Where Old Ghosts Meet - Kate Evans [66]
Her smile broadened and the straight line of perfect teeth pressed down onto her lower lip as if holding back an unbearable delight. “I was some proud of him that day. It was like he was my own.” She picked up her fork and continued with her dinner. “It was another year or so before he managed to get away to the college in St. John’s, but by then it was the politics was drivin’ him. There was no more talk about acting.”
Nora’s eyes widened but Peg continued on, “He finished his education and was apprenticed to a lawyer in St. John’s when he first met up with Joey. His timing was perfect. All he wanted then was the politics. Funny how things turn out, isn’t it?” She gathered the last remnants of her dinner together on the plate and piled it onto her fork.
“I didn’t know he was into politics.”
“He didn’t tell you?”
“No.”
“My dear, Gerry’s been tucked in there, right next to Mr. Smallwood on the top floor of the Confederation Building since the beginning. He’s all set now to run for the Liberals in this district come election time. He’s a born politician, can work the crowd like no one else I know. He’s smart, see, and understands the game.” She looked out at the fading sunset. “He’ll go far, will Gerry. He knows how to get the crowd on his side.” Her finger tapped at the table top. “He’ll go to Ottawa one day, right to the House of Parliament.” Her hand came down firmly on the table.
“Who is Mr. Smallwood?”
“My dear, the premier of the province, Joe Smallwood. Brought us into Canada.”
There was a new vigour about Peg and Nora had spotted it. “You like politics, Peg?”
“Yes, girl, I just wish I was younger. I’d run myself! But imagine now, he didn’t tell you all that?”
“Well, we talked mostly about Matt, but I did wonder what he did for a living.”
“Well, girl, you’re lucky you got to meet him. The garden party brought him this way today. It’s a good way to see and be seen.”
“So that’s what he was at today, canvassing.” She smiled. “His boyhood dream wasn’t too far off the mark. I wonder what Matt would think of his star pupil now?”
Peg leaned forward, her chin tucked into her shoulder. “He knew what Gerry was doing but he didn’t have much time for politicians,” she whispered, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “That crowd, he’d call them.” She giggled girlishly.
“Did Matt know that you liked politics?”
Peg drew herself upright. “And that he did, but that was my business. Politics is part of life here. I’ve always been into it, picked it up from my father.” She began to clear off the table. “You haven’t phoned Father O’Reilly yet, it’s getting late.”
“I’ll do that.” Nora got up from the table and went to make the phone call.
A few minutes later, she hung up the phone. “He’d like me to come by tomorrow morning sometime,” Nora said. “There are, he says, a few details about Matt’s life he’s aware of that I might be interested in. Now, can you believe that? I said I’d drop by in the morning, before we head out to the island. I wish he’d said what he had to say when I was there this morning.”
“Maybe he forgot, girl, the memory isn’t so sharp when you get older.” Her eyes were soft. “It’s not easy, you know.” She passed Nora a mug of hot tea and poured one for herself. “I wish you could stay on for a while, girl. I love the company and it’s grand to talk and not worry about gossip and the like.” She brought the mug to her mouth, her lips hovering nervously as she tested the temperature. She decided to wait a while and set the mug back down. “It changes a person, you know, having to be cautious around others, always careful with what you say and do. I was always one for company and a bit of fun. I liked to talk and have people about but …” She hesitated. “It just changes you, that’s all. You learn to live with it.”
“Did you resent that?”
“From time to time, yes, I suppose I did. Especially when he wasn’t about. People weren’t so quick to come forward then.