Read Online Where Old Ghosts Meet by Kate Evans - Free Book Online

tea?”
    â€œOh, a cup of tea would be lovely, Pat. I’m thirsty and what about you, Nora, tea or something cold?”
    â€œThank you, tea would be great.”
    He nodded to her again and went into the house.
    â€œPat worries about me,” Peg said.
    â€œI can tell that. It’s good to have someone to look out for you.”
    â€œYes, girl, I know. I’m very lucky.”
    Nora glanced back towards the house. He was standing at the picture window watching them. She looked away.
    A few minutes later he appeared with a tin tray loaded up with three steaming mugs of tea, a small can of Carnation milk, a bowl of sugar and a plate of biscuits.
    He poured the milk from the can into one mug, stirred it vigorously and handed it to Peg.
    â€œMilk and sugar?” he asked.
    Nora hesitated. The thick sweet milk did not appeal to her. Her mother used to pour it over jelly when they were children.
    â€œJust a little milk, thank you,” she replied quickly.
    He passed the mug. “Have a Jam Jam. Made right here in Newfoundland.” The plate was thrust in front of her. It was a kind of challenge, like she had to have a biscuit whether she wanted one or not. His eyes said so.
    The biscuits were round and soft, made like a sandwich with a chewy raspberry jam inside. They stuck to the roof of her mouth.
    He sat on the grass by the tray and sipped his tea. “Wilf, up to the store, told me you were here. This is a bit of a surprise. You’ve come from Ireland, you say?” He looked straight at her.
    â€œWell, not quite.” She had managed to clear her mouth of the sticky mass and returned his gaze. “I live in Montreal now but I was home in Ireland this past spring, to my father’s funeral. It was only then I found out about my grandfather’s connection to Canada, well to Newfoundland.”
    They continued to regard each other. He had a wild look about him, nothing to do with his rough haircut or his work-stained overalls, but something in his physical presence said he was not to be trifled with.
    â€œIt’s all right, Pat.” Peg stepped in and relieved the momentary tension. “Nora and me, we’ve been talking a lot. She wants to know about her grandfather. It’s only natural and I’m happy to tell her. So there’s no need of you to go worrying.”
    â€œWell, so long as you’re happy, I’ll leave the two of you be. When are you off back?” he asked abruptly, turning to Nora.
    â€œI need to be back in St. John’s on Monday evening to catch a flight on Tuesday morning. I have a room at the hotel in Placentia tonight and then I’d like to drive around and see some of the villages before I go back.”
    His directness was beginning to unsettle Nora.
    â€œThere’s no need of you goin’ to that place in Placentia tonight, there’s a bed here if you wants it. But it’s up to you. Isn’t that right, Pat?”
    â€œI dunno, Aunt Peg, last time you offered one of them Molloys a bed for the night they ended up stayin’ a while.” Then, in one quick movement he was on his feet, winked playfully at Peg, nodded to Nora and was off, leaving behind his mug half full of tea.
    Nora watched him disappear around the side of the house.
    â€œDon’t mind Pat. When there was anything to do with Matt, people were always a bit cautious. He never fitted in, see, and in a way it was his own doin’. He kept to hisself, but island people is curious about strangers. They wanted to know all about him, but he wasn’t about to tell anyone. So don’t pay no attention to Pat; he’s the best kind.” She could feel Nora’s uncertainty and continued to try and reassure her. “Back then, see, a man’s life was the fishery. That was it. Matt went out to the trawls only the once. It was my father’s idea: a man should do a man’s work, and to his mind, seeing to the garden and