On the Edge of the Loch: A Psychological Novel set in Ireland by Joseph Éamon Cummins

Author:Joseph Éamon Cummins [Cummins, Joseph Éamon]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Publisher: Moon Abbey Media
Published: 2016-06-17T23:00:00+00:00

16

Shortly after midnight the small boat pushed away from Intinn, into a noisy strait. Tony sank both oars, beaconed through the blackness by the illuminated belfry of St Brigid’s Church. Five minutes out rain spat down on them in blobs, and soon the winds attacked. Lenny gripped to the gunwales as the boat shot into the air and smacked down. Half-way across, bursts of water and wind forced them off course. But each time, Tony’s strength and nascent seamanship righted their progress. Closer to the mainland, the gusts calmed, he sat up the oars and rested. Lenny’s eyes had not left him since their voyage began; now they stared even more intensely.

‘I didn’t know whether to tell you or not,’ he said. ‘Yesterday, when you were away, there was someone in your apartment, besides me.’

‘Who?!’

‘Your father and fat boy.’

‘My apartment? Doing what?!’

‘Your father was upstairs. Looking for something, I’d guess. Boxer stayed in the hall.’

‘You saw this?’

‘I was under your mountain bike. Feet from them.’

‘What did they – ’

A sudden squall spun the boat, broadsiding it to a wave that cascaded over them and lodged in the hull. Tony re-sank the oars and rowed hard for shore.

‘I’ve had enough,’ Lenny said. ‘I’m leaving there, I mean it, getting far away. Twice before, I thought I smelled cigars in there. Now I know I’m not crazy.’

‘Could be he’s just worried about you. He is your father.’

She went to stand. The boat tipped steeply. ‘Careful!’ he yelled, canting his weight.

She grabbed the gunwales. ‘I’m getting away. That’s it. Damn fool.’

‘Calm down! Will you.’ He bore down, brought both oars up out of the water. ‘I should never have told you.’

‘It’s alright to be spied on at thirty-five years of age? Is that what you think?’

‘Cut the bullshit, Lenny. That’s not what I mean; you know it. I’m trying to stop you getting riled up, that’s all.’

‘Well I am riled up, if that’s what you choose to call it. Every right to be.’

‘Not with me you don’t.. I’ve taken enough crap in my life. So go easy.’ He restarted the sinking, pulling, rising, and sweeping of the oars resumed.

‘I’m finished with Aranroe, Tony. I’m telling you, I’m leaving.’

‘You belong here. Take a break. Get a train to Dublin. Visit Kate. Stay a few days. Enjoy my city.’

‘I don’t know Kate; never spoke to the woman.’

‘She wants to meet you. Told me she can’t wait.’

Lenny’s face released its anger, as though assuaged by a forming thought. ‘Maybe. Maybe I will. Let’s both go. Why not. Get away from here.’

‘I can’t, not now. You and Kate, you’d get along great. I told her you might visit. She’s all for it. She’ll tell you about the terrible things I did, when I was young. She used to mind me, when she could catch me. This is Friday; she’s free on weekends. Get the early train in the morning, come back Monday.’

‘You come too, Tony. Please. Can’t you just please me?’

The boat moved through the headlands, into the placid waters of Loch Doog.

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