Danny Boy. Anne Bennett

how to do up a shabby hat really cheaply, or how to spruce up a dress by adding a collar and cuffs, or maybe getting a belt and accessories to wear to make it look a bit different. I tell you, Rosie,’ she said, giving her sister a friendly push, ‘I will cut quite a dash at the socials when I’m allowed to go. Roll on sixteen.’

      Rosie laughed with her sister, knowing she would be sixteen in August and glad to see her so happy, and then she said, ‘Sarah’s begun walking out with a young man, hasn’t she?’

      ‘Aye, by the name of Sam Flaherty,’ Chrissie said. ‘The silly fool nearly got himself arrested the other day.’

      ‘Oh!’

      ‘Aye, the recruiting officer was in the town, you know, and the band were playing and all, and we ran to the door to watch. He’d been to some places already and a heap of young men were already marching behind the soldiers. Sam was in the village and began shouting. He said they were being led like lambs to the slaughter and where was their sense; that Ireland needed their young men and why should they throw their lives away for a nation that had invaded them and always kept them down.’

      ‘I suppose he has a point,’ Rosie said. ‘Danny feels the same.’

      ‘Aye, many do,’ Chrissie said. ‘But it’s a point it’s not sensible to share. The Guards came out and it was only the threat of being locked up that stilled Sam’s tongue in the end.

      ‘Sarah gave out to Sam later,’ Chrissie went on with a smile. ‘He was waiting for her when we left the factory and she told him that he’d be no good to Ireland, or any other damn country, if he ended up behind bars. She gave it him straight. Said there was to be no more of it and from now on he’ll keep a civil tongue in his head or he’ll have her to deal with.’

      ‘Oh, I think I’d take my chance with the Guards rather than Sarah on her high horse,’ Rosie said with a smile, knowing the power of her sister-in-law’s temper.

      Chrissie laughed. ‘From the look on Sam’s face, he felt the same,’ she said. ‘Anyway, he never said a word back to her and they went off together.’

      ‘Aye,’ Rosie said. ‘Well, Sarah will keep him in line if anyone can. But let’s hurry now, I’ve a lot to buy today, mainly things for the baby’s arrival.’

      ‘Not that much, I hope. We’ll never carry big parcels.’

      ‘Could you see Danny allowing that?’ Rosie said. ‘He left early this morning to give Shay and his dad a hand with thatching their roof. Rain came through it during the winter and Danny said neither Shay nor his father were ever any good at the thatching. He told me to wait in Kilpatrick’s Hotel when I’m done and he’ll be along to fetch me as soon as he’s able.’

      ‘Come on, then,’ Chrissie said, catching Rosie’s hand and attempting to pull her along.

      ‘Chrissie!’ Rosie said, in mock indignation. ‘I’m a married woman now, about to become a mother. The times for skipping through the town like a wean are past. Put your arm in mine and we’ll walk with decorum.’

      And, laughing like children, they went arm in arm along the main street.

      

      Rosie’s pains began on 14 July. All day the sun had shone from a sky that was a brilliant blue except for the odd fluffy white cloud scudding across it, helped along by the warm breeze.

      Rosie had been uncomfortable for days: it was really too warm for her and everything she did was an effort, and so when she felt the first twinges, she thought fervently, ‘Oh, thank God.’

      She said nothing at first: the pains were no more than monthly pains and she’d already been told by Connie that the first baby usually took a while to come. ‘Baby doesn’t know what to do, see. But don’t you worry, I’ll be with you, and to be on the safe side I’ve asked Abigail Mehan to lend a hand. She’s helped at many births.’

      Rosie knew Abigail and was reassured. Now she lived alone, her man being dead and her children scattered, but she always had a cheery word. And though her hair was steel grey and her face brown and creased, her brown eyes still sparkled with life and she was kindly and softly spoken.

      When Rosie picked at her tea later, only Connie noticed. Danny and his father were concerned about the milk yield being down because of the heat and Elizabeth was entertaining the family with some amusing incident in the factory, while Sarah had one eye on the clock for she was meeting Sam at half past seven. All missed the grimace of pain that crossed Rosie’s face.

      It was as they were gathering the plates after the meal that Connie snatched a quiet word with Rosie. ‘Have you got pains?’

      ‘Aye,’ Rosie said, ‘not so bad yet, though.’

      ‘Still, I’ll take Elizabeth and make up the bed. Then if things get worse, we’ll be ready.’

      Rosie nodded and went on collecting the pots until a sudden contraction caused her to double up in pain and the plates fell from her hands, clattering back onto the table.

      ‘Oh dear Lord! Leave the pots. Go and sit by the fire while I see to this bed,’ Connie urged.

      ‘God, Mammy, I’ve no need for a fire, one thing I’m not is cold.’

      ‘Well, sit anyway,’ Connie said. ‘That last one was big enough. It might not be so long after all.’

      It was as Connie was helping Rosie to a chair that Danny and Phelan came in the door, each with a bucket full of water they’d got from the pump in the yard. There was only their mother and Rosie in the kitchen: Elizabeth was helping Sarah get ready for her date and their father was sitting on the wall outside, having a smoke. Danny took in at once the grey pallor of Rosie and sprang forward. ‘What is it?’ he immediately demanded.

      Rosie was unable to answer for another wave of pain washed over her and Connie said, ‘Nothing is wrong. It’s just that she’s about to give birth to the child she’s been carrying for months, a day you knew would come.’

      ‘Oh God,’ Danny cried and he fell to his knees before Rosie. ‘Are you all right?’

      The pain had passed and Rosie smiled at Danny seeing his face creased with concern and nodded. ‘I’m fine,’ she assured him.

      ‘What can I do?’ Danny asked his mother.

      ‘Nothing but wait,’ Connie said. ‘It’s all in hand. Phelan, you run up to Abigail Mehan’s house now and tell her Rosie’s time has come. She knew it would be any day now and will probably be ready to come straight down with you.’

      Phelan set off without a murmur. It would be different having a baby in the house, he thought, and he was glad to be doing something to help. As for Danny, he’d got to his feet and could barely stand still. His nerves were jangling inside him and Connie said, ‘For Heaven’s sake, Danny, will you relax. Sit down by your wife and keep her company while I make up the bed with Elizabeth.’

      Danny sat obediently, but could think of little to say. But Rosie had no need of words and was just grateful to have a hand to hold. The pains were a lot stronger now, but, though it showed in her face and eyes and she gripped Danny’s hand tight, she didn’t utter a sound. When Connie told her all was ready for her, she followed her mother-in-law gladly and sank onto the bed with a sigh of relief.

      Danny sat in the chair Rosie had vacated. Around him, life went on. His father came in. Phelan had told him the reason for his errand as he had left the house and Matt knew what Danny would be feeling, for he’d felt it himself. They had no need of speech and sat in a companionable silence.

      When Phelan returned with Abigail she gave the briefest of greetings to the two men before hurrying to the room Phelan directed her to.

      Sarah, dressed for her date with Sam, went in to see her sister-in-law and wished her all the best, and Elizabeth said she’d be on hand if she was needed. Danny felt useless and said so to his father. ‘That’s the way of it, son,’ Matt said. ‘Sure,