Part 4 (2/2)

There is a splinter group of the Ulster Volunteer Force called the Red Hand Commando. Sometimes it is referred to as the Barmy Wing of the UVF.

While the rest of the Province was celebrating peace it was planning murder. While I was lightly grilling Mark Gale about Wrathlin it was sending two gunmen into the Royal Victoria Hospital's maternity wing to murder a Republican activist.

The intended victim was the big woman in the bed beside Patricia's. They walked in cool as you like during visiting time, baseball caps, denim jackets and jeans, checked the chart at the foot of Patricia's bed, shook their heads, moved up to the next, where the woman was sleeping. Patricia shouted at them. The woman woke up. Woke up and looked into the barrel of the pistol. Not more than five inches from her head. Point-blank. Her mouth dropped open. The trigger was pulled. The gun jammed. Pulled again. Jammed again.

*One for luck, eh?' said the commando, and pulled the trigger a third time.

Nothing. He laughed. *You're one lucky b.i.t.c.h. We'll get you next time. Have a nice day now.' He swiped her with the pistol, slicing open her scalp, then the two of them walked calmly off down the corridor.

When I reached maternity it was cordoned off by the police and army. It took some persuasion and a tantrum to get through.

When I finally reached Patricia she was in tears. Ginger was in her arms. She was rocking him nervously from side to side. He was crying too. There was no sign of the woman from the next bed. It was neatly made and her locker was empty.

*Take us away from here, Dan,' Patricia cried as I put my arm round her. *I hate this f.u.c.king place.'

*It's okay, honey,' I said, *we're going far away, just as soon as we can.'

G.o.d was moving in a mysterious way.

5.

Everything was fine and dandy.

Patricia came home. The baby was doing great. We bundled him up and brought him out into the real world for the first time. The sun showed its face for the first time in weeks. Tony hadn't shown his. I'd cleaned the house. It had taken me eight hours, but I'd managed it. I'd discovered how the vacuum cleaner worked. It was a complicated procedure involving a plug and a socket. I lost three socks and a slipper in the process but I thought it was probably worth the sacrifice when I saw the look on Patricia's face as I led her into the lounge.

*You've cleaned,' she said, awestruck.

I shrugged.

She ran a finger along the arm of the settee. *Really cleaned,' she said.

I shrugged again. I took Ginger from her. *Will I put him in his cot?'

She nodded. Smiled. Kissed me on the cheek. *Let's,' she said.

I carried him upstairs, Patricia on my heels, and entered the blue bedroom. He gurgled happily. I pulled back the blanket and set him gently down in the cot. Then I tucked him loosely in and stood back. He gurgled some more. Patricia gurgled back. I gave a little gurgle too. I surprised myself by not feeling stupid.

*Our whole life is changed now,' I said.

*Are you sorry?'

I shook my head.

*Are you sure?'

*Of course I'm sure.'

*I know it's been very difficult for you, Dan.'

*I know I've been very difficult for you.'

*But . . . you know what I mean.'

*I know what you mean.'

I took her hand. Later I bottle-fed the baby. Patricia put her feet up. She had cabbage leaves in her bra. I didn't ask why. I opened a bottle of wine. I cooked dinner and gave it to her on a tray.

*What's come over you, sweetie?' she asked.

*Nothing. I just love you.'

*I love you too.'

*Aw.'

I told her about Wrathlin.

She thought about it for maybe three minutes, not looking at me, but into her wine gla.s.s, slowly swirling the alcohol. Then she said, *Okay.'

*What do you mean, ”Okay”?'

*Okay. Fair enough. All right. I agree.' She squeezed my hand. *What did you expect me to say?'

*I thought you'd tell me to f.u.c.k off.'

*Dan . . .'

*I thought you'd tell me to stick Wrathlin Island up my hole.'

*Dan I . . .'

*I'm extraordinarily happy.'

*Good. So am I.'

We clinked gla.s.ses. *I'm sick of this city,' she said. *That thing the other day scared the s.h.i.+te out of me. Maybe we'll stay on Wrathlin for ever.'

*Let's not get ahead of ourselves, kiddo,' I said, stroking her leg. *You don't know what you're letting yourself in for.'

She shook her head. *I'll be with you. I'll be with my baby. That's all that matters.'

*Aw.' I looked into her eyes. *Darlin', it's remote.'

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