Little Drifters: Part 4 of 4

Little Drifters: Part 4 of 4
Kathleen O’Shea

Little Drifters can either be read as a full-length eBook or in 4 serialised eBook-only parts.This is PART 4 of 4 (Chapters 19-24 of 24).The harrowing true story of a travelling Irish family bonded by love, broken apart by life, and then betrayed by their carers in a cruel convent in Ireland.“For those who we lost along the way, I tell this story. For all the children who suffered in this terrible place. For all those I consider my brothers and sisters; the ones who died, the ones who lost their minds, the ones who drown their memories everyday in a bottle of whisky, I tell this for you.Because in the end we are all brothers and sisters – and if we don’t feel that bond of love between each other, just as human beings, then we are nothing. We are no better than the monsters that ran the convents.”Based in Ireland in the 1960s and 70s, Kathleen’s story is a story of extreme hardship, suffering and abuse. It is the story of 11 siblings, abandoned by their mother and torn from their father, incarcerated in convents and then driven apart in the cruellest ways imaginable; it is the story of their ruined childhoods and their fight for recompense. But more than that, it is a story of courage, survival and the incredible strength of sibling bonds against overwhelming adversities.Out of terrible darkness comes a remarkable story. In the tradition of Irish storytelling, Kathleen offers a mesmerising account of her family’s experience.

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Contents

Cover (#u5ccf7ca6-16aa-5b1b-9ea2-d8cfe045a7d1)

Title Page (#ulink_557b6433-8a37-5f22-ac98-facaa6d767b8)

PART IV: Survivors

Chapter 19: Escape (#ulink_2046e28d-28ca-5f1a-a82d-6c5423e24342)

Chapter 20: A Child in London (#ulink_d52c0571-dc9a-5990-8328-956c974aba4b)

Chapter 21: Moving On (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 22: Reunion (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 23: Loss (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 24: Redress (#litres_trial_promo)

Epilogue by Katy Weitz (#litres_trial_promo)

Further Reading and Support Groups (#litres_trial_promo)

Acknowledgements (#litres_trial_promo)

Exclusive sample chapter (#litres_trial_promo)

Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)

About the Publisher (#litres_trial_promo)

PART IV

Chapter 19

Escape (#u6f874c31-bd5d-57b9-87a5-47ad6653e4cd)

It was two weeks before Christmas when I got up the courage to ask Sister Helen where I was being sent for the holidays.

‘You’re spending the Christmas holidays in England,’ she replied coolly. ‘With your sister Bridget.’

Oh my God! Grace was right. I ran straight downstairs into the kitchen, brimming over with excitement.

‘Grace! Grace!’ I beckoned for her to come closer so I could talk to her quietly. ‘Grace, you were right. I’m going to England for the holidays.’

‘You see,’ she smiled, her beautiful blue eyes crinkling in the corners. ‘I told you, Kathleen!’

The days flew past now and I was in a tumult of emotion. I was thrilled to be going to see my family of course, but nervous as hell. I would see my mother, I knew that. What would she be like? What would I say to her? Two days before I was due to leave Bridget called me on the phone.

‘Fergal will come to pick you up and take you over on the boat,’ she instructed. I remembered Fergal from all those years before.

‘We can’t wait to see you, Kathleen,’ she said before she rang off. ‘It’s going to be lovely having you here.’

On the day we all left most of the children were sent away before me. The house was very quiet. That morning I’d asked Sister Helen what I should pack in my small travelling case.

‘Just a few things,’ she said. ‘Don’t pack everything. After all, you’ll be back here in a few weeks.’

Yes, that was true. I wouldn’t be gone long so I only took a couple of pairs of trousers, a dress, a jumper and some underwear.

Now I went downstairs to find Grace, who was clearing the kitchen in preparation for the winter break.

‘I’ve got something for you,’ she said as I wandered in. She went to her large black bag that she kept in the corner and took out a white envelope.

‘It’s a Christmas card,’ she said slowly and deliberately. ‘So you’re not to open it until Christmas Day. Okay?’

‘Oh thank you, Grace!’ I said, jittery with excitement.

She looked at me long and hard then, tears filling her eyes.

‘Come here.’ She put her arms out to me and enveloped me in a long, warm cuddle. I hugged her back, but when I tried to pull back she kept me tight in her embrace. I started to laugh.

‘All right, you can let go now, Grace!’

Grace let me go and started dabbing at her eyes with her apron.

‘Don’t cry. I’m coming back, Grace!’ I told her.

‘I know, baby. I know,’ she sighed, turning away from me. ‘You will be coming back.’

With most of the children gone now, the house felt empty. I strolled into the garden where I saw Lucy still sitting on the wall. Any moment now Fergal would be here to pick me up.

‘I’m going soon,’ I told her as I approached. ‘Wanted to say goodbye and wish you a happy Christmas.’

Lucy was joining a family she’d been to many times before and so far everything had been okay there. But it still didn’t stop me worrying about her during the holidays. She was so fragile – she needed her family so much.

But Lucy didn’t say a word; she wouldn’t even look at me. She just kicked her legs against the wall and pursed her lips.

‘What’s wrong?’ I asked.

‘You’re going to see Mammy and all the others,’ she sulked. ‘It’s not fair. I don’t know why we can’t all go with you.’

‘Well, it ain’t my decision, Lucy.’ I shrugged. ‘Anyway, I’ll tell them all about you and maybe we can all go together for the Easter holidays.’