The Bright One by Elvi Rhodes Page B

She turned to Kieran. ‘Did you know nothing of this?’ she asked angrily.
    â€˜Nothing at all, Mammy. You know they always had secrets between themselves.’
    James put his arms around her but she pushed him off. ‘Try to look on the bright side,’ he said. ‘They’re young and strong. The Army is a good life, a man’s life. They could do worse.’ Inside himself he felt a new respect for them, felt closer than he ever had before.
    â€˜The Army,’ Molly snapped, ‘is where you get killed!’
    Breda broke into loud sobs. ‘I don’t want my brothers to get killed!’
    â€˜And they won’t,’ Kieran said firmly. ‘I am certain of it. Do not think about such a thing. Before we know where we are there will be a letter from them.’ He hoped he sounded more convinced than he felt.
    â€˜Will you look at the time?’ he went on. ‘You and Moira should be in bed and asleep. Go wash your hands and faces and get into bed and I will bring you a cup of milk and a piece of soda bread.’
    â€˜I had the kettle on the boil,’ James said to Molly. ‘Will I wet the tea?’ He clutched at the idea of something to do.
    He poured the tea, added a generous amount of sugar, and handed it to her.
    â€˜How did you get on in Dublin?’ he asked Molly.
    â€˜Do not ask me about Dublin,’ Molly said. ‘If I had not gone to Dublin this would not have happened.’
    â€˜Not today, perhaps,’ James said gently. ‘But it would have happened sooner or later. We both know that. We both know they would not have stayed in Kilbally all their lives. And it is better than crossing the water to America. It is not so far.’
    â€˜They are going into the Army,’ Molly said. ‘The Army might take them to the ends of the earth!’ And might not bring them back, she thought.
    Eventually they went to bed. James took Molly in his arms, holding her close but she would have none of it, and turned away from him. She lay there on her back in the darkness until James’s heavy breathing told her he had fallen asleep, then she got up and went back to the living room. There, at last, she gave way to her grief, buried her face in her hands and sobbed.
    Kieran lay wide awake in his bed. Was it only last night he had been so pleased to have a bed to himself? Now he desperately missed his brothers’ presence; he would have been glad of the discomfort.
    He heard his mother crying, wondered what he should do. Would she want to be left alone? In the end he couldn’t bear it and went into her.
    â€˜Oh Mammy,’ he said. ‘I’m so sorry. Please try not to fret. I’m sure they’ll be all right.’
    â€˜Kathleen gone,’ she sobbed. ‘And now my twins. And soon, so very soon, you! Oh Kieran, don’t leave us! Promise me you won’t go!’
    She knew she should not ask such a thing. It was wrong; she was taking advantage of his love for her. But she couldn’t help it.
    Kieran was silent.
    â€˜Wouldn’t you have a good life here?’ she persisted. ‘Marry a Kilbally girl – even an Ennis girl. Have children. You can serve God in Kilbally.’
    He met the pleading in her eyes, and could hardly bear it.
    â€˜And do you think I would not be liking any of that?’ he cried. ‘But you know it is not for me. There are other things I must do, and we both know that.’
    He had never felt so terrible about leaving, but, strangely, never more certain.
    â€˜Please go to bed, Mammy,’ he begged. ‘You will be so tired in the morning and there’ll be a lot to do. As for me, I’ll go and see Mr Murphy and then Luke O’Reilly. I’ll offer to take Patrick’s place in the shop for as long as I’m here.’
    She looked at him. His young face was white with fatigue, his eyes clouded with worry. She was stabbed by contrition.
    â€˜Very well,’