Chapter 9 Lingard Estate 1972 Linen Hall Library Thursday, March 10, 2016 TIFF Lingard076 Manuscript Bangor, Flames English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/lingard076 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Lingard076_1.jpg LHL Archive 70 CHAPTER NINE "Come over here, Sadie," said Mr Jackson, making a space for her between himself and Tommy , for her to occupy. Sadie stayed where she was, her arm resting against Kevin's. "I'mx sorry if you've been worried about Sadie," said Kevin "but we went to Bangor and missed the last bus -" "And then we got a lift g from Kevin's Uncle Albert and his car broke down," carried on Sadie. "I told you there'd be some quite ordinarysimple reason for it, Da, " said Tommy. He sounded awkward and embarrassed. "OrdinarySimnple?" said Mr Jackson. "We've been scouringsearching the district for you for hours, Sadie," said .Mr Mullet. "The whole street's right upset and our Linda's near up the wall." "Well, she'll just need to get down off it again," said Sadie. "Boys, the cheek of it!" said Mr Mullet softly. He was beginning to think his wife had been right all these years: Sadie Jackson was a bad influence and would end up upcome to no good in the end. It was only his friendship for Jim Jackson that had made them spend these last two hours scouring the streets. He would rather have been athome sleeping in his bed so that he would up in good time for church in the morning. They had even gone to the edge of the Catholic quarter but had not dared to venture into it. There had been trouble over there. They had seen flames shooting up in to the sky and the sound of shouting and then armoured cars had rumbled past. After that they had retreated. Text Joan Lingard Tuesday, September 6, 2016 - 10:49 921 Chapter 9 Lingard Estate 1972 Linen Hall Library Thursday, March 10, 2016 TIFF Lingard077 Manuscript Daughter, Fathered English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/lingard077 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Lingard077_1.jpg LHL Archive 71 "Come over here, Sadie," her father repeated again."I want no more of your nonsense. You've cost us grevious trouble this nightWe've been up the walls tonight. Your mother'll need to go to the doctor for more pills." "Sure she's always at the doctor for pills anyway." Mr Jackson lungked forward to catch hold of his daughter. She sidestepped. Tommy stiired uneasily wishing they could all go home and leave it at that. The more his father upbraided Sadie the more devislish she would become. His father must know that. He would only push her further in to Kevin McCoy's arms. "It's all right," said Sadie. "I'm coming home now anyway but I'm not going to be marched up the straighteet as if I was being taken to the jail." "The jail would be too good for you," said Mr Mullet. Mr Jackson glared at Mr Mullet. There was no call for a friend to make a remark ab like that about your daughter. There were a few remarks he could make about Linda if he chose to. "Well, Jim, there's times a man must speak his mind," said Mr Mullet. "We've been nearly been round the bend this last two hours thinking of all the things that might have happened to her." "Did you think the Micks a had got hold hold of me and tarred and feathered me?" giggled Sadie. "Careful," said Kevin softly, squeezing her arm. "Let's go home to bed," said Tommy. "We've found Sadie and that's the main thing." "That's not the main thing at all," said Mr Jackson. Text Joan Lingard Tuesday, September 6, 2016 - 10:49 922 Chapter 9 Lingard Estate 1972 Linen Hall Library Thursday, March 10, 2016 TIFF Lingard078 Manuscript Sister, Fighting English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/lingard078 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Lingard078_1.jpg LHL Archive 72 "'Deed you're right, Jim." Mr Mullet shook his head. "I know exactly how you feel agree." If it was our Linda - ' "Well, I'm going home," said Tommy firmly. "Are you coming, Sadie? "Yes." "That's right, you two go on home," said their father. "Mr Mullet and I have some unfinished business with this fella here." Tommy took a step over to his father. "Now look, Da, you're not going to start fighting." "If you want to go away home to your bed away you go. You don't seem to care who your sister's roaming about with till all hours of the night with, but I do!" Mr Jackson pushed his son away. His temper was up. It seldom rose but when it did it did not subside easily. Mr Mullet stepped forward. He would stand by his Brother. In the lodge they were all Brethern. And confornted by a Roman Catholic no good Orangeman would turn tail and run. He wondered if Tommy would be a good choice for their Linda after all. Sadie started to laugh. "You're being ridiculous. What do you think you're going to fight Kevin for? I went with him of my own free will. He didn't force me to go with him. I went because I wanted to. He doesn't carry on any white slave traffic." "White slave traffic?" said Mr Mullet. "What kind of traffic is that?" "Skip it, "said Sadie. "And skip the fighting too. Because if you don't Kevin'll make mincemeat of the two of you no bother at all." "I'm not wanting any fighting either, Mr Jackson," said Kevin. "So you're a coward as well, eh?" said Mr Mullet. "That doesn't surprise me. Any Mick who'd go sneaking off with a decent young Text Joan Lingard Tuesday, September 6, 2016 - 10:49 923 Chapter 9 Lingard Estate 1972 Linen Hall Library Thursday, March 10, 2016 TIFF Lingard079 Manuscript Temper, Heaven English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/lingard079 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Lingard079_1.jpg LHL Archive 73 Protestant girl behind her parents' back is sure to be yellow a in the middle." Now Kevin's temper soared. Sadie knew how high it could go. She tried to catch his arm but he was had left her in a flash and was holding Mr Mullet by the shoulders. He towered over Mr Mullet by about four inches. "If you were my own age I'd bash you for that!" Kevin shouted. "But I don't pick on old men and stupid eejits for I like the odds to be even." He released Mr Mullet. "Old man?I I'm not an old man. I was only forty-five last month." Tommy rolled his eyes upwards. "For heavens's sake, let's go home. Ma'll be taking even more pills x if we don't." "I'm not going home till I sort this brat out," sad Mr Jackson, "and you an needn't think it. By the time I'm done with him he'll not come near my daughter again. Right, Bill?" Mr Mullet moved forward less enthusiastically now. He was beginning to think Tommy might be right. It might be better to go home. Mr Jackson advanced slowly towards Kevin. Suddenly Sadie jumped between them, "If you want to hitfight him you'll have to take me on first." "Sadie, I don't need you to fight my battles." Kevin tried to put her firmly aside but she resisted. If this went on any longer, thought Tommy, everybody would be fighting everyone else. He looked along the street. There were another two men coming. They must break the gathering up quickly before the other two arrived or there could be a real blood bath. Text Joan Lingard Tuesday, September 6, 2016 - 10:49 924 Chapter 9 Lingard Estate 1972 Linen Hall Library Thursday, March 10, 2016 TIFF Lingard080 Manuscript Fight, Barricades English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/lingard080 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Lingard080_1.jpg LHL Archive 74 And the blood would be Kevin's. "Kevin," he said," I think you should get on home. I know you don't want to fight my father." "Course not." "And I'm taking Sadie home. Now!" Tommy jerked his head towards the end of the street. Both Sadie and Kevin noticed and what he meant got his message. The two older menMr Jackson had not seen the others approachingthat reinforcements were at hand. "You're right,Tommy, " said Sadie. "It's time we were getting called it a day. Good night, Kevin." HeKevin hesitated a moment. "Good night, Kevin," she said again, her eyes on the approaching men. "Good night Sadie." HeKevin said good night to Sadie and Tommy then walked quickly off in the opposite direct- ion. Tommy held back his father. Mr Mullet required no restraining; his feet were already turning homewards. Kevin took the first turning and then zigzagged through the streets towards his own area. He had not wanted to leave in a way. but His old instinct of wanting to fight it out had been there very strongly, but he knew it would have been stupid. He didn't want to fight Sadie's father and brother. Not that Tommy would nothave fought him any- way. They had no reason to fight one another. He looked up and saw a glow in the sky. A fire. Oh well, there were often fires.There was noise ahead too: the sound of rioting. He skirted the barbed-wire barricades. Spoke to Two policeman who asked him where he was going. Home, he said. Text Joan Lingard Tuesday, September 6, 2016 - 10:49 925 Chapter 9 Lingard Estate 1972 Linen Hall Library Thursday, March 10, 2016 TIFF Lingard081 Manuscript Machine gun, Civilians English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/lingard081 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Lingard081_1.jpg LHL Archive 75 "Been troubsle?" he asked. "Plenty. Still is. Doyle's pub was burnt out." Kevin moved on ,tired now after the long day at the seaside and the walk. He walked close to the houses. The streets were full ofastir with soldiers trying to clear up the last of the rioters. They were still fighting it out in isolated pockets. Kevin skirted these, taking several detours to get to his own street. The smell of burning was in the air. Is this a credible incident to suggest sporadic outbursts of violence? YES A sudden burst of machine gun fire sent him sprawling full length on the pavement. He lay with his face pressed against h the cold ground, his heart beating racing. He looked sideways. Another burst. He put his arms round his head. He was not the target but the need to protect himself was instinctive. A vehichle roared past and stopped. Kevin eased himself onto his elbow. More armoured trucks, soldsiers, police gathered quickly. On the opposite pavement lay the victim of the attack. The man was a civilian and he was dead. ATwo policemen came to Kevin. Had he seen anything? He shook his head. Nothing, he told them, he had seen nothing, he had only heard the fire gunfire. He had not even seen the shadow of the gunmen. "Away off home then." The policeman probably did not believe him, knowing full well that it would have been more than Kevin'shis life was worth to give away any information. KevinHe picked himself up and resumed his journey. He broke into a trot when he reached the end of his street. He Text Joan Lingard Tuesday, September 6, 2016 - 10:49 926 Chapter 9 Lingard Estate 1972 Linen Hall Library Thursday, March 10, 2016 TIFF Lingard082 Manuscript Rafferty English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/lingard082 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Lingard082_1.jpg LHL Archive 75 a wanted to go bed and sleep and shut out the sound of gunfire and shouting and the sight of men slumped on pavements. "Hey there, Kevin!" He halted. It was Brian Rafferty's voice. Brian caught up with him. "Boys , theys're getting a run for their money tonight all right!" He was grinning. Kevin walked on, Brian fell in to step beside him. "Where've you been all day?" "Bangor." "You missed it all here. Doyle's pub got burnt down by the o Prods. The cheek of them! They're going to pay for this. They'd burn us out to the last man if we let them." "We do a bit of burning ourselves," said Kevin wearily. Brian seized him by the shoulder and spun him round so that they stood face to face. "I don't like the sound of that talk." "What good does bru burning things do? I'm sick of fires." "So you take yoursel f off to Bangor for the day?" "Why not? It's no crime." "Could be. Depends on who you were with." "What do you want to say?" Kevin shoved Brian's hand off his shoulder. "I met your Uncle Albert on the way home. He was telling me you were with a blonde bird by the name of Sadie." "So what?" "I remember a girl called Sadie. Few years back." Text Joan Lingard Tuesday, September 6, 2016 - 10:49 927 Chapter 9 Lingard Estate 1972 Linen Hall Library Thursday, March 10, 2016 TIFF Lingard083 Manuscript Church, Bells English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/lingard083 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Lingard083_1.jpg LHL Archive 76 "Mind your own business!" Kevin spoke fiercely. "I don't know that it might not be my business," said Brian, straightening up, "If it's the same Sadie I'm thinking of." "You won't tell me what to do, Brian Rafferty." "No?" Brian smiled, andleaned back his shoulder back against the wall of a house. Kevin wanted to push his head through the wall but he walked on. There were still a number of people around in the streets and firemen were dousing the last smoking remains of Doyle's pub. Kevin skirted the crowds and reached home without having to exchange words with anyone else. Fortunately, all his family was asleep, even Brede. "No" said Kevin and left him. A few yards, and he was home. He shut the door thankfully behind him, tiptoed upstairs in his stockinged feet and fell asleep on the bed fully clothed. He wakened to the sound of church bells and Brede prodding him in the ribs. "What time did you come in last night?" "Haven't the faintest ideaa clue. " He yawned and stretched. There was a smell of bacon in the house. "Get y up," said Brede." or you'll be late for mass." He washed and,changed his clothes, and went dovm to the kitchen. The rest of the family had eaten. His mother was fussing about, washing faces and combing hair. All the children wore their best clothes. It was the only time in the week when they were all clean and tidy at the same time. Kevin took his breakfast from the frying pan and sat down to eat. Text Joan Lingard Tuesday, September 6, 2016 - 10:49 928 Chapter 9 Lingard Estate 1972 Linen Hall Library Thursday, March 10, 2016 TIFF Lingard084 Manuscript Brede, Pub English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/lingard084 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Lingard084_1.jpg LHL Archive 77 His father began to question him. Where had he been last night? Had he been in any trouble? What time did he come in? All the usual questions. Kevin answered them with a few words, telling nothing. Brede eyed him uneasily as she dried the last of the dishes. They set off for church, the smaller children running aheadin front playing tag, his mother and father walking slowly behind since his mother now walked slowly with difficulty. Brede carried the babyyoungest child over her shoulder, with Kevin beside her. When mass was over, the congregation loitered a while outside the church. The talk was all of the fire in Doyle's pub. Indignation was running high. "You'd think it was something new!" said Kevin to Brede. Brede sighed, shifteding the baby higher on her shoulder. "I'm sick of death and burning" she said. They walked home ahead of the others. Half way along their street they were overtaken by Kate. She was breathless. "I've been calling x you," she said. "We didn't hear," said Brede. The baby cried and she joggled him up and down. Kate eyed Kevin. "I was wodnering what you were doing this after noon. I thought we might have all gone for a picnic or something." What do you say?" "I'm busy," said Kevin, and he carried on up the street, leaving the two girls together. "What's up with him?" Kate pouted. "Maybe- " Brede hesitated. "Maybe you shouldn't run afterchase him as much, Kate. Boys don't like to be run after." Text Joan Lingard Tuesday, September 6, 2016 - 10:49 929 Chapter 9 Lingard Estate 1972 Linen Hall Library Thursday, March 10, 2016 TIFF Lingard085 Manuscript River Lagan, Couples English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/lingard085 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Lingard085_1.jpg LHL Archive 78 "How dare you, Brede McCoy!" Kate tossed her head. "I’ve never run after a boy in my life." "I was just trying to be helpful." The baby began to cry again. "I'll need to get him home for his bottle," said Braede. Kate went back down the street and on the way met Brian Rafferty. As sheBrede went inside her house Bredeshe looked back and saw that theyBrian and Kate had their heads together and were deep in conversation. After lunch^Kevin left the house and walked up to Cave Hill. He spent the s afternoon up there alone, lying in the sunshine, drifting into sleep from time to time. In the early evening he came down to the city again, on to the tow path of the River Lagan, where he had arranged to meet Sadie. Mr xxxxxxxxxxxxxShe camearrived a few minutes after he arriveddid. He saw her coming, walking with a long smooth stride, her fair hair blowing back in the breeze. His He liked the look of her walking towards him with/a smile on her face. He was smilinged too. He caught both hiser hands in hershis. "I was wondering if you’d come." he said "You didn't really. You knew I would." "Yes." They wandered along the path, their arms around one another's waists. They passed other young couples, also walking arms entwined, or hand in hand. Sometimes, when they passed another couple, they all four smiled at each other, as if they were sharing a secret. "Does your mother know you're out?" asked Kevin, and Sadie Text Joan Lingard Tuesday, September 6, 2016 - 10:49 930 Chapter 9 Lingard Estate 1972 Linen Hall Library Thursday, March 10, 2016 TIFF Lingard086 Manuscript Tinkers, Sadie English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/lingard086 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Lingard086_1.jpg LHL Archive 79 laughed. '•I'm always out.# I hate being stuck in the house." "Me too." "Houses are too small," said Sadie. "I'd like to live in a tent in a field." "What about a caravan?" "We could be tinkers?" said Sadie."I'd quite fancy the life. Trotting along the roads with nobody to bother you. Are you any good with a horse?" "A horse? Sure I can handle them as smooth as silk." Kevin laughed. "As long as they're fifty years old and ready to be pensioned off." They stayed by the river until the last light faded from the sky and the air was cool. "It's been a lovely evening," sixghed Sadie. "When can I see you again, Sadie?" "When would you like to?" "Tomorrow?" She nodded. "Same place?" "Same place." They tun/red homewards. They agreeddecided they wouLd part before they came near their own areas. They agreed that it was only a borenuisance to have encounters like last night's. they agreed They stoppedSeveral streets away from Sadie's they stopped and sought refuge Text Joan Lingard Tuesday, September 6, 2016 - 10:49 931 Chapter 9 Lingard Estate 1972 Linen Hall Library Thursday, March 10, 2016 TIFF Lingard087 Manuscript Kissed, Smile English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/lingard087 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Lingard087_1.jpg LHL Archive 80 from the night wind in a shop doorway. Sadie said that she ought to be getting home so that she didn't get another row for being late but Kevin kept hold of her hand. and they kept on talking>They stayed there talking for half an hour. A clock nearby chimed midnight. . "Time passes quickly" said Sadie. "I'd really better go" said Sadie. He kissed her. "See you tomorrow." "Yes. Half Seven." She lingered still. "Only nineteen hours and a bit." "Not long..." She They kissed again and then she left him, looking back from the next corner to wave goodbye. She thought about him all the way home. andWhen she lay in bed.came in her mother had raged at her for being late when she came in but she haddid not even answered back.She drifted up the stairs with a little smile on her face. Mrs Jackson's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "I didn't like the look in Sadie's eye," said Mrs Jackson to her husband aswhen they lay in bed in the/room next to Sadie's. "She said she was outwas supposed to be going out with some girls from her work but I've got my doubts. Jim, you don' t think she would have been meeting that McCoy boy again do you? Jim!" She nudged him. But Mr Jackson was asleep, and when she stopped talking she heard hism snoresing. Kevin walked home thinking of Sadie too. He liked the way her eyes danced and her mouth lifted in a mischievous smile. She was full of life and energy that seemed to match his. They matched. He smiled at the thought. In some ways it was ridiculous, but there Text Joan Lingard Tuesday, September 6, 2016 - 10:49 932 Chapter 9 Lingard Estate 1972 Linen Hall Library Thursday, March 10, 2016 TIFF Lingard088 Manuscript Attack English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/lingard088 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Lingard088_1.jpg LHL Archive 81 it was. There it was. He whsitled to himself. He came round by the side of the scrap yard,quite unprepared for the attack. The three boys were upong him before he even had the chance to see their faces. But he knew who one was, for the laugh was familiar. And the voice "Traitor!" He fought back blindly without a chance. He went dwo down on to the ground, face downwards, his arms protectively over his head. He felt their feet, and that was all... Text Joan Lingard Tuesday, September 6, 2016 - 10:49 933