Flowers on the Mersey

by June Francis

  ‘Not necessarily,’ said Brigid. ‘Perhaps it was just a shipboard romance on his part. Yer don’t know.’

  A cold shiver raced through Rebekah and for a moment she could not think, then she said, ‘I have to find out. You’ll ask his cousin?’

  Brigid nodded.

  ‘Thanks!’ Rebekah hugged her. ‘You’re my bestest friend.’

  ‘Hmph!’ Brigid smiled. ‘Yer using me but I’ll find out what I can and tell you tomorrow.’

  ‘Bring the kids to Joshua’s house and we can go to the park before having tea in the garden.’

  ‘OK. I’d like to see the house,’ said Brigid.

  They said no more but parted and went their separate ways.

  The sun gleamed on thickly leafed trees and lush grass in Newsham Park. Jimmy had brought a ball with him and was booting it as far as he could with his left foot. Veronica was sent to fetch it every time but did not seem to mind. Rebekah was pleased to see them both but glad to have them out of earshot.

  ‘Well?’ she demanded, clutching Brigid’s arm. ‘I’ve hardly slept. Tell me – he is alive?’

  Her friend nodded. ‘He’s alive and in Ireland.’

  Rebekah felt weak with relief. ‘Thank God.’

  Brigid shook her head. ‘Yer haven’t got anything to thank Him for yet. Ireland’s a terribly dangerous place at the moment. There’s divisions in the Provisional Army and the Dáil. There’s already fighting and it’s almost certain that there’ll be open civil war between the Free Irish troops and the Irregulars soon.’

  Rebekah nodded. ‘It can’t be any more dangerous than when the Black and Tans were there. Where in Ireland is he?’

  Brigid sighed. ‘Yer still going to go?’

  ‘You know I am.’

  ‘He and Shaun are with the Irregulars in Dublin.’

  ‘Dublin!’ Rebekah closed her eyes on sudden tears because she knew that she could find her way around the city. ‘Have you an address?’

  ‘They seem to move about a bit but Maureen said something about the Four Courts building.’

  Rebekah was surprised. ‘What’s he doing there? Still, I’ll be able to find him.’

  Brigid shook her head. ‘Yer crazy. Yer could be killed stone dead.’

  ‘I’ve got to go.’

  ‘I’ll come with yer if yer like.’ Brigid looked away across parkland.

  Rebekah smiled. ‘Don’t be daft.’

  Her friend looked at her and said awkwardly, ‘When the Samson went down we said we’d stick together. Cross our hearts! I feel bad about his lordship. If I’d have known about that letter you sent, I’ve a feeling yer’d have never married him.’

  Rebekah shrugged. ‘We’ll never know. I appreciate what you’re saying but I’m going it alone. Joe would never forgive me if anything happened to you.’

  ‘He wants to marry me.’

  ‘And will you?’

  ‘Mam likes him. He’s a good steady bloke. I’m not crazy for him but he’d do anything for me and I’m fond of him. There’s not many like him around.’

  ‘No.’ Rebekah squeezed her arm. ‘He’s a good bloke, as you say. Now let’s call the kids and have tea.’

  That evening Rebekah informed Janet that she was going away for a few weeks and that she could take some time off on full pay.

  The next day Rebekah visited her aunt and took the cat with her. Unexpectedly she felt sad because she had no idea if she would ever see her again. ‘I’m taking a little holiday, Aunt Esther,’ she murmured, not looking her straight in the eye. ‘I wondered if you would look after Moggy for me?’

  ‘Hannah won’t like it, but I don’t mind,’ said Esther, taking the cat on to her knee. It purred as she stroked it. ‘Where art thou going?’

  ‘London,’ she said quickly. ‘I’ve never been before and I thought it’s about time I saw the capital of England.’

  Her aunt looked up. ‘Will thou be away long?’

  ‘A couple of weeks. Joshua’s in America.’ She fiddled with her teaspoon. ‘I’m going with a friend,’ she added, completely perjuring herself. ‘I’ll write if I’m away longer.’

  ‘Well, look after thyself. Don’t overdo it.’

  ‘I won’t.’ She hugged her aunt before hurrying out.

  Hannah followed Rebekah up the lobby. ‘London,’ she said opening the door for her. ‘Right den of iniquity that place is. Thee could fall into all kinds of sin without thy husband.’

  ‘Couldn’t I just,’ retorted Rebekah, amused. ‘And you could get run over by a tram while I’m away. Stop listening at keyholes, Hannah, and take care of Aunt Esther. Don’t be putting arsenic in her tea.’

  Hannah flushed. ‘The very idea,’ she said, and slammed the door.

  As Rebekah strode up the road she met Edwina. ‘Come in and have a chat and a cuppa,’ said the older woman.

  ‘Love to,’ said Rebekah, flushed with rushing. ‘But I can’t. I’m going away and have to pack.’

  ‘Where are you going?’

  ‘Joshua’s on his way to New York so I thought I’d go to London.’

  ‘London?’ Edwina stared at her and grinned. ‘Now if you’d said Ireland I wouldn’t have been a bit surprised. But maybe you’ve grown more sensible since marriage.’

  ‘Maybe.’ Rebekah smiled. ‘Would it be so daft to go to Ireland? The Red Cross go into such situations with their eyes wide open and some would consider them crazy.’

  Edwina eyed her thoughtfully. ‘You’re not bored, are you, and thinking of playing Florence Nightingale? Because if you do, make sure you have a white flag handy.’

  Rebekah laughed. ‘Of course! But marriage has completely knocked out of me any daft notions I once had.’ She lifted a hand in farewell and ran up the road.

  A short while later she was on her way to Ireland. It was a calm crossing but her insides churned and her emotions were in turmoil. What would Daniel say? What would he think? Would he believe her when she told him that his brother and Joshua had deceived her? Surely the same thing had happened to him? Her nerves were all strung up and she could not keep still. She paced the deck as if her existence depended on her walking all the way to the Emerald Isle. She considered what she would find in a country swiftly dividing against itself. There was the provisional army and government led by the one time newspaper man Arthur Griffiths and Michael Collins, pro-treaty men both. They were up against a growing army of Irregulars, who believed republican principles had been betrayed by still retaining British sovereignty, and who had among their supporters De Valera, Rory O’Connor, Liam Mellows and many others. Why had Daniel joined them? She could understand Shaun doing so but Daniel had wanted peace. Doubts crowded into her mind. Perhaps Brigid would be proved right and he would not be pleased to see her. Maybe she should not have come? She slumped on a seat and gazed with unseeing eyes across the sea.

  Her first glimpse of the Irish coast brought memories flooding back. A faint rattle of gunfire came to her across the water and with it, fear. For a moment it was as if she was back in the past and all that happened since had not taken place. Then she squared her shoulders and prepared to disembark.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  As Rebekah walked the streets of Dublin she was conscious of a feverish excitement. A number of the shops were closed and shuttered and Free State troops were stopping and questioning people, while carts were held up and searched. The Customs House had been damaged since she was last in town and O’Connell Street with its many hotels was choked by armoured cars. She had hoped to find a room there but instead made for a hotel she knew overlooking St Stephen’s Green, away from the centre of activity. She freshened up, took off her wedding and engagement rings, and dropped them in the pocket of a large canvas bag. She also placed in the bag’s depths money and – remembering what Edwina had said – a basic first aid kit, Red Cross armband, and small bottle of brandy. Then she went in search of refreshment while she thought about what she was going to do.

  Although apprehension had des
troyed Rebekah’s appetite she drank two cups of tea and ate a slice of bread and butter. The firing of heavy artillery soon shattered the tinkle of teacups and she jumped to her feet, only to sit down when no notice seemed to be taken of what was happening. She caught the eye of a youngish man sitting at the next table. He looked tired and dishevelled. ‘What’s happening?’

  He stubbed out a cigarette. ‘Have you been on a desert island that you don’t know?’ The accent was English.

  ‘I’ve just come from Liverpool.’

  He grimaced. ‘You should have stayed there. Rory O’Connor could be planning on making martyrs out of his Irregular troops. They’ve occupied the Four Courts building since April but now they’ve been issued with an ultimatum.’

  ‘The Four Courts?’ Rebekah gripped the edge of the table.

  He nodded. ‘The state troops have them surrounded and are telling them to come out. There’s a chance that they could be blown sky high if they don’t, because there’s a cache of ammunition beneath the building. I’ve been outside all night. There was a dawn raid. Now there are several breaches in the walls – but the Irregulars are refusing to surrender.’

  Rebekah’s heart began to pound. ‘Are all the Irregulars in Four Courts?’

  He shook his head. ‘They’re all over the place. They’ve taken over several of the hotels in O’Connell Street, so I’d steer clear of that area if I was you.’ His voice was kindly. ‘In fact, I’d get out of Dublin.’ He drained his cup and rose, picking up his trilby from the table. ‘Well, duty calls. My editor will have my guts if I miss out on any of the excitement.’

  ‘You’re a reporter?’

  He nodded and moved away.

  The blood seemed to be rushing to Rebekah’s head. What were the odds of Daniel still being inside Four Courts? Even fifty-fifty seemed too high and she raced after the reporter. Her fingers fastened on his arm just as he reached the street. He turned with a frown but she smiled disarmingly! ‘Can I come with you? I won’t get in the way.’ She released her hold on his arm.

  He stared at her from weary grey eyes. ‘You’re crazy. It’s no place for a woman. You could see some unpleasant sights.’

  She made an impatient noise in her throat. ‘I was here during the time of the Black and Tans! Besides, I could help. I’ve done some Red Cross work.’

  He shrugged. ‘It’s a free country. Just don’t get in my way.’

  Rebekah had no intention of getting in his way. As it was she had difficulty keeping up with him, and if she had not known Dublin well she might have lost him. As they drew nearer the Liffey, the sound of an enormous explosion tore the air. For a moment they froze. Then they were running.

  ‘Press!’ shouted the reporter to a group of soldiers clustered around artillery. They both ran on before any one moved to stop them and crossed the bridge.

  The gateway to the Four Courts building was blocked by vehicles, and dust and smoke choked the air. The reporter pounced on one of his colleagues and dragged him to one side. Rebekah waited impatiently, getting her breath back as the sound of fire engines came closer. She went over to the journalist. ‘What have you found out?’

  ‘They’re arranging a truce so the firemen can have a go at getting the fire under control.’ he said quietly.

  ‘They’ll be some dead?’ She had her emotions firmly under control. He pushed back his trilby and took out a packet of cigarettes. ‘Sure. But there’s some still alive. Otherwise we wouldn’t be having a truce.’ He scrutinised her face. ‘Do you know somebody in there?’

  ‘I might.’

  ‘Hard luck. But they’ll probably allow them to bring the wounded out.’

  ‘Can we go closer now the shooting’s stopped?’

  He shrugged but they made tracks.

  It was pandemonium with soldiers shouting and rushing about. Firemen trailed hosepipes. There were sightseers, as well as several vehicles whose drivers had deserted them to have a closer look. There were also a couple of ambulances, and nurses.

  Already there were bodies stretched on the ground and several more bloodied figures were being brought out. At the sound of a voice Rebekah stopped and stared at a young Irregular kneeling beside a man on the ground. Then she ran towards him. When a trooper would have stopped her, she pulled an armband from her bag. ‘I’m a Red Cross helper!’ she blurted out.

  ‘All right, miss.’ He allowed her to go through.

  She slithered to a halt and knelt down. The young man looked at her but said nothing as she lowered her gaze to the figure on the ground. Her vision blurred and she had to rub her eyes before being able to see the face properly. It was coated with dust and smeared with dried blood from a gash on the side of the head. His eyes were closed. The left shoulder of his battledress was sticky. It was Daniel. She had to fight the wave of dizziness that passed over her.

  ‘Well! Can you do anything for my brother?’

  Rebekah bit back what she would have liked to say and looked at Shaun who appeared not to have recognised her. ‘Give me time to think,’ she murmured, glancing around. There was a priest in attendance, and nurses and orderlies were seeing to the loading of some of the wounded into ambulances. They all drove off as she watched. She looked at Daniel and brushed his cheek with the back of her hand. ‘Help me to get him over to one of those cars,’ she said quietly.

  ‘I can’t drive,’ said Shaun.

  ‘I can.’ She slung her bag over her shoulder. ‘Now let’s move him.’

  ‘We might be stopped.’

  ‘And we might not,’ she said impatiently. ‘Let’s just do it.’

  Daniel groaned as they lifted him to his feet, but he did not open his eyes and was a dead weight as they dragged him to the car. Rebekah prayed that the driver of the Morris Oxford four-seater she had her eye on would keep on watching the fire. Water hissed on the flames, causing smoke to billow everywhere. People coughed and blinked their eyes but it was perfect for her plans. ‘How the bloody hell am I going to open the door?’ gasped Shaun.

  ‘I’ll take his weight while you get a hand free,’ said Rebekah.

  But before Shaun did so, a boy came over and opened the door.

  ‘Thanks,’ whispered Rebekah.

  They managed with a struggle to get Daniel into the back of the car. She took off her jacket and made a pillow for his head. Shaun got in the front seat and she stared at him in exasperation.

  ‘D’you want me to turn the handle, miss?’ asked the boy.

  ‘Yes! Yes!’ She smiled and flipped him a florin before getting into the driving seat.

  After a couple of false starts the engine came to life and cautiously she drove off. There was a shout followed by shots. She ducked even though it would have probably been too late if the bullets were on target, but they were not and she did not stop. Soon they were out of range. It was then that she felt cold steel against her neck. ‘Don’t go to the hospital.’

  ‘What?’ Had Shaun recognised her?

  ‘Keep you eyes on the road,’ he ordered. ‘People die in hospitals. And I don’t know where you’ve come from but you must know that the Free State troops won’t be letting me or Danny go free, if he gets better.’ His voice quivered. ‘Head for O’Connell Street.’

  ‘You can’t get through. It’s blocked with armoured cars.’ She glanced at him. ‘The hospital would be better. Unless you want you brother to die?’

  ‘Of course I bloody don’t!’ he snarled. ‘But you can help him, can’t you?’

  ‘Yes!’ She concealed her trepidation. ‘But I’m no doctor. His head and shoulder – what happened?’

  A bullet went straight through his shoulder. And he was hit by a brick or something when everything seemed to explode.’

  Rebekah was relieved that she wouldn’t have to be digging out a bullet. ‘I’ll need water.’

  ‘I’ll get you some,’ he muttered.

  ‘In that uniform? If we’re stopped—’

  ‘I’ll shoot the lousy sods.’

  �
�Dear God,’ she groaned. ‘Is violence the only way you ever think of dealing with a situation?’

  Shaun stared at her. ‘Do I know you?’

  ‘Hardly.’ She started to slow down despite the barrel of the gun digging in her ribs now. ‘I’m not going any further. There’s troops ahead.’

  ‘Drive through them,’ he ordered. ‘I’ve got our Danny’s gun as well as my own.’

  She sighed. ‘You mean I’m to run them down while you have a gun battle?’

  ‘You’ve got it.’

  ‘I won’t do it.’

  ‘I’ll shoot you.’

  ‘Do it then. Then you won’t have to explain to your brother why I’m still alive.’ Her voice was expressionless.

  Shaun’s mouth fell open and he scrutinised her carefully before muttering, ‘I thought I’d seen you before. It was best for both of you to think the other dead.’

  She raised her eyebrows. ‘You call the state Daniel’s in best for him? You’re crazy. I’m turning round.’ She spun the wheel and Shaun was flung against the door.

  He grappled for a hold. ‘You bitch! I’ll kill you for this!’

  ‘Save your breath.’

  A weak voice behind them said, ‘You heard the lady, Shaun. Shut up.’

  For a moment Rebekah’s muscles seemed to lose strength and the car skidded across the road before she managed to bring it to a halt with the engine still running. Trembling, she rested her head on the steering wheel for several seconds before pulling herself together and looking over the back of her seat.

  ‘They lied,’ said Daniel faintly. ‘They bloody lied.’ He reached out a hand and she took it.

  ‘As soon as I knew you were alive, I came.’

  He nodded and closed his eyes, still holding her hand.

  ‘This is great,’ muttered Shaun, hunched up against the door, glowering at her. ‘Are we going to sit here all bloody day with you two holding hands?’

  ‘We probably wouldn’t be in this mess if it wasn’t for you,’ said Rebekah, her gaze flickering over him before returning to Daniel’s face. ‘We’ve got to find somewhere safe to take him. If I could I’d get him on the first boat back to Liverpool. But I suppose that’s out of the question?’