Episode Two: Homecoming

March 5: 13 Days Before the Festival

 The lush scenery of Ireland was revealed through lightly tinted convex windows of the passenger train. Endless stretches of a rolling patchwork of fields every conceivable hue of green slipped timelessly away. The bright yellow and blue passenger train sped into deep gullies that offered little to look at but grey slag stone and tufts of grass that waved in the wake of the passing train. All this flashed past Sunny's window in an unending blur. The rhythmic beat as the wheels rolled over the rails and the variation of whirring noises lulled Sunny O'Neil into a trance state. The occasional high-pitched blast of the horn as the passenger train passed through villages would rouse her briefly from her woolgathering. 

 In the hours since the plane landed, Sunny had not any time to dwell on her sadness. It was not until she had settled into her seat in the railcar and was speeding overland toward her Aunt Fiona, who waited to collect the shambles of Sunny's life that she began to descend into the depths of obsessive depression. 

 When Sunny's plane landed at Dublin airport she collected her bags and the one big trunk on a cart and went on a hurried dash to a taxi that rushed her to the Connelly train station. This had occupied her for several hours and she had had no time to even think beyond getting from the plane to the train and settling in for the long trip. 

 With several rail changes behind her, she sat close to the window of the rail car, her right shoulder pressed close to the cool glass. She leaned her head against the thick pane and tried to forget everything that had happened in the last three weeks. 

 Try she might; she simply could not push the event away for very long. The memories and that day; were burned in her mind's eye and continued to display over her every waking moment, like the afterimage of a giant flash bulb. It would not go away. It kept exploding over and over in her head. Thankfully, she no longer wept whenever the events bubbled up from the depths of her brain. There were no more tears in her, only the intense feelings of betrayal and seething anger that simmered constantly in the marrow of her bones. That unreasonable anger disturbed her. Sunny had never felt such intense rage in her life, and if she allowed that anger to rise, she would feel this bubbling pain begin deep in the pit of her brain.

 Sunny drew a deep steadying breath and tried to put that behind her. She gazed out at the rolling scenes in her window. She knew she was overly tired. The plane ride had been a series of fitful naps. She had requested a seat by the window but had ended up in the center row between a businessman, his wife, and two children who sat ahead of them. The couple and their children had been pleasant enough, but the wife never seemed to stop talking. Sunny had finally taken the medication her physician had prescribed and had eventually slipped into a kind of sleep that had not restored her at all. The after-effects had just dulled her mind to the point she was unable to feel anything. She guessed that was ultimately what the drug was intended to produce. 

 She took her smartphone from her purse and began to look through the images. She noted rather disappointedly that Dublin had been like most busy towns, it was a large city full of people moving about, and the noise of traffic, the various smells, and the scenery flowed over her. She had not missed the opportunity to take many pictures using her phone's digital camera. The thought was to upload them to a computer, print the ones she liked the most, and forward the rest of them to her parents. 

 The rail did have Wi-Fi outlets, but service was sporadic as they passed from town to town. On the short stops to pick up and drop off passengers, she connected to her email and sent a digital diary of images of her trip so far to her parents. 

 The train slowed and slid into a station to pick up and let off passengers. She looked through the images on her phone, trying to decide during the brief stop which ones to send to her mother. She frowned at the screen as she noted the signal was particularly strong and five email messages loaded up with accompanying successive chimes. Sunny clicked on the envelope icon and the list of messages popped up. One was from her mother; the other four were from Jason. 'Missing you' was the subject line of his four email messages. Her thumb hovered briefly over the icon considering opening the messages. The anger stabbed at her, and her head began throbbing. Why put herself through more pain by reading his deceitful messages? They were all the same. She sent them to the digital trash can and then permanently deleted them. The action gave her a little satisfaction and at the same time, she wanted to open them and read what Jason had attempted to say to win her back. Rather than dwell on the threatening negative feelings that were now always hovering near the surface, she tapped her thumb over the envelope icon and the message from her mother rolled up.

  Dearest Sunny, Dad and I finally heard from Aunt Fiona. She called late last night. She is going to meet you in Longford. She's arranged to get a rover from someone in town. I hope she has a valid driving license! LOL! I was trying to remember how far Ballencoo was from Longford – but can't remember; it seems so long ago now. If you can, once you reach the village give us a call – no matter what time it is, let us know you arrived safely. Love you, Mom.

 Sunny smiled, then with a thumb, she touched the reply button and turned her phone on its side, and the small touch keyboard rotated.

  Hey, Mom and Dad! I'm on the train now heading to Longford. The Wi-Fi signal comes and goes so I don't know how long I'll have service. I tried to find out how long it would take to get to Longford but could never find anyone who knew much about Ballencoo to tell me. Folks are sort of vague about that. As soon as I meet up with Aunt Fiona and get to Ballencoo, I'll call you. 

 I'm going to send a few more pictures to you and Dad since my signal is hovering around four bars! I've been taking a ton of pictures and have finally gotten into the sketchbooks you gave me for my trip! Hope to upload the bulk of them as soon as I get another chance to upload them to you! I miss you heaps and bunches! I love you both! Your traveling child, Sunny.

 Sunny found the pictures she wanted to add to the email and then tapped the 'send' button and quickly the swishing sound of the email being sent sounded from her phone. She clicked the phone off and dropped it back into her purse. 

 There were several passengers who had gotten on board, were finding seats, and stowed their bags in the overhead compartments. An elderly couple settled in the seats ahead of where Sunny sat. They nodded to her as they passed her on their way to their seats. A young man with a blue duffel bag arrived next to where Sunny sat by the window. He looked around at the other seats then opened the compartment angling a look down at Sunny, "You care if I put my bag up here with yours?"

 Sunny glanced up at him and nodded her head curtly. "Go ahead; there should be plenty of room if you turn my bag around."

"Aye," He turned her bag slightly, hefted his up, and closed the compartment with a loud 'snick'. Sunny watched him out of the corner of her eye as he shrugged off his jacket and looked appraisingly at Sunny. She tried to be nonchalant as she reached into her purse again and dug around in it pretending to look for something. He folded his jacket and dropped it into the seat across from Sunny. The ticket master strolled up and asked to see his pass. He dug into the pocket of his jeans pocket and produced the ticket. Sunny looked over at him as he chatted briefly with the ticket master. He was of medium build and had light sandy-colored hair that was slightly curly. Sunny thought he was cute and when he turned and caught her studying him, he flashed a broad toothy smile that was infectious because Sunny found herself smiling pleasantly as he picked up his jacket and dropped into the seat that faced her. "You look to be travelin' light."

 "Oh, the rest of my caravan is traveling somewhere in the baggage car," Sunny replied with a grim smile. 

 He tilted his head to one side as he listened to her. "From the states, eh? On holiday?" he asked, his brogue was light and crisp.

 Sunny nodded, and then she realized that this man may be a robber or worse! She frowned gloomily as she remembered Jason had always told her she was too trusting and was therefore an easy mark! Remembering such an incident and where Jason had lectured for what seemed like hours about being too trusting she felt suddenly anxious. The man with the boyish smile frowned at her. "Ach! Something—or someone just made you sad. I hope it wasn't me!" 

 She looked up startled at him and he laughed softly. "Ah, now where's the sunshine?" He stuck out a clean and manicured hand, "I'm Sean Calhoun by the way."

 "Siobhan O'Neil," she answered and shook his hand. "Everyone calls me Sunny."

 Sean leaned back and folded his arms over his chest. "Now why am I not surprised? I told myself that you had to have a name to match such a lovely face."

 "You told yourself that did you?" she replied with a smirk.

 He feigned a hurt attitude and then leaned forward. "Tell me; you're not married, are you?"

 At the mention of marriage, Sunny felt herself falling and Sean instantly saw the hurt in her eyes, and he took her hand and rubbed it between his own warm fingers. "Tut, tut! Now none of that! Don't you waste another tear on the bloody bastard!" 

 She had to laugh. "It's that obvious?"

 Sean let go of her hand and sat back and appraised her. "Aye; very."

 Sunny sighed heavily and looked down at her phone where it rested in her purse and remembered those email messages from Jason she had deleted.

 Sunny looked up at Sean seeing that he was waiting patiently for an answer from her. She shook her head. "Sorry, it's not easy for me to talk about," Sunny replied.

 Sean nodded understandingly. "Aye, well to waste another thought on him is time ill spent, Sunny."

 "That's what my dad says," She replied.

 "Smart man!" Sean replied. "So, you're on holiday?"

 "No," Sunny responded. She slipped her phone into her purse and turned her emerald-green eyes on Sean again. "Off to stay with my great Aunt."

 "Does she live in Longford?" Sean wanted to know.

 "No, in a place called Ballencoo, do you know it?" she asked.

 A sudden and odd expression floated over Sean's face then he looked at her and shook his head as if to clear it of some dark thought. "Going back to visit?"

 "I was last there when I was a little girl-- maybe three or four years old," Sunny replied. "I don't remember a lot, just that my Aunt Fiona was a lot of fun to be with."

 "And if I were to come visiting," Sean said with a wry grin on his face, "What's your aunt's name?"

 Sunny laughed lightly. "If you were to come visiting, you'd look for Fiona Dannan. It's an old name I understand."

 "Aye," Sean replied, still looking thoughtful and confused. "Very old indeed!"

 "Do you know it?" Sunny asked.

 He was still frowning in thought but then he glanced up at her and shrugged lightly. "No, but I'm a newcomer to Ireland. My folks settled in Roscommon. But O'Neil is an old name too." 

 "My father's very proud of his Irish ancestry."

 "And his daughter? How do you feel about your Irish blood?" Sean asked.

 "I'm the proud daughter of Erin!" she announced proudly.

 Sean grinned, looked at his watch, and held it up lightly tapping the face. "I'm starving; want to join me for a bite to eat?"

W hen she looked down at her hands Sean muttered under his breath to himself then took her hands in his and shook them gently. "You have to eat! Come on, don't make me have to eat all by myself!"

 "All right," she said relenting. "I'll have a little snack."

 "Nae, you'll have a proper meal!" He told her. He got up and pulled her to her feet. "Come on Siobhan O'Neil."

 She reached down for her purse giggling like a schoolgirl and allowed him to pull her up the railcar to the dining car.

 They arrived, found a spot, and sat down. Sean pulled the menu and ran a finger down the selections. As the waitress arrived and set two glasses of water down, he frowned at the water and then looked at the woman's name tag "Shannon, we're famished! We're in sore need of a good repast what say you to a couple of pints and two cold plates?"

 Sunny studied the menu and saw that the cold plates consisted of sliced meats, cheeses, bread, and seasonal fruit. It was more than she would eat in a day! 'Shannon' nodded and returned with two large glasses of dark beer. Sunny had always loved the dark, smoky beer and she took a long, wonderful sip, closing her eyes in appreciation.

 Sean Calhoun, as it turned out was a medical intern and was on his way home to visit his grandmother in Roscommon, which was beyond Longford. He was an only child; his father had passed away at an early age and had been raised by his mother until her death a few years ago and was now looking after his grandmother. He was an avid rugby fan and had played while he was an undergraduate. He had plans to practice medicine in his hometown. He was unattached, the girl he had planned to marry wasn't prepared to wait until he had graduated medical school and had married one of his friends instead.

 Sunny picked at her plate of food, trying not to give in wanting to eat everything that Sean had picked out. He pointed at her plate, "You just gonna chase that food around on your plate or eat it?"

 "I'm trying to watch what I eat," she murmured.

 "Well, you need to eat, you're too skinny!" 

 Sunny laughed out loud. "You're kidding!"

 "Nae!" Sean told her. "Not sure where you got the notion ya need to starve yourself to death!"

 "I'm not starving to death," she said chuckling, "What a ridiculous thing to say."

 "You are starving to death, Sunny," he responded. "You're starving more than just your body! You're starving your soul. I don't need to be a doctor to see it in your eyes."

 She met his warm friendly hazel eyes and smiled. "I guess you're right Sean."

 "So, eat up!" Sean told her angling a stern eye at her. Sunny did eat and they chatted about all sorts of things. They spent more than an hour and a half in the dining car talking about everything and nothing. Finally, the conversation turned to her. "What's your story, Sunny?"

 She watched as he cut sections of a red apple and took the piece he handed to her on the blade of the knife he was using. "Well, I've finished my studio work and graduated. I'm scheduled to start work in September in the graphics department of an advertising agency. I interned there last summer and won a spot on the staff."

 "And have those plans now changed?" Sean asked gently.

 Sunny smirked. "You could say that. My whole plan has altered a great deal." 

 He cut another slice of apple and held it out to her. She accepted it and chewed thoughtfully for a moment. "Oddly enough it was my mother who suggested I come here. I didn't protest at all. I am running away to get as far away from things as possible. Aunt Fiona's been asking me to come for a visit for years, so – here I am."

 "I'm glad you decided to come home," Sean replied. 

 She smiled at Sean. "I am too. The last time I saw Aunt Fiona, I was about four years old. Ever since, we've kept in touch with cards, letters, and weekly telephone chats. I never forgot my time with her and now that I'm here and so close, I feel like that missing puzzle piece in my heart is back in place. I have a feeling that it'll be hard to leave." 

 "You could always decide to stay," Sean said. "Start over."

 When they returned to their seats Sunny pulled her travel sketchbook from her purse and while Sean and she continued to chat, she sketched him. 

 "So, what all have you drawn so far?" Sean asked her as she paused.

 Sunny flipped back through the pages a tiny frown knitting her russet brows together. "Not as much as wanted, but I've taken hundreds of photos and sent most of them back to my parents. I think I may have done it in part to ease their minds that I'm going to be okay. I plan to sketch more once I get to Ballencoo. While I was trying to finish up school, I put my sketching on the back burner, so I plan to make up for it now."

 "May I?" Sean leaned forward and she relinquished her sketchbook. He looked down at his portrait and squinted critically at it then began to turn back through the pages. "You have an amazing talent, Siobhan O'Neil."

 "Thank you." She murmured, blushing a pretty shade of pink as he grinned at her, and then continued to examine her sketches. He flipped back to his portrait and held his hand out for the pencil, "Just one thing missing here,"

 "What's that?" she asked handing her pencil over to him.

 The train whistle sounded, and she looked out the window, they had arrived in Longford. The time had passed so quickly, and she was about to leave her new friend. Sean held the book up so she could not see what he added then closed it and handed both the book and her pencil to her. 

 "So, you're going to be spending a while with Aunt Fiona?"

 She grinned. "I am!

 He pulled his cell phone from his jeans pocket held it up and snapped a picture of her, "I want to see you again Sunny." He told her. "You mind sharing your phone number with me?"

 Sunny did not mind at all, and he tapped in the number as she recited it. He looked up at her with a warm smile. "Come on I'll walk you to the platform."

 He pulled her bag down from the overhead compartment and carried it to the exit, then stepped down to the platform and held out a hand to help her down the steps. She took his hand in his and stepped down to the platform deck. It was a little chaotic as passengers left the train and others got on. Then there was a lull and they stood looking at one another. "Have a safe trip to Ballencoo." He told her.

 "Thank you," she replied then on impulse, she leaned closer and kissed his cheek. 

 He grinned broadly and as the whistle sounded, he turned to step back to the train. "Until we meet again, Siobhan may God hold you safe in the hollow of His hand!"

 Sunny waved to him as the train began to pull away, he blew a kiss to her and then pointed over her head and waved. "See you soon Aunt Fiona!"

 Sunny turned and saw a woman coming from the station dressed in a long paisley-printed dress with a royal blue shawl draped around her shoulders. Fiona waved and smiled as if she knew the man. There was no mistaking Fiona, she hadn't changed from the memory Sunny held in her mind's eye of her. She had long silvery hair that was coiled around her head like a crown, and it was held in place by hair pins with tiny pearls decking each pin.

 "Aunt Fiona!" Sunny hugged the woman and caught the warm scent of Lavender and Rosemary, it was suddenly familiar and comforting.

 Fiona hugged the young woman close. She felt the swirl of sadness around the young woman and as she stepped back, she felt something else and was very surprised by the surge of something both familiar and foreign. It was the very same thing Maire had felt! Fiona held Sunny's hand warmly in hers and with the other hand pointed to the departing train, "Turn and wave at the lad!"

 Sunny looked back at Sean and waved, her smile just for him. "His name is Sean Calhoun from Roscommon."

 Fiona smiled and waved to him alongside Sunny. "A transplanted Scotsman, is he? There's an interesting story about the Chief of the Colquhouns."

 The train rounded the bend and Sean disappeared. Sunny looked at Fiona. "Really? What's their story?"

 Together Fiona and Sunny walked into the station. "Well, the King issued a command to the chieftain to seize a well-defended castle in Scotland. The chieftain wrote the King back in French, the language that was spoken at that time, he wrote, 'Si Je Puis'; which means 'If I can' – which by the way is the Calhoun motto."

 Sunny grinned because Fiona was just as she had remembered her. Fiona always had a story. They strolled over to the baggage claim area and Sunny handed her claim tickets to the porter and he went off to find her bags. Fiona continued with her tale, "Anyway, the Chief gathered a group of his best men and hid them in the woods outside the castle gates. Then he lured a great red stag past the gates where it would be seen by the garrison at the castle. Seeing the first meat in days go strolling by the starving garrison threw open the gates to chase the stag. The clansmen rushed the castle and captured it for the King."

 "Anyone killed?" Sunny wanted to know. 

 "Maybe the stag," Fiona replied with a sly wink. "But no human that day lost his life. Quite an accomplishment I'd say --- for that day and time."

 Sunny laughed happily. Fiona smiled and pointed to the exit, "The rover is just outside, We'll get the porter to roll out your bags and we'll be on our way."

 "I don't remember; how far it is to Ballencoo?" Sunny asked.

 "Oh, It's a fair piece to Ballencoo. Might be getting dark by the time we get there, so we'll be staying in town overnight and heading out to my place in the morning." Fiona replied. "Miggs can see perfectly well in the dark, but I can't!"

 "Miggs?" Sunny echoed.

 "My cob mare," Fiona replied, "And the major mode of transportation. Not too many of these beasts in town – running." Fiona rapped the hood of the green Range Rover. It had several dents in the hood and was a little beat up on the side doors. Sunny glanced in a window and saw that it was a manual three-speed and had nothing but a simple dashboard – not even a radio!

 Sunny found a porter and pulled her claim tickets from her purse then together Fiona and she waited a few minutes while the bags were rounded up. The porter pulled the small luggage truck around the side of the brick building he began loading the bags into the back of the rover. When he was done, Fiona tipped the man. Sunny got in and looked around for a seat belt as Fiona started up the Range Rover. It sputtered a bit then began to rumble steadily. Fiona patted the dashboard and murmured under her breath, glancing over at Sunny. "Always say a prayer at the beginning and end of a journey."

 Sunny's cell phone buzzed, and she pulled it from her purse, looked at the screen, and grinned. "It's from Sean."

 "He's missing you already, is he?" Fiona said.

 Sunny giggled and held the phone up to show Fiona. "You're psychic!"

 "Nae," Fiona replied. "I just know human nature. The lad was captivated – but I don't have to tell you that! Tell him that there's a festival in two weeks. March seventeenth, why don't you invite him to Ballencoo."

 "A festival? The seventeenth is St. Patrick's Day, isn't it?" Sunny asked as she began to key in the text message. 

 "Aye, but the true festival is on the twenty-first," Fiona replied. "The Vernal equinox when there is a balance between light and dark. The minister and his dear wife call it a spring fling, with dances, flea markets, and the like – and the tribes come and do their trading and contracting with one another."

 Sunny nodded, "Sounds like fun." She texted the invitation back to Sean and dropped the phone in her lap. She sat back to enjoy the drive. "Sean said, he was glad I had come home. You know I feel like I'm home too – is that strange to feel that way?"

 "Certainly not!" Fiona declared.

 The phone buzzed and Sean's text came back: "C U then! ;-)" 

 The drive across the countryside to the village of Ballencoo was long and rambling. The roads were sometimes nothing more than a single-lane road, which to Sunny was odd given that almost every place else had proper roads. The borrowed Range Rover had no trouble navigating over low stone bridges and through the narrow roads with stone hedge row fences. They were finally stopped by a shepherd and his flock. The man waved to Fiona, and she rolled to a stop and cranked the window down. "Oi Fergus, how's the hip?"

 The man leaned his elbow on the Rover's door by Fiona and pushed his cap back on his head. "No trouble at all! That balm did the right trick!"

 "Glad to hear it," Fiona replied.

 Fergus squinted in at Sunny. "Who you got there with ye, Fiona?"

 "This is my great-niece, Siobhan O'Neil. She's just arrived from the States."

 Fergus tugged at the bill of his cap. "Ye do favor the Dannan clan, Miss."

 Fiona smiled smugly first at Sunny and then at Fergus. "Aye that she does."

 The last of the sheep sauntered past the bumper of the Range Rover and Fergus patted Fiona's arm. "I'm away. Slán go fóill!" 

 "Slán leat," Fiona responded and cranked up the Range Rover and they rolled off again, leaving Fergus and his shaggy sheep. Sunny waved to Fergus as they passed him. 

 "Are we close to Ballencoo?" Sunny asked.

 "Aye, nearly there," Fiona replied. "Once we get settled in the hotel, we'll give your mum and dad a ring."

 The scenery passed by, and they rolled to a stop at the gates of a manor house. "McDonnell's place is out there over the rise. Alister O'Donnell is the current laird. His lady wife is a customer of mine."

 "A customer?" Sunny asked, "What kind of services do you provide?"

 Fiona smiled, "Oh this and that."

 "That sounds mysterious!" Sunny replied glancing over at Fiona.

 Fiona chuckled. "Nae, I take over a few things to try in her tea."

 "Well if it's like the Christmas tea you've been sending to Mama for years – it's delicious!" Sunny exclaimed.

 Fiona replied putting the Rover back into gear and driving off, "She went off to get 'cured' by the doctors in Dublin. Now she's home and needs to be 'cured' of the damage those doctors caused."

 "What was wrong?" Sunny wanted to know. She decided it was best not to share the information that Sean was finishing up his residency.

 "Cancer," Fiona replied. "Her physicians have done all they can do, now it's my turn."

 "And how is she doing?" Sunny asked.

 "She's better every day, I'm glad to report." Fiona declared. "A medical phenomenon, her doctor in Dublin tells her.

 They drove on and as they rounded the last hill and through a large expanse of land that rolled off into the growing twilight, they drove past the moss-covered wooden road marker that proclaimed they were welcome in Ballencoo. Sunny studied each shop front and person walking on the cobblestone sidewalks. The Rover began to sputter and shudder a bit as they rumbled into the town. The streets were broad and other than the chugging Rover Fiona drove, there did not seem to be any other motorized vehicles in the town.

 Fiona pulled the rover up in front of 'Cluny's Tavern' and turned the now wheezing engine off. "Well, here we are," She announced. "You feeling hungry?"

 "I'm a little peckish," Sunny replied. 

 "Good," As they sat in the car, a man in his middle sixties opened the bright blue tavern door and waved to them. "I see you made it back in one piece!" he called. 

 He came to the driver's door and opened it, helping Fiona out. She patted the man on the arm. "Aye, Piper this is my great niece, Siobhan O'Neil."

 His moss green eyes widened as Sunny came around to meet him. "She's the image of your grand dam, Fiona!" He grinned good-naturedly. "To hear Fiona tell you were just a wee thing! Here you are a right bonnie lass!"

 Sunny smiled back and shook Piper's big meaty hand. "The last time I was actually here, I was about four years old."

 "She grew up," Fiona replied studying her great-niece with an approving eye.

 Piper waved a hand to the door of the tavern, "Go in and I'll get some of the boys to bring in your bags. Let Cassie show you up to your rooms then we'll tuck you into some supper."

 Fiona led the way into the pub. The soft jingle of bells greeted them and as Sunny stepped over the threshold of the establishment she felt a warm and protective wave flow over her. She looked up at the set of tiny silver bells and smiled at them. Cassie was Piper's wife, and she was just as happy to see Fiona and Sunny as he had been. She came from around the bar to greet them. She was a tiny woman with warm twinkling brown eyes and graying mouse-brown hair that was twisted up in a bun on the top of her head. "Come with me, I'll bet you are exhausted after such a long trip."

 They all climbed the wide stairs that led up to the second floor of the tavern. The main hall ran the whole length of the building with the rooms sitting to either side of the hall. Cassie opened one door and stepped back, "Fiona, not your usual room we moved you here so you would have connecting rooms. Siobhan, you're next to Fiona."

 The rooms were larger than Sunny expected. Hers was like Fiona's. Each had an oak four-poster double bed. Fiona's room was in shades of pale crème and buttery yellow and Sunny's room was a pale crème and soft moss green. Cassie visited Fiona for a few minutes then when she heard the boys bringing up the luggage, she waved them into Sunny's room. The two young boys were not much older than fifteen or sixteen. They quietly set the bags inside the door and shyly glanced at Sunny and grinned happily as she favored them with a warm smile and a thank you. Cassie shooed them out and they clamored back down the stairs the way they had come.

 Once the doors closed, Sunny sat on the bed and finally realized she was in another country thousands of miles away from everyone. It was a bit strange not to feel homesick. She missed her parents, but it didn't seem they were that far away. She pulled her cell phone from her purse and thumbed it on. No signal at all and then as she watched, the phone was completely drained of battery life! "Aunt Fiona, I've no signal and now no power at all on my cell."

 Fiona stuck her head in the door. "I'm afraid you'll have no luck there with that contraption. We can ring up your mum and da downstairs, there's a phone box down in the pub. That's what I have to do when I make my calls."

 "Okay," Sunny murmured. 

 Fiona tilted her head to one side in question, "Something you're thinking?"

 Sunny shook her head in the negative. "Not really. Just still kinda confused."

 Fiona nodded. "The shadows will pass before you know it, my pet. Don't expect your heart to patch itself up in a few days just because you're in new surroundings. It will help to be in a new place with new things to occupy your mind, but eventually, you will have to resolve it all and put it away in order to move on."

 "You don't think being here will help me forget?" Sunny asked.

 "Haven't you already begun to forget?" Fiona asked. "I was expecting to see a sad pale shadow of a girl at the train station. What did I find? A moon-struck lad reluctant to say goodbye to a beautiful young woman he'd met on a train."

 Sunny chuckled softly as the vision of Sean Calhoun came to her. Fiona pointed at her great-niece, "You see? Already all those terrible memories are being replaced with beautiful new experiences. Forgetting is the easy part," Fiona told her. "Forgiving is the difficult part."

 Sunny nodded; that coil of anger twisting again deep inside her essence. "Yes, I will have to work on that."

 Fiona saw that flash of rage and was surprised to see it so strong in the young woman. It was something she had not seen in many years. She pushed that concern away and chuckled, her own emerald-green eyes sparkling with mirth. "Come downstairs when you've freshened up. We'll have a pint, call your mum and dad, and then listen to the new gossip."

 Sunny smiled happily. "That suits me right down to the ground!" 

 Sunny joined Fiona downstairs in the tavern just as Cassie was bringing in a basket of bread and butter. Fiona pointed to the phone box and directed Sunny over to make the call to her parents. Sunny closed the door of the phone box and sat down on the bench inside. She picked up the heavy black receiver and began to feed the machine with coins. She spoke to the overseas operator to place her call. Within a few minutes, she heard her mother on the other end. 

 "Sunny I'm so glad you made it!" Maire declared. "How's Aunt Fiona?"

 "She great!" Sunny exclaimed. "It was a really long trip, but we're finally here in Ballencoo – And it's beautiful!"

 "How are you feeling dear?" Maire asked.

 "I think I'm going to be fine, Mama," Sunny said. "I really am going to be all right."

 "Hey, sugar!" It was Thomas O'Neil's voice on the extension.

 "Hi Dad," Sunny called. "I just wanted to call and let you both know that I'm here safe and sound."

 "That's good honey," Thomas replied. "You have a good visit with your Aunt Fiona."

 "Thanks, Dad, love you," Sunny called through the telephone receiver.

 "Love you too honey," Thomas returned then hung up the phone, leaving Maire to talk to her daughter.

 "Are you going to Laurel Cottage tonight?" Maire asked.

 "No, we're staying at Cluny's Tavern and going to the cottage in the morning," Sunny replied. "This place is like a movie set; I keep thinking I'm going to see Maureen O'Hara biking through town any moment. It's idyllic!"

 Maire laughed and felt her anxiety begin to fade as Sunny continued to talk. The operator came on and asked for more coins and Sunny added the amount they spoke for a few minutes more, then Sunny reassured her mother again that it was all going to be fine. "I hope so, dear," Maire said. "Tell Aunt Fiona I said hello." 

 "I will," Sunny promised. "Love you Mama, and don't worry."

 "I love you too my girl," Maire said, "I'm glad that you're feeling better."

 "I am, Mama, goodnight!" She hung up the phone and rejoined Fiona at the table, "Mama says to tell you hello."

 "Hello to Maire," Fiona said then waved to Piper over at the bar and he proceeded to fill two glasses with dark beer. The pub was already beginning to fill with early evening customers. A group of young men played billiards on one side of the pub and in the back, there was a gathering of men and women playing darts. The bar stood at the very center of the tavern with one side devoted to families and the other side reserved for more serious drinkers. There were a few older men sitting at the bar.

 Piper came over to set the glasses of beer down on the table. Sunny took a sip and smiled appreciatively. "Wow, that's not a commercial beer!"

 Piper smiled broadly, "Nae, you're right! It's my own brew!"

 "It's wonderful, Mister Cluny!" Sunny took another long sip and licked her lips. 

 "Ach, call me Piper lass, no standing on formalities. Fiona and I have known each other since our school days." The tavern keeper told her. 

 "Aye," Fiona replied rolling her eyes up at Piper conspiratorially, "In and out of trouble since we were wee things!"

 The tavern door opened, and everyone paused to look. There was a plump woman with silvery gray hair her face was round with pink cheeks. She smiled and waved as several people called greetings. Piper and Cassie both called out to her in welcome. "Molly, where's your other half?" Piper said as he left Fiona and Sunny's table to hug Molly.

 "Oh, he's coming," Molly said and then clapped her hands together in surprise as she saw Fiona. "Gracious! You're back!"

 Fiona got up and went to hug Molly then drew her over to the table. "You and Ian come and join us," Fiona said, "I want you to meet Siobhan."

 Molly's eyes widened as Sunny rose to meet the older woman. "Oh Fiona, she's the image of your grandmum!"

 Sunny smiled. All she had ever seen was a faded sepia-toned portrait of her great-grandmother and namesake, but she did bear a remarkable resemblance to Fiona's grandmother. Her parents and her Aunt Brianna had noticed the uncanny resemblance early on. Sunny had the same clear alabaster skin, an oval face, and a slightly upturned nose. Her wide almond-shaped eyes were the color of clear emeralds. Sunny as a little girl had always thought her eyes were the color of lime Jell-O, but as she grew older, they deepened with glinting hints of gold and red fire around the iris; especially when she got angry. Sunny had full lips and straight even teeth and when she smiled, she could light up a room! Her hair was the color of deep rich copper and had a natural wave that had a life of its own. She had learned early in her teen years to leave well enough alone and allow it to curl naturally. It had been very short and very long in high school but was now well past her shoulders. Often, she drew it up into a ponytail, but recently she had decided to let it fall softly over her shoulders. 

 The tavern doors opened repeatedly cheers of greetings rang out. The man entered and gruffly waved to everyone. Molly waved him over and the stern set of his face softened as his eyes found his wife. He took off his cap and looked to Fiona then to Sunny. "So, this is your great niece?"

 "Aye," Fiona replied. "Siobhan this gruff old thing is Ian McTavish."

 Sunny grinned, the effect not lost on McTavish. He allowed a whisper of a smile to touch his mouth. His face was broad and expressive. His crystal blue eyes held a glint of mirth and straight-up defiance deep in the folds of his face. It was ruddy from the sun and wind. He was not a tall man but moved as a man who was used to having his way. 

 Molly sat down next to Sunny, and Ian moved around to sit between Fiona and Sunny, with his back to the wooden paneled wall. Cassie served two more bowls of stew and brought more bread. They chatted among themselves when a man at the bar turned slightly toward where Fiona sat. 

 "I heard that Erskine's bullock showed up!"

 "Aye," came a reply from further down the bar. "And now Fergus is missin' his black ram!"

 "It's them gypsies!" declared the first man at the bar.

 "Nae," Piper replied, "I don't think it's the tribes."

 "Then who do you think is nippin' all the livestock, eh?" the second man at the bar wanted to know.

 "Well, I'm not a'knowin'," Piper said with a dismissive wave of his hand. "But I don't think it's tribes."

 "Sumthin' is going on!" said another man from across the bar. 

 A chorus of "Aye's" sounded out.

 One of the younger men from the billiard table came to refill his glass. "Did'ja hear about Colin McGee? I heard he had saved up to buy some prize-winning pullets, brought 'em in, and went into bed and the next morning they were gone!" he made a "puffing" sound to illustrate his statement.

 "Aye," Piper said with a chuckle, "I heard that, but old McGee probably left the coop door open, and they all flew out!"

 There was a smattering of laughter. The first man at the bar shook his head and slapped his hand down on the bar with a resounding thump. "I tells you it's gypsies!"

 "But the queer thing is," the young man said with a grin thrown over his shoulder at his friends, "Less than a fortnight had passed when McGee went out and found all his pullets back full grown and laying double yolks!"

 "That can't be true," Sunny whispered to Molly softly.

 "Oh, but it's true!" Molly exclaimed behind her plump hand. "I've paid a pretty price for those very same eggs!"

 Sunny frowned and then took a sip from her glass. "Well, if that's true, sounds like Mister McGee got the better end of the deal."

 Ian chuckled and leaned over toward Sunny winking devilishly, "Aye you're right 'bout that m'girl!"

 Fiona turned to the men, "It's not the tribes, only one comes through here and he is the very one who comes and will ferry your horses!"

 "We're not speakin' of Tully," said the second man at the bar. "Tully takes good care of all my animals!"

 "Who'd better have the first look at the newest prize animals!" accused the first man at the bar, "And probably secreting them out in those devil woods!"

 "You've had far too much to drink tonight!" Ian growled, his blue eyes blazing at the man who was now weaving on his stool. 

 "I heard there are ghosts out there in them woods!" called a young man from the billiard table. "There's lights and things of an evil nature out there --- I hear."

 "Someone should go in there and get to the bottom of all this thievery!" said the second man.

 "Anyone caught in those woods will find their backsides full of buckshot!" Ian roared over the general discourse in the tavern. "It's protected land and will stay that way!"

 "I heard there were wolves out there!" 

 Piper ducked down to look to the back of the bar where the group of young people were playing darts. Most turned away and busied themselves with gathering up the darts in the board.

 "If there is any thievery, Doyle will look into it," Piper replied.

 Another round of cheerful laughter circled through the tavern, including Ian. "Ach, the man couldn't find his arse with both hands!"

 Molly admonished her husband, and he waved a hand back at her. Fiona dabbed her mouth with the linen napkin and turned in her chair to look at the men at the bar. "It's all good fun to spin a tale of strange and unnatural goings on up in the forest," she said quietly. "But in truth, the Ballencoo forest is family-protected land, and it will continue to be protected land until there are no more of my clan to care for it. I will say there are wild animals of all kinds in the forest, wolves, badgers, foxes, fowl of all kinds, and possibly a wild boar or elk living in those woods. It is as it should be." She directed a look over at the customers at the bar. "As for constable Doyle, the man does what he can with the resources he has, and he does a fair job."

 "Aye," Piper said nodding in agreement.

 Ian remained unconvinced. "Useless iggit!" he muttered under his breath.

 Cassie served dessert and everyone dove into the wedge of cheesecake with strawberries and cream. Sunny ate half of her serving and began to feel the effects of the long trip and the two pints of dark beer. Molly looked over at Sunny and smiled. "You poor lass! You're so tired you can hardly keep your eyes open!"

 Fiona smiled. "Aye, I know you're ready to call it an evening." 

 Sunny covered a yawn with her napkin. "I guess it's all finally caught up with me."

 Cassie gathered her up. "Come on lovey, I'll draw you a nice warm bath and then you can sleep until you wake up."

 Sunny nodded with a sleepy smile. She looked over at Molly, "We'll see one another again soon, I hope."

 "Of course, dear! You come any time!" Molly cooed happily.

 Sunny looked at Ian and he nodded, giving her a wink. "Any time lass."

 With that, Sunny waved to Piper and followed Cassie upstairs. Cassie went further down the hall and Sunny went into her room and gathered up her things for her bath. Cassie met her in the hall outside the bathroom. "I'll go turn down your bed and then all you have to do is draw the covers over you and go to sleep. I'll see you in the morning dear!"

 Sunny smiled and leaned over to give the woman a quick hug. "Thanks, you've been so nice."

 Cassie patted Sunny's cheek gently. "We all want you to be very happy here."

 "I am!" Sunny replied. She went into the bathroom, turned off the water, and shortly was sinking up to her neck in the tub of warm water, that Cassie had scented with lavender bath salts. It was deliciously warm, and it melted the remaining tension from her body. She was half asleep when she padded back to her room. She closed the door and crawled into bed. She was asleep before her head hit the pillow.

 She dreamed. She was bathed in a warm golden light and there was Fiona and another woman with silvery white hair that hung long around her shoulders. She looked down at Sunny where she lay asleep in bed and smiled. Sunny opened her eyes, looked up into the woman's amazingly green eyes, and smiled back. "Welcome home Siobhan my love," the woman said to her. "Welcome home!"

 Sunny could not say anything only smiled happily, closed her eyes, and fell into a deep restorative sleep.