Chapter Sixty
When Aileen arrived home, she found a note from her da saying he had gone for a drink with Bead and Paddy. She was pleased that he was socialising again. She knew, too, that he needed to discuss Tom with someone other than herself. She made something to eat and then rang Dermot.
He arrived in the Mini and they drove somewhere quiet to sit and talk. Dermot wore jeans and a white collared shirt, open at the neck. Aileen also had on jeans and a floral summer top. He wanted to know all about her meeting with Tom.
‘When am I going to meet him?’
‘Soon, I hope. I’m sure you and he will hit it off. Already I feel a special bond with him. I guess it’s because we are twins.’
‘It’s bound to make a difference, Aileen. What film did you see?’
They talked at length about Tom, until Dermot assured her that her brother would eventually understand the circumstances their mother had been in. ‘After all, it’s early days.’
‘Yes, you’re right. I just hate to see him so sad.’
‘Look, I’ve got some good news, Aileen. I went to the housing site this afternoon. They’ve started digging out the foundations.’
‘Really! That’s exciting.’ She snuggled close and felt the hair on his chest tickle her ear. She glanced up. ‘At that rate, we might have to get married sooner.’
Dermot did that funny thing with his eyebrows. ‘I’m all for that.’ He lowered his head and kissed her passionately. Before long the car windows were steaming up, and Aileen had to come up for air.
‘My goodness, Dermot, you almost took my breath away then.’ She blew out her lips. ‘I love you but…’
He squeezed her around the waist. ‘Don’t worry. I love you, too. This is driving me crazy.’ He straightened his hair with the flat of his hand. ‘What’s stopping us from getting married now?’
‘Don’t be daft. Where would we live?’ She shook her head. ‘No, let’s wait. I want a proper wedding.’ She glanced down at her engagement ring. ‘The time will soon go.’
Dermot wound down the car window and leant his arms across the steering wheel.
‘A year seems a lifetime away.’
Aileen sighed. She had still to find herself a bridesmaid. She couldn’t ask Val to come all the way over from England, and her friend Helen would be too busy looking after her baby; if she got to keep it. When Aileen had called at Helen’s parents’ house a week ago, they’d refused to tell her anything. Aunt Bead had suggested asking her sister-in-law’s daughter in place of Helen.
‘What are you thinking of, Aileen. You’re miles away.’
‘Oh, just wondering about a bridesmaid, and if you’d any idea who you might approach as your best man.’
‘I want to talk to you about that.’ His brow furrowed. ‘I can hardly ask my brother.’
Aileen’s eyes widened. ‘Could he marry us, do you think?’
‘You wouldn’t mind?’
She laughed. ‘Mind? It would be marvellous. You still don’t have a best man, though.’
He took her hand. ‘What about Tom? Do you think he’d do it?’
Aileen leant in and kissed him. ‘Why didn’t I think of that? I’ll ask him. Or, better still, you can ask him when he comes for tea at the sweet shop tomorrow. Da wants the four of us to have Sunday tea. There’s something he wants to discuss with Tom.’ She shrugged. ‘What do you think? Will you come?’
Dermot nodded. ‘It sounds like a good plan,’ he smiled. ‘Now, before you get me going again, I’d better take you home.’ Aileen shook her head as the car roared into life and moved off to a belch of smoke. ‘Are you still on for a driving lesson in the morning, Aileen?’
‘Are you kidding? I can’t wait.’
* * *
Dermot’s attempts to teach Aileen the three-point-turn ended in frustration. After several attempts, she conceded she would never get the hang of it. She kept hitting the curb. ‘Those wing mirrors are too low,’ she complained.
‘No, you’re not concentrating,’ Dermot said. ‘You can’t expect to do it right the first time. Besides, you’re too impatient, Aileen Maguire.’ Annoyed at having to give in before she had succeeded, she saw the relief on Dermot’s face. ‘You’ll get better with practice, you’ll see.’ He placed his arm around her shoulder and changed the subject. ‘I haven’t been to church for weeks. I guess I’ll have to start going regular. What about you?’
She lowered her head. ‘If I’m honest, I’m just as guilty.’
Later that morning, Aileen and Dermot decided to go to St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral to hear mass. Because they both lived within the city boundaries, they had a choice of churches in which to marry, but it was too soon to make a decision.
* * *
Aileen wanted to make sure everything was perfect for tea with her brother. She worked hard all afternoon baking fairy cakes and scones, and made a variety of small sandwiches with the crusts cut away.
Tom and Dermot arrived, and when the preliminaries were over, they all tucked in while Aileen poured tea into her ma’s best china teacups. Tom and Dermot chatted as if they had known each other for years, soon polishing off the sandwiches before starting on the scones with butter and jam.
‘These are delicious,’ Tom said, turning towards Dermot. ‘You’re a lucky man.’
‘Don’t I know it.’ He winked at Aileen.
She smiled. The old saying, the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, must be true. Her da looked pensive and ate little, but after the lunch he had eaten she wasn’t surprised.
Later, Aileen, Dermot and Tom sat on the sofa listening to Top Twenty on the wireless with Alan Freeman, while Da offered to wash up. Straight after that, it was Sing Something Simple, with the Cliff Adams Singers and Jack Emblow on accordion, playing sweet melodies. After pop music, Aileen thought it sounded rather dreary, but her da loved it. Her ma used to call it, Sing Something Sinful, and they would both giggle.
Just then, her da came in carrying a tray with a glass of beer for the men and a small glass of sherry for Aileen.
‘What’s this, Da? Are we celebrating?’
‘Well,’ he said with a smile, ‘it’s not every day that a man finds he has a nineteen-year-old son he never knew about. I’d say that was cause for celebration.’ They all chinked glasses.
‘Hear, hear!’ Dermot said.
The wireless was turned off, and Aileen glanced towards Dermot. She had no idea what this was all about, and it gave her an uneasy feeling in her stomach. She hated surprises, especially if they turned out to be disappointing, and she certainly didn’t want Tom upset now that she had discovered his sensitive side.
‘I’ve something I want to put to you, Tom.’ Their father leant forward in the armchair.
Tom’s head shot up.
‘Sure, it’s just an idea, and please say no if it doesn’t appeal. I wondered if you’d consider coming into the sweet business with me?’
Tom looked taken aback, and Aileen held her breath while Tom took a few seconds to answer. ‘Oh,’ he said. ‘Thank you, sir. I, well to be honest, I love my job at the bank. It’s what I do best, and I have,’ he gave a little laugh, ‘aspirations of moving up the ladder one day.’
‘I’m proud of you, son. That’s very commendable.’
Dermot glanced at Aileen. ‘We might be coming to you for a loan then, Tom.’
Tom nodded and their da cleared his throat. ‘I was just thinking that, you know, with your weak chest, the shop would be easy work. You could take time off whenever you needed to, without the added worry of losing wages, and…’
‘Please don’t patronize me, sir.’ Tom sat forward, his back stiff with indignation, and placed his glass down on the coffee table. ‘I’m sick to death of hearing about my bloody illness. It’s always been poor Tom, the sickly child, or poor Tom wasn’t well enough when the adoptive parents came to see him. He’ll never be fit enough for hard labour.’
Tom’s words cast a cloud over the evening, and the r
oom sank into silence. Aileen quickly placed her hand over his.
‘We understand, Tom. Da was only trying to help.’
‘I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to be disrespectful, sir. I’ve been told I have a stubborn streak, but it’s not just that, I want to prove to myself that I can make it on my own.’
Aileen glanced at her da and thought how alike father and son were.
Their father nodded. ‘It’s all right, Tom. I’m sorry, I should have been more tactful.’
Tom excused himself and went outside to have a smoke. Dermot gave Aileen a knowing look and she shrugged.
‘I didn’t know Tom smoked,’ her da said. ‘It won’t do his chest any good.’
‘He’s nervous, Da, that’s all. He’s had a lot to contend with these past few weeks. I’m sure he’ll give them up when he feels more secure.’
‘Aye. You’re probably right.’
When Tom returned, their da offered more drinks, and they chatted as easily as before. Tom talked about his work at the bank, and it was obvious to those listening that he had a passion for what he did.
When the subject of family life was broached, Tom was willing to share a little of what living at an orphanage had been like. ‘Sure, I’ve never lived in a normal family, so it’s difficult to judge one against the other. The nuns were good to me and made sure I had a good education. They taught me most of what I know. I’m afraid I missed a lot of schooling, but,’ he chuckled, ‘I guess I was useful to them around the place. Healthwise, I had many good days when I did gardening and light maintenance, but my heart was always in bookkeeping and commerce.’ He lowered his head and sipped his drink. ‘I’m more than happy to know I have a family.’ He smiled towards Aileen.
‘Thanks for sharing that with us, Tom,’ their father said. ‘I’m only sorry that we didn’t know of your existence earlier.’
When it was time for Tom to leave, Aileen and Dermot said they would walk with him to the bus.
‘You are welcome here at any time of the day, or night,’ their father said.
Tom smiled. ‘Thank you. I hope you know how much I appreciate your offer, even if…’
‘It’s okay, son, I understand. Just wanted you to know that you’re family now.’ He smiled, and they shook hands.
As they walked to the bus, the young ones talked about Aileen and Dermot’s forthcoming wedding. ‘I’d be delighted to be your best man, Dermot. What do I have to do?’
‘Just make sure he turns up,’ Aileen said.
‘Have you set a date yet?’
‘No, but we’re planning for early next year.’ Dermot took Aileen’s hand as they crossed the Ha’penny Bridge. The town was quieter now, with just a few people running to catch their bus home. ‘I’d marry her tomorrow, and to hell with all the trimmings.’ He raised his dark eyebrows. ‘But you know what women are like.’
‘I don’t, but I’m beginning to.’ Both men laughed.
Before Tom boarded the bus, he kissed Aileen on the cheek. ‘See you, sis,’ he said and waved from the window.
* * *
That night when Aileen got home, her da was still up. ‘Did Tom get off all right, love?’
Aileen nodded. ‘The evening turned out well, Da.’
‘Aye. If only he’d stop calling me sir! It makes me feel like his schoolmaster. I want to be a father to him if he’ll let me.’
‘You are. Give him time.’ She sat down. ‘Do you know what he told me, Da?’
‘What was that, then?’
‘Apparently, when Tom was about ten, the nuns sent him to a farm in Cork for a week’s holiday. The couple, Mr and Mrs Miller, had a boy around Tom’s age, and they got on really well. He was sent there each year until he was about thirteen.’
‘He wasn’t abused, was he?’
‘No, Da. It’s nothing like that. Tom loved it there so much that he started calling the boy’s father, Da. The man rebuked him for it and told him to call him sir.’ Sighing, she slipped off her shoes. ‘So you can kind of understand why he’s wary, can’t you, Da?’
Her da shook his head. ‘Poor lad.’ He sat down next to her. ‘I’ve something here to show you.’ He took a small photo from his wallet. ‘I came across this while you were out.’
Aileen looked at the black and white snapshot—a picture of her da, around Tom’s age, walking across O’Connell Bridge.
‘Gosh, Da, what a striking resemblance! Will you show it to Tom next time he visits?’
‘Yes, it will be interesting to see what he thinks.’
Their evening together had given Aileen and her da a much clearer insight into Tom, the man. Being overlooked for adoption because of his bronchial troubles had made him vulnerable.
‘I would feel exactly the same way,’ her da said, putting the photo back into his wallet. ‘In his shoes, I’d hang on fiercely to my independence. Well, I don’t intend making things any tougher for him.’ He stood up. ‘I’m away to my bed. Before I do, I want to say I’m proud of your efforts to make the wool shop a success. Keep up the good work.’
With everything else going on, she had quite forgotten how busy the shop had been lately. ‘Thanks, Da. At this rate, I’ll soon be able to pay you back.’
He leaned down and kissed the top of her head. ‘Goodnight, Aileen.’
‘Night, Da.’
She sighed. It had taken months, but this was the father she had known and loved from childhood. Today had been an amazing day for them both, and had made her more aware of the privileged life she’d had compared to Tom’s.
Although it was only a short time since she had first met her twin brother, already she loved him as if she had known him all her life. He would always be part of her and her family now, and she would make sure never to lose sight of him again.
Chapter Sixty-One
Aileen reversed the Mini into a small space in line with a row of cars outside the park.
‘Well done,’ Dermot said. ‘I couldn’t have done better myself.’
‘Really!’ Aileen beamed and stepped out onto the pavement. She locked the car and handed the keys to Dermot.
It was Sunday morning, and she had on jeans, a frilly white blouse, and her white flat shoes for driving. Dermot wore dark jeans and a patterned short-sleeved shirt. It appeared that everyone was taking advantage of the nice weather. Young people had gathered in groups outside the park; some were looking at the art exhibition secured to the railings.
‘Once your provisional licence comes through, I’d like you to keep the car; get used to driving it to work and back. I think you’re safe enough now.’
She nudged him, then linked her arm through his. ‘That’s grand, Dermot. Are you sure? How will you manage?’
‘I’ll manage. You can drive me for a change.’
‘I can’t wait.’ She kissed his cheek. ‘I appreciate you doing this for me.’
He beamed as they walked along the tree-lined pavement towards the park’s arched entrance.
‘Now that I’m feeling more confident, I can pick up my own supplies. What do you think?’
He nodded. ‘You had a good tutor. I’m not saying it wasn’t hard work, though.’
She slapped his shoulder playfully, then, laughing, circled away from him until he chased her through the green oasis of the park’s interior, past the duck pond and through the trees until she collapsed in a heap on the grass.
Dermot lay down next to her, kissing and hugging her close, a tree obscuring them from view. Aileen loved him with a passion that at times she found hard to control. Soon he was nuzzling her neck, fondling and caressing her until she bolted upright. Sighing, she bunched her long hair together and let it fall down her back. Dermot ran his hand down its shiny length.
‘What is it? What’s wrong?’
‘Nothing’s wrong. Everything’s grand, Dermot.’
‘I just want to look at you. Touch you; be alone with you. I’m sorry if I…’
‘Really, it’s fine. I know. I feel the same.’ Each tim
e she was alone with him they struggled to keep their hands off each other. With months to go yet before their wedding, she wondered if they should see less of each other. But her heart said otherwise. To distract from what they were both feeling, she said, ‘Dermot, there’s wedding stuff we need to talk about.’
‘Good idea. Come on.’ He pulled her to her feet. ‘Otherwise, I’ll be having to go to confession again next week.’
They walked hand-in-hand across the grass where sleeping ducks and pigeons lay side by side. Families picnicked on the grass and children kicked a ball around.
‘Hang on a minute.’ Aileen paused as a young woman rushed past them, her dog straining at the leash towards the duck pond. ‘You’ve been to confession already?’
Dermot laughed. ‘Aileen, your face! You’re so easy to wind up.’
She sucked in her breath. ‘You had me worried then.’
They reached the bandstand close to the river’s edge. Dermot sat with his feet either side of the bench, and Aileen rested her back against his chest, his arms wrapped around her shoulders.
‘It was generous of Tom to agree so readily to be my best man. He’s a truly nice guy.’
‘Yes, he is, isn’t he?’
‘Have you called to see Helen again?'
‘She wasn’t at home. And I doubt her family will have her back.’ Aileen looked down at her engagement ring, the diamond sparkling in the sunlight.
‘Sure, that’s a shame.’
‘Her parents are staying tight-lipped about where she is. I don’t even know if she got to keep her baby.’ She sighed. ‘It’s so unfair you know, Dermot. All this hypocrisy makes my blood boil.’ She stood up. ‘I’ll keep calling until they tell me what’s happened to her.’
‘I’m sorry, Aileen. They’re obviously feeling embarrassed and secretive, you know how people are.’
She turned to look at him. ‘Would your parents shun you if it happened to us?’
He blew out his lips. ‘Gosh, Aileen, I never gave it a thought, but maybe.’ He shrugged. ‘With Luke being a priest and all.’
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