Where Old Ghosts Meet - Kate Evans [55]
They regarded each other across the table, both impassive. Two hot spots of indignation burned on Treese’s cheeks. The frown had lifted like a fog from the wrinkled face and two rather nice hazel eyes appeared in its place. Nora noticed for the first time her fine head of thick white hair. It was a shame that Treese hadn’t discovered the worth of a smile, Nora mused.
Treese made a move and got to her feet. She turned to Peg. “I’ve got things to be doin’, so I’m off. I imagine I’ll be seein’ you by and by.” She nodded in Gerry’s direction and left.
The music had stopped playing outside and suddenly it seemed very quiet in the tent.
“I’m sorry,” Nora began. “I hope–”
“No, my dear, don’t you say a word. Treese was just fishin’ around, lookin’ for a bit of gossip. She’s been sittin’ here waitin’ all afternoon, knowin’ you were bound to show up. That’s the way with her. It’s none of her business. Now, how did you get along with Father O’Reilly? I didn’t want you to say in front of Treese, but the question was out before I realized.”
“Oh, he was very welcoming, brought me in, gave me tea, and chatted about Matt, but I think there was more he could have told me but for whatever reason, chose not to. He certainly didn’t want to answer any questions. You can only go so far with these things …” She was about to add “without causing offence” but decided to leave it alone.
“Gerry here, he was a star pupil of your grandfather’s. Maybe you should have a chat with him.”
The music started up again outside.
Gerry came to life and began to beat out the rhythm on his knee as he hummed the tune. “‘Up the Pond,’ great tune,” he said and continued to beat out the rhythm. “I don’t know about a star, but a pupil, yes.”
“You did well for yourself, Gerry. Better than most.”
“Are you ready for home yet, Aunt Peg?” Pat had appeared at the tent opening.
Peg got to her feet. “Yes, Pat, I’m ready. You two can stay on and talk about old times. Gerry here’s a grand man to talk when he gets goin’. I’ll go on now and see you later.”
Gerry stood as she left and planted a kiss on top of her head. “She’s some wonderful woman,” he said, watching her leave.
“Yes, she is. I’ve become quite attached to her in the short time I’ve known her,” Nora said.
He sat down again, placing his arms on the table. “It’s a pity that you’ve come now, now he’s gone, I mean. I could never understand why a man the like of him was so alone in the world, alone except for Peg, of course.”
“You’re not surprised to know that he had a family in Ireland?”
“No, we all thought there had to be some kind of a problem, some reason he didn’t have Peg. She was willing, for sure. You could tell the two of them were close. In her day, Peg was a fine lookin’ woman, with a fine house, and he was presentable too but a bit of an oddball. It was only natural that there was talk around. I used to love to listen in on the old fellas below in the shed, sittin’ around talkin’ about the pair of them. They were worse than a bunch of old women. One of them would start up the conversation with a comment like, ‘Buddy now, the boarder, what’s stayin’ above to Peggy Barry’s place, now, he’s somethin’ else. Walkin’ about the year like a gentleman without his swallowtail. They say he puts in his day sittin’ about readin’ his books and the like. Now that’s a queer way to be goin’ on, wouldn’t ye say? Don’t put no bread on the table, that’s for sure.’” Gerry grinned, flashing his set of magnificent white teeth, and inclined his head to one side as if to say, “Now, what do you think of that?”
Nora began to giggle and leaned in closer. “Shh. Keep your voice down or the whole place will hear you.” She glanced nervously over her shoulder.
But the devil seemed to have taken hold of Gerry as he continued to mimic the men in the shed. “‘No, and it’s not bread I’d be after either if I had me feet under Peggy