The Halfpenny Girls by Maggie Mason

Author:Maggie Mason [Mason, Maggie]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Historical Saga
ISBN: 0751580724
Publisher: Sphere
Published: 2021-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

TWENTY

Alice

Alice felt her heart lift as she, her brothers and Gerald alighted from the car which had slowly followed the horse-drawn hearse from their home to St Kentigern’s Church. She’d thought no one would turn up to give her da a send-off, other than those close to her, but there were many standing outside the church waiting for them.

Glancing this way and that, she saw both familiar and unfamiliar faces and wondered where they had all come from. Catching sight of her da’s old boss standing with his son, Clive, in amongst one group, she guessed these were all from the rock factory.

Others stood with Mr Flanagan, the pub landlord, and she recognised a few of these.

It all seemed unreal to Alice and she questioned why she was so interested in the mourners at such a time, but it was as if all her weeping during the night hours had drained her, and now she couldn’t feel anything.

Gerald tightened his grip on her arm and gave her a little smile that asked if she was all right. She nodded.

Alighting from the car, Father Malley came over to her. ‘Alice, how are you feeling, my dear?’

‘I feel as though I am in a strange world, Father. I’m just getting through, but can’t seem to feel anything most of the time.’

‘Aye, it is the protection the Good Lord gives you. He puts you in a world of your own but allows you to function, though that doesn’t last for ever, you will need your friends and those who love you … And what about you, boys?’

The lads just nodded their heads. Alice’s heart went out to them. In the week that had passed, they had gradually come to terms with how their lives were now. She hated to think it, but they were all much happier and a feeling of calm had settled on their home.

‘Now, I need to ask you before I start the service. Clive Barnes would like to say a few words during the mass. What do you think – is it that you are all right with that?’

Clive left the group from the rock factory and came over to her. Alice had met him many times. Often, he’d offered help to them, but her da would have none of it. He’d tried other means: whenever he’d seen her or her brothers, he would offer to buy them a bag of chips or a hot tattie, but they’d not dare accept in case Da found out.

‘Hello, Alice, lass. I’m sorry for your loss. I hope you’ll let me say a few words for your father.’

Alice nodded.

‘Thank you. I hope you like what I intend to say. I’ll see you afterwards?’

The priest went into his role then, blessing her da’s coffin with holy water and leading it into the church, saying prayers as he went. None of it registered with Alice, not even the readings, but when Clive Barnes, dressed in a black suit and startling white shirt, stepped up

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