Caught on a Train: Part 3

By CARLO GEBLER

I saw the vague outline of Pat Sweeney in the darkness. He had a candle in a lantern without which he would never have found his way round the maze of alleys where we lived on the Dublin north side.

I banged on the pane of glass. Sweeney waved the candle and called, 'Morning, Archie. Another lovely day.' Whatever the weather, that's what he always said.

Pat 'Knocker' Sweeney was an old soldier. He was shot in the leg in Afghanistan. When the bullet was taken out something didn't go right.

Now I could hear him limping away. I groped my way out of the room and on to the landing.

We five children had the big front room. My parents had the other, smaller room, the one at the back. I could hear my father wheezing and breathing.

Publisher: Mammoth

Price: $16.95

Age group: 10 plus years