Chapter 18 Lingard Estate 1972 Linen Hall Library Thursday, March 10, 2016 TIFF Lingard174 Manuscript Bunting, Drums, Beating English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/lingard174 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Lingard174_1.jpg LHL Archive 166 CHAPTER EIGHTEEN "I wonder why he doesn't phone," said. Sadie. Each morning she dusted the telephone, wondering if it would ring for her that day. But there it sat, black,and squat, and silent. "He will," said Mr Blake. "One of these days. Perhaps at the moment it's too difficult. He's got all sorts of things to work out." "I hope he's all right." SheSadie worried about him but there was nothing she could do. She could not go to t his house and ask for him. "You're quiet these days," said her mother. "Are you sickening for something?" " No." "You don't go out much either. It's not like you." "I've nowhere to go." She sat in her bedroom, reading sometimes, or writing letters to Kevin that she tore up afterwards, often just sitting staring out through the window at the bunting that linked the houses in the street. The flags and banners were out, and the flags; and each evening she heard the sound of bands practising for the big day. Drums beating. Children shouted in the street, excited by the noise and colour. The army had been reinforced to max keep down the amount of trouble. Kevin might be ill. Or he could hadve been beaten up again by Rafferty and g his gandg. Or perhaps he had just did not want to see her againany more. He might have found another girl, one from his own street, whom he could take out without complication. All the possibilities Text Joan Lingard Tuesday, September 6, 2016 - 10:52 1019 Chapter 18 Lingard Estate 1972 Linen Hall Library Thursday, March 10, 2016 TIFF Lingard175 Manuscript Lodge, Bowler English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/lingard175 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Lingard175_1.jpg LHL Archive 167 whirled in her mind. "I'm glad you've stopped seeing Kevin," said Tommy. "You'll forget him after a while. It's just as well." On the eve of the 'Twelfth' the bonfires were lit. From her window Sadie watched the children lighting the one at the end of their street. The flames leapt high, spitting against the dark sky. The children danced round it singing Ornaange songs. The next morning the Jacksons were astir early. Hr Jackson was walking in the parade. His bowler hat lay burshedbrushed and smooth on the hall table. He wore his best navy-blue suit and white shirt, and the sash of his lodge, purple and gold. Mrs Jackson took out her rollers after breakfast and combed out her hair, then went upstairs to take off her dressing gown and put on her Sunday clothes. Tommy was going out, just to see the parade pass, but not not to take part in it. "Why don't you go with him?" Mrs Jackson asked Sadie. "I've seen it often enough." "Better for you than sitting in the house brooding. I don't know what's come over you." SheMrs Jackson shook her head. "When I went out all the time you were always complaining." But Mrs Jackson was not listening. She was fussing in front of the mirror, demanding to know if her hair was all right, and her hat. Mr Jackson put on his bowler hat and set off up the street to join the other members of his lodge. Then A little while later Mrs Jackson and Tommy went out. Tommy avoided Sadie's eye. Text Joan Lingard Tuesday, September 6, 2016 - 10:52 1020 Chapter 18 Lingard Estate 1972 Linen Hall Library Thursday, March 10, 2016 TIFF Lingard176 Manuscript Finaghy, Holiday English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/lingard176 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Lingard176_1.jpg LHL Archive 168 Now Sadie was alone. She stood at the street front door. The street was empty; nearly everyone would bewas out lining the route to the ’field' at Finaghy. The sky was overcast, threatening rain. 'Cemented with love' 'No Surrender' said the bannerstreamer hanging near their houselimply across the street. The sound of the xxxxxxxxxxxx bands reached her. She could not spend the day in this deserted street. She could go to Mr Blake's but for once did not feel like it. She would be restless in his tidy villa in the suburban road. She would go to Bangor. It might not be an ideal day for the seaside but she knew now that that was where she was going to go. The rain started when she got off the bus. She pulled up the hood of her anorak and walked along by the sea wall enjoying the smell of the sea and the fresh whip of the wind in her face. At the end of the wall she met Kevin. He was leaning against it looking out at the sea. ’Hello," she said. He turned. "Hello." He smiled. She leaned against the wall beside him. "Did you know I'd come here today?" "I had a feeling you might. Come on, let's go out and have some coffee and get out of the rain." He took her arm and led her across the street. The cafe was full of wet holiday makers staring miserably at the rain streaming down the windows. Sadie and To Kevin sat huddled together in a conrer smiling at one another. For a few minutes they said very little, They neededing time to adjust to seeing one another again. Text Joan Lingard Tuesday, September 6, 2016 - 10:52 1021 Chapter 18 Lingard Estate 1972 Linen Hall Library Thursday, March 10, 2016 TIFF Lingard177 Manuscript Travel, Bus English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/lingard177 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Lingard177_1.jpg LHL Archive 169 And then Sadie asked him why he had not phoned. "It seemed wiser," he said. "But you came today." "There’s days I feel wise and days I don't. But I'm glad to see you again, Sadie." "Me too."She was glad too. It rained on and off most of the day but it did not concern them. The hours passed happily and without anxiety. "I'm out of work, Sadie," Kevin told her. "That's been another of the things that's been bugging me. I don't know what I'm going to do at all. I've even been thinking; of going away." "Leave Belfast you mean?" she cried. He nodded. "Imight have to." S "I would miss you." The sparkle died in hers eyes. "Don't be sad. This isn't a day for being sad. It'll probably not happen anyway. If I can get work here I'll stay. Let me see you smile." She smiled, and he leaned forward and kissed her. "I'll smile again if that's what happens," she said. At the end of the day he too kerher to the bus station. They It would be safer for them to travel home separately, he said. He would take the bus after hers. Sadie agreed with a sigh. It was hard not to be able to ride home on the bus together, hand in hand; it was the right way to finsish off such a day. "Not much is right these days, Sadie," said Kevin. She touched his face. It had darkened again. She hated to see Text Joan Lingard Tuesday, September 6, 2016 - 10:52 1022 Chapter 18 Lingard Estate 1972 Linen Hall Library Thursday, March 10, 2016 TIFF Lingard178 Manuscript Station, Family English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/lingard178 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Lingard178_1.jpg LHL Archive 170 him like that. She loved his laugh, the mischievous glint in his dark eyes. Some of his gaeity had gone. He was changing. She put her head against his shoulder and he stroked her hair. His sweater felt rough against her face. "Being with you feels right, Sadie," he whispered. "I think so too." "You must go soon. Your bus is due." She looked up at him. "When shall I see you? At Mr Blake’s?" He hesitated for a moment. "All right," he said. "We'll be careful." "Wednesday?" "O.K. Off you goi" He kissed her quickly then pushed her gently away. He stood in the alley with his back to the wall. The rain had stopped but dark clouds covered the sky keeping the night chill. He stood and thought of Sadie until it was time to go to the bus station and catch the last bus home. "Now you'll not forget to p be in for the rent and the Insurance?" said Mrs McCoy. "Stop fussing, Ma. I've got it all wtitten down." Kevin waved a sheet of paper. "Where to get the butter one pence cheaper, the best day for t fish." "And you can ask Brede about anything I've forgotten?." "You can't have forgotten anything, surely to goodness!" Mrs McCoy could never leave her family without checking each every Text Joan Lingard Tuesday, September 6, 2016 - 10:52 1023 Chapter 18 Lingard Estate 1972 Linen Hall Library Thursday, March 10, 2016 TIFF Lingard179 Manuscript Tyrone, Babies English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/lingard179 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Lingard179_1.jpg LHL Archive 171 detail, taking into account every possible calamity. Mr McCoy had twoa weeks holiday so they were both going offf to Tyrone taking wiht them the baby and the next two youngest children. "Are you ready for off then?" asked Uncle Albert, putting his head round the kitchen door. "Not be a minute, Albeit," said Mrs McCoy, wrapping the baby’s feeding bottle in a cloth and putting it into hera bulging shoppingcarrier bag. Then she put out her arms for the baby. Kevin had been holding her. "There you arey." He swung the baby across. "Careful, Kevin! You nearly stopped mey heart there." "I've held plenty of babies in x my time, have I not?" "'Deed I suppose you have!" "Mary!" Mr McCoy was calling from the front street. "Coming, Pete." Kevin carried the bag out for her. The other two children were already in the back of the car, climbing over the seat, jumping up a and down withe excitement. "It’s about time!" said Mr McCoy, helping his wife to get in to the back of the car with the baby. "It'll be dark before we get there." "It certainly will," said Kevin. "Oh,I don't know," said Uncle Albert, who had never made the trip to Tyrone without at least one breakdown,but would never in advance admit to it being the remotest possibility. His memory sieved out anything he didn't want to remember. Just as well, thought Kevin, as Text Joan Lingard Tuesday, September 6, 2016 - 10:52 1024 Chapter 18 Lingard Estate 1972 Linen Hall Library Thursday, March 10, 2016 TIFF Lingard180 Manuscript Tyrone, Father English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/lingard180 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Lingard180_1.jpg LHL Archive 172 he watched Uncle Albert cranking up the car. He wished he was like him. The engine sprang to life. Uncle Albert cocked his head in admiration. "Going as a sweet as a bird, eh, Kevin?" "Sweeter." Uncle Albert whistled as he put the starting handle back in the bo boot amongst the collection of luggage. There was nothing dearer to his heart than setting off on a journey. He was walwysalways ready/to oblige friends or family with a lift. "You've a full load on there Uncle Albert," said Kevin. "Sure she'll take it in her stride. She never died a winter yet." Kevin waved them off. They/would get to Tyrone eventually. Uncle Albert had a way of getting to his destination somehow or other. By the time they did get there his brother would be cursing the car and- Albert and his wife and County Tyrone, and Mrs McCoy and Albert would be paying no attention. Kevin chuckled to himself as he went inside. It was quiet in the kitchen. The clock ticked on the dresser. The other children were out playing, Brede was at her nursery. He was to look afterin charge of the house. His mother had made a stew and peeled potatoes. He had only to boil the potatoes, she said, and drain them when they were cooked. Tomorrow he would have to peel the potatoes himself and cook the dinner and shop. He had never done any of these things before for Brede had always been the one to help his mother. His father kept himself well away from all women's work. He couldn't boil an eggx Text Joan Lingard Tuesday, September 6, 2016 - 10:52 1025 Chapter 18 Lingard Estate 1972 Linen Hall Library Thursday, March 10, 2016 TIFF Lingard181 Manuscript Saturdays, Summer English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/lingard181 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Lingard181_1.jpg LHL Archive 173 and was proud of it. "What wasis the use of keeping women in the house," he said "if you have to do their work for them?" Kevin boiled the potatoes but pouredxx off the water too soon so that the potatoes were still hard. He shook his head with disgust when they sat down to eat their dinner. "I tried then with a knife, like Ma said." He shook his head. "Never mindx" Brede smiled. "We can still eat them. You’ll get the hang of it in no time. You've done very well, Kev. I'll wash up afterwards and one of the others can dry. You'll be going out?" "I;m going out this evening" he saidHe nodded. It was Wednesday. He met Sadie He went out every Wednesday. He met Sadie at Mr Blake's. They arrived and left at different times and they sat in the kitchen at the back of the house. On Satu He spent Saturdays with Sadie too. They met outsied the city somewhere, usually in the country, well away from people. Sadie brought food and drink and many days they saw no one else at all. They waded in streams climbed trees, lay in meadows in the sun listening to the continuous chorus of the birds. Long summer days at the end of which he returned home flushed with air and contented. K He knew that Brede knew thatsuspected he was meeting Sadie again though they never mentioned it. Some- times she would put her hand on his arm and say, "Take care", but that was all. "She's a fine sister to have," he said to Sadie that evening. "I hope she gets a good man. She'll marry in a year or two,I fancy,and have lots of kids." "Just like your mother." Text Joan Lingard Tuesday, September 6, 2016 - 10:52 1026 Chapter 18 Lingard Estate 1972 Linen Hall Library Thursday, March 10, 2016 TIFF Lingard182 Manuscript Blood, Blake English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/lingard182 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Lingard182_1.jpg LHL Archive 174 "I hope it won’t be just the same. She'sMy mother's had too much work and not enough living." "Well, there’s one thing for sure,” said Sadie, " I’m not going to end up like my mother!” Kevin laughed. ”1 think you're safe on that one.” "She's found me a job. You'll never guess?” Sadie rolled hers eyes. "Working at the cash desk at the local butcher's. Can you imagine me sitting cooped up in one of those wee boxes all day taking the money for lumps of meat?” "What are you going to do about it?x” "I've done it. I went along for an interview and I told the h butcher that the sight of blood always made me vomit. He said that under the circumstances it might not be wise then for me to take the job. I said that unfortuxax^xiynately I was forced to agree.” Kevin ruffled her hair. "It takes a lot to put you down, doesn't it, Sadie Jackson?” "That's what my mother says too!” They were laughing when Mr Blake came into the kitchen with Jack. They had been for a walk and they were both thirsty. Sadie got up to put the kettle on and Kevin filled the dog's dish with fresh water. "It's nice to hear the two of you laughing,” said Mr Blake, hanging up the lead on the back of the door. "Whatever happens we musn't forget how to laugh.” When they had finished supper, Sadie set off home, and the ten Text Joan Lingard Tuesday, September 6, 2016 - 10:52 1027 Chapter 18 Lingard Estate 1972 Linen Hall Library Thursday, March 10, 2016 TIFF Lingard183 Manuscript Chaos, Destruction English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/lingard183 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Lingard183_1.jpg LHL Archive 175 Kevin came out of the super market with a heavy bag in either hand. The green gorcer's next door was not doing any business today: the window had been smashed and broken glass lay amongst the boxes of oranges and apples and carrots. The shop had been looted after the window was broken. Split bananas and squashed tomatoes mingled with s the shiny splinters on the floor. He walked on, came to the newsagents' and tobacconists'. Another shattered window, already boarded up. There had been rioting for several hours the previous night. A bunch of teenagers had taken on an army patrol.He had lain awake listening to it, wondering if any minute they would have to get up and dress and leave their home for some safer place. Rubber bullets lay in the gutter and at the side of the pavement. He kicked one aside with his foot. He looked out acros the street at the barbed-wire barricades, a burnt-out bus turned over on its side, two armoured cars parked close together with half a dozen soldiers near by, guns held at the ready. Chaos and destruction. He s was sick, of it. Sick of it. He went oncontinued through the streets towards his own one, skirting patches of pavement where the paving stones had been lifted. He stepped back to let a horde of small screaming children to pass. They brandished home-made guns adn pieces of stick high in the xxxx air. Whooping and yelling, on they went. Yelling for blood. As he reached the scrapyard he looked sideways through the open gate. Mr Kelly was there sifting through junk. Hex glanced up at Kevin. "Hey, Kevin!" Kevin stopped. Text Joan Lingard Tuesday, September 6, 2016 - 10:52 1028 Chapter 18 Lingard Estate 1972 Linen Hall Library Thursday, March 10, 2016 TIFF Lingard184 Manuscript Company, Rafferty English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/lingard184 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Lingard184_1.jpg LHL Archive 176 Mr Kelly came running. Kevin set down the two hags and flexed his wrists. "I was wanting a word, with you, son." Mr Kelly cleared his throat. "It’s just that I’d like you to s come back and work for me." Kevin stared at him for a moment, then he said, "No thanks." "Now look here, Kevin boy, we all make mistakes in our time. I'm right sorry about that gun business. I don't believe you did it at all. Could you not be forgiving me?" "I have forgiven you." "That's all right then. Will you come back? I'm needing you and I miss your company when I'm out with the truck. We always got on fine together, didn't we?" "Yes." "What do you say, Kevin?" Kr Kelly rubbed his hands together with an air of nervousness. "I'll put up your wage." "I'm sorry. No." "But why not?" "I just don't want the job back. The less of these streets I see the better." Kevin walked on. Mrs Rafferty was at her door. "Morning, Kevin," she called out. "Good morning, Mrs Raffertyy." "Getting in the messages then? You'll be a right good housewife in no time at all." She laughed, a high-pitched laugh that followed him the rest of the way along the street. He shut the door of the house tight behind him. It was not often Text Joan Lingard Tuesday, September 6, 2016 - 10:52 1029 Chapter 18 Lingard Estate 1972 Linen Hall Library Thursday, March 10, 2016 TIFF Lingard185 Manuscript Insurance, Time English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/lingard185 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Lingard185_1.jpg LHL Archive 176 (contd.) that they closed the door in daytime but today he wanted to shut out the world. He unpacked the bag, put away the things in the cupboard. The list lay on the table. Insurance day. The Insurance man would call and he would take the money from the vase on the mantlepiece and the man would make some crack about Kevin in the kitchen. He could stand the cracks, but the restlessness inside him and the disgust he felt for what was happening all around him were different matters. It was as if a boil was building up inside the middle of him, getting bigge r and bigger every day. He knew it was only a matter of time before it would burst. Text Joan Lingard Tuesday, September 6, 2016 - 10:52 1030