excerpt
“Caitlin loved you, Padraig.” Finn’s voice seemed far away.
“She was my sister,” Padraig said defensively. He licked his thin lips and glanced away.
“She wasn’t—and she isn’t—your sister.” Finn’s voice returned, hardened, to the present. He paused, watching Padraig carefully. “She was desperately unhappy and miserable when you went away. Did you know that?”
“No.”
“You’re lying like a politician.” Finn lifted the wine bottle and filled his glass again.
Padraig raised his hand to indicate that he wanted no more.
“She’s happy again now,” Finn said in a gentler voice. “She was young and recovered quickly. She’s the kind of woman who has many male admirers. Half the village, I dare say.” He was deliberately taunting Padraig. “Liam Dooley fawns on her like a puppy. Clifford Hamilton has been chasing her for a long time. Maybe since that day she pushed him into the harbour. Clifford likes a show of spirit, you know. He’s his father’s son.”
“Is it because of Caitlin that he comes to your parties?” Padraig asked with disapproval.
“Probably. Almost certainly.” Finn grinned. “First Friday in every month. He’s a medical student at Queen’s, but he comes home at the weekend.”
“And Liam Dooley?”
“Young Liam. Your precious lamb.” Finn gave Padraig a scornful, mocking look. “If I could have picked one person in the village to be your doting disciple, I’d have picked Liam Dooley. He has set you on a pedestal, Padraig, and worships you like an idol.”
“The very first commandment, Finn, prohibits idolatry. I doubt if Liam would approve of your choice of words. I certainly don’t.”
Finn shrugged. “You fanatics are so touchy. Anyway, have no fears about young Liam. He was here last night but only to welcome you home. He’s not a regular participant in our monthly revelries. He’s hardly the out-going, hard-drinking type now, is he? And besides he’s not on good terms with Clifford Hamilton, as you probably know. I’d go so far as to say he can’t stand Clifford Hamilton. I don’t know what happened between them, but Liam and Clifford are scarcely on speaking terms.”
Finn reached for his glass and clumsily knocked the bottle of wine off the edge of the table. It fell with a thud on the wooden floor and rolled towards the fireplace, spilling an arc of wine across the polished boards.
Mayanaam
vequinox
Manolis 