Fatal Roots Page 6

  “I did love him, you know. If he hadn’t died unexpectedly, we might have had a good life, or at least a very different one. I’m sorry you never got to know him.”

  “So am I, Helen.”

  Chapter Seven

  Susan came barreling out of the back room, liberally splattered with plaster and sawdust. “Hey, Mom, I wondered if you’d be here yet. Maura, it’s going to be a cool kitchen when it’s finished.”

  Helen interrupted. “Shoot, I promised you that you could have some of the discarded appliances from the hotel, and they’re all still there somewhere, or will be, if we make any more changes. Let me know what you need and I’ll see what I can do. And I’ll try not to forget again.”

  Rose also emerged from the kitchen, looking as grubby as Susan. “Oh, hello, Mrs. Jenkins. Maura said you’d be back. I think Susan could be a big help, and the kitchen’s far from finished. Maura, with another pair of hands, I think we could have it done in a few weeks.”

  “Sounds good to me, Rose,” Maura told her. “But we still aren’t ready to cook anything hot, right? You can go with sandwiches and stuff if you want, at least for now.”

  “How old is this building?” Susan asked, all but bouncing with enthusiasm.

  “Oh, two or three hundred years,” Maura said.

  “Seriously?” Susan exclaimed. “Has it been a pub that long?”

  Maura smiled. “That I can’t tell you. But it’s known for being the boundary of West Cork, otherwise known as the Wild West of Ireland. There’s a creek next to the building that separates Cork and West Cork, and it got famous because a guy named O’Donovan jumped across it on his horse to escape the English. Which is why this village is called Leap.”

  Susan did not look convinced. “Is all that true?”

  “So I’m told, but I’d like to see the horse that could do it. And west of here, it’s pretty much country. With a lot of cows, and some sheep thrown in.”

  “Wait—you said you grew up in Boston. So you grew up in a city, right? And now you’re living in the middle of cow pastures?”

  “That’s true. Not that I see a lot of cows, because I’m usually not home until late, after the pub closes and it’s too dark, and in winter the cows are in their barns. But it’s quiet, and I’ve gotten used to the smell of manure.”

  Susan snorted at her comment. “You going back to Boston any time soon?”

  “I haven’t decided, but I doubt it. Here I own a house and a business. I don’t think that’s ever going to happen back in the States, unless I win a lottery. Besides, I like it here. I’ve got friends, and I’m learning a lot.”

  “I’m glad to hear that,” Helen said. “Susan, we should be going now.”

  “Back to your hotel? It’s really not my kind of place, from what I’ve seen.”

  “I know, but it’s mine. We can talk about what else you want to do.”

  “Can I help out at the pub here? You said I could.”

  Helen looked resigned. “As long as you don’t handle drinks.”

  “Yeah, I know, but Rose is putting together the kitchen and I could cook. You know, make sandwiches, that kind of thing, if enough is finished. It’s not fancy or anything.”

  Helen looked anxiously around the room until she spotted Rose. “Rose, you sure you’re okay with it if Susan spends some time here helping you out?”

  “I’d be glad of the company—as long as she does the work. And I’ll make sure she doesn’t do anythin’ she shouldn’t. And doesn’t do any drinkin’.”

  Helen smiled. “I guess I can’t ask for more. Thank you, Rose. Susan, let’s get moving. I still need more sleep.”

  “Fine, as long as I can come back in the morning,” Susan said.

  “Fair enough. Bye, Maura—I’ll drop her off tomorrow, or try to find a ride for her.”

  Maura watched until Helen and Susan reached Helen’s car before asking Rose, “Does she know what she’s doing?”

  “Susan? Sure, and she’ll be fine. The kitchen will be ready in no time, and I’ll start advertisin’ meals.”

  “Rose, you are amazing.”

  The Cork students finished their drinks, and Ciara took charge. “Darragh! Ronan! Is the equipment in your car? Did you come in one car or two?”

  “Two cars. The machines are in mine,” Darragh said. “As much as I could borrow, anyways. You know where you want to use it?”

  “I’ve found a few more rings, out past Maura’s place. How long can you stay? We should figure out how many forts we can collect data for.”

  “It’s pretty quiet in Cork city. We thought we’d stay around for a few days, maybe longer, depending on what we find.”

  “Hi, Ciara,” Maura said as she ambled over. “You ready to leave?”

  “Yes, and I’m thinking you want us to settle up. This place looks really old. Maybe you can give me a tour sometime?”

  “It is—about three hundred years old, I was told. Since we’ve torn apart a few of the walls in the back, I’m sure you as an archaeologist would enjoy it. Did you find anything interesting?”

  “I think so, but we need more accurate details. I think the fine weather will last, so we can get an early start in the morning. And the days are as long as they’ll get now, which should give us plenty of time. At least the sites seem undisturbed, save for the cows.”

  “Sounds good,” Maura said. “Let me know if there’s anything else you think I should see. Oh, and here comes our most valuable resource: Old Billy, who’s known this area for eighty-some years. I’m sure he’d love to talk to you about what he remembers, although I don’t know if he’s been out in the country much for a while. But I’d guess the fairy forts won’t have changed, and he’d know about them. I’ll ask if he’s willing to talk now.”

  “That would be grand, Maura. Interesting how oral history survives.”

  Maura stood up and made her way over to Billy.

  “Ah, Maura, yeh’re lookin’ well. Who are the nice young people you were talkin’ with?”

  “They’re archaeology students from Cork city, and they’re doing research on fairy rings. You know, I don’t know anything about those, but I thought you might. Ciara thinks she’s found at least one on what was Old Mick’s property, which is now mine. It was news to me, but I’ve never gone looking and I don’t even know what I’m looking for. Would you be willing to talk to them? Do you remember anything out that way?”

  “Ah, sure, there’s plenty between here and Drinagh, or time was there were plenty. I’ll be happy to answer their questions, as long as they’ll buy me a pint or two.”

  “Great! Thank you.”

  “Ah, Maura, I’m happy to share what I know. Was that yer mother I saw, when I was comin’ in?”

  “It was, and now I bet you’re going to ask who the young girl was.”

  “And you’d be right. Though from the look of her, I’d guess she’s yer sister. How’re yeh getting’ along?”

  “Better than I might have expected, if I’d had a clue she was coming. But Susan seems smart, and interested, which is good. I may put her to work here with Rose while she’s around. I don’t know how long she and my mother are staying, but I think Helen’s got a lot of work cut out if she wants to keep the hotel going.”

  “Same old problem, and it’s survived before. But at least she’s seen the place already, and she’s had time to think about what needs doin’.”

  “It’s been a slow summer so far—not a lot of tourists. Will that make it easier for Helen?”

  “Might do. It’s hard to guess whether it’ll be busy or not, but I’d tell her not to give up just yet.”

  “Good to know, Billy. Should I send the students over to you now?”

  “Happy to see them. Mebbe they’ll let yeh go with ’em—you need to see what’s on your land.”

  “I know I should, but there never seems to be enough time, and I don’t even know where to look. How much land did Old Mick have?”

  “It’s hard to say now. Th
ere’s the bit around the cottage, but more than that. He kept buyin’ and sellin’ smaller bits, when he had cattle. But he gave that up quite a few years ago, or maybe just let his neighbors graze their animals. Yeh don’t have any plans like that of yer own, do yeh?”

  “What, I’m supposed to be raising cattle now? I don’t think so. If you hear of anyone else who wants to use it, I’m more than willing, as long as I don’t end up with cows in my kitchen.”

  Billy smiled broadly. “Used to be that was how farmers heated their houses—keep the cows inside in the winter, and let the children sleep up top where it’d be warm.”

  Maura had to smile at Billy’s image. “I don’t think I’m going to try that. Look, I’ll send the students over, and if you don’t want to talk now, tell them when they can come back. And thanks.”

  “Happy to help yeh, Maura.”

  Maura made her way back to the bar, stopping to tell the gathering of students that Billy was looking forward to talking with them, if they had the time. The trio conferred briefly, then stood and went over to Billy’s corner and sat. Maura set about making herself a cup of coffee. “Odd day today, isn’t it?” she said to Mick. “So far I’ve talked to my long-lost family, more or less found someone to help Rose build the kitchen, and discussed fairy forts with a couple of different people, which is ridiculous, since I don’t know a darn thing about them. Has anybody paid for drinks, or are we simply drumming up business?”

  “A bit of both. If Seamus and his gang come in later, he might help—he and his mates have been raisin’ dairy cows fer a long time, and they’d know where to find the rings.”

  “I’ll try to remember that, if I see them. You know, I’ve got kind of mixed feelings about this. I should know where I’m living, and how much land I’ve got. But nobody’s ever mentioned fairy forts to me. I guess they’ve sort of become part of the landscape and nobody thinks about it, unless it comes time to mow the field. But if I’d found them on my own, I probably wouldn’t have given them much thought. I mean, they just look like a tangle of old plants, not someplace that a bunch of thousand-plus-year-old fairies call home. It all seems crazy.”

  “You’d best not say that. People here have grown up with it, and their families before them. And most fairies mind their own business, unless you cross them. It’s a way of keeping the local population polite, I’m guessin’.”

  “Then tell me, Mick—have you met any fairies?”

  He grinned. “I’d rather not say. But yeh might ask Bridget.”

  “I’ll do that. You know, I’d bet she’s on good terms with the local fairies, wherever they are.”

  Mick was still smiling. “I wouldn’t doubt that.”

  The rest of the day passed quietly. It wasn’t unpleasant: the sun shone on the harbor, highlighting the gliding swans, and a few new customers wandered in, oohing and aahing at the quaint nature of the pub, and how very Irish it seemed. Maura kept her mouth shut, after providing them with drinks; she didn’t want to tell them it was in fact Irish (except for her), and that the old place had been collecting dirt and cobwebs for well over a century, which made it authentic. If she told them it was authentic dirt, would they walk out?

  After a while she wandered into the soon-to-be-kitchen to see what Rose had accomplished. The high windows remained in place, although they could use some new panes to replace a few cracked ones, but Rose had recently added a fresh coat of paint, which brightened the room. She still wasn’t sure if they needed new wiring and plumbing, able to maintain a serious stove and the small water heater that provided the sink with hot water. Rose was still tidying up, so Maura asked, “If you could have whatever you want, what appliances would you get?”

  “A four- or six-burner stove with a griddle on top, and two working ovens. A standard refrigerator—leave the one behind the bar for ice. Mebbe an electric dishwasher, although that might be a luxury, as long as someone keeps washing.”

  “Microwave?” Maura asked.

  “I’m not sure of that, but it would be easy to add. And plenty of cabinets, for food and dishes and pans. And we’d need to allow enough room for two people to work side by side at the same time.”

  “Sounds about right, although I’ve never worked in a kitchen. When I worked in a Boston pub, I stayed behind the bar, so I don’t know everything that went on in the back. But it sounds to me like you’ve been paying attention at your cookery school.”

  “That I have. And I also know the competition. We’ve got to set ourselves apart here, since we’ve got Sheahan’s across the road, and the Harbour Bar a couple of doors down, and Ger’s for quick food. I’ve tried them all and I can’t complain.”

  “Remind me again why we’re doing this?”

  “To keep people here longer, orderin’ more drinks. Or askin’ fer food on the nights we have the music.”

  “It all sounds good to me. Can Susan help?”

  “With the buildin’ or the food?”

  “Both. Either. I haven’t spent enough time with her to know how good she is, or how long she might last. And she’s not here to stay—she’ll have to go back to school in the fall, or maybe sooner.”

  “We can let her try things out, before our official openin’. Can we have a big party fer that?”

  “I don’t see why not. Thanks for taking this on, Rose. I wouldn’t have known where to start. And you know I can’t cook.”

  Rose grinned. “Why do yeh think I volunteered?”

  Chapter Eight

  When Maura came out of the kitchen again, she stopped for a moment to watch Old Billy holding court with the young students. She almost snorted at her own choice of word: they seemed young to her, but they were the same age she was, more or less. Had she missed some critical part of her life? Most of what she could remember was work and classes. She’d taken a couple of accounting classes in the evening, figuring that knowing how to work with numbers would always be useful somewhere. Not that she’d enjoyed it much, but at least she’d finished the course and could calculate profits and losses, which came in handy now.

  Ciara and the two guys—Darragh and Ronan, she thought they were, but she’d never known anybody with those names before—were still seated at Billy’s feet, hanging on his every word. That was fine with her. Billy was always truthful, and his knowledge of this corner of West Cork was broad and deep. And he liked an audience, maybe because everyone else who came into Sullivan’s had already heard his stories. But nobody in the small group seemed to be in a hurry to go anywhere, and they even bought a second round of pints. She wondered how long they’d be around.

  It was past nine when Billy told them all—somewhat reluctantly—that he needed his sleep, and could they continue their conversation at another time? The rest of them nodded in agreement and started to drain their glasses. Ciara stood up and came over to where Maura was keeping an eye on things. “Thanks so much for putting us together with your friend, Maura—he has an amazing memory. I hope we’ll have a chance to talk with him again.”

  “He’s led an interesting life. And then he settled at the end of this building when his old friend Mick took over the pub. Billy told me once that Mick didn’t really care whether he made any money here. He saw this place as a good business and a place to just hang out with his pals, and that went on for years. But he’s been gone almost three years now. Billy still lives in a small apartment at the other end of this building, and he’s here at the pub every day. I’m sure he’d be happy to talk to you again. Do you all have a place to stay while you’re here?”

  “Yes, we’re set—I found a hostel just past Skibbereen. We’re going to try to head out to the ring forts early in the morning. I’ve spotted a few more sites up in the hills, and I’d like to start recording them, getting some measurements, things like that. Darragh’s brought the radar machine, and Ronan can take pictures with a drone he borrowed. It’s great for aerial views. We’re looking forward to it. You can come along if you want.”

  Maura knew no mor
e about drones and radar than about fairy forts. “Let me think about it. You’ve got me interested now, but I still have a business to run here. I’ll let you know, though. And good hunting!”

  “Thanks, Maura. If we find anything interesting tomorrow, we’ll stop by here and celebrate.”

  It was still light when Ciara and her friends headed out. Maura still didn’t quite know exactly where they were staying, but as long as she didn’t have to put them up for the night, she wasn’t going to worry. In some ways it was hard to get lost in this corner of West Cork—there simply weren’t enough roads to make a mistake, or if you did, you knew soon enough when you found yourself staring at a field full of cows. Or a small lake.

  Mick came up behind her. “No guests at yer place tonight?”

  “Ciara said they had a place to stay, and there are only the three of them. You know, they seem younger and older than me at the same time. They’re so excited about this archaeology project, but what are they going to do with it?”

  “If all goes well, they’ll learn something about Irish history,” Mick said, and Maura was reminded that he had more education than she did. “Otherwise they’ll be looking for work at universities, and there aren’t all that many of those—mebbe ten, so few jobs. But I wouldn’t want to spoil their fun just yet.”

  “I know what you mean, but they make me feel old. I don’t think I was ever that young, and I’ve been working for a long time.” She hesitated for a moment before saying, “Are you coming home with me tonight?”

  “Would you like me to?”

  “Oh, so now you’re going to make me beg?” Maura softened her comment with a smile. Spare time and privacy were luxuries not to be wasted.

  “We’re still working out what we want, aren’t we?” Mick said, his tone gentle.

  Maura’s smile faded. “I guess we are. I never got much practice with dating back in Boston. And Gran was always on her own, and my father was dead, and my mother was gone. I guess I have a lot to learn. But don’t let me push you away.”