Page 74 of The Missing Sister

‘Ah sure, Finn’s a friend of his, Hannah.’

‘Maybe, but when Ryan comes up here to ask Daddy for my hand, Daddy’ll spend at least an hour interviewing him like he did Finn.’

‘Sure, ’tis his right as our father, and Ryan will just have to be prepared. When’s he coming up?’

‘Next Sunday. Can I show you the ring?’

‘O’course!’

Hannah’s eyes searched round the empty kitchen, as though someone might be lurking under the table. Then she reached down the front of her blouse and pulled out a ring she’d hung on a piece of thread.

‘’Tis in the shape of the claddagh, and only silver-plated, because his wages don’t go far after he’s paid for his board, but I love it.’

Nuala admired the little ring, with its silver heart cupped between two hands. She looked at Hannah’s sparkling eyes as her sister gave the ring a kiss.

‘’Tis beautiful. Is he a good man?’

‘Ryan’s so good that he puts me to shame! I doubt a bad thought ever crossed that man’s mind. He told me that when he was younger, he’d a notion to join the priesthood. The only problem is...’

‘Yes?’

‘He doesn’t know anything of my involvement in Cumann na mBan. He wouldn’t be liking it if he did. He doesn’t approve of war, you see.’

‘Hannah, you told me earlier that he didn’t go to England to further his career there after the Rising. Surely he’d support you?’

‘I’d say there was a difference between hating the British and being actively involved in fighting. He’s a pacifist, which means he’s against violence for any reason.’

Nuala looked at her sister aghast. ‘But Hannah, you’re one of the most passionate members of our cause! Are you saying you’d give up your activities for him?’

‘Of course not, but after we’re wed I’ll be needing to be more careful. Perhaps if I explained that everything we do is for Mick Collins, Ryan might understand. I think he loves Michael Collins more than I do,’ Hannah giggled. ‘Ryan says he’s a true politician; he believes Mick uses his intelligence and not his muscle to sort things out.’

‘We both know that’s not true, Hannah. Michael Collins was a fine soldier before he was a politician. He helped lead the Rising with Éamon de Valera, and spent two years in a British jail because of it.’

‘True, but now he’s in the newspapers, all dressed in his suit and tie, looking smart and important.’

‘Does Ryan know that his hero is also head of IRA intelligence?’ Nuala asked. ‘That there’s not a thing the IRA does in any part of the country without him knowing about it? Or often ordering it himself?’

‘Maybe he does, maybe he doesn’t. The point is, he’d not be pleased if he found out his fiancée was so deep into supporting the violence that she’d be drowning in it any second.’ Hannah let out a long sigh and then looked at her sister. ‘What do I do, Nuala? I’d die if I lost him...’

‘I don’t know. We come from a family of fierce Fenians who are all prepared to lay down their lives for Ireland’s freedom.’

‘I know. What if Daddy says something that gives us all away?’ Hannah worried aloud. ‘Ryan might turn tail and run down the valley to his lodgings in Timoleague!’

‘As you say, Ryan’s not local. Sure, Daddy won’t give anything away until he knows to trust him.’

‘You’re right,’ Hannah agreed. ‘And it’s not because Ryan doesn’t believe in the cause...’

‘Just that he doesn’t believe in war.’ Nuala was immediately reminded of Philip. ‘At least he’s not an Englishman,’ she chuckled.

‘Or a Black and Tan.’

‘Or an Auxie.’

‘Or even a Protestant!’ Hannah laughed and her face relaxed a little.

‘To my thinking, if you love your man the way I love Finn, there’s nothing you wouldn’t do to be with him.’

‘I do – love him, I mean. I’d still do what I could – knit and raise money – but... would you understand, Nuala?’