Chapter 2: Consequences 2nd December 1995

Kathy Maguire would never be put down for long. She'd taken a punch in the face when James refused to return with her, but she knew how to throw a punch return. The moment he saw the letter arrive at the Mallon household, he knew it could only spell trouble.

The morning had been quiet up until the letter arrived. Aunt Deidre and Uncle Martin were already out, off to get some new furniture now that James was staying, deciding that the old bed would need replacing. Martin knew that a friend that had one going but he lived in Coleraine, so they decided to set off early. Michelle had also gone out early to see her Uncle Ryan, no doubt with the hope of breaking into his booze cabinet later in the day. That had left him alone with no plans for the day other than helping his aunt and uncle upon their return later in the day. He owed them so much more than that, but it was at least a start. He'd been surprised that neither of them were shocked that he returned, but Deidre told him that she knew her sister too well and was glad that James had finally deduced her true intentions. The thoughtfulness was touching but it did nothing to ease how difficult a decision it had really been.

An attempt to call Clare a few minutes after the letter had turned up proved fruitless. Knowing that a friendly face would be the best to turn to, coupled with Clare's heart of gold, he had hoped she would be able to be with him. But the Devlin's phone kept ringing. He searched his head to remember if Clare said she had plans with her parents for the weekend but couldn't remember any conversation on it. A conversation he could remember involved Erin and Orla. Gerry had received a bonus from work and decided to treat both the girls to something that they wanted, and Orla had excitedly told the group of the chocolate fountain that would soon be at the Quinn house. Within no one in the group available and nowhere else to turn, James could only think of one other thing to do.

The still unopened letter in his hand, he headed for the Quinn residence and to someone he knew he could count on. Mary.

James hadn't seen Mary Quinn since he left their house on the morning of the President's visit. He hadn't seen any of the Quinn's other than Erin and Orla at school the next day and a thought niggled away at him. He knew from Erin that Mary, Gerry, Sarah and Joe all knew about what had transpired with his mother and it left him unable to shake the idea that they may have felt betrayed by him. After all, Joe and Gerry had both shown him incredible warmth and familiarity in the prior weeks, to the point where their titles were no longer needed when he addressed them. Joe had spent so much time teaching him new skills too and James did not know whether he would be so friendly again, knowing of the Englishman's original plan to leave. And Mary…

The look of disappointment when he'd defended Kathy to her hurt him as much as the look his mother had given him from the back of the Taxi. Though the fondness had not been spoken, her actions spoke louder when it came to just what she thought of the wee English fella that had walked into their lives. After all, when all hope for Erin's prom began to dwindle, James had been the person that Mary had turned to. Planning to leave it all behind… could she ever forgive him? That he would soon find out.

"James". Mary opened the door, uttering his name without a significant hint of fondness or displeasure

"Hello Mrs Quinn".

"If you're wanting Erin and Orla, you're out of luck. They're…"

"I know Mrs Quinn". He dared to interrupt, trying to sound as confident as he could. "I actually wanted to talk to you, if that's alright?"

Breathing out, he looked at her expression as it turned to the fondness that he thought he'd lost. It's a start… He thought to himself.

"Of course ye can love. Come in".

She moved back to allow him in and ushered him on through to the kitchen, shutting the front door behind her and following suit. Sarah must have been out too, but Joe was in the living room, playing with Baby Anna, and looked up to see the lad walking into the house in his blue jumper and jeans.

"Morning James son". He called out

"Morning Joe". He called back

Mary's eyebrow shot up at James's reply. Since when where they on such terms…

Taking a seat at the table, Mary made them both a cup of tea, along with one which she took out for Joe. He watched her return, a thin smile on her face as sat down.

"What is it then love?". She enquired softly

"I… erm… I wanted to apologise for what happened with mum the other day".

"You've nothing to apologise for James". She placed a hand on his, that fidgeted in the space on the table between them. "She's your mother, ye had every right to defend her".

"No, I was wrong. You've been so good to me and I know you must think less of me for nearly leaving…".

"James".

Mary was sterner now, squeezing his hand and he finally met her glaze, fully expecting it to be an icy stare. But instead her eyes offered calm and warmth. And they offered reassurance too. She could not bring herself to be anything other than pleasant to the wee English fella, the same lad that complimented her hats and acted as a knight in shining armour for her daughter. Nothing more needed to be said between them and after a couple of moments he retrieved the letter from his pocket. Joe had also drifted into the kitchen, leaving Baby Anna to play peacefully on the floor for a second as he came to assess the situation himself. He said nothing to either of him, and just watched as James handed the letter over to Mary, who frowned upon seeing the letter that was addressed to the young man.

"This came earlier. It's from…".

Mary knew exactly who when he could not answer. Joe also gave a knowing look and James was contended by the fact the Quinn patriarch offered no disgust to him either. Realising what he was asking, Mary opened the letter and Joe sat down in the chair next to her. Neither of them could contain their feelings as they read down the letter together. With a tremble in her body, she handed the letter back to him. Seeing the tears in Mary's eyes, fear set in.

"You need to read it son". Her voice cracked as she dangled the letter in front of him.

Taking it into his hands, he took a deep breath and began to read…

James,

Seeing as you left me with very little time to write this, I will keep it brief.

Everything I've done, everything I have planned for, it has always been for you. So that you can have the best life, a young life I was denied. I don't know what lies that my sister or the Quinn's may have blinded you with about me, but they know nothing of who I am. They could never be anything like me. I could have had so much more yet I chose to have you. And this is how you repay your own mother. Abandoning her at a time when she needed you the most. But you've made your bed now James and you must be prepared to lie in it.

I no longer want you to contact me. I want nothing further to do with you or the rest of the family in that godforsaken place. You no longer have a place in my life and if you think you can hide away in Ireland forever awaiting your inheritance, then you can think again. There will be nothing for you. Not a penny.

Deidre, you will get one last payment from me in the next week and then the money will cease. James is your problem now, do with him what you wish, it does not concern me.

I hope your happy son.

Your Mother

Kathy

Not a single bullet that had been fired or bomb that had been detonated in all the troubles could compare to the feeling in James's chest when he finally looked away.

Disowned. Mum had disowned him.

He did not know when he realised that Mary had wrapped herself round him, protecting him like a true mother would protect her young. Or the hand on his shoulder from Joe, standing over him like a guardian angel. He needed to feel loved and as he did, the frosty tears began to flow, and Mary only squeezed him tighter. He felt her tears on the back of his neck too. And that is how they remained for several minutes.