Of course, I know Liam. He's a regular drinker here. Then there's his sweet sister, a lovely girl. And I know of the rest of the family by sight, although Liam's father would never be seen in a place like this, you mark my words.
There was a stupid, childish thing between us for a while, but, until I got friendly with Anna, I hadn't thought about him in that way for a long while. It was obvious from her talk she was getting sweet on him, so I tried to help her out by telling her about the drinking and the low women he takes out into the street each night.
But for all the difference I made to that dewy look in her eyes, I might as well have been reading the order of hymns. She looked troubled for a moment, and I was sorry to upset her, but by the next time I see her they've reached an understanding, so I assume he's made some fine excuses. Myself, I have seen too much of his behaviour to be taken in, and I worry about her.
She tells me what's been happening at the warehouse. I'm not surprised it's come to this, what else can be expected, given the company he keeps? For old time's sake and for Anna's, I let the father know what I've heard about Liam's "friend".
Neither is it any surprise when she turns up outside the tavern. I go out to her. She says the father has let her go, and she has nowhere to stay. I take her in; it's morning and the bar is empty. She tells me what happened and I curse her mildly for her stupidity before she crumples in front of me and ends up crying on my shoulder. I ask her a few hard questions, and she looks shocked at me, but how was I to know how things really were between them? And for certain, if she's having a child it'll make life a lot more difficult. At least with no bairns she'll be able to find work elsewhere.
The thing is, the sister has already been. She must have run all the way and cut through the fields, to have missed Anna. I told her that Anna was not with me, but that if she'd give me the message from her brother, I'd pass it on. Now Anna's here, and he's probably on his way. The message is nowhere but in my head, and there are some difficult decisions to make.
I tell Anna that my aunt will give her a room, if she says Molly sent her, but she's in the next village and Anna will have to walk. She'll have to go now, to reach there by nightfall.
I tell her too about the fancy lady who's taken an interest in her Liam. She's been in a few times, asking questions, praising his figure and his prowess. I describe her dress, her manner of speaking, the money she has in her dainty purse.
I even tell her about Liam and me, and make it sound like more than it was for her benefit. I tell her whatever I think she needs to hear, whatever I can to make her go, and go she does, at about midday, still crying, but kissing me and thanking me for my kindness.
Then, in the early evening, he arrives. He's looking for her, and I tell him she's gone. A puzzled look crosses his face, and I tell him that she got his message, but decided not to wait. Then I have to go back to my work in a hurry because I can't take the look on his face.
I don't tell her that he's never been with the women in the bar since she arrived.
I don't tell him how many lies I had to tell to get her to go.
I tell myself I'm doing the right thing.