The Edge of Dreams (Molly Murphy Mysteries, #14)

I glanced out of the door to hear Bridie rummaging around in the trunk. “Why, she’s not proving to be difficult, surely?”


“Quite the contrary,” Mrs. Sullivan said. “She’s turned into a grand little helper. I’m concerned about her future, that’s all. I’ve taught her to read and write and do sums, but I’m thinking she needs more education if she’s going to make her way in the world. She’s as smart as a whip and the local school only goes up to sixth grade. Besides, it must be boring for her with only Martha and me for company. So I was thinking maybe she might stay with you for a while, and attend a proper school. Meet children of her own age. And to pay for her keep she can help you out around the house, until you find yourselves a new maid. She’s good with Liam, isn’t she?”

“She is, and there would be no need to pay for her keep. I’d be delighted to have her with me. But what about you? Won’t you miss having her around?”

“I’ll miss her, all right. But I have to think of her, not me. I may not be around forever and I want her to be able to make her way in the world. Maybe she can become a teacher. She’d like that, I know.”

“I think it’s very sweet and generous of you,” I said, and gave her a kiss on her cheek. “I’ll need to talk to Daniel and see what he says, but surely he couldn’t object.”

“We won’t mention it to Bridie until it’s all settled,” she said, “and she can come up to me in the vacations, can’t she?”

“Of course.” I turned back to the bed, where Liam was now gazing at us sleepily. “Oh, look, Master Liam has finally woken up. It’s your grandmother come to visit us, young man.”

“Isn’t he the birthday boy today?” she asked. “I could have sworn it was the fourteenth? I’ve a little something for him in the trunk—Martha’s made him a new sailor suit and we’ve bought the hat to go with it and proper little leather boots now that he’s walking.”

“That’s grand. How kind of you,” I said. “And we’ve decided to have a proper celebration when I’m well and we’re properly set up in the house.”

Mother Sullivan looked around. “It seems as if you have most things you need here. Enough for me to get started on dinner anyway. What had you in mind?”

“My supplies haven’t arrived yet from the apartment so I thought we’d keep it simple tonight with ham and mashed potatoes. I’m sure you’re tired after traveling and I can manage,” I started to say but she held up a hand. “Enough of that. You’ve been in a terrible train crash,” she said. “I’m here to make sure you have a chance to heal. Now, let’s see to dinner.”

She had dinner on the stove and Bridie had fed Liam by the time that Daniel arrived home. He looked around the kitchen and beamed. “Well, isn’t this nice? My family and my home back together. I can’t think of anything that would make me more happy.”

“Your wife has been doing too much, Daniel. Trying to get the dinner herself with her poor ribs all bandaged up. I told her she’s to rest and let Bridie and me take care of the house.”

Daniel seemed to have noticed Bridie for the first time. “Oh, so you brought young Bridie too. That will be nice company for Molly and Liam.”

We sat down to the simple meal of ham, mashed potatoes, and pickles. Daniel ate with such relish that I had to believe it was his first decent meal in days. I watched him as he ate, noticing how his hair still curled boyishly across his forehead and how handsome he was. And how tired he looked. I wondered if Mother Sullivan was right and this job was killing him, and I wondered what I should do about it.

*

“You seem quite glad that my mother is here after all,” Daniel said as we undressed in our new bedroom. “I have always sensed that you resented her and didn’t want her to interfere.”

“I truly am glad she’s here this time, Daniel. And Bridie too.”

“Yes, she’s a good little helper now, isn’t she? My mother has trained her well. But I can’t see her ending up as a maid, can you?”

I laughed. “No, it won’t happen. More likely your mother will marry her off to a local landowner and brag to her friends about the good match she has made.” I was about to say something to him about Bridie staying on with us after his mother had gone home, so that she could attend school, but I decided this wasn’t the moment. Let him become fond of her and enjoy having her around the place first, I thought. So I went on, “I simply couldn’t have managed on my own. It still hurts me to breathe, let alone pick up Liam, and I’m sure my ribs will heal more quickly if I don’t have to do too much work.”

“Of course. And far better for you to heal in your own home than with those friends across the street. All that coming and going and painting and women’s meetings is not conducive to rest and recuperation, I’m sure.”

“They are very kind and look after me well, Daniel, but as it happens they have a lot on their plate at the moment.”