hotel. Is it not true that he stands to gain hugely from these proposals?’
‘All this from the same authority you get all your information from, Miss Considine?’ Alison asked. ‘I must say this nameless authority has been a very busy little bee.’
Ripples of laughter sounded in the airless hall. More blotches appeared on Lucy Considine’s neck above her scarf.
‘Let me spell it out for you. Twenty-five turbines on one site requires planning permission. Zephyr plans twenty-four. All on Gilligan’s land. So, if any of you,’ she jabbed a finger at the audience, ‘think you’ll profit, you’re mistaken. It’s all going to Mr Gilligan. It’s simpler for Zephyr to deal with one individual. Especially an individual that has the ear of Cornelius Thompson, who’s moved in government circles for years—’
Cornelius stood up, scraping his chair. ‘These are scurrilous allegations, Miss Considine. All I’ve ever done is try to help my friends and neighbours in this constituency.’
Alison held up a hand, signalling him to stop. ‘Let’s all call a halt to this lively and informative debate before things get too personal.’
A ripple of approval followed. Loyalty to the Thompsons was so entrenched that, whether the invective was warranted or not, no one liked to see them harangued. Lucy Considine had miscalculated. A newcomer to Lough Carberry, she’d attacked the Thompsons. Instead of the support she’d expected, she’d cast herself as villain. It would take more living in these parts to figure that was one flawed strategy.
Alison brought proceedings to a close. ‘If Zephyr decide to go ahead and extend the number of turbines, I’m going to make it my number-one priority to see that all your concerns are addressed.’ She gave a studied look about the audience. ‘And one last thing.’ She put up her hand, sincerity paining her face. ‘Where there is disruption like this to a community, there should be a social dividend. If elected, I will talk to Zephyr to see what they might do for communities around Lough Carberry. That dividend could come in the form of enhanced facilities like a new swimming pool and extra playgrounds.’
Cornelius led a cheer. The clapping grew more thunderous. Alison had sounded the perfect note. She was queen of le mot juste. Luke and Nina joined the queue towards the door. They were directly behind the guy with the motorbike helmet.
‘Do I know him?’ Luke asked under his breath.
Nina shook her head. ‘I don’t think so. I’ve no idea who he is.’
The Elvis impersonator was manning the door. As Motorbike Guy approached, Elvis’s demeanour changed. A guttural noise sounded in his throat. As Motorbike Guy passed by, Elvis let rip and gobbed up a foamy lump of spit shy of his boot.
‘Bad move earlier, pal,’ said Elvis.
‘Fuck you,’ said Motorbike Guy.
Outside, Luke and Nina stomped on their feet and blew on their hands, waiting for Alison. Nearby, Cornelius faced the street below, watching. A pocket of people stopped to chatter. Most disappeared quickly into the cold January night. At a whispering behind, Luke turned to look. Lucy Considine emerged from the doorway. She ignored everyone, her head bowed as she picked her way down the steps.
Cornelius tutted. He went back to talk to the man beside him. Luke was within earshot.
‘Tests go OK, my old pal?’ Cornelius asked.
‘They found something all right. About the size of a pea. But early stages, so they said.’
Cornelius clapped a hand on his friend’s shoulder. ‘Not a problem if they catch it early. Cut out any badness before it spreads.’ He was watching the woman with the swinging earrings heading up the street, followed by her son, Sebastian. ‘It’s when the badness spreads that it’s a problem,’ he added. ‘That’s when things get tricky.’
Next to Luke, Nina shivered in the cold. ‘Sebastian’s mother was right,’ she said. ‘Mum was supposed to chair that debate, not take part. It’s clear that there was only one winner here tonight. And that was Mum.’
The bells chimed out the hour. Luke craned up to look at the town hall clock. 10.00 p.m.
‘Here I am! Sorry to keep you all waiting.’ It was Alison. She linked Luke and Nina. ‘That went well, I think,’ she gushed. ‘You know, I almost felt sorry for Lucy Considine.’
‘Yeah, Mum. That really came across.’
‘Oh, did it? Good.’
Nina looked at Luke in disbelief. He said nothing. His wife had more faces than the town hall clock.
Cornelius drew up alongside them and rubbed his daughter’s back. ‘That’s my girl.’ He gave her a proud, gold-fillinged smile. ‘A chip off the old block.’ He turned to Luke. ‘Where are you parked?’
‘Down by the courthouse.’
‘Excellent. That’s where I am too. Sly is waiting to drive me home. We can walk together.’
Excellent indeed, thought Luke.
The small family group headed down the steps, proceeding to the courthouse parking bays. As they passed a side street, Cornelius was distracted. He stopped, his attention pulled to a car that was parked in the shadows.
Squinting into the dark, Luke followed his gaze. He could make out two people. Lucy and Sebastian Considine standing at a car, leaning over and examining something on the windscreen. They stood a moment, watching them.
‘Would you credit that?’ Cornelius shook his head and tutted. ‘So much for the environment.’
‘Can we go? I’m freezing,’ Nina said. She was reluctant to be seen.
Back at the courthouse car park, Luke and Nina bade Cornelius goodnight. Alison walked her father to his car. Sly Hegarty, his foreman and odd-job man, was waiting in the car to drive him home. Alison exchanged some words with Sly, before the Jaguar took off.
When Alison returned, Luke started the engine and pulled out of the parking bay.
‘Where are we going?’ she asked, when he didn’t turn left for home.
‘Small detour.’ Luke was curious.
He drove into the side street where the Considines had been, his eyes peeled. Then he saw it. There, discarded on a white parking line. He thought he’d seen Sebastian pick something from the windscreen. He opened the driver’s window for a look. It was a flower of some
kind. A single long-stemmed flower. Luke looked closer. He was looking at a rose. A black rose.
Banished
‘I saw you all on the news. Congratulations.’
Terence was pointing his key fob out of the office window trying to turn off his car alarm. Intermittent wails sounded from the car park.
‘The outcome was never in any doubt,’ Luke responded.
He realised this remark might sound ungracious to an innocent bystander. Despite his caution at the outset, he now considered Terence in his inner circle. Terence left the window and made towards his chair, the siren silenced for now.
‘Do you think Nina will follow in the Thompson family tradition?’ he asked. ‘Is she interested in politics?’
‘She is. But at this juncture, her mother’s views and her own couldn’t be more divergent.’ Luke paused. ‘I suppose I should mention at this point that Nina’s away for a bit.’
‘I take it that her relationship with her mother is still quite … difficult?’
‘I guess that’s one way of putting it, yes. We’ve had a bit of trouble with a boyfriend.’
‘I see. Would you like to elaborate?’
With a sharp taste in his mouth, Luke began. He hated the fact that he was even talking about this guy. Crossing and uncrossing his legs, he went on to describe the Svengali-like influence that Sebastian had on his daughter. He took care to explain that Nina was an idealistic eighteen-year-old, who was going to change the world. But she was impressionable.
He remembered that feeling – the unassailable integrity of ideals at that age. Things were right or they were wrong. They were black or they were white. He hoped in Nina’s passage to maturity, she’d be spared the choices he’d been forced to make.
Luke told Terence how he’d suppressed his initial misgivings about the boyfriend. He described what Sebastian had done to deface Alison’s election posters. But it was what Sebastian did afterwards that revealed he was far more than just a prick and a nuisance. The incident had shaken them all. And it became pressingly clear that Nina would have to be removed from his influence.
Guilty Page 5
