Chapter 3: Faith 29th February 1996

The alarm clock blared over and over.

Eventually he stopped the wailing and rolled out of bed, rubbing at his eyes and yawning. Trudging downstairs, he could hear the radio on, and the news being read out by the usual broadcaster. He chose not to focus on the news, instead focusing on the weather outside. Looking out through the window, there was no rain, but it was overcast, and the trees shook from side to side in the fierce wind.

"Morning Ma". He addressed his mother, who was in her dressing gown making some toast.

"Mornin' Antony love". She turned and smiled at him. "Late night was it?"

"Aye Ma". The oldest Scanlon brother sat down at the dinner table.

His two brothers had already left for school, leaving just him and his mother in the house. She was always a late riser, her job not starting until half nine and she would potter about before leaving at quarter past. It was still a joy to be able to have her Antony back where he belonged, and she could talk to him in the morning now instead of the silence of the last few years when she'd sometimes just cry because he wasn't there.

"Were ye with the boys last night Ant?" His mother asked.

"For a bit". He replied slightly edgily.

"Ant?" She challenged, wary of his habits.

"I walked with them for a while up by the marina, in the early evening like but then I went to Maria's, so I did and ye know…".

He still felt awkward talking about sex in front of his mother, even though he was well into his twenties and his mother was a fairly open-minded woman. She smirked at his awkwardness on the topic and he smirked back, enjoying her teasing rather more than he should.

"What time were the boys in?" He asked her.

"Just after eight. They were laughing and joking about something or the other".

"Good to see the two of 'em having fun".

Mrs Scanlon nodded and plated up the freshly done toast, sitting down with her son who was pouring himself some orange juice.

"I do worry about the boys though Ant. Some of the things Danny says sometimes…".

"Ach don't worry ma. I'm here to help them on the right path now".

"Not yer path I hope". She sneered.

"The right path ma… the right path". He clarified. "But I'm not sure what Danny's playin' at with this Mallon girl. It's not like him at all".

"Love can make ye do a lot of strange things Ant. I thought you more than anyone would understand that?"

Antony rolled his eyes at his mother's words. He did understand it of course but it was her who failed to understand what he meant… or rather what he thought…

"I wouldn't call it that ma".

"Whatever it is, Danny is a big boy…". She ran a hand through her hair. "… he can handle his own affairs. Anyway, what are ye up to today love".

"I've got that interview at the dealership at half ten and then I reckon I'll pay a visit to da before I come back here. Might need it if things go badly".

Mother and son shared a smile before they continued on with their breakfasts, not engaging in any further conversation until she excused herself from the table to finish getting ready for work. The interview he had at the dealership was a rare bit of goodwill considering his background and the reputation he carried. The scar on his face would forever dent any chance of being an out and out car salesman but his mechanical knowledge saw him in good stead and the position of mechanic at the dealership was one that intrigued him. He never would guarantee on being thrown a bone like he had been for this interview but a part of him believed the Lord still held some faith in the Scanlon family.

For how much longer would remain to be seen.


After their day of avoiding each other at school the day before, James and Erin were practically inseparable throughout Thursday. From the moment James arrived at her house that morning, their hands were almost locked together consistently. Granda Joe smiled at the two of them over breakfast, contented with the love and care given to her by the Englishman he'd entrusted with his granddaughter's heart. Mary and Gerry were equally glowing in their approval of the two, Gerry giving the couple a friendly wink when no one else was looking. They already knew it if they really asked themselves the question, but barring tragedy or unforeseen circumstances, James Maguire would one day be their son in-law. The looks that their Erin shared with the wee English fella she loved so dearly were familiar; they remembered what the early days felt like. The difference for Erin and James was that Joe wasn't attempting to murder them every time they went near each other.

At school, the day went far better. Sister Michael kept a close eye on them as they walked in but beneath her regular steely armor, the two caught the slight smile she gave them. In the couple of months being together, the headmistress may not have been a confidant to the pair, but she certainly kept her word in not getting in the way of their relationship. Both sides of the party kept to the arrangement, though Erin came tantalisingly close to breaking it the day before, and a mutual respect held firm. It also kept the rest of the gang in check. They hadn't received a proper detention since the turn of the year, a remarkable effort with Michelle's mouth that rivalled the Derry sewage system.

Another remarkable feat had been retaining the friendship of both Jenny and Aisling since the events of Michelle's fateful party. The two of them ended up being rather philosophical about what happened and although Erin was slightly upset that the gang may have put them off alcohol forever, it also may not have been the worst thing. Look what it did to Michelle…

That lunchtime, Jenny and Aisling joined them in their regular spot, making it a table of seven but with only six seats. Of course, Erin naturally gave up her seat so that she could sit on James's lap, much to Michelle's disgust. For Erin it was perfect; she was in a much more convenient place to snog the face off her fella.

"What's this about you riding in a horse race Orla?" Aisling enquired with her.

"Ach Aisling, it's cracker. I'm taking on all the good local riders so I am".

"I'm surprised yer allowed to". Jenny remarked, Aisling nodded.

"I'm not being funny Jenny…". Michelle addressed her. "…but anyone who sees Orla ride and doesn't give her a license needs to be in the feckin' loony bin. She's ace"

"Ach Michelle". Orla blushed slightly at her friend's praise.

"I mean it Orla. And I'm not just saying that because I can't come on Saturday".

The rest of them, even Jenny and Aisling on hearing of Michelle's lack of attendance, believed she was just saying it because of that, although James did hold a slight candle of hope that it might be sincere, judging by Michelle's tone.

"Who's the fella from Moneyglass who's all the rage in England?" Michelle checked with the slightly gone out James, who'd pulled away from Erin's lips for a minute.

"Tony McCoy…" He frowned as his voice trailed off.

"Aye McCoy, well our Orla here is ten times the rider that fella is". Michelle asserted.

Jenny and Aisling both smiled at Orla who was blushing furiously at the affection being shown to her. She retained a lot of quiet faith in her ability to ride horses but having it backed up by her close friends was very special to her.

"Good afternoon all".

Mr Flanagan appeared out from around the corner and walked over to the seven of them, Erin instinctively sitting up a bit more on James's lap to not appear too intimate.

"Hello Mr Flanagan sir". Orla spoke first. "We were just discussing my ride at the weekend and the cracker job ye brother's done getting the horse ready".

"My brother is a very talented man". He smiled back.

"Are ye coming Saturday sir?" She continued.

"Would you like me to Orla?"

"Aye!" She squealed in delight, to the happiness of the others.

"Then I will". He confirmed, Orla nodding her thanks as she knew she couldn't hug her teacher in the middle of the school day. "I need a word with Erin and James, can I trouble ye to borrow them for a few minutes?".

Michelle nodded hastily, hoping to get a few minutes respite from the two of them being overly romantic in front of her. Her code of practice died the moment she found them after the Valentine's lovemaking session, and she'd had to master her own stomach to not boke every five minutes since. The couple frowned at the teacher, but he merely smiled, and they were happy to follow him, not believing they were in any trouble. It wasn't too far to his classroom and he held the door for them as they followed him, their own hands grasped together tightly.

"Sit down". He calmly ushered them to the spot in front of his desk.

James pulled a chair forward for Erin, putting a hand on her back and easing her down into the seat like a gentleman, an act that Mr Flanagan approved of. He pulled a seat forward for himself and took Erin's hand in his again as they faced their History teacher.

"I wanted to check that the two of you were getting along smoothly. I was quite concerned after our wee chat yesterday afternoon James".

Erin and James looked at each other lovingly and grinned, remembering their ridiculous awkwardness of the previous day. James should have known that the always caring Mr Flanagan would ask him again about what was up with Erin after their chat at the end of the lesson. He was always looking out for them in some way.

"We're fine sir". He confirmed. "Just a small… misunderstanding".

"Nothing that can break us apart". Erin squeezed his hand as she beamed.

"That is good to hear. Remember if the two of ye ever need to come and talk to me then I'll always make the time".

It was a relief for James that he'd brought it up because otherwise he would have gone back to Joe without an answer that afternoon. With Orla needing to get to the stables early to check the horse over, but not riding in the horsebox as Paul would be with Frankie, Joe needed his car to drive her. Aunt Sarah would go with them and the rest of the car would be filled with Orla's riding gear. Mary and Gerry needed to do the shopping so they wouldn't be attendance and that left James, Erin and Clare with a travel problem.

"There is something sir". James replied. "It's to do with Orla's race on Saturday actually".

"Ok". The slightly confused teacher frowned. "What is it?"

"The two of us and Clare are struggling for transport to the course and back…and now you've said you'd go, I wondered if…".

"You want me to take ye all to the track?" He laughed.

"I know there are rules and stuff… but as your brother is the trainer…".

"I'd be more than happy to take the three of ye". Mr Flanagan, lips curving into a grin. "But you are right about the rules… so not a word to anyone about this".

James breathed a sigh of relief, Erin too, as they were finally able to be certain of going to see Orla ride. Their silence on the matter was certainly guaranteed.

"Where shall I pick ye up from?"

"Probably my house is the best". James looked to Erin who agreed. "Ten o'clock. Let me write the address down for you".

"No need James, I already have it from when we had to write the letters home about what happened at the prom".

With their business concluded, the couple stood up and James returned the chairs back to where he'd got them. Erin waited for him before they walked out the classroom together hand in hand, saying goodbye to their favourite teacher. On the way back to their friends, they found the corridor to be empty and took full advantage, locking lips as he pressed her against the wall. Life for James Maguire and Erin Quinn had never been better.


Sarah took her first day off of the year, although she still didn't really understand the concept of a leap year. She didn't know why they felt the need to add on an extra day every four years and it just meant another day of additional stress about her hair and nails. If anything, the practice should be banned in her eyes and maybe it would be something to take to John Hume when he'd finished with all the peace talk.

Her nails were certainly getting a test that morning as she'd agreed to take Anna out with her for a walk and the baby was squirming in her arms whenever she picked her up. The pram was fairly light so manoeuvring it up the sometimes-steep streets didn't present too much of a challenge but Anna's constant request for attention became wearing. There was no rain at least and no threat according to the weather forecast she heard earlier in the morning, so they ambled along the streets in the direction of the church. Sarah would often go up to see her mother's grave on a day off and the looping walk conveniently went past the Church. She couldn't stop for too long though, as Mary would want Anna back to have some lunch, but she still had ten minutes or so to spare.

"Hello Mammy". Sarah said as she approached the gravestone.

The one thing Sarah did stop to get on the way were some fresh flowers and she placed them down on the gravestone. They were her mother's favourite, yellow and white tulips, wrapped up in a lovely bouquet. The birds sang their heavenly songs around the empty church graveyard. Almost empty…

"Hello Sarah".

She looked up from the gravestone to see Antony Scanlon a few graves away. She knew where the Scanlon's father was buried and that was where the oldest of his sons stood, hands in the pockets of his suit trousers. He looked very dapper, a far more formal look than Sarah knew him to usually carry.

"Hello Antony love". She softened on seeing his pained expression. "Doesn't get any easier does it?"

"No". He solemnly concluded.

Kissing his hand and placing it on his father's grave, Antony made the sign of the cross, turning away a second or so later and coming to join Sarah by her mother's grave. She welcomed the company of the facially scarred man, who gave little Anna a smile, though the baby was visibly frightened by his scar.

"Who's this?" He enquired, pinching Anna's little nose.

"Mary and Gerry's second wain Ant, this is little Anna Quinn".

"Hello Anna". Antony cooed. "She's a beautiful little girl Sarah, I bet they're so proud of her already".

Sarah remembered just how caring Antony was when it came to children. The fateful events of all those years ago replayed in her head as he stood entertaining the baby for a second. She was certain that one day, he would make a good father.

"What's got ye so dressed up Ant?" She eyed up his suit once again.

"Ach, job interview Sarah. Trying to make me da proud".

"I'm sure he is. Do ye think you'll get it like?

"I'll find out on in the mornin' but… I'm hopeful that I will". He grinned. "Failing that, I've got another plan to make da proud".

"Best of luck to ye love. I'm sorry I can't stop, my Mary will want this little one back so she will".

She leant forward and gave him a hug, this time giving him an additional peck on the cheek as she pulled away. Her father would kill her if he found her giving one of the Scanlon's a peck on the cheek, but Joe never knew of what Antony had done for them, even if Sarah thought it quite obvious had any of them connected the dots at the time. For the second time in a few weeks, Antony Scanlon left a conversation with Sarah McCool with an uncontrollably wide grin slapped across his face.