Where Old Ghosts Meet - Kate Evans [53]
Abuse came from all sides.
“Look, Ronnie b’y, the target’s here, right above me head.” The young buck on the ledge pointed to the bull’s eye.
“The sauce of that!” He wound up again. A quick flick and the ball once more flew into the air above the crowd.
“Ah, I’m not meself today, lost me touch!” With that, he turned, took his jacket from Nora and thrust the last ball into her hand. “Here, girl, have a go. Give it to him, right in the chops!”
She had no wish to participate. She just wanted to watch, to be a part of the crowd, yet she couldn’t help but feel sorry for the little man who was getting such a hard time from the raucous mob. She was his partner after all; she had held his jacket.
He leaned in to her and whispered in her ear, “Go for it, girl. A clean hit an’ he’s in there, eyes and face. Give it all ye got.”
She felt the weight of the ball in her hand, turned it over several times, and with a knowing glance at her partner, stepped up to the line.
Now she wanted to do it. She wanted to bring that smirky face down and it wasn’t just for the fun of it. She was shocked momentarily by the intensity of her feelings but she quickly pushed them aside. She eyed the lad on the perch. It didn’t matter anymore that people stared, that they pointed and whispered behind her back. She was going to show them. She was going to enjoy this one.
She took careful aim, her eye fixed on the black circle above his head. Her arm arced back slowly. A quick flick and the ball flew from her fingers, hard and sure and straight. She heard the thump as it hit home. Another thump immediately followed and then an enormous splash. The crowd whooped and yelled in delight and then she too was laughing, wiping splashes of water from her face and forehead with the back of her hand. Ronnie, beside himself with glee, grabbed her by the waist and danced her round and round on the grass in a fumbling victory waltz.
“Yes, girl, you got ’un good.”
As she twirled round and round she caught a glimpse of her victim as he emerged dripping from the tank, hair plastered to his head. He was grinning broadly. She waved to him, mouthing her apologies. He winked approvingly.
“Feels some good, don’t it?” Ronnie, delighted with his new buddy, continued with his victory dance.
She realized suddenly that it did feel good. It felt great.
When finally she broke away from the crowd, she was once more trying to decide what to do next when a voice spoke right in her ear.
“He had a good eye, too.”
She spun around. It was the ticket man from the Wheel of Fortune.
“You frightened me, creeping up like that.”
“Sorry.”
“What do you mean by that, ‘a good eye’?”
“Mr. Molloy, he had a good eye too. He was a crack shot, right on the target.”
“Oh, yes, so I hear. Peg told me.” Nora looked at him carefully. He had an amused look in his eye.
“Gerry Quinlan.” He held out his hand.
“Oh, Peg mentioned your name. I’m Nora Molloy.”
“Did she now? She’s looking for you, wonderin’ if you got here. She’s in the tea tent just over there.”Without asking he put his hand on her elbow and ushered her across the grass.
It was good to see Peg looking rested and relaxed amidst the noise and hubbub of the tent. Nora walked over to where she sat with another lady having tea.
“Ah, there you are, child, and Gerry too. Come and sit down, the pair of you.”
“Aunt Peg, my dear, you’re looking great, yourself too, Treese.” He nodded to them in turn.
“Get away with you, Gerry,” Peg said, dismissing the compliment, but she was obviously pleased to see him. She turned to Nora. “Are you enjoyin’ yourself?”
“I’m having a grand time. I just dumped