He sneaked down and stuck his head in to the dining room. He saw his father inside, sitting in the dark, his back against the wall, his legs out in front of him, his chin to his chest. His arms were loose at his side, and he was sobbing and sobbing. A rush of fear swept over Murph. Hed never seen his father cry. He went up to him, then turned his head away for a moment from the smell of whiskey. He looked down and saw an empty bottle by the leg of the table. He had only ever seen his father have one glass, and not even finish it.
Daddy! he said. Daddy! He patted his shoulder. Its OK its OK. Ill He tried to think of what his mam would say to him when he was small and he was having a nightmare or he was worried about something and he couldnt get to sleep.
Its OK, Daddy, he said. No ones coming to get you.
He knelt down beside him, looking at his shirt, soaked with tears. He was thinking of his mam again, and what she would say.
What is it, Daddy? Did someone say something to you?
His father raised his head, confused. After a moment, he focused. Liam. He tried to sit up. Liam
Yes! Daddy are you all right?
Jerry shook his head slowly. No, no no, no. He started to sob again. Murph started crying too, because he didnt know what was wrong, and that was even scarier. He thought again of what his mam would say. He knelt in close, and put his hand on his fathers shoulder.
If I find out, said Murph, that anyone was being mean to my And his mam would say to my little man, so Murph said, If I find out that anyone was being mean to my little dad
And his dad, all six foot four of him, with his big head, and his huge hands, and his broad shoulders, started to shake, and then Murph realized it was because he was laughing at the same time as he was crying, and Murph didnt care what he was laughing at, because he was laughing, and his dad reached out and grabbed his face like it was a football, and he looked at Murph with such love in his eyes that Murph thought his heart would burst.
The next morning, nothing was mentioned at breakfast about what had happened. When Murph came home after school, he went out to play with Rosco in the garden. When his dad came home from work, he ran to him, and gave him the tightest hug.
Come on a way over with me, said Jerry, and well sit on the wall.
His father turned to him when they sat down. Liam, he said, you know, now, the way Mammys not well
Murph nodded.
Not well at all.
Murph nodded again.
Jerry put a hand to his chin. Do you know something? he said. I think that woman would hug you every minute of the day if she could.
Murph smiled, and his shoulders went up to his ears.
But you know thats a small bit harder for her, now shes not well. He paused. And thats all that is. Shes a bit weak. He patted Murph on the head. But youll always be her little man no matter what.
8
Johnny waited outside the bar until everyone had caught up. He pushed open the door and guided everyone through with a sweep of his arm. The room had a mix of mahogany panelling and slate-grey walls, thick carpet in charcoal grey, and small round tables with green leather chairs. A log fire burned and crackled drawing everyones attention until Murph boomed, No way, and crossed to the opposite wall. Johnny, Edie, and Helen laughed.
Murph looked back at Johnny and Edie, his eyes gleaming. Is that is your drinks cabinet an actual confession box?
Yes, it is, said Johnny.
Murph shook his head, smiling.
Its a little kitsch, said Edie, but we couldnt resist.
I love honesty bars, said Murph. But I prefer lying, filthy, cheating bars.
Its superb, said Clare. Is it from the chapel?
Johnny nodded. There were four of them, which was a bit much when you think of the size of it. We kept one where it was, ripped the other three out, and had this one restored.
Look, said Murph. It actually accepts sins. He pointed to a slot, and pulled out the drawer underneath. There were folded-up notes inside. He picked out three. Stole a bathrobe, Filled my purse with croissants at breakfast, and Had impure thoughts. Followed through. Fair play to them. I hope the purse one was an American or she wouldnt have got far.
Is anyone weird about it? said Clare. The sacrilege of it all.
No ones complained yet, said Edie. She put her hand on the small of Johnnys back. Well done, by the way. She gestured around the room. He set this all up.
Hes got the fire on, the candles, everything, said Laura. Never thought Id see the day.
I do this all the time, said Johnny, frowning. Why is everyone so surprised?
Jesus I dont know, said Murph. Maybe because of this. He pointed to the wall beside the confession box. Johnnys glory wall under a picture light, in case we might miss it. There were framed newspaper cuttings, Munster team photos, shots of Johnny on the pitch, at award ceremonies, with celebrities. Murph pointed to one: New Zealand, 1989. You played some game.
How you didnt end up playing for Ireland is beyond me, said Clare.
I agree, said Edie.
Thank you, ladies, said Johnny. He walked over to the drinks. Right what are you having?
The time of our lives, said Murph.
Everyone put in their orders, and Johnny started to make the drinks.
Speaking of time, said Clare, this is very early for pre-dinner drinks. This could go horribly wrong.
Johnny handed her a gin and tonic. Starting now.
Thats my fault, said Helen. I cant last very long in the evenings these days. So apologies to all of you for tomorrows hangovers.
Who says Im going to have a hangover? said Clare.
As Johnny hands everyone a massive drink, said Helen. Youll all be dying in the morning.
Not me, said Patrick, pointing to his 7UP.
Do you not drink? said Laura.
No, said Patrick. I gave up years ago.
Whys that? said Laura. Health reasons?
Patrick nodded. I guess so. Stopped one January and never looked back.
Hey thats Clares line, said Johnny. Never look back.
Eyes ahead is my line! said Clare.
Its eyes ahead, said Murph at the same time.
Relax, the pair of you, said Johnny.
Clare looked around the room. Youre all an appalling influence and I know Im going to end up in some District Court Judge in Drinking Shame situation.
Were well tucked away here, said Johnny. What happens in Pilgrim Point stays in Pilgrim Point.
Id say any fart I crack off tonight after a rake of pints will go well beyond the boundaries, said Murph.
Any development on the spa? said Clare.
Well, the plans are drawn up, said Edie, but before we can put in for planning, we have to get an archaeological survey done. And theres no point getting it done at this time of year, so were looking at March for that. And on and on.
Relax, the pair of you, said Johnny.
Clare looked around the room. Youre all an appalling influence and I know Im going to end up in some District Court Judge in Drinking Shame situation.
Were well tucked away here, said Johnny. What happens in Pilgrim Point stays in Pilgrim Point.
Id say any fart I crack off tonight after a rake of pints will go well beyond the boundaries, said Murph.
Any development on the spa? said Clare.
Well, the plans are drawn up, said Edie, but before we can put in for planning, we have to get an archaeological survey done. And theres no point getting it done at this time of year, so were looking at March for that. And on and on.
Ooh, said Murph, sucking in a breath, Johnny fucked up there.
What? said Edie. She flashed warning eyes at Murph. No, he didnt.
Sorry, said Murph. He just looked a little
Bored, said Edie.
Johnny frowned. Im not bored, Im
Im teasing, said Edie. The chapel is Johnnys thing.
The chapels not my thing, said Johnny. Its
Jesus, lads, said Murph. Youve got visitors. Did your mammies not teach you anything?
So, what are the plans for the chapel? said Patrick.
Well said Johnny.
Well said Edie.
What I think we should be doing, said Johnny, is corporate events or yoga retreats or conferences or gigs or whatever. Were in the perfect spot away from it all, no mobile coverage unless you want to use WhatsApp, no distractions
And the views, said Clare. And the Wild Atlantic Way.
Murph turned to Edie. And what do you think you should be doing with it?
Not talking about it tonight, said Edie, giving him a bright smile.
And on and on it goes, said Edie. Thats why its sort of in limbo.
Or under renovation, as I like to call it, said Johnny.
They fell into silence.
So, said Johnny, turning to Laura, how are you? How are the kid s?
Good one, said Laura. Yes, Ive more than one. And theyre alive. After that well, Mammys on the lash, isnt she? She took a long sip of her drink.
Murph laughed. Johnnys like thank fuck we got that out of the way.
I hate people banging on about their kids on a night out, said Laura.
It was a genuine question, said Johnny.
And have you any more question s? said Murph.
Ah, give him a break, said Laura. Hes had a fair few knocks to the head over the years. Children: Séamus, seven, Paddy, five: healthy, happy, and tapped.
And the father? said Johnny. Both Franks? He smiled.
Johnny! said Edie.
I see a lot of Brad Pitt in Séamus, said Laura.
Johnny turned to Clare. What about your lot?
Clare smiled. Children: Ava, nineteen, Lucas, fourteen, Marco, twelve. Husband: Alan, forty-eight. Cuddly toy. Toaster. Microwave oven.
Not a child to my name, said Murph. Until the knocks on the door start.
Not a child to my name, either, said Patrick.
Any woman on the scene? said Laura.
Patrick shook his head. No.
Man? said Clare.
Patrick smiled. Also, no.
And would you like to meet someone? said Clare.
I would, I suppose, said Patrick, but its hard enough, these days. And I wouldnt be one for internet dating.
Multiple women on the go, here, said Murph. No apologies.
I hate to stop you mid-candid admission, said Clare, but do you mind if we sit down?
Of course, said Edie. Sorry.
No, said Clare, its my shoes.
Remember dont puke on my shoes, take off my shoes, said Murph.
Oh, God, said Laura.
And the gas part was you were talking to yourself, said Murph. Laura, pasted, forehead down on a white plastic table
That I had to climb under, said Helen, so I could take off the shoes.
Well, of course you did, said Murph.
There was a chorus from the others, I couldnt say no!
Do I say that a lot? said Helen.
They all laughed. Yes, said Edie.
Yes! said Murph. Its why we all love you. He turned to Laura. Theres not many whod risk climbing under a table when youre gearing up.
And she managed to have the wherewithal to tell me make sure the shoes were out of splashing distance, said Helen.
Ah, lads, said Laura. Clare you were right. We need to be allowed to forget this shit.
Sure, thats no craic, said Murph.
Right, everyone, said Johnny. Go sit. I have a few things to check on and Ill be back.
Helen let Johnny pass, and pulled Edie to one side as everyone else sat down.
Am I sensing tension? said Helen.
Where? said Edie.
Johnny and Patrick? said Helen.
Edies eyes widened. What? Why do you say that?
Do you really think Johnny believes I randomly bumped into Patrick last week, and just said, Come on down for my birthday dinner, given that the last time I laid eyes on him was when he came to say his goodbyes to Sister Consolata in the hospital and shes dead what? Ten years?
Why would Johnny not believe you? said Edie.
Apart from him or his wife usually being the people who drive me to Cork? said Helen. For which I am eternally grateful, obviously.
Edie smiled. Pleasure. But you could have been up there with anyone.
I know I told him I was with one of my nurse pals, but Im just questioning the wisdom of your plan. And I was wondering if you were too. Johnny looks on edge.
Johnny always looks on edge, said Edie. She caught Helens expression. Sorry thats awful. Just youre making it sound like Im doing something terrible, when all I wanted was for Patrick to see the inn. That way, if the investment thing becomes a real issue, and Patrick is interested, it wont be a bolt from the blue hell have been here, seen what were doing.
You dont feel bad, lying to Johnny? said Helen.
No, said Edie. No. The inn is we need investment, Patrick has the means, hes our friend.
But the last time you saw him was three years ago. And that was because you needed a favour.
Yes about the inn, said Edie. Because I knew he was in hedge funds, I knew how successful he was, and unlike anyone else I could have asked, he knows Beara. This was a big investment you know that. Johnny and I were in the States at the time. Patrick was in New York. All I asked him to do was meet me for a chat. And he could have said No if he didnt want to help. Id have done the same for him. And he was the one who offered to view the place, so She shrugged. Look hes a nice guy.
Helen nodded.
I couldnt have approached just anyone, saying that I wasnt sure whether or not my husband had a clue what he was doing, said Edie. And I wouldnt have known what a third party would need to be able to give me informed advice. Nor would I have known how to actually gather it all together without Johnny being on to me. I knew what Patrick did, he knows us both, and he knows the property, and after looking at everything, he said, Go for it! So he believed in it as a business, which in my mind makes him the most logical person to approach as an investor.