Page 124 of The Missing Sister

James’s heart broke as the little girl wrung her hands.

‘Well now, I’ve Mass at the church, but after that, why don’t I come down and see what I can do to help?’ he suggested.

‘Do you know how to make broth, Father?’ Katie asked, her wide green eyes looking hopeful.

‘I’m sure that I can get some guidance to help you, and also see to having your mother churched and getting your new brother baptised. Have you had breakfast?’

‘No, Father, because Merry tried to make goodie, but ’twas disgusting.’ Katie made a face. ‘I don’t think she’s a very good cook.’

‘You wait there and I’ll be back in a trice.’

‘I’m sorry to be bothering you, Father,’ Katie said as her small feet reached instinctively for the warmth of the fire. ‘And you, sir,’ she said to Ambrose as James disappeared to the kitchen.

‘Oh, don’t worry about me. I’m happy to be bothered.’

Katie looked at him, her little face serious. ‘You have a funny accent, if you don’t mind me saying so.’

‘I don’t mind, Katie. And I’d agree with you.’

‘You’re not from round these parts, are you, sir?’

‘I’m not, no. I live in Dublin.’

‘Dublin! That’s a very big city, isn’t it, sir? And a very, very long way away?’

‘It is indeed, Katie.’

‘Is that your car outside? I like the colour.’ Katie pointed out of the window at the red Beetle in the drive. ‘’Tis a funny shape for a car, though.’

‘It’s called a Beetle, because it looks a little like one, doesn’t it? Would you like a ride in it?’

‘Oh sir, I’ve never been in a car before. I might be very scared of the noise.’

James walked back in with a picnic basket and placed it at Katie’s feet. ‘There’s half a loaf of bread in there and some cheese and ham as well, which should do all of you for the morning.’

‘Oh, thank you, Father. ’Twill stop Merry fretting that we’ve nothing to serve Daddy and John when they’re in from the fields.’ She stood up, then collected her boots, and proceeded to put them on. Then she reached for the picnic basket. ‘I’m sure Mammy will be back next week to clean,’ she reassured both of them.

‘Well now, I’ll be straight down to you after Mass, Katie.’

‘Are you sure you don’t want a ride to your house in my red car?’ Ambrose asked as the little girl walked towards the door clutching the basket, which was almost as big as she was.

‘No thank you, sir, I’ll be grand walking home.’

Once James had seen Katie out, he came back to the study.

‘What a charming little thing she is,’ Ambrose said. ‘It sounds like chaos at the O’Reilly farm. Surely Mary and her sisters aren’t meant to run the house whilst their mother recovers from the birth? Can’t the older sister take care of the household while the younger ones attend school? And what on earth is “goodie”?!’

‘A cheap version of porridge using stale bread, and no is the answer. ’Tis a large farm to run, and Merry and Katie are old enough now to help.’

‘The poor mites,’ sighed Ambrose. ‘We must do what we can to help.’

‘I can certainly take up the soup that neither of us ate last night, rather than putting it in the slop. I’ll be able to see the lie of the land when I get down there.’

There was another knock on the front door, then the sound of the handle turning and the familiartap-tapof a pair of sturdy brogues coming along the hall.

There was a sharp rap on the study door, and Mrs Cavanagh put her head around it.

‘Excuse me for interrupting, but I’ve heard tell that Mrs O’Reilly won’t be in to do her work today. So I thought ’twas my duty to come and offer myself in her place.’