HOPE

By Tessa Harvey

CHAPTER SEVEN

(Continued)

Hope imagined it was her own fault about her dad. She had not got his tea ready in time so he had drunk too much, she reasoned. How bad was he? Could she visit?

Bridie came bustling in to help her, towing Declan in her wake. Hope noticed her lovely new shoes. They had saved up for a long time. She was realising how much they also did for her, to help her life be more bearable.

Without them, the loneliness would have overwhelmed her. Yes, Hope had Maya and her family now, but the Reillys were like grandparents to her. Grand, she thought and smiled, despite her sadness.

"Will dad be alright? No-one has been to tell me and I want to go and see him. Can you come with me? Please, can you?"

Bridie thought the girl looked quite poorly and her heart went out to her, as it so often did. "My dear, we will take you to see your father. Smokey is locked in the house with food and a litter tray and she will be happy and safe. Get your coat and let's be away."

"Come on, wife. Sure, Hope does not need to know about the cat. We'll miss the bus." And they hurried as fast as Bridie was able.

At the hospital, Declan explained exactly who they were. Eyebrows were raised, voices decided it was not proper to visit. Declan waved all that aside as politely as a tidal wave, found out where Steve was and went. He was never unpleasant or rude. He just had every confidence and event would happen and it did.

They admired him as a foreman at the factory very much, though his pay did not reflect this. Perhaps, one day!