Author's note - Thank you to everyone who's left reviews. I thought the last chapter was a bit different from my usual stuff, because of the lack of dialogue and was worried it would just come across as meaningless ramblings, so it was lovely to get some positive feedback.
Alexiah Rose - Thank you for clearing that up! I watched a couple of clips on You Tube to check I had a scene correct before I posted and discovered this one. Originally I'd missed it out because I watched the version on my DVD when I first wrote the chapter. I ended up having to rewrite the end before I could post but at least I now know why I'd forgotten about that scene. I can't believe they cut it on the DVD!
Assumpta was woken up by the church bells on Christmas morning. She groaned and pulled a pillow over her head as reality slowly filtered in; she was spending Christmas by herself after her friends had cancelled and she had taken out her frustrations out on Peter.
She lay there for a while longer feeling sorry for herself and finally dragged herself out of bed to have a shower and get dressed. Looking out the window she discovered it had snowed overnight and looked like it might again. The main street was covered by a blanket of snow. The place looked beautiful, like some sort of fairytale Christmas. If only she had someone to share it with she thought bitterly. She couldn't help but glance up the road towards the church. Peter would be taking mass now but would he drop in after? She wasn't sure what she'd do if he didn't, she didn't relish the idea of knocking on his door because inevitably Timmy would be there to hear the conversation. Assumpta didn't dwell on why she didn't want Timmy overhearing a seemingly innocent conversation. She also tried not to think about why she was getting dressed up and putting makeup on for a day at home on her own.
She ate her breakfast with constant glances at the front door and eventually decided to distract herself by opening a present or two. She put on a CD she'd gotten and as The Pogues started playing she wondered what Peter thought about this Christmas song but her thoughts were interrupted when someone banged at the door. She hurriedly went to open it hoping it might be him but was slightly disconcerted to find not only Peter, but a concerned looking Brendan and Timmy as well. She covered her disappoint that he was not alone with a silly joke about them being the three wise men. Peter explained that they wanted to use the pub as a base to organise a search for Kevin and Con who'd apparently gone missing. She readily agreed and quickly dismissed Peter's fears that they would disturb her non-existent party, now wasn't the time to get into explanations.
Ambrose was out looking for Con who'd run off earlier and who Padraig felt sure knew where Kevin was. Timmy was waiting outside for Ambrose. Brendan and Peter sat at the bar both looking worried. She knew why; it might be like Con to pull a stunt like this but it definitely wasn't like Kevin. If Kevin was missing then something must have happened.
Assumpta paced behind the bar and then stopped and leant against it. Her eyes fell on Peter who was staring into space chewing his thumb in a nervous gesture. It wasn't until Timmy ran inside to say Ambrose was back that she realised she'd subconsciously mimicked Peter's nervous gesture and that she'd been gazing at him for the last few minutes.
They all ran outside to greet Ambrose, but it was bad news.
"I've been up and down all the roads round here but I can't see any sign of them and the weather looks like it might be closing in. I've asked for back up from Kildargen, we need to start searching the countryside on foot to find them."
"What can we do Ambrose?" Peter's voice was full of concern.
Ambrose nodded appreciatively at the offer of help and said, "If people wanted to help by forming search teams that would be grand. I need to go and tell Padraig what's happening. See you back here in fifteen minutes?"
Peter nodded and turned to the others, "Let's round up anyone who might be willing to help and put some warmer clothes on."
Twenty minutes later there was a small crowd in Fitzgeralds and Ambrose was explaining the plan. "There's a team of officers on their way from Kildargen and they'll be searching this area," Ambrose gestured at a map, "and knocking on doors. But any civilian help would be appreciated to search these smaller areas here. There's already snow on the ground so the going will be treacherous and it looks like it might snow again so it's very important that you only search areas you're familiar with, that you stick in twos and don't get separated, that you are appropriately clothed and everyone has a working torch and a radio.
"Alright Ambrose we'll even remember to go to the toilet before we leave too," Assumpta muttered impatiently.
"He's only doing his job." Niamh leapt to her husband's defence.
"I know but we're not children."
"I don't want anyone else going missing so I would thank you to listen," Ambrose said angrily.
"We know that Ambrose," Peter soothed, whilst giving Assumpta a look. "How do you want us to split into teams?"
"You need to be in pairs, where at least one person knows the countryside or how to navigate."
"I'll stay here and man the base," Brian announced.
"I best stay with you Brian," Imelda piped up.
"Ah no I think you'd be better waiting at Padraig's in case they go there."
"No need Brian," Ambrose said sharply. "We've left a note on the door telling them to come here." He scowled at his father-in-law who decided against arguing.
"Well I know Kilnashee pretty well," Brendan said whilst examining the map, "I'll happily take that area."
"I know that area too Brendan, I'll come with you," said Michael.
"Actually doc I need you to stay a bit closer just in case," Ambrose admitted. "Would you mind taking the river bank?"
"No problem Ambrose, but I can cover that on my own." When he saw Ambrose looking doubtful he added, "It's close to the town and I know it well. You need more manpower up on the hills."
Ambrose nodded and indicated the other areas that needed to be covered.
"I'll help you at Kilnashee Brendan," Padraig declared.
Ambrose looked doubtful, clearly worried about the worried about the safety of an over anxious parent in this weather.
Padraig saw the look. "I'm not sitting around on my backside while my son's out there Ambrose." He continued in softer, pleading tones, "I need to feel like I'm doing something, please."
Ambrose glanced at Brendan who gave a small and that was one area covered on the map.
"I can do up around Eamon's farm. I phoned Eamon and he wants to help so I'll pick him up and we'll get started," Siobhan said. Ambrose looked doubtful again so she continued in a sharper tone, "If you're thinking you shouldn't send a woman and an old man out together then you can stop right there. Eamon and I have been tending his sheep up on those hills in all weathers for years."
"Right so Siobhan and Eamon will cover this area." Ambrose marked this on the map.
"I can do this area," Assumpta piped up pointing to another hilly region.
"That's pretty difficult terrain round there are you sure?"
She gave him a withering look. "I take Finn up there a couple of times a week I'll be fine."
"In nice weather though Assumpta," Brendan tried to say diplomatically.
"Well can anyone do a bit of navigating?" Ambrose turned to the group.
"I can read a map and I've navigated in bad weather before," Peter said.
"This isn't Manchester drizzle Father." She had no idea what made her say it. Maybe she was worried that her face had given her away because she would much rather team up with Peter than anyone else. So perversely she felt she had to be nasty to him so no one realised.
He wasn't fazed and said, "We'll I've climbed a few Munroe's as well as countless Wainwrights and Snowdon and the weather comes in pretty quickly in those areas."
"Fair enough," Ambrose said looking at Assumpta.
"Fine, just don't get us lost."
Peter quirked an eyebrow at her. "I thought you already knew where you were going?"
Assumpta narrowed her eyes at him trying not to smile and turned her attention back to Ambrose who was busy organising Liam and Paddy O'Shea to cover the fields on the west side of the village.
"Right that leaves the moorland tops over here." Ambrose prodded the map.
"Well I can do there, I've done a bit of navigating meself," Timmy said smiling at Peter.
"Right, great. Volunteer to join Timmy?" Ambrose asked.
"I'll go," Donal piped up.
"Right," Ambrose marked off the last part of the map. "You all stick in your pairs and check in with base here every 30 minutes. Brian, I'll show you how to work the radio and you can keep me updated. I need to go now and organise the reinforcements." Ambrose was getting into his stride.
"Oh well done love." Imelda was bursting with pride.
"And what about me?" demanded Niamh.
"Well love you can't go wandering about the countryside in your cond..."
Brian cut Ambrose off as he saw his daughter's face darkening. "Ah Niamh stay here and help will me, I can't do it all by myself."
"That's right Niamh you can stay and help me make sandwiches for the men," added Imelda, unhelpfully.
This time Assumpta waded in before Niamh lost her temper. "Niamh stay and help Brian work the radio, he'll be useless with the technology otherwise."
Brian was about to retort but bit his tongue when he saw Niamh give a small nod of agreement.
With the areas all covered Ambrose started handing out maps and giving instructions on how to work the radio and gradually the pairings began to leave the pub.
"Shall we?" Peter asked holding the door open for her. "We'll take your van yeah?" When she nodded he threw Timmy his car keys saying he could take the Javelin.
"No need Father," cried Donal. "Liam and Paddy are taking Paddy's Landrover, it's better on the rough terrain than the truck so we'll take it."
Timmy shrugged at Peter and tossed his keys back to him. Peter pocketed them and climbed into the van's passenger seat. He gave Assumpta a warm smile, "Not quite how we expected to be spending Christmas eh?"
Assumpta put the van in gear and drove off wondering what on earth they were getting themselves into.
