Across a Summer Sea by Lyn Andrews Page A

time to dwell on her decision or have regrets. She went down to the offices of the British and Irish Steamship Company and found out the price of the fare to Dublin. In all it would cost her fourteen shillings, which would leave her with one pound and eighteen shillings for their keep until she found work. She wished it were more but it couldn’t be helped.  
    She had washed and ironed the few clothes they had; she had had Tommy’s boots mended and delivered a stern warning that there was to be no kicking the toes out of them as she had no money to have them repaired again: he would just have to make do and suffer wet and cold feet. She had managed to get Lizzie a warmer coat from Paddy’s Market for a few pence and Maggie had produced a pair of woollen mittens for each of them as a going-away present.  
    ‘I’ll miss all of you,’ she’d said, wiping away a tear. The house was too quiet by far these days, she’d added, wishing for the thousandth time that Frank McGann would see what a fool he was being. She was also finding it much harder dealing with the laundry alone too.  
    Mary knew Frank was aware that they were leaving but he hadn’t relented. She’d known in her heart that he wouldn’t. She didn’t expect him to come to see them off, either.  
    ‘Well, it’s his loss!’ Nellie stated grimly as they prepared to accompany Mary and her family down to the Landing Stage barely a week later. ‘Did he say anything to them? Give them a couple of coppers?’ she asked Mary in a whisper after the children had returned from saying their farewells to their father.  
    ‘No. Just, “Behave yourselves.” I can’t understand him, he seems to have no feelings at all for them.’  
    ‘Well, pride comes before a fall, I always say. He’ll get his come-uppance one day, you wait and see. Now, are we all ready? We’re to meet in Hetty’s parlour. She’s coming as well.’  
    Mary smiled. ‘It will be quite a send-off.’  
    ‘We’ll all miss you, luv,’ Nellie said sadly, echoing Maggie’s distress.  
     
    The Landing Stage was always busy; the ships of the B & I line and the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company were amongst many that embarked and disembarked their passengers there. It was a cold, dark and windy night as they pushed their way through the crowds towards the gangway.  
    ‘I ’ope yer won’t all be seasick. It can be shockin’ rough once yer get out inter the bay, so ’Arry says,’ Bella remarked grimly.  
    ‘Oh, trust you, Bella!’ Hetty Price said sharply. ‘Mary, take no notice. Get yourself a seat and then try and sleep. It’s the best way. If you can’t afford a cabin, that is.’  
    ‘Hetty, I can only just afford the steerage fare! But we’ll be fine,’ Mary laughed, determined not to be put off. She also wanted to dispel the look of consternation that had come over Katie’s face.  
    ‘Will yer aunty be there ter meet yer, luv?’ Queenie asked.
     ‘I don’t think so. She said they’d all be too busy.’ 
    ‘But yer do know where she lives?’  
    ‘Of course. And I’ve a tongue in my head.’  
    ‘Well, you’d better get aboard if you want to get a seat. It looks as if it’s going to be a bit of a crush,’ Hetty advised, taking in the crowd around the gangway.  
    Mary hugged them all in turn and then gathered her children to her. ‘Katie, keep tight hold of Lizzie’s hand and hang on to me. Tommy, you make sure you don’t lose that bundle and stay right behind me.’  
    ‘Take care, Mary. Remember you promised to write each week and if things don’t go to plan you know you can always come back. There’ll always be a home for you here,’ Nellie said, giving her a last hug.  
    There were tears in Mary’s eyes when she reached the bottom of the gangway, gave in their tickets and turned to wave a last goodbye. They had all been such good friends and she prayed she would find similar generosity and kindness on the other side of the Irish Sea.