The Celtic Riddle

"Not always, in fact, not until recently, do you think, Nuala? We were actually quite close, particularly the three of us sisters. But I suppose near the end of his life it was. The cancer brought out the worst in Da, accentuated his least positive features, in a way. He was difficult to deal with. Sean and Conail started fighting over what was happening to the business, each blaming the other. Breeta, of course, walked out. Paddy blamed the family for what happened with him and Breeta. Nuala and I were always very close, but with our husbands fighting and everything, it was hard. Also, I'm a little like my mother, I'm afraid, and so when things get a little rough, I withdraw, get a little snappy, frankly. It hasn't been too great, lately.

"Was that all the questions?" she said hesitantly.

"Not quite," I replied. "Tell me about Deirdre."

"I don't know what to say. It's terrible, isn't it? She was such a little mouse, and to have something like that happen to her-I can hardly think about it."

"Was she with you long?"

"Five years, I'd say, Nuala?"

"About that," Fionuala agreed. "She came after Kitty had her stroke and had to retire. So, yes, about five years."

"She wasn't the greatest help when she first came," Eithne said. "It took a while for her to learn the ropes, so to speak. And she was always spilling stuff and breaking things, usually Mother's little glass ornaments or the good china. It drove Mother crazy." She giggled a little, and Fionuala joined in with a hearty laugh. "We shouldn't laugh, I know, but it was rather funny. I'll remember her that way, but with fondness. We got used to having her around, breaking china or not, and we were so grateful she came back to us. She felt like family. I told her, a couple of days before she died, that she wasn't to worry, that I'd look after her. I'm the eldest, and I know that I'm going to have to take charge of things: Mother's way too upset. And I will. I'll get this antiques business going somehow, and find us a smaller place to stay, and see about getting Breeta back with us again. She'll have the baby, of course. Do you think it's Michael's? Or Paddy's? It doesn't matter. We'll help her look after it. I would have looked after Deirdre too, and I wanted her to know that."

"Oh, Eithne, aren't you the serious one?" Fionuala sighed. "She's always been like this," she added, turning to me, "even when we were little. I'm taking you to the music festival, Eithne, since that dry stick of a husband of yours probably won't. Maybe Mother will come too. We'll hear some music, have a few drinks, maybe even dance a little and find a new man or two for Mother and me. You too, if you want one."

Eithne laughed out loud. "Rich would be good," she said.

"Essential," Fionuala agreed. "I know what I have to do," she added, twirling a piece of hair around her finger and batting her eyelashes outrageously. The three of us laughed so hard, the tears were running down our cheeks.

But then suddenly, Eithne's tears became real ones. "What do you think happened to us, Nuala?" she sobbed. "We all got along well once, didn't we? I know Da was sick and wasn't himself, but what happened to the rest of us? Especially you and Banba and I: The three of us used to be inseparable."

"You think too much, Eithne," Fionuala said, putting her arm around her sister's shoulder. "Things happen in families, that's all. We will get through this, and you're not going to have to deal with this family business all alone. We're going to stick together in this mess, so don't you fret about it."

I had to admire their determination. The woman who had frowned when her mother frowned, nodded when her mother said anything, stood up when her mother did, had revealed herself to have some backbone in the face of three murders and what was beginning to sound like insolvency. And her sister had shown that no matter how shallow she might appear, she was essentially good-hearted and a no-nonsense kind of person, and she would do what she had to do as well.

"I'm sure you'll both be fine," I said. "And if you need any more information at all, please write or call me," I said, handing them each a business card. "I have e-mail, too."

They both smiled, Eithne wiping away her tears. They had lovely eyes, and friendly smiles. "Thank you. You may very well hear from us," Fionuala said.

It occurred to me with some surprise, as I watched the two of them walk arm in arm down the street, that I wouldn't mind if I did.

Chapter Fifteen. HE WHO DESCRIBES THE MOON'S ADVANCE

I want to know about the stolen child, the real one, I mean," I said to Malachy.