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be nothing to it. We've only got Linda's word for it and I wouldn't
take all she said asher word for gospel"
Linda's mother closed the front door behind her after hearing
the first part of the Jacksons' conversation. So ould woman Jackson
was sick of her coming over,was she? Mrs Mullet tossed her head.
She'd not let that pass. She would see to it that the street knew
what was going on and v/ould have no qualms about it. There was
nothing wrong in telling the truth, and they had to protect themselves
from Catholic infiltrators. That's why their men went to their
lodges and walked in parades: they were defending their faith.
xxxxxxxxxShe crossed the street. There was no one in sight
except for four small boys playing at soldiers. They were wearing
khaki anoraks and soldiers berets that they had filched somewhere.
She went in to her own house to tell the story to Mr Mullet. He
was reading the greyhound racing results in the evening paper and
seemed more interested in them than in the treachery of Mrs Jackson.
"She's a decent enough woman," was all he said.
"Honest"My Gawd,you men! What would you say if our Linda was walking
out with a Mick?"
"But she's not, is she?X" he said mildly, not even lifting his
head. "Tommy's a good Protestant even if he doesn't belong to the
lodge."
Mrs Mullet returned to the doorway where she stood watching the
light failing over the street. The only person she was saw was old Granny
McEvoy, wrapped in her grey shawl, out looking for her cat. But
