Claire McDermott

little black book

“Get out of that room Ailsing!", shouted Peggy when she found her daughter in the bedroom of her recently passed mother. “I wasn’t doing anything mam" I said, startled at the high pitched scream. My mother just glared at me with tears in her eyes but then came to me, smiled and gently kissed me on the forehead. “I’m sorry Ash, I am just a bit stressed with arranging this funeral and I have no idea what to do" said Peggy suddenly bursting into tears. I held her briefly not knowing how to react. In all of my nineteen years, I had never seen her mother vulnerable before, let alone cry. “I think she would look nice in the white blouse, black skirt and that soft purple cardigan that she loves", I said. “That sounds perfect sweetheart, would you mind laying them out? I better go and put on the kettle, Uncle Sean and his latest one will be here any minute. Why does he have to bring her?” Peggy said, shaking her head and walking back out of the room.