Apart from the Crowd

Anna McPartlin

If you asked the people of Kenmare about Mary,
they’d tell you she was born unlucky. Some would say she’s a bit “strange”. But all
admire her courage.

They’d tell you Penny is the life and soul of the party. Yes, she drinks a bit too much. And it’s true she’s a home-wrecker.

If you asked about Adam, the women would tell you he’s a cheating scumbag. But the lads in the pub would mention
his affair with Penny with a trace of envy.

They’d all tell you Ivan’s greatest strength and weakness is
his heart. And his wife was a terrible woman to leave
him, taking his children.

If you asked about Sam, they’d speculate with great relish
on their mysterious American visitor. The truth will provide them with gossip for a year. But they’ll never know the
thing that haunts him.

If you asked the people of Kenmare about the chances of
love and happiness for these five souls, they’d shake their
heads and look glum.

But sometimes they are wrong.