Under the July Sun Read Free

blush mushroomed across her neck and face, swathing her skin in a poppy-red glow.
    'Would you like tea while the cart is being unloaded, Miss Delaney?'
    'Cat,' she said nodding.
    'Pardon?'
    â€˜'Tis Cat.’
    'Where?' he asked, looking round for the animal.
    â€˜'Tis me name. Cat. And thanks, I would.'
    'I'm sorry. I've never heard anyone with that name!'
    â€˜'Tis a nickname for Catherine.'
    'Oh! I thought Kate was.'
    'Yes, 'tis, but Kate's fine with me too. Whichever ye like.'
    'Good, then Cat it is! By the way, call me Louis,' he said, 'I'll just go and arrange for someone to come and unload the cart. Don't go away,' he laughed.
    'Sure I won't,' she said amused, 'after all ye have me donkey and cart.'
    He turned and smiled at her again, before disappearing through a door.
    Suddenly she felt alone and vulnerable as she stood watching two soldiers rubbing down horses. They spotted her looking at them and began to grin and push each other, murmuring comments she couldn't quite hear. She looked away, thinking they were probably being lewd. Perhaps, she decided, she shouldn't have agreed to the tea.
    Cat saw one of the men sauntering towards her. She noticed that his shirt was undone and his chest hair glistened with sweat, so she averted her eyes, mortified at the sight of his bare flesh.
    '’Ow do Miss. Doin' anythin' special tonight?'
    Cat looked at his fat blubbery lips. She could smell his sweat and felt disgusted.
    'Yes, I'm goin' out with me fiancé,' she lied turning her head away.
    'Ah, wha' a pity. 'Ow about disappointin' 'im and makin' my life werf livin' tonight?'
    She closed her eyes, repulsed by him, but he was undeterred.
    'Come on luv, don't be stuck up.'
    Cat had never spoken to a soldier before today and this one wouldn't take no for an answer. 'Póg mo thóin! ' 1 she murmured.
    The soldier looked confused, and glanced at his friend before continuing.
    'What's that you said luv?'
    She turned on him, feeling furious. 'Póg mo thóin !’ she shouted, but as the words left her lips, she realised that the Captain had re-appeared and had heard her, but the relief of seeing him quickly overcame her embarrassment.
    The soldier continued to press her for an answer. 'Is that a yes or a no?' He looked puzzled and was about to continue pestering her when the Captain told him to button his shirt up and help unload the cart. He then led Cat away from the yard into a small room where she saw a tray of tea on the table.
    They sat down and she sipped the tea, glad to be away from the yard and that nuisance of a man who was now busy helping unload the cart. She could see him through the window, sweating and muttering with every bucket he filled.
    After a while she began to find the air in the little room stuffy and longed to roll up her sleeves, but knew decency wouldn't allow it. She looked through the glass once more to see how much of the pile of potatoes had been unloaded and saw with satisfaction the disgruntled expression on the soldier's face. Good . That will teach him a lesson , she thought.
    Louis talked, and Cat swallowed her tea trying not to make gulping noises. His voice had a mesmerising effect on her, but then she became aware of her soil-filled fingernails and the fact she hadn't even washed the sweat off her face before setting off today.
    Being alone with this man was affecting her. His presence was stirring an emotion she had never experienced with Paddy Hogan, and she began to wonder what it would be like to be kissed by him.
    She could not control her thoughts. God forgive me , she prayed, and looked down at the floor where her shabby boots peeped from beneath the hemline of her mud-caked skirt.
    The clock ticked toward three and she knew she would not see the football match, or witness her brother Tom hopefully make his name for Tipperary. For a moment she felt dispirited but on balance she considered maybe it had been worth it, if it meant being there with Louis.
    Eventually