Danny’s was the one voice which spoke of the political solution and putting their trust, initially at least, in the convention planned for later that year when delegates from Dublin, Belfast and London were to meet to discuss the ‘Irish Problem’.

  ‘Oh God, will you listen to the man,’ one shouted as Danny voiced his proposal. ‘Whenever have the English played fair with us? Aren’t Irish bodies littering France and Belgium now? And have we achieved anything through their sacrifice?’

  ‘Maybe this will be different.’

  ‘And maybe pigs might fly if they had a mind,’ another said.

  ‘We need weapons. We can’t do anything without weapons,’ Red said again. ‘Are you with us, Walsh, or against us?’

  ‘You know my views.’

  At the same meeting, two raids were planned, one on the arsenals at Kilbride Camp on Thursday evening, just two days away, and another at Richmond Barracks the following Saturday. Volunteers were asked for. It was noted that Danny put himself forward for neither of these. ‘What about you, Walsh?’

  ‘What about me?’

  ‘What will you do?’

  ‘Nothing,’ Danny said. Shay was beside him as he spoke and Danny heard his sharp intake of breath.

  ‘You’re in this the same as all of us and don’t forget it.’

  ‘No, I’m in this because you forced me to be,’ Danny said.

  ‘I think you’re a rotten coward,’ a man shouted from the back. ‘An English arse-licker.’

  ‘I’m neither,’ Danny said firmly, though his fists were balled by his side and he longed to send the man’s teeth down his throat. ‘I’m just an Irishman trying to get on as best I can and one who feels we should wait for the results of the Convention before we make any sort of move.’

  He was shouted down and booed at, and later, outside, with the meeting over, Shay said quietly, ‘Christ, man, will you ever learn to keep your mouth shut?’

  ‘How can I?’

  ‘You best learn, for there are some amongst these men who would shut it for you and permanently,’ Shay warned.

  Rosie knew there was something serious afoot. She couldn’t say how, she just knew, and the tension in Danny on Thursday evening was almost tangible. ‘Can you tell me?’ she said that night as they lay in bed.

  ‘You know I can’t.’

  ‘Right. I will ask just one thing. Are you involved?’

  ‘No.’ Danny could at least say that definitely. ‘It’s nothing whatsoever to do with me.’

  That should have made Rosie feel better, but it didn’t and she slept badly. Later, she was roused by a rapping at the window and she awoke with a jerk. Danny too was awake instantly, and he jumped out of bed and ran to the window. ‘Shay?’

  ‘Let me in, Danny, for Christ’s sake,’ Shay said, and Danny opened the window wide. Rosie sat up in the bed, pulling a shawl around her as Danny lit a lamp. ‘What is it?’ he said; even in his agitation he spoke in a low voice lest he woke his sleeping child and indeed rouse the whole house.

  ‘They were waiting for them at the Kilbride Camp,’ Shay said. ‘Three were shot dead, two captured and the rest of us got away.’

  ‘Ah Christ!’

  ‘That’s not all,’ Shay said. ‘They’re blaming you, Danny.’

  ‘Me?’

  ‘They think you tipped the soldiers the wink.’

  ‘Jesus Christ, I’d never do such a thing. Speak against my own countrymen?’

  ‘I know you wouldn’t, Danny,’ Shay said. ‘That’s why I’m here and I’m risking my life to do it. You must leave here this night and go into hiding, they’ll be coming for you.’

  ‘What are you talking about?’

  ‘The Brotherhood. They think you’ve betrayed them.’

  ‘Well, I’ll put them right.’

  ‘D’you think you’ll be believed?’

  ‘God, Shay, this is Ireland, not New York or Chicago.’

  ‘Aye, it may be Ireland, but I’ll tell you it’s just as dangerous. They hold you responsible for the reception committee awaiting them at the camp.’

  ‘What will they do?’ Rosie asked, frightened.

  Shay didn’t answer but his eyes said it all and Rosie knew they would kill Danny if he stayed. Danny knew it too, but he refused to accept it. ‘Come on, Shay, I’m not afraid of them.’

  ‘Then you’re a fool,’ Shay said. ‘You must leave, Danny, and quickly.’

  ‘Don’t be silly,’ Danny said. ‘Where would I run to?’

  ‘The safest place would be England,’ Shay said. ‘There are cells of resistance like this all over Ireland.’

  ‘I have no intention of fleeing my native land for anyone.’

  Shay shrugged and said angrily, ‘I’ve risked my life to try and save yours and fine thanks I’ve got for it. I thought you might have given a thought to your parents, or Rosie and your little daughter, but there, I’ve done my best. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you.’

  Shay had turned away towards the window and Rosie, after a beseeching look at Danny, called him back. ‘Wait, Shay, for God’s sake.’

  ‘I can’t wait,’ Shay said, ‘Jesus, how can I make you see sense? Do you think I would be here in the middle of the night if it was some sort of joke? I’m a dead man if they ever hear of this.’

  Rosie shook her head, confused. ‘I understand what you say, Shay. But why are they blaming Danny?’

  ‘Because he wouldn’t take part and spoke against them on more than one occasion. He knew all about the raids, the times, the arrangements, everything. You can see why they think that way. But every minute you delay is more dangerous and not only for yourselves alone.’

  ‘It’s madness, Rosie, you must see it,’ Danny said. ‘I know no-one in England.’

  But what Rosie saw was her husband before her, and the thought of him dying, blasted through the head or heart, caused her physical pain. ‘You must go away, Danny,’ she urged him. ‘It may only be for a short time.’

  ‘Where, for Christ’s sake?’

  Rosie desperately thought for a moment and remembered where she went once before for help and advice when she’d been in dire straits. ‘The Sisters of Mercy, they’ll help you, I’m sure. You know, where your mother’s aunt was?’

  ‘She’s in Dublin now, not England.’

  ‘Aye, but there’s another convent in Handsworth in Birmingham. Maybe you could go there for a little while?’

  ‘I hate this whole idea.’

  ‘It might only be for a time,’ Rosie said. ‘Think of it that way.’

  ‘I’ll think of it this way,’ Danny said. ‘I go nowhere without you.’

  ‘Danny, talk sense.’

  ‘If Shay’s right and I’m in danger, then so are you,’ Danny said. ‘If I’m not to be found, maybe they’ll start on you.’

  ‘Surely to God they’ll not hurt women or weans.’

  ‘Who knows what they’ll do,’ Danny continued. But I’d never have a minute’s peace away from you, I know that. If you won’t come for yourself alone, come for Bernadette’s sake. Could you live with yourself if anything happened to her?’

  Rosie went cold at the very thought. She’d once thought she’d follow Danny to Siberia if he asked her and she knew that was now being put to the test. She shivered in apprehension although her voice stayed firm enough. ‘If you think it is that serious, then of course we must go.’

  Danny went up to wake his parents and tell them of events. ‘My father knows of this,’ Shay said, as Rosie began. ‘He’ll drive you to Dublin tonight.’

  ‘Surely we can wait till morning?’

  ‘Jesus, Rosie, did you not listen to a word I said. The men are raging and could descend on us at any time,’ Shay said, visibly nervous. ‘Dear God, Rosie, I’m terrified myself, so I am.’

  It was Shay’s reaction that finally convinced Rosie that they had to leave and right away. She hoped it wouldn’t be forever – God knows she’d miss the place. Connie came into the room, then, as Rosie was packing, and said in a horrified whisper, ‘God, child, this is terrible. You can’t go just like this.’

  ‘I can’t not go,’ Rosie said. ‘It’s too dangerous for us to stay here.’

  ‘But like this…skulking away in the dead of night as if you have done something to be ashamed of.’

  ‘Mammy, I dislike it as much as you.’

  ‘Would you think of leaving the child?’

  ‘No, Mammy,’ Rosie said horrified. ‘I’d never rest away from her and I don’t know how long we’ll have to hide.’

  Connie heard the catch in Rosie’s voice and took her in her arms as she cried out her fear and helplessness. ‘The happiest time of my life has been here,’ Rosie told Connie faithfully. ‘I love you all dearly and I’ll miss you sorely. But Shay believes they will come for Danny, and soon, and if Danny was to be killed, life for me would lose all meaning,’ and she remembered the time she thought she would never see him again. Now she knew how Danny had stood against the IRA’s demands, the dilemma of which had caused him to behave so oddly, she loved him more than ever and knew for his sake and his safety she would follow him to the ends of the earth.

  ‘I know what he means to you, Rosie,’ Connie said, ‘and if you must go away then you must. I’ll put some food together for you.’

  ‘Thank you, Mammy’, Rosie said, glad that Connie understood, but it was with a heavy heart that she began to pack up their clothes and other items she’d hate to leave behind, although she knew they had to travel as lightly as possible.

  She’d almost finished when Connie came in with parcels of food and another large, linen-wrapped bundle. ‘The clock,’ she said. ‘Have you space for it?’

  ‘Mammy, I can’t take that,’ Rosie protested. ‘It’s the family clock.’

  ‘And aren’t you still family even though you will be so far away?’

  ‘Aye, but…’

  ‘Child, I have nothing else I can give you.’

  ‘I want nothing.’

  ‘Take it to please me. It will be your link with home.’

  Rosie was touched and she knew it was important to Connie that she take the clock and so she didn’t protest further.

  ‘God, girl, for this to happen? Connie said. ‘My heart is broken, so it is.’

  ‘Ah, Mammy,’ Rosie said, and she put her arms around Connie and they cried together.

  ‘Come on,’ said Matt suddenly at the door. ‘You must away quickly. There’s no time for tears now.’

  Rosie knew he was right and yet she understood Connie’s distress, She picked the still-sleeping Bernadette up, wrapped her in a warm shawl for the night air was treacherous and hurried out into the kitchen where Danny stood ready.

  ‘Have you enough money, Danny?’ Matt asked as they stood at the door with a very impatient and obviously nervous Shay beside them. ‘Aye, Daddy,’ Danny replied, ‘and I mean to get a job as soon as I’m able.’

  ‘Just in case it’s not as easy as you think,’ Matt said, pushing two ten pound notes into his hand.

  ‘Ah, Daddy no…’

  ‘Yes,’ Matt insisted, and went on, ‘It’s all right to be stiff-necked when you only have yourself to think about, but if you won’t take money for yourself then take it for Rosie and wee Bernadettte.’

  Danny gave a brief nod and pocketed the money.

  ‘Will you not at least bid the girls farewell and Phelan too?’ Connie asked.

  ‘No,’ Danny said. ‘There’s no time, and anyway, the fewer that know the better.’

  Matt at least understood that. ‘How are you going?’ he asked.

  ‘Across the fields, it’s quicker.’

  ‘Then take a lantern or you’ll break your neck,’ Matt said, giving them the one lit in the kitchen. With another tearful hug the four were on their way.

  It was much shorter to Shay’s father’s farm across the fields, but it was a cold and miserable journey and Rosie was afraid she’d stumble and fall, and drop the child. She knew she would be glad when she reached the farmhouse.

  ‘Why is your father putting himself out like this?’ Danny asked. ‘I mean, it’s a fair hike for anyone, and in the dead of night too.’

  ‘He owes you a favour,’ Shay said. ‘He’s always felt it since you stood in for Niall last Easter. This is his way of paying back the debt. Anyway, it wouldn’t do for your own father to be seen to be away from the farm the night you disappeared. I’ll not be suspected because I was with them tonight, and my family too will be semi-protected by that. This is the most sensible way.’

  Maybe, thought Rosie. But she could list a whole lot of things she would put under the label of sensible before this trek they were to undertake through this coal-black night. But she didn’t share her thoughts.

  Danny grasped Shay’s hand suddenly. ‘I’ll never forget this, Shay,’ he said. ‘I know we’ve been mates for always, though we’ve different opinions about how to obtain Home Rule, but I know what you have risked coming here this night.’

  There was a lump in Shay’s throat as he put his arms around Danny. How he wished things could be different but he’d done what he could to protect him, because he knew he was no traitor. ‘Go, on now,’ he urged, ‘and Godspeed.’

  And they turned the corner at the bottom of the lane to see Willie, having heard them approach, leading the horse before the cottage.

  FIFTEEN

  ‘Now are you comfortable enough, for it’s a fine step of a journey we have before us?’ Willie Ferguson asked, tucking a blanket around Rosie and her child as they lay in the cart.

  ‘Aye. Yes, I’m grand,’ Rosie said. ‘Are you coming in too, Danny?’

  Danny still wondered if they were over-reacting, whether this headlong dash was really necessary, but if Shay and Willie were right then he didn’t think he could hide away in the back of the cart. He should be up at the front beside Willie where he could watch out for danger for any one of them, but he wasn’t going to tell Rosie this. ‘No,’ he said, ‘I have no sleep on me to tell you the truth. I’ll stay up here with Willie for a while.’

  Rosie had her hands too full with Bernadette to argue the point. The night air had eventually roused the child and Rosie held her tight against her and fervently hoped the cart’s movements would send her off again. She was bone-weary and in no fit state to deal with an active and wide-awake toddler.

  Rosie did eventually doze off, but as the cart went over stony ground or the sides of fields in an attempt to avoid the roads, she was thrown from side to side and jerked awake often, so that any sleep she snatched was fitful.

  As the cart pulled into the outskirts of Dublin, she awoke with a pounding headache and saw Danny slumbering beside her. She eased the sleeping child from her stiff arms and lay her gently beside her father. She watched her settle against Danny with a sigh and smiled. She thanked God she’d got over any strangeness she had had with her father. Danny had tried hard with her, she had to admit, for even when he ranged against the whole world, it had never included Bernadette whom he loved with a passion. She clambered up to see where they were, but it was too dark to see anything much.

  It was still cold, and as soon as Rosie left the relative shelter of the cart she felt the chill dampness in the air and it hardly helped her feel more optimistic about what fate lay before them.

  ‘Is it awake you are there?’ Willie said. ‘We’ll be coming to the canal before too long. Baggot Street’s not far away then at all.’ He glanced over at Rosie as he spoke. ‘You all right?’

  ‘No, Willie, I’m not,’ Rosie heard herself saying, too dispirited and nervous to pretend. ‘I feel sick with fear every time I remember what Shay said, and I’m heart sore to be leaving all that I hold dear behind, not to mention my native land too, for some strange and alien place.’

  ‘I’d feel the same,’ Willie said. ‘God, sure Ireland is where I’d want to bide till my time is up, but it’s not a safe place for you all to linger in just now. Please God you’ll be able to come back soon.’

  Rosie felt the pressure of two hands on her shoulders, and turning she saw Danny had wakened and was behind her.

  ‘I’ll make it up to you, Rosie, I promise,’ he said and he kissed her cheek.

  Rosie’s stomach gave a lurch and she knew she loved and adored this man, and life without him was unthinkable. Whatever sort of place Birmingham was, she could cope if she had Danny beside her. ‘I know, Danny,’ she said, smiling, and set her face resolutely towards Dublin and the future, whatever it held.

  The nuns welcomed Rosie back warmly, even at that early hour, and were courteous with Danny, enchanted by Bernadette, laughing when she said she was freezing cold and hungry.

  Willie hadn’t gone into the convent with them, though they’d pressed him to at least have a warm drink. He’d refused, too anxious to get back home before he was missed.

  After they’d all eaten, Danny spoke to the Reverend Mother about the reason for their intrusion in the convent and she said he’d done the right thing; the only thing. ‘Dublin, though, is not a place you can bide for long safely,’ she said. ‘Handsworth will be safer and that is where you must go. As soon as the day is properly begun we will send the Reverend Mother there a telegram and ask them to put you up for a wee while. Until we receive their answer it would be better for you to stay in the convent and not go outside for anything. You don’t know who might be on the streets at all.’

  As Sister Cuthbert had spent some years in Handsworth, the Reverend Mother asked her to send the telegram and stress the urgency of getting the family away from Ireland as speedily as possible. The answer came that very afternoon. The Walsh family would be welcome.