Far Away Hills by Jean Debney

Author:Jean Debney [Jean Debney]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781909477438
Publisher: Clink Street Publishing
Published: 2014-05-05T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16 –

Hard Cold Realities

Annie Theresa was thrilled that her new little niece had her name; ever the attentive auntie to Eddie, baby Annie received the same close affections. Bridget commented that her first daughter was called Annie, a fact Sal was only too aware of, because the comment that came next was, “But she didn’t thrive… god rest her.” Having lost two already, Sal had empathy for this, but she knew it was almost as if her mother was saying that calling her Annie was an ill omen. Sal put this aside, and her role as domestic was once more assumed. The pattern that had been established prior to the passing of little James continued unabated throughout the summer.

Meanwhile, Sal was very aware of the child mortality that had been inflicted upon her, and the slightest sniffle or cough in either of the two children, sent her into a spiral of over-care: wrapping them up, keeping them indoors and sitting up night after night to make sure. This irritated her mother, who considered all of this completely unnecessary.

“Children get colds… you must learn to put the past behind you and move on.”

And these were not the only comments that Bridget was affirming about the past. She had been gleefully aware that John had not written. Maggie Flynn knew better than to come to Shettleston, and Sal had not been in any fit state to pay a call. Bridget thought that even if Maggie had heard from her son, she would assume that Sal had too, and would not make any great efforts to inform her daughter-in-law. And although Bridget did not wish ill on John, he may not have written to anyone for one reason or another. Bridget knew that her daughter was beginning to feel completely abandoned by her John, and that the loneliness of separation was setting in. She would choose moments to make less than subtle hints towards Sal.

“You should start to make a new life for you and your children.”

Then another time, “He might have found someone else, you know.”

After that: “Canada is a very long way away… It is easy to forget… distance creates distance, you know.”

None of these choice remarks made Sal recoil or react; in her mind her mother was right, she had treated John dreadfully and deserved what had now obviously occurred. But Bridget overplayed her hand one day, when she covered old ground with the same spite that she had shown before.

“He was never good enough for you… you should move on… he never did anything to make a real difference in your lives, apart from when he was found wanting at the rail yard, for his dishonest handling of goods…”

Sal began to feel her venom rise. Bridget continued unabated, “… I always said that was a feckless family… and what did anyone expect but a feckless son… the only good thing he has done is to run away from his responsibilities; at least he has given you the right to change your life and make new start.

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