Page 62 of The Past

A small knock landed on the door, diverting our attention.When it opened, Fiona gasped as Siobhan poked her head in.Her red hair was wild from the wind and she wasn’t wearing a coat, as if she had jetted from the manor house on a whim.

“Siobhan?”Fiona’s voice was barely a whisper as she shot up from her seat.

The sisters stared at each other for a long moment, and then they were in each other’s arms, hugging and crying.

I sat back, exhaling through my nose.I was happy for Fiona for this little reunion, but my fury at her father intensified to an unhealthy proportion that he was keeping them apart.

Rory cleared his throat.“Lass, does yer father know ye’re here?”

Siobhan shook her head quickly.“No.He just came home tonight before dinner.I—I waited until he went into his study to work and made a break for it.”

Rory sighed, rubbing a hand over his jaw.“Let’s give them a moment.”

Kathleen nodded and motioned for me and Rory to follow her into the kitchen, but I couldn’t seem to move.Not yet.I leaned forward on my seat, elbows on my knees and watched them in the lamplight.

Fiona pulled back, gripping Siobhan’s shoulders like she was checking to make sure she was really here.“How are ye?Paddy?”She hesitated and then added, “Mam?Da?”

I hated that she was asking about her parents.They didn’t deserve her curiosity.

Siobhan exhaled, glancing toward me before lowering her voice.“It’s strange.Too quiet.Da barely speaks unless it’s to give an order, and Mam…” She shook her head.“She just goes about her business like nothin’s changed, but I see it in her face.She’s not all right, Fi.”

“And ye?”Fiona urged.

Siobhan’s lower lip quivered but she managed a brave smile.“I’m holdin’ on to hope this will all blow over.”

Fiona’s breath shuddered, and I knew she wanted to believe that meant something.That maybe her mother gave a damn and her dad would see the error of his ways.But the look on her face told me that she didn’t hold the same faith.

“And Paddy?”she asked.

Siobhan swallowed, her lips pressing together.“He cries at night.Keeps askin’ when yer coming home.”

Fiona closed her eyes, grief washing over her, but when she opened them, her jaw was set.“I can’t come home.”

Siobhan nodded, like she already knew that answer but needed to hear it anyway.“Aye.I’ve told him that and he’ll be fine.”

I looked into the kitchen, saw Rory and Kathleen standing there quietly, obviously listening.His expression was dark and his fists were curled against his thighs.If a line formed to have a crack at Seamus, Rory would push me behind him for first go.

Then Siobhan just crumbled, crying tears like a spring waterfall.“Da hasna said a word about ye.Not once.Not at supper.Not in passing.It’s like ye never existed and I hate him, Fi.I swear it.I hate him.”

I gritted my teeth.That son of a bitch, not only for doing this to Fiona, but to his other children too.

Kathleen made a soft noise, pressing a hand to her chest.“God save us.”

Fiona pulled Siobhan into another hug, her fingers twisting into her coat.When she pulled back, she looked her sister earnestly in the face.“Has Da forbidden ye from seeing me?”

Siobhan gave a tiny nod.“We’re not even allowed to speak yer name.”

That fucking bastard.

Fiona squared her shoulders, a display of strength that she wanted to pass on to her little sister.“Then don’t speak it.Don’t sneak out again.I don’t want ye to get in trouble.”

“That’s not fair,” Siobhan wailed.“Yer my sister.”

“Aye.And I love ye, and it will all work out.Trust me.But for now… just do what Da orders, yeah?Keep the peace so ye don’t get in trouble.I don’t want to have to worry about ye.”

She buried her face into Fi’s shoulder but nodded her assent.

I exhaled slowly, realizing my fists were still clenched.This wasn’t right.None of it.Fiona should be home.Her sister shouldn’t have to creep out like a damn criminal just to talk to her.

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