I ran to the kitchen and she was there as usual in the chair by the range. But it wasn’t lit and the kettle was cold and so was she. She had her ankles crossed and a work apron pulled over her ancient dressing gown. I sat beside her, held her slack hands and cried my fill over the best mother I had ever had. With her passing the true heart would go out of the house. The boys would be destroyed and Serena would be broken to bits; they all loved Bridie for the kind, decent, funny soul she was. And John? How would I tell him and how would he react? He would be down in five minutes and then we’d both find out.

–  John, it’s Bridie. She’s gone!

He went to her and felt her face and it looked for all the world that he was anointing her. A big fat tear had time to hit the cement floor before he got away.

–  I’ll get the priest, says John.

–  Alright, alright. I’ll tell the boys.

He left me alone with her and I had to try and avoid looking at her poor old feet crossed at the ankles in their tights and socks and pink bedroom slippers. Serena had bought her those with a matching nightie. Bridie, always full of craic, had come into the kitchen and pirouetted and preened in front of the boys. They all squirmed and screamed for her to get away and she laughed and laughed at them dodging out from under her kisses.

–  What’s wrong with ye? Don’t ye have a kiss for your auld granny? Come here and we’ll see, we’ll soon see who has a kiss for me in my brand-new nightie! Sure, aren’t I gorgeous?

I pulled myself together and rang Kathleen in Derry, Auntie Eileen and Lizzie Magee who was in town. I would let John Johns call in and tell Mammy on his way to the priest but I could do without her interfering in my house as we got it ready for the wake. Lizzie being home was a godsend; I had always liked Auntie Eileen around in a bad time but I needed Lizzie to get me through this one.

The two of them with Bernie in tow got to me around mid-morning. I’d sent the boys, dry-eyed in shock, up to The Hill to make sure that Mammy would stay put with her flashy rosary beads and Lourdes water. I waited alone for the priest and Junior O’Carolan to show up, keeping my back to Bridie so she couldn’t see my face. It had always broken her heart to see me crying.