‘McGuffey,’ whispered Jay. He had one more question. He had no money; he needed money now. But there was no reply. The pain had finally beaten the whiskey and McGuffey was unconscious.

Chapter 14

Keeva arrived back in the Malone kitchen and was bombarded by a hundred quick-fire questions. Mary Kate stood next to her, running her hand up and down her arm to comfort her. ‘Everyone is safe,’ Mary Kate said. ‘You can stop worrying now.’ Forgetting her own sadness, she smiled into the face of someone who needed her help. ‘Will I get you a cup of tea?’

‘God, please, Mary Kate, and I think I need a drop of whatever Nola’s been dishing out before I can stop shaking.’

‘A burglar, did you say? But that only happens in Dublin,’ said Nola.

‘The whiskey he took – well, he’s a man with taste,’ said Mrs Doyle. ‘Paddy only has the best.’

‘The place is falling apart.’ Philomena blessed herself. ‘The wickedness of Dublin is spreading as far as here – who would ever have guessed it.’

‘We should all say a prayer and as the father isn’t here, I’ll be the one to lead us,’ said Teresa Gallagher.

‘No, you will not. Shut up, woman,’ said Bridget.

Teresa looked stunned. The only teetotaller in the room, she rose as if to take her leave from such indignity. Mary Kate was crestfallen. The housekeeper of the presbytery was never spoken to like that.

‘Oh sit down, Teresa,’ said Nola. ‘It’s drink we need, to settle our nerves. Here, give me that cup and I’ll give you a glass – you need one as much as the rest of us. That’s if the fecker hasn’t taken the crate from outside the back door.’ She stood up to go and collect a fresh bottle, and Teresa was quickly pacified. ‘Pass me the rolling pin, Mary Kate, in case he’s still there,’ Nola added.

‘She will not,’ said Rosie. ‘I’ll come with you.’ And she grabbed the rolling pin from Mary Kate, who’d taken it from the range and was holding it out to her.

‘Don’t use it,’ said Mary Kate, only just about adjusting to this new, bolder Rosie.

‘Peggy, make sure everyone has a glass ready,’ shouted Nola over her shoulder. ‘I swear to God, with all this going on there’ll be someone falling down with the shock and needing a doctor if we don’t get a drink down them. Best to be on the safe side.’

Peggy had already started removing fresh glasses from the press, aided by Teresa, who began handing them around. ‘Get you, Teresa,’ she said. ‘And I always thought you never touched a drop.’

‘Aye, well, that was before Father took the keys to the car from me. I’ve only had the odd one. Joe brought me a bottle for my birthday and he had a glass with me. What a man he is, God love him. And do you know what I thought to meself, Peggy, when Joe poured me one?’