Page 39 of The Altar Girls

Ignoring her words, he took off his anorak and hung it on the back of a chair before moving to her side. He picked up a tea towel and began drying a warm mug.

‘I’m not here to preach or pray. I can help in practical ways.’

She gave him a sideways look and smiled sadly. ‘Thank you, Father, but Martina is here to help me.’

‘I’m relieved that you’re not on your own. You need people around you.’

‘I need my Naomi here. She helped as much as any adult. She was great with Jacob and Bethany. Now I have to manage them on my own.’

‘Do you think Isaac will be allowed home?’

She paused, a plate in hand dripping water into the sink. ‘I don’t know and I don’t care. And you can scowl all you like, but that man sinned and I don’t want him around me again.’

‘He is your husband.’

‘He is a sinner.’

‘God will forgive him.’

‘No he won’t. Not once did Isaac repent.’

She plunged the plate angrily into the water, warm bubbles flying up onto Father Maguire’s nose. Then she took it out and handed it to him. He dried it and stacked it on top of the other plates. Noticing there were no more dishes in the sink, he took her hands in his and dried them also.

‘Do you want to pray with me now, Ruth?’

‘I do not.’ She snatched her hands from his and stormed out of the kitchen. He heard her on the stairs and the stamp of her feet across the floor above his head. As he folded the tea towel, he heard a loud cry.

‘She’s been like that since she came back from identifying Naomi’s body,’ Martina said. ‘Poor thing.’

‘Where are the other children?’ he asked.

‘The baby, Jacob, is asleep in the sitting room. Bethany won’t come out of her room.’

‘I don’t want to speak out of turn, but I would ask that you keep a close eye on Ruth.’

‘That’s my job.’

‘No, you don’t understand. I can’t break a confidence, but…’ He stared into her eyes, hoping she would get what he was implying. She returned his look blankly, not giving anything away. He’d have to spell it out. ‘You need to watch out for her children. Okay?’

‘What? Do you believe someone will come after them?’

He handed her the folded tea towel. ‘Sometimes the enemy comes from within.’

He pulled on his jacket, wrapped his scarf around his neck and left.

29

As Sinead drove down Bishop Street, she noticed a young boy talking to a plump man by the cathedral gates. She slowed to get a better look and then parked on the double yellow lines.

In her rear-view mirror she saw the man squeeze the kid’s shoulder before pulling him into a hug. The boy didn’t seem to be resisting, and as he moved away, he gave the man a wave before stuffing his hands into his pockets. He walked on in her direction.

Leaving the engine running, Sinead hopped out of the car.

‘Hi there. Are you okay?’

‘Sure.’ He went to pass and she stood firmly in front of him. He looked about twelve and reached her shoulder.

‘Would you like a lift? Don’t worry, I’m not going to… I’m sorry, I scared you.’