Wildflower Girl Read Online Free Page A

her up the stairs, a sudden stab of thought making her realise that this was the last time. Nano changed into her nightdress and let Peggy brush her hair. She was just about to get into bed when she went over to the old oak chest of drawers. From the bottom drawer she drew out a big leather-covered book.
    ‘Sit down, Peggy, till I give you this.’
    The girl looked at the familiar cover with its design of harps and leaves.
    ‘Do you remember? This was Lena’s Bible and nowI’m passing it on to you.’
    Peggy opened the cover. Lena Murphy was written on the inside in big bold letters. Further on, two blank pages had been covered with names and birth dates. It was the family tree. Peggy ran her fingers across the line with her mother’s date of birth – 5 November 1814 – and the date of her marriage to John O’Driscoll. Auntie Lena had written underneath: Died during Ireland’s Great Famine, and she had also written: Mary Ellen (Eily), Michael and Margaret (Peggy), Baby Bridget (in Heaven), and their dates of birth.
    Two pairs of eyes met and Peggy realised that it was more than just a Bible she was being handed. It was her history – the keeping of a tradition. No more words were needed. She hugged Nano and ran from the room. The lump in her throat was so big it nearly choked her.
    Peggy crawled into her own bedroom. She felt as if every bit of adventure and spirit had oozed out of her. The night was suddenly chilly and she pulled the blanket up over her. A few minutes later Eily came in. She looked bone-tired and weary. She pulled on her nightgown and climbed in beside Peggy.
    ‘You’re not asleep, Peggy, are you?’
    Peggy shook her head and reached for her sister’s shoulder.
    ‘Don’t cry, little sister,’ urged Eily, though large tears like crystals were streaming down her own face. Peggy hiccupped and then began to giggle. Eily started to tickle her. She knew all the best places. The two of them were in stitches when Michael stuck hishead in.
    ‘Shush! You’ll wake Nano up!’ Michael came and sat on the end of the bed. The three of them together. It had been like this for so long. They talked and talked, about the years behind and the years ahead. Nothing would break that bond. The birds had just started their dawn chorus when Eily insisted they must all have some rest.
    * * *
    No matter what she did, Peggy couldn’t sleep. She was too excited, too nervous, too sad – too everything. Gently she rolled over on her side and eased herself out of the bed. Eily slept on.
    Peggy pulled on some clothes and crept like a kitten from the room and down the stairs to the kitchen. She lifted the latch and let herself out.
    There wasn’t a sinner around. Everyone was still in bed. Peggy was tempted to shout: Today’s the day! Wake up! but she held her peace and escaped from the narrow streets and alleyways. She passed the little bridge and this morning it seemed lonelier than ever. But she didn’t have time to sit and dream today. Small-holdings where potatoes would soon be ready, rich meadows of lush green grass and fields of grain – barley and wheat – spread out in the distance.
    She climbed over a jagged low wall into her favourite field. The grass was damp with dew, making her feet wet and the hem of her dress cling to her legs. Cowslips and buttercups, bluebells, ragged robin, tall lacy cow parsley – all slept drowsily waiting for the morning sun to wake them up. She picked them one byone, and pulled ribbons of woodbine from the hedgerow. She danced and spun round and round till the blue sky and green grass blurred and became one. Her arms were filled with wild flowers when she suddenly noticed an old farmer and his cart slow down and stare at her, curious. Soon the town would be awake. She raced back to Market Lane and pushed in the kitchen door.
    Nano was sitting at the kitchen table in her nightdress. She looked old and tired, and beautiful.
    Peggy ran to her. ‘Aren’t they lovely, Nano?’ She