The Cathedral
Chapter 1
The Pick Up
A sound of sirens wail close by rebounding around the neighbourhood means a police pursuit, which for many here, is just part of every day life. "That old woman Joey, You reckon she'll be coming back this way or what?" "No Ma .... Maybe in the morning ... she'll be back for sure, that's what I reckon anyways."
"Well... we better be closing up I think son ... Ya' know what the coppers a like ... anyway where's our Jimmy that lazy get, its nearly ten now?" "In his room Ma. I think!"
"Do tell him to come down here Joey son ... He can empty those bins ... They're due an all tomorra. "
Maggie Turnip hadn't had life so easy by a long chalk growing up in the poor Protestant area of Liverpool Dingle. She was the eldest daughter of seven boys and her fighting exploits are still talked about amongst those of her generation. She had been made a widower on June the 6th 1996, when her Nigerian born husband became a victim at sea. On hearing the news Maggie had broken down, although she knew the risks he'd always taken. He'd been an African seaman all his life and was proud of his traditions and people. For many hours Maggie had sat and cried, but her private mourning had ending quickly. She now had two young sons to bring up alone - and more alone than ever before. Over nineteen years ago this was still a subtly and racially divided city, that forced some real issues between Maggie and other family members. Her two children are mixed race Anglo Irish and African and there was no hiding that. Not that Maggie Turnip had ever wanted too. They were all she had left of her African born husband and she loved them dearly. Having also received a handsome insurance check, Maggie was quick in purchasing this small newsagent business. It was on Lodge Lane and to her a step up from Granby Street, nearby. The shop had become a bargain previously owned by an Arab family, it also contained a four-bedroomed flat above.
Reminded the date was the 4th of June 2010, Maggie knew she was still struggling to make ends meet as another day's business, arrived at its end.
"I'll do the shutters then Ma," volunteers Joey, returning from upstairs. "Our Jimmy said ... He'll be down in five minutes as usual!" He added, moving towards the main door.
"Well ... will he now." Maggie, definitely not in the mood for Jimmy's way lay, roars towards the stairwell."J I M M Y..Get ya arse down here NOW!"
Maggie is muttering to herself as Joey goes outside to secure the shop front. The man who enters the shop as Joey goes outside is not a regular customer. In fact he's a complete stranger to the shop. But Maggie doesn't take long in recognising the person and likewise, he recognises Maggie...
"Hello am looking for Miss Maggie ... Miss Maggie O'Rourke?"
"Oh my Gosh" Maggie is taken instantly by shock and complete surprise. "Oh...my...gosh, I can't believe my soddin' eyes. Oh...My Gosh."
For Maggie the arrival of Sylos Turnip should have immediately brought back unsavory memories of a rather seedy past.
Tall dark and handsome in a grisly way, Sylos was the brother of her late husband and had not been around since the funeral twenty years ago. Sylos was younger than his brother by six years and wearing an old worn out trench coat he smiled revealing his almost perfect set of lower front teeth. Shining like ivory out of his face he greets Maggie with a warm cuddle as she invites him into the front living area of the shop.
As Maggie tells Jimmy to finish locking up we see the arrival of Eddie Martin. This is one of Joey's mates and quickly means his appearance from upstairs. Already prepared for the night's foray Joey and Eddie slip out just as Jimmy is securing the main door.
"Yo Joey! Ave you told me Ma ya going out? Does she know ya going Joey? Hey?"
Jimmy may as well be talking to himself and curses after Joey who ignoring every word, is disappearing into Lodge Lane alongside Eddie Martin and two other local youths, who had been waiting on the street corner.
