Chapter 9

Sinead allowed the happy news to spread. She’d not be going to Queen’s University, Belfast next year after all. Not for a year anyway. Sammy was still planning on going; the families were rallying round to work something out. Sinead would defer for a year, by that time the baby would be born.

Rupert was with a crowd of people in the Mall, they were congratulating and commiserating with each other over exam results. As he was about to walk away, a girl he didn’t know said: “And Sinead’s sister is expecting about the same time too. What are the odds?”

Rupert went white. He felt sick. He was horrified. Sinead, he knew, had got pregnant on the honeymoon. From what he had heard, the fact that they had not had an expensive trip to some far away place really did not matter; they had spent a whole week in bed, only getting up for meals. Sam had even had to go to the doctor when he got home. It was said that he had bite mark infections on his cock; that was an exaggeration, but he did have some areas that were red and inflamed, and his left ball was swollen (over use? Was that a thing?). If Nuala was pregnant at the same time then ... He casually asked Mary how many sisters Sinead had. “Just Nuala, you know that. Have you heard? She’s pregnant. She’s really pleased. The family aren’t so sure, since she isn’t married. They’ll come round.”

He went away. He couldn’t sleep that night. His dreams were those recurring ones that never finish. He was in a small flat with a woman – it was Nuala but he never saw her – and at least ten babies. They were all babies and all crying. Just then he would wake up. Then he’d doze off and it would all start again. Over and over.

In the morning, he realised he had two options – ignore it all and pretend he knew nothing, or go and see her. Perhaps she wasn’t so pleased? Perhaps she’d want to have an abortion? No, he stopped himself, he knew she wouldn’t, and he wouldn’t want her too, and he couldn’t even suggest it. He made his way round, walked past, back again, and then finally knocked. “Hello?” said an Irish woman. Then behind, a girl shouted “Rupert! Hi, come in.” Of course, Sinead would assume he was there to see her. “Look I’m terribly sorry, I’ve got an antenatal check up. You’d think we could have had them on the same day, but Nuala’s is tomorrow, so Mum has to drive me over now. But you met Nuala at the wedding, didn’t you? Sammy’s working, he’d love to see you. The flat is going to be great. Are you going to Uni? I can’t wait for this baby to arrive. I’m exhausted.” Her mother rolled her eyes, she wasn’t even showing yet; she had months to go. Sinead was enjoying the attention. “Nuala, come and say hello to Rupert. Fancy a coffee? Oh! We have to go Mum. See you some time.”

She left, and Nuala came down. She looked shy. She had never mentioned to anyone what they had done on Sinead’s pre-wedding night. The three girls knew, but they had agreed to keep it all quiet too. It had just been said that Nuala had hooked up, that was all.

“Hi. How are you, Nuala. I just heard.”

“Heard? Oh the pregnancy, yes. I’m pregnant. There’s even a possibility it is twins. Twins run in our family. Coffee? Or tea?”

“You’re taking it very calmly. I mean aren’t you concerned?”

“Concerned? Oh about the birth, that’s months away.”

“No, but, well you’ll be a single mother.” Rupert said.

“Single? No, I won’t ... will I?” She was looking at him. “What do you mean?” He gulped, “Well, I mean. I will marry you if you want, obviously.”

She looked at him like he’d gone mad. “Why would I marry you? Oh! Ohhhhh I see, I ... hahah, Oh I ... I hahah. I can’t breath!” She was laughing madly now. “Oh bugger! I’ve peed meself!” Finally she collected herself together. “The baby isn’t yours. Is that what you thought? Oh, you are silly. I met my cousin after the wedding. Always liked him, and he likes me. We ... well we hooked up. You did help. You taught me stuff. He ... nevermind. Anyway. Padraig is the father, we will get married, probably. Father Martin is not happy about us waiting, but Father Frank seems to understand. No, you aren’t the father ... but you said you’d marry me? Just like that? You are sweet. Thank you. “ She kissed him. Yes, she had learnt stuff. Her body was hard against his, her tits looked bigger in their new bra, her mouth was good against his. “Oh, no mister, you had your go.” She laughed as she felt his automatic reaction to a woman grinding against him.