The Bates's Irish Adventure

An Irish Welcome

Anna's POV

My, my, John has an awful amount of cousins! I have been introduced to so many people I can't keep track of half the names. I know that we're staying with Peggy, her husband Seamus and their six children. Not that I can tell you the children's names. Although, the youngest is called Anna. Other than that I am quite clueless. John's uncle is Harry and his wife is called Tess.

We reached the house, after about twenty minutes in the back of a horse and cart, (Seamus doesn't like cars, if they needed one they used Jim's and anyway, they felt that we would see the scenery better) and were met by what I would call a hoard of people. It was a farmhouse, quite large and surrounded by barns. Peggy and Seamus had eight cows, twenty hens, two horses, two dogs, a pig and a cat. The dogs, a big Irish wolfhound called Arthur ( yes, I remember the names of the animals and not the people ), and a smaller border collie called Holly, were some of the first to welcome us. The ginger cat was, quite uniquely named Gabhar - which means goat. Why they named their cat 'goat' I do not know.

Saorsise is an unmarried eccentric who is as wild and bold as her firey hair. She lives with Jim, who is quite middle class in his choice of profession. Jim is a doctor, he went to university on a scholarship. Now he works at the local hospital. John tells me that Jim was always very clever in school and was predicted to do great things. Seán is a farmer like Seamus and has seven children, with twins on the way. Tess and Harry's eldest child Aisling, is the one who invited us in the first place. She is a widow and has two grown up children. He husband was english and they lived in London until after he was killed in the Boer War. She is very nice and has kept in contact with John the most. Overall, I quite like the Hearney family, at least those that I remember.

Inside, one of Peggy and Seamus's sons took our bags while we were taken to be seated in the kitchen. The family decended around us, but were mostly talking amoung themselves rather than pouncing on us with questions, which I was most grateful for. Then, Peggy offered us tea. I was about to accept, but John interupted me. "No thank you Peggy". I gave him a look. What was he doing? We wanted tea! Peggy simply smiled. Clearly she knew a lot more than I did about what was going on.

"Are you sure?"

"Certain"

"Ahh, go on have a cup"

"No, we are perfectly fine thank you"

"Just a cup.."

"We are fine."

"Are you sure now John?"

"Sure as I can be"

There was a pause. "Two sugars?"Peggy asked. "As always, Anna will have one sugar." John replied with a grin. Peggy smiled and walked away to get the tea. I glared at John. "What was that about?" I asked, still utterly confused. "It's an Irish custom. When you are offered something, usually tea, you are supposed to decline until either the hostess forces it upon you or it goes on for too long. It is to do with The Great Famine or something." John informed me, smiling all the while. What a strang custom! Peggy handed me some tea and the other relatives decended upon us with questions, so our peace had not lasted very long. I love John, but his enormous family are a bit mad.

I smiled and began to explain how John and I met, to Saorsise and some other cousins.

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John's POV

It is wonderful to be back! I have missed this place. I have so many fond memories of Cork and my adventures here. I remember when Jim and I ran away to the circus. Aisling told on us before we could get very far, but it was fun while it lasted. What wasn't fun was Uncle Harry dragging us back by the ears. I had made many good friends here, like Tommy Flanagan and his sister Frances. I wonder if they still live around here? Frances has most likely married and moved away (she always compained about the village and how boring it was), but Tommy would have inherited the pub.

I am so happy to be able to share this special area with my darling Anna. She has been under a lot of pressure and stress recently, as Lady Mary's foul mood means that she has not taken into account Anna's pregnancy. I don't think that is fair, but I couldn't go against Lady Mary. However much I may wish to, I know my place.

Peggy has six wonderful children. Treasa, James, Tadgh, Charlotte, Seán and Anna. Treasa is the eldest (aged eighteen) and Anna the youngest (aged seven). My Anna doesn't to have seemed to take in everyone's names or how they are related to me, but she is strong and has endured many questions from inquisitive family members. The children are especially interested in her job as lady's maid. Most have not seen inside the walls of the local Big House, nevermind the inside of the bedroom of an Earl's daughter. Charlotte remains puzzled that anyone would ever need someone else to help them get dressed. It is perhaps the innocence of a child, which challenges the bizarre and unfair make up of society. It makes one wonder if the world would be a better place ruled by a child with no regard for the petty differences between people in society, which lead to conflict such as the Boer War and The Great War.

My rambling thoughts were disturbed by Uncle Harry who asked me something about being a valet. Yes, I am happy to be back! I feel as though I have come home.

Just to let you know, I am not a massive Banna shipper so I'm a little bit stuck for ideas. ..

Please let me know what you think and give me some guidance on ideas and such. There will be 7 chapters and a storyline of some sort. ..

Thank you for reading! !!!

{SaskatFishcakes } xxx