Black Out by Susan Kiernan-Lewis

Author:Susan Kiernan-Lewis
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Susan Kiernan-Lewis

25

A CALMING WIND

Sarah sat in Nuala’s quarters with a cup of tea in her hands. She’d bumped into Fiona early this morning who reminded her that Nuala would be wanting to hear the story about Robbie. And Sarah was eager to get it over and done with.

She was surprised at how passive Nuala seemed ever since she’d stepped off the ship—even though by anyone’s telling Nuala had been a fearless, decisive leader when it counted.

So why does she behave now like a cowed fishwife? Sarah wondered as she watched Nuala fold and refold the wool blankets on her bed.

While she waited for Nuala to settle down, Sarah flashed back to last night when they’d found out that one of the soldiers had died mysteriously. Nobody except Sarah and Mike seemed to think that was odd and while she’d been heartened when Mike told her he’d handle it, she’d also been dismayed.

So much for teamwork. He’s determined to keep me at arms’ length.

“I told Kyla and them that I weren’t in charge any longer,” Nuala said, sitting down on the bed across from Sarah, but not looking at her.

“Did they care?” Sarah asked.

A corner of Nuala’s mouth tweaked upward. “I got the distinct impression that they weren’t aware I’d been in charge to begin with.”

Sarah laughed. “Typical.”

Nuala looked at Sarah, her eyes fearful and hesitant. “They think they’re going to escape when the weather lifts. They’re already plotting.”

“We’re all going to escape when the time comes. But we’ve got plenty of time to think about that.”

“Even Mother Angelina?” Nuala asked frowning. “And Mrs. Dennehy? What will we be escaping to, do ye know?”

“I do not. Which is why I’d be surprised if any of the nuns opt to come with us. Or Mary or Liddy. After all, they have little ones to think about. As do you. Not really the sort of life to subject a child to.”

“What sort of life are ye talking about?”

“A life on the road. On the run. And we don’t know what we’ll find when we get to the mainland after all this.”

Nuala thought for a moment as if imagining the world two years from now. “Terry won’t leave,” she said.

“I know. I imagine he’ll want to see if Tommy comes to the island when the weather lifts. He’ll stay on with Darby.”

“Will you and Mike take Mac and Matt?”

“I need to talk to Mike about it. And Terry. And the twins themselves.”

Nuala nodded and then straightened out an unwrinkled stretch of her wool jumper down her arms.

Sarah did a quick calculation in her head. If Nuala decided to come with them, they would have a group of seventeen people including the four archers and Regan, Mike, Fiona, Sophia, John and probably Tara, plus the four little girls: Maggie, Siobhan, Darcie and Ciara, and Nuala’s boys. If the twins joined them they’d have a group of nineteen people on the run.

“What about Aideen?” Nuala asked. “Will she go with us?”

Sarah was glad to hear Nuala insinuate that she would come with them.

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