Glossary:
Blessing translation "Some have meat and cannot eat. Some no meat but want it. We have meat and we can eat and so the Lord be thanked.
Bairn - Baby
Stovies - Tradition Scottish stew served with Oatcakes which was much like flat bread or thick soft crackers.
Toties - Tiny's
Their bags were on the racks, and the train lurched forward causing a very tired baby to scream. The shrill made Shelagh cringe and let out a tired sigh only a mother could emit.
"Angela shh, please sweetheart?" She tried to soothe her as she dug through her diaper bag, looking for her tools of combat. She hastily threw a blanket over shoulder and cursed herself for not wearing a button down today.
"Oh Dear, that reminds me of you when you were just a wee bairn, hated the train." Miriam said taking up the empty seat next to her.
"She rather hates it, that is unless her father is with her."
"Exactly like her mother." Shelagh smiled to herself, hoping no one could hear the loud pig noises coming from under the blanket. Soon the small child fell asleep, in her grandfather's arms as ironic as it was she was grateful.
"Nearly home now only another twenty minutes or so, Finnean will pick us up." Sìneag was on her phone talking to her brother. Shelagh looked up from hers and nodded giving a tired smile.
*20 minutes from the station -S*
*Glad to hear it, your brother has me worn slick -P*
*I'm bringing someone home with me :) -S*
*Oh no. -P*
*I could use some aspirin though, and maybe a whisky or wine -S*
*Deal! -P*
The train lurched to a stop and they unloaded their cargo into the trunk of the Blue Ford Ranger, strapping Angela in and heading to their temporary home. Stepping out of the car Patrick came to collect his wife and daughter when he noticed the two strangers with bags.
"Patrick Turner, how do you do?" He said, sticking out his hand to gent in front of him.
"Allen Mannion and this is my wife Miriam Mannion."
"You mean?"
"Dear these are my grandparents."
"Well that's just tickety boo and marvelous! What a day it has been."
"That is has been my dear, here take her and put her in her cot I'll be up in a minute, poor thing is well past her nap time." Shelagh passed over the sleeping angel into her fathers arms, she looked at how small she was and how she fit just perfectly into his hands; Angela took after her petite mother, that's for sure.
"I'm sorry to say, but I think I need a small nap."
"Go and have a rest dear we're going to settle in and start on dinner." Miriam gave her a hug and sent her on her way. She remembered just how stressful a small child was, as she had seven of her own. Shelagh made her way into the small cottage house and up the what seemed like never ending stairs, she slowly opened the door and kicked off her shoes. Checking to make sure Angela was asleep she sighed and crawled into bed, not long after she heard the thuds of Patrick's shoes go too as he slipped in behind her. Breathing in her perfume he nuzzled closer to her, and they intertwined their fingers.
"Patrick?" She whispered to him, eyes closed and each breath letting her relax further.
"Yes, sweetheart?" He replied back softly, gently kissing her neck.
"I'm happy."
"I'm happy that you're happy, dear. I love you"
"Love you too Patrick." The two drifted off and didn't wake until the blood curdling sound only a baby could make woke them. Looking over at the bedside clock it took a minute for Shelagh to find her glasses and see that it was almost six! They'd been asleep for 3 hours.
"Patrick! Wake up!"
"Huh? what?!"
"It's nearly six!"
"Ohhh no, we're gonna miss dinner!"
"Angie needs changed and I need to use the lav then we will go."
"Ahh, now then did ye have a restful sleep dear?" Asked Allen, turning the dining room corner and seeing Shelagh.
"That I did papa" Shelagh gave him a tender smile and he wrapped her in a hug, neither of them could get enough of those; as they had years to catch up on. Patrick just stood back and watched, he loved that when she was with her family she turned into the sweet young girl she was at heart.
"Let's eat!" Called Miriam from the kitchen, she had started cooking just after unpacking and even brought her favorite apron with her.
"Looks delish gran!"
"It's just a simple Lamb Stovies with oatcakes and pickled beetroot, I used to make it all the time when yin's were just toties."
"Well you certainly outdid yourself." Patrick took a quick peek at the Moses basket next to the table, thankful Angela decided to sleep through dinner.
"Allen will ye say grace?" He nodded and they bowed their heads and joined hands.
"Some hae meat and cannae eat. Some nae meat but want it. We hae meat and we can eat and sae the Lord be thankit." Shelagh sniffed and wiped a tear from her cheek and replaced her glasses before looking up.
"Mam used to say that." The table grew quiet for a moment before an unexpected voice spoke up.
"It's okay mum, remember? It's good to talk about her, that way we don't forget her." She leaned over and gave him a kiss and nodded her head. Patrick's heart was swelling with pride for his son, he really was growing into quite the young man.
"Shall we tuck in then? They all joined with hearty agrees and ate their meal.
