“But what if my father did something that I don’t want to find out about, Daniel? Miss Flanagan said. “What if I discover something that changes my perception of him and he isn’t around to give his side of the story? Don’t you think that sometimes skeletons should stay in closets?”

 

SECRETS FROM THE PAST

 

Miss Flanagan had picked some rhubarb from her garden and was standing by the small island in the centre of her kitchen, wondering if she should bake tarts, or make crumble.

In the hallway, she heard the front door closing and knew that Daniel was just back from his morning run. Another school year had come to a close and the young man had a very exciting summer to look forward to.

On August 6th, he would marry his sweetheart, Katie, and Miss Flanagan literally couldn’t wait for the big day. After all, she had been the discrete matchmaker who had introduced them to each other only a year previously, and she could safely say that now when she looked at them, she couldn’t think of any two young people, that she knew, who were a better match.

Both were now teaching at Benford National School, and both were loved and admired by the pupils as well as their fellow teachers. Happiness was a just reward for her handsome nephew who had originally only come to Benford to stay with his aunt for the summer, while he nursed a broken heart. Then, at last year’s summer dance he had locked eyes with Katie, and the rest had been written beyond the romantic stars.

Miss Flanagan had grown used to having Daniel for company in her little cottage, but she knew that the two of them had their own home to move into once they were married. They had bought a brand new four-bedroom house in an estate on the outskirts of town. As Benford was still quite a small town, it was less than a five-minute drive from where Miss Flanagan lived, very easily cycled on any given day.

Yes, she would miss Daniel when he moved out, but removing any selfish thoughts from her mind, she knew that it was for the best. The ‘family’ chapter of his life was just about to begin, and whatever adventures that would come with it.

There were times, usually when she was sipping on a brandy by the roaring fire before bedtime, that Miss Flanagan thought about how her own life had worked out, and how different things would have been had she married and had a family of her own. But there was only ever one man that she had strong feelings for, and his passion for a vocation in a far away land proved stronger than the feelings he had for her. It was difficult for her to accept at first, but it was many years ago now, and looking back on everything, she wouldn’t change a thing. She was happy, and when she looked around at her lovely home, and family and friends, she felt blessed …

“I think two tarts, two crumble, Auntie,” Daniel said with a big grin … “that way my stomach will taste the best of two culinary worlds!”
Miss Flanagan chuckled, “Two tarts and two crumbles it is so, and sure you might pick me up some fresh cream when you are out later. Are you calling over to Katie in the afternoon?”
Daniel poured himself a glass of fresh orange juice from the fridge and nodded, “Yes. She is teaching English this morning to some Spanish students, but I am meeting her to play tennis at one. Oh, and we heard there is an amateur production of John B. Keane’s The Field on in the Arts Centre tonight if you would like to come see it with us?”

“I would love that,” Miss Flanagan replied, “I always loved that story and The Bull McCabe remains one of the most intriguing characters in modern Irish literature. Oh, land was at the centre of so many bitter fall-outs in Ireland in the past.”

Continue reading this week and for the next four weeks in Ireland’s Own