Johnnys voice drifted up from below. I dont know where Edie is.
Agonizing over the details, Clare said.
Well, I hope so, said Murph. I did my research, and Im expecting a soothing five-star experience.
Johnny laughed. That was Condé Nast Traveller.
Murph reading Condé Nast Traveller, said Clare.
What do you think I read? said Murph. The Irish Field? Which is an excellent publication, but not the point.
The place is amazing, lads, said Laura. Its like I dont know how ye did it.
Its magnificent, said Clare. Helen you must be used to it at this stage.
No, said Helen. Still impresses me every time. But were usually over at the house.
Probably a shithole too, is it? said Murph.
They all laughed.
Speaking of shit, said Laura, what was with the reviews on Trip Advisor?
Edie closed her eyes.
Laura! said Clare.
What? I was disgusted, said Laura. About the afternoon tea and the cream being off, and the whole thing being a rip-off? Im saying it because I know theres no way thats true.
It wasnt, said Johnny. But thats a conversation for another time.
Edie took a deep breath, straightened her shoulders, and walked to the top of the stairs. Hello! she said, beaming. They all cheered.
Here she is now, said Murph. Lady of the Manor.
Edie laughed. Youre all so welcome! Im sorry I wasnt here. What an appalling hostess! I had a few things to take care of. She looked at Helen. Happy Birthday! You look stunning.
Its the blow-dry, said Helen, waving a hand at it. She had thick, shiny short brown hair that fell across one side of her face. It was an old-fashioned cut but it was perfect on her. She never wore much eye make-up and always wore a pair of glasses to complement whatever outfit she had on. Tonight, they were black. She was wearing a red wrap top and a long black taffeta skirt, and red shoes with a square gold buckle with pearls on the toes.
Its not the blow-dry, said Edie. Its everything.
And shes got the tits out, said Murph. Looking amazing.
Clare hugged Edie. Im blown away.
I cant believe this is your first time here! said Edie.
Ours too, said Laura, pointing at herself and Murph.
Yeah, you ignorant bastards, said Murph.
We didnt want to lower the tone, said Johnny.
Says your man, said Murph, tilting his head toward him. Then he looked at himself in the long mirror, and ran his hand down the sleeve of his navy jacket. I think I scrub up very well.
You do, said Edie, opening her arms wide. Murph gave her a huge hug, and lifted her off the ground. I miss my Murph hugs, she said.
So, I heard Father Lynch is coming, said Murph when he put her down.
Please have some new jokes for tonight, said Laura.
Hell always be Father Lynch to me, said Murph.
Yes hes coming, said Edie. Helen bumped into him in Cork and said Come on down.
Murph looked at Helen. He still looks like a priest. I know he does.
No, said Helen. No, he does not.
Is he still in the States? said Laura.
I thought he was in Dublin, said Clare.
He is, said Edie. I think he was in New York before that. She looked at Helen. Isnt that what you said?
Helen nodded.
Jesus, said Johnny. I never thought Id see such excitement over Patrick Lynch coming to something.
Its not excitement, said Edie. Its
Curiosity, said Clare. She looked at Johnny. You were too old when Patrick was on the scene you were off doing your Munster thing. You only remember him from when he was a child.
I hope hes had a shower, said Johnny.
Ah, Johnny, said Clare.
Its not like Im going to say it to his face, said Johnny.
Sure, no wonder he smelled, said Laura. The child was a mobile sweatshop. And he couldnt have been more than six. Polishing the church when he should have been out kicking a ball.
Im sure I saw him with his arm in a sling at one stage, said Clare.
Still at it? said Murph.
Clare nodded.
Imagine my two polishing a church, said Laura. Theyd be up taking a shit in the font.
Laura! said Clare.
Dont pretend youre shocked, said Laura.
The doorbell rang. Murphs eyes widened, then he mouthed, Is that him? I hope he didnt hear. He mimed a shower over his head.
Everyone laughed. Johnny walked over and opened the door. A blast of wind and rain swept in with Patrick. He had his head bowed against it, the hood of his black jacket up. He pushed it back and smiled at everyone.
Welcome! said Johnny, shaking his hand. Let me take your jacket.
Thank you, said Patrick.
Clare flashed a glance at Edie, her eyebrows raised. Laura was less subtle. Edie tried not to laugh. Patrick was six foot two, broad-shouldered and muscular. He was wearing a tight black long-sleeved sweater with three black buttons at the neck, and black trousers. He was fresh-faced, his teeth were perfect, his brown hair cut with a neat side-parting.
Even Murph and Johnny were staring at him.
Father Lynch, said Murph, extending his hand.
Laura rolled her eyes.
Mr Murphy you havent changed a bit, said Patrick.
I wish I could say the same to you, said Murph. Youre showing myself and Johnny up. The ladies cant know this is possible at our age.
Edie glanced at Johnny.
Patrick hugged everyone. You smell divine! said Clare.
Laura stifled a laugh. Edies eyes widened.
Right, said Johnny. To the bar.
Murph and Patrick strode after him.
Clare turned to Edie.
I did not say that on purpose, she said.
I know you didnt, said Edie. Your face!
Laura looked at Helen. You dirty bitch. Thats why you invited him.
Obviously, said Helen.
Whats his scoop? said Clare. Is he married?
We need a bit more time to start getting that info out of him, said Laura.
He looks single, said Clare.
Looks single, said Laura.
He doesnt look like he has the weight of the world on his shoulders that marriage brings, said Clare.
The others laughed.
Whats he up to, these days? said Laura.
Hes in hedge funds, said Clare.
What does that mean? said Laura.
That hes rich enough to wear a jumper and hiking boots to a five-star establishment, said Helen.
Edie laughed. As if Id care.
Clare raised her eyebrows. I saw you giving a frowny look at his jumper.
What? said Edie. No, I did not.
So, youre telling me Patrick Lynch is rolling in it, said Laura.
Oh, yes, said Clare.
From nothing, said Laura. Fair play to him.
Murph made a huge effort, said Clare.
From nothing, said Laura. Fair play to him.
Murph made a huge effort, said Clare.
The navy jacket and shirt, said Edie. She nodded her approval.
Never thought Id see the day Murph in velvet, said Laura.
It suits him, said Helen.
God, when I think of him, the poor divil, said Clare, going from one house to the next for his dinner, making everyone laugh, and how sad hed look, heading off. And the worst part of it was it wasnt like he was going home to some savage who was going to beat him.
Heartbreaking, said Edie. And Mum would never let him stay for dinner. It was so awkward. And she would have known what was going on.
That time he was in our house and the packet of ham fell out from under his jumper, said Laura. And Mam would have been happy to give it to him.
Oh, no, said Helen. I can just picture his little face.
And remember, said Laura, the time he
Lets remember, said Helen, that we all had that little face once.
And, said Clare, is there not some unspoken agreement that we forget each others childhood shame?
7
MURPH
Castletownbere, 1981
Murph stood outside his mothers bedroom. He hadnt seen her for two days. He put his ear to the door. He could hear a mans voice, but it wasnt his father, because his father was at work. He could hear the voice coming closer to the door, so he bounced away, and took a few steps back down the hallway. When he heard the door open, he pretended he was walking towards it. Dr Weston appeared with his big leather bag, closing the door gently behind him.
Hello, Liam, he said. He gave a nod.
Can I go in to see Mammy? said Murph.
Not today, he said. She needs to rest.
Murph frowned. Shes resting the whole time.
Dr Weston started to walk down the stairs.
Murph came after him. Can I not just go in for a little minute?
Dr Weston gripped the banister. Murph froze. Whats so important that it cant wait til tomorrow?
You said tomorrow the last time, said Murph.
Well, Im saying it again, now. He gave a nod, and then he looked up at him. Sure, youre a big lad, now. Arent you able to look after yourself, and not be bothering your mammy?
Murphs face flushed. Dr Westons three sons were all big lads, rough and tough. Murph knew they were older than he was, but when they were his age they were the same. Johnny, the one who played rugby, was fourteen but he was a bit of a bully, and Murph wasnt sure being tough was all it was cracked up to be.
Murph stayed where he was on the stairs until Dr Weston left. Then he turned and ran up to his mothers room. He put his ear to the door again. There was no sound. He let out a sigh, then ran downstairs, and out into the front garden.
Jerry Murphy drove up to the house, and parked the van in the drive. He jumped out, and reached Murph in four strides, sweeping him off the ground, and throwing him up on his shoulders.
Im too big, Daddy! said Murph.
Jerry held on to his sons little calves, and walked him around the side of the house. Do I look like a man who cant carry a smallie like you on his back? Sure, amnt I doing it right now? He slid his hands down to Murphs ankles, and lifted them, tilting him back, making him grab for the back of his shirt collar to pull himself up. Daddy! he said, tapping him on the head.
Jerry laughed. When they got around the back, he swung Murph down on to the ground beside a small pile of red timber slats. Right, he said, you and me are going to make a little house.
What kind of a house? said Murph.
Ah, for one of your little cousins for her dolls. Now grab me that hammer over there.
He knelt down, and Murph stood smiling at the top of his head; his father was always helping people, and Murph loved helping him do it. And he loved hearing the things people always said about his father: Thats a man you can rely on, Thats a man whod never let you down, You could call Jerry Murphy any time, day or night, Jerry Murphyd give you the shirt off his back.
When the little house was built, Murph stood back and put his hands on his hips.
I dont know, Daddy, if shes going to be mad about it.
What? said Jerry. What do you mean? After all our hard work.
No I know, said Murph. But are you going to be cutting holes in it later? For the windows?
Jesus I hadnt thought of windows.
And is it not supposed to have a floor in the middle to put furniture on? He glanced at his dad. It looks funny.
It looks funny, you think. What does it look like to you, so?
Murph frowned. I dont want to be mean. I know you wanted to do a nice job on it. But it looks a bit like a kennel.
Jerry stood up, and laughed. He put his hands on his hips. Jesus youre right. He started rubbing his face. Amnt I some eejit? Let me see if I have anything at all in the van, so we can sort something out. He disappeared around to the front of the house.
Murph heard a knock from the upstairs window. He took a few steps backwards so he could see properly. His mam was standing at her bedroom window with a big smile on her slender face, her eyes huge, her dressing gown up high around her neck. She waved at him, and he waved back. She pointed down at the little house, like she wanted to get a better look. Murph went over, and dragged it on to the grass where she could see it. She smiled.
I think I have something for that house! Jerry shouted.
When Murph looked up, Jerry was standing a distance away. Between his two boots was a little ball of fur that he let go as soon as Murph turned.
Murph jumped as a tiny black-and-white border collie pup shot towards him. By the time Murph crouched down, the dog was flinging himself into his chest, wriggling against him, trying to lick his neck. Murph stood up with him, hugging him tight, and they rubbed the sides of their faces together. Then Murph settled him into his arms, with his front paws up on his shoulders.
Daddy! said Murph. I love him!
He held the dog up to show his mam. She beamed down at him from the window.
Jerry laughed, and patted the back of Murphs head. Sure, youre best pals already.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, said Murph, and he looked up again, but his mam was gone. And thank Mammy for me. He paused. Or could I thank her myself later? His eyes were shining.
Jerry squeezed Murphs shoulder. You can, of course.
Murph beamed.
So, said Jerry, what are you going to call your new pal?
Murph thought about it. Rosco.
Jerry laughed. From the television? The lads that climb in the car through the window?
Murph nodded. Rosco P. Coltrane.
Jerry patted the dogs head. Rosco P. Murphy, it is so.
That night, Murph woke up to a terrible choking sound, his heart pounding. He got up, and went to the door, pressing the handle down slowly, and edging the door open. He heard the sound again, and it was coming from downstairs. His chest tightened. He wanted to go into his mammy and daddys room, but he wasnt allowed. This time, he knew they wouldnt, though, because he was scared. And his mammy always told him to come to her when he was scared. He crossed the hallway, and opened their door gently. He walked in on tiptoes, and up to the bed. His mother was asleep, and even though she was asleep, she looked tired, and he didnt want to wake her. His daddy wasnt there, so he thought maybe that was him downstairs.