Page 64 of An Angel's Share
I’ll kill him. I did not mean for him to use it for fraudulent activities. It was set up to trade to support the business in America, not diddle the Irish International Export division out of money.
I’m about to give Patrick both barrels, when I hear my dad huff a breath out and bend forward in agony. Oh, my God, he’s having a heart attack. He’s clutching his chest and arm, and looks in serious pain.
Marshall jumps out of his chair and rushes forwards to grab him. Jonno directs Suzanne to call an ambulance. Patrick looks horrified, pale and shocked.
I rush towards Daddy, tears in my eyes. No, not my dad, please don’t take him yet.
“Daddy,” I can’t get any more words out.
Christy rushes through the door, coming to stand next to me, taking my hand.
“Get him onto the floor.” Jonno has taken over. “Patrick, pull some cushions from those settees, let’s put them behind his back and shoulders,” Jonno orders. They’re making him comfortable. “Christy, can you check in the house if they have any aspirin?” Jonno asks.
She nods and asks the crooked export cousin to go get it,telling him where it is. He can run faster than her, but she follows him out.
I’m thankful Jonno has taken over. I can’t think, my brain is not working at all. I feel someone come to take my elbow, expecting it to be Liam. But it isn’t, it’s Uncle Dermot. In fact, where is Liam?
“Come sit, niece.” He pulls a chair opposite Daddy and I plonk down into it.
Jonno is kneeling down watching my dad, talking to him constantly, listening to his answers. Marshall’s stood sentry next to him. Considering the circumstances, it’s all very calm. Christy brings the aspirin and then leaves to wait for the ambulance.
Then my mammy arrives. Followed by Liam. He went to fetch her? What the hell is he doing? She starts to wail like a banshee, keening, before she nearly collapses into Daddy. Jonno catches her and pushes her towards Marshall, who tries to take her elbow and steer her into a more safe position. Liam grabs a chair and she’s seated in it calmly by Marshall.
“The ambulance has been called, Mae. Please calm down. He needs to be calm,” Jonno implores her.
She ignores him and starts the wailing again. He stands, his commanding personality shining through. Only Marshall and I look unsurprised.
“Mae, if you can’t stop, you’ll have to leave. Seamus is the most important person here. If you’re not helping, please leave,” Jonno states in a firm yet fair tone.
Liam bristles. “Do not speak to my mother-in-law like that. Who do you think you are, telling her to leave?”
Why is he so inappropriate? Causing friction at a time like this. Pointless point scoring.
“If either of you can’t remain calm, leave. In fact, if any ofyou can’t.” He glares around at us all. “Seamus is the most important thing. I’m not arguing. Calm or out.” His glare intensifies on Mammy and Liam, and even Mammy looks a bit cowed.
Christy comes back to tell us the ambulance is here, they are fetching a stretcher. I hear mammy gulp, just about to start sobbing in earnest, and I take her hand. “Please, Mammy, think about Daddy. He needs us calm. He’ll worry about us. Please keep calm.”
Liam huffs out a noise of derision, but I completely ignore him. He can fuck right off with his theatrics and insensitivity.
The paramedics arrive and talk to both Jonno and Dad. As Dad’s stretchered off, Jonno comes over to us. “Mae, if you want to go in the ambulance, go now. They’ll be moving fast, so if you’re not sure, wait and we’ll take you. Aoife, don’t go in the ambulance. Wait and I’ll take you. They’ve said it can all get a bit frantic, so best for us to go behind and wait.”
He’s issuing orders like a general commanding new troops who have no clue what they’re doing. Mammy nods and Marshall takes her arm and moves with her following the stretcher, with Dermot at their side.
“Who do you think you are? Ordering us all around,” Liam barks, like a junkyard dog convinced he’s the alpha. “I will take Aoife and Mae, not you. Patrick, call the cars. You can take your dad.” Oh the irony.
Jonno totally ignores the rude interruption and demands, his voice gentling a little when he addresses me.. “Aoife, can you get together a few items for your dad? Pyjamas, toiletries. Something comfortable for him to wear in the hospital. He’s in suit trousers and shirt, he might want to be a bit more casual.”
Marshall walks back into the room and takes me in hisarms. “I’ll help you, Rua. And let’s get something for your mammy, too. Just in case she stays with him.”
I never even thought of that. My brain has totally frozen. So much for me being a stalwart in a crisis. I’ve totally gone to pieces. Marshall steers me out with Christy and we go in search of items to take with us.
30
Jonno
Regardless of whatshe thinks of me or I her, Aoife’s dad is her world, and she is carrying my son. I need to help her.
I could see as soon as her dad made a weird noise, she was losing it. My natural dominance and protection rose to the forefront. I didn't mean to be rude towards Mae, but I could see the noise was distressing Seamus, and it was imperative we kept him calm.
