Read Online Echoes by Maeve Binchy - Free Book Online Page B

school.” Fiona was not only kind—she was practical.
    Gerry looked at her gratefully. “I had a feeling there might be a bit of a trace,” he grinned.
    â€œTrace?” said Fiona. “You nearly knocked us all out. Was it great fun?”
    â€œIt was in a way.”
    â€œI wish you’d have let me . . .”
    â€œNo.” He was very firm.
    â€œBut I’m older even than some of them who were there.”
    â€œThat’s not the point. You’re not that type. No one must ever say that anyone was messing around with you. You are all I’ve got. I’ve to look after you.”
    He was serious. Fiona looked taken aback.
    â€œYou’ve got all of us . . . like we all have . . .” she said uncertainly.
    â€œWhat have we got? We’ve got Dad, who lives in his own world. When did Dad say anything that wasn’t about the business?”
    â€œHe just mentioned Craig’s Bar, didn’t he?” Fiona laughed.
    â€œYes.” Absentmindedly he took a peppermint out of his pocket and unwrapped it.
    â€œWhat’s wrong?” she asked, her big, dark eyes troubled.
    â€œI don’t know. It’s just he’s so dull and unadventurous. How are we ever going to get on if we stay as timid as he is? And Mam . . . Well, honestly.”
    â€œShe’s a bit better, I think,” Fiona said softly. They had not talked about this before.
    â€œShe’s not. You say that because she went out to the garden and hung out the clothes. You think that’s some kind of success. She hasn’t been out of the house for six months. Six months. Tell me if that’s normal or not normal.”
    â€œI know. But what can we do? They don’t want to tell Dr. Power.”
    â€œIt’s all his fault, he thinks that if we tell Dr. Power there’s going to be some kind of trouble.”
    At that moment, Mr. Doyle reappeared, small and dark like his son, with the same quick smile and almost elfin face. “I’m only wondering does anyone in this house intend to go to school or have we all graduated without my knowing about it?”
    â€œI’m just off. Dad, I may be going past David Power’s house. Will I ask his father to come and have a word with . . . ?”
    â€œIf anyone needs a doctor, they’ll go and see Dr. Power, and if they’re not able to go, Dr. Power will be brought to them,” said his father sternly. That was that. Gerry went to brush his teeth as had been suggested, and met his mother creeping along by the wall, alarmed by the word “doctor.”
    â€œDon’t worry, Mary. Go back into the kitchen. There’s no need for a doctor,” his father said.
    Â 
    He called at the surgery that evening.
    â€œWell, Gerry?”
    â€œI don’t know, Dr. Power.”
    â€œIt can’t be too serious an ailment if you’ve forgotten it already.” The old doctor was cheerful.
    â€œIt wasn’t an ailment at all.”
    â€œGood, good. Was it something wrong with someone else?” The man’s eyes were sharp.
    Gerry seemed to hesitate. “No, I suppose people have to look after their own illnesses, don’t they?”
    â€œIt depends. If you saw a wounded man lying on the road you wouldn’t say he’d better look after his own illness.”
    â€œNo, it’s not like that.”
    â€œWould you like to tell me what it is like?”
    Gerry made up his mind. “No, no. Not now. I came to know if David and James Nolan would like to go out this evening? For a bit of a laugh like?”
    Dr. Power was thoughtful. “I think there’s been enough laughs for the moment. I think it’s time the laughing died down for those two and they got a bit of work done.”
    Gerry looked him in the eye. “Does that mean they can’t come out? Is that what you’re saying?”
    â€œYou’re as bright as the next man, Gerry. You know what I’m saying