Kilmarny Island

7/23/2019 Kilmarny Island

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KILMARNY ISLAND

Julie Hart

1

A Letter from Ireland


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Brian Parker, 15, lived with his parents in a busy suburb of London.Brians mother, Mary, was a history teacher at his school. is father,!live, was an art dealer. !live bou"ht and sold paintin"s, or"ani#edart e$hibitions and helped artists become famous. %he Parkers werevery happy and they didnt want to chan"e anythin" in their lives.

But one mornin", durin" the summer holidays, Mary received a letterfrom &reland and everythin" be"an to chan"e. %he family was havin"breakfast around the table. Mary read the letter aloud. &t was from her'unt (arahs housekeeper, Mrs )!onnor.

Dear Mrs Parker,

A few days ago, your Aunt Sarah had an accident.

She dropped a candle and it started a re. Your aunt

was OK, ut there was serious da!age to the roo!s

at the ack of the house.

" feel " a! too old to help Sarah now. You know she

can e #ery di$cult. She was always #ery frightened

of e#erything ut it is !uch worse since the re. %ow

she doesn&t want to lea#e the house. "&! sorry, ut you !ust nd a new housekeeper for

your aunt. "&! lea#ing at the end of the week.

Yours sincerely,

'anice O&(onnor

*)h dear+ said Mary to her husband. *e must "o to &reland

immediately. 'unt (arah needs our help.

*-o you mean your stran"e aunt on ilmarny &sland/ asked Brian.

*0es, but she isnt stran"e, said Mary.

*(he is+ said !live. *(he hasnt "ot any electricity in the house. (hewalks around with candles and oil lamps+ -ont you think thatsstran"e/

Mary liked 'unt (arah very much. (he looked at !live an"rily. *'unt(arah cant install electricity in her house, she e$plained. *(he hasnt"ot enou"h money.


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*-o you remember when she locked us all in the bedroom/ lau"hed!live.

*(he was protectin" us, said Mary. *(he thou"ht there was a thief inthe attic.

*0es, but it wasnt a thief, said !live. *' bird 2ew into the attic and itwas tryin" to "et out+

Mary put the letter on the table. *& know 'unt (arah is a little eccentricand she sometimes behaves in an unusual way, she said. *But shes"ot a "ood heart.

Brian was curious. *hy is 'unt (arah fri"htened everythin"/ heasked.

*ell, she had a very bad e$perience when she was youn", answered

Mary. *hen she was 3ve, she lived in a house ne$t to the beach. )newinter, there was a storm and the sea destroyed part of the house.

*as 'unt (arah in the house/ Brian asked.

*0es, answered Mary. *er parents were out shoppin" so she wasalone at home, in a room upstairs.

*ow did she "et out/ Brian asked.

*4obody knows, answered Mary. *'ccordin" to 'unt (arah, aleprechaun saved her. But of course nobody believes that+

*' leprechaun+ said Brian. *' small old man with ma"ic powers/ Butthats ust an &rish le"end.

!live smiled. *0our 'unt (arah believes in leprechauns, he said.*'nyway, why was a child of 3ve alone in the house/ e took thenewspaper from the table and started to read.

*(o what happened to 'unt (arah after that/ asked Brian, curiously.

*ell, she never really recovered from the shock, said Mary. *(hesstill afraid of a lot of thin"s. (he "ave me this charm bracelet when &was small 6 to keep me safe+

Mary touched the bracelet on her arm and looked at the miniature3"ures on it. )ne 3"ure was missin". Mary always wanted another3"ure for her bracelet, but she could never 3nd one.

Mary turned to her husband. *!an you take a holiday from work,!live/ she asked. *& want to "o to ilmarny &sland ne$t week.

!live looked at her over his newspaper. *). &ll make some phonecalls and make preparations for it, he said. *But & cant stay in &reland

lon". &m "ivin" a bi" art e$hibition at the end of the month. Brian,you will come with us. 0oull have a "ood time on the island.

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Brian wasnt happy about the plans. &t was the summer holiday andhe wanted to spend time with his friends. *& cant "o, he said. *&ve "otother plans.

*e cant leave you alone in the house for a week, said Mrs Parker,

3rmly.)ver the ne$t few days, the Parkers prepared for their ourney to&reland. !live had meetin"s with artists and made plans for hise$hibition. Mary sent a letter to 'unt (arah.

Dear Aunt Sarah,

"&! #ery sorry to hear out the re in your

ho!e. (li#e and " are co!ing to help you. )e&ll

arri#e ne*t week with +rian. See you soon

o#e

Mary

2

The Journey to Kilmarny Island

&t was a lon" ourney to ilmarny &sland. %he roads out of London werebusy and the Parkers sat in tra8c for a lon" time. Mary drove most ofthe way because !live was busy on the telephone. e was talkin" toartists and art collectors.

%hey drove to the airport and "ot on a plane to !ork, &reland. %hen,they "ot in a very old ta$i to "o to Blimey arbour. %here was abeautiful view from the window. %hey saw "reen 3elds and rivers, andpeople ridin" on horses and carts.

'fter two hours in the ta$i, smoke started to come out of the en"ine+%hey stopped at the side of the road.

*hats the problem/ asked !live.

*)h, my poor old car+ said the ta$i driver. *&t cant "o any further.%hese old roads are very hard for my car.

*ell, can you call us another ta$i/ asked !live.

*)h, there isnt another ta$i for miles, said the driver. *But dontworry. 9immys comin" soon in his cart.

:


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Mary couldnt understand the drivers &rish accent. *hats comin"/she asked.

*My friend 9immys comin" with his horse and cart, said the driver.*e passed him on the road an hour a"o, so hell be here soon. e

can take you to Blimey arbour.*ere "oin" to ride in a horse and cart+ ;reat+ said Brian. *!an youbelieve this is the 1stcentury/

%he Parkers waited at the side of the road.


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*(o did the people choose your "oat as kin" this year/ asked Brian.

*0es, they did, said 9immy, proudly. *'nd that was a very bi" decision+

%hey travelled alon" the old, broken road and Mary and !live fell fromside to side in the back.


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*-o you mean there arent any sports clubs or cinemas/ said Brian.*hat am & "oin" to do there/ 4ow he was unhappy.

(oon, they saw ilmarny &sland in the distance. %he ferry movedslowly towards the harbour.

*ow many people live on the island now/ asked !live.

*%here were about ?5 people the last time & counted, said theferryman. *)hand one leprechaun.

*%here arent any leprechauns+ Brian said. *%hats ridiculous+ &ts onlya le"end.

*ell, thats your opinion, the ferryman said. *e believe inleprechauns. %hey live under the "round and people sometimes seethem.

*(orry, but & a"ree with my son+ (aid !live. *%hats ridiculous.

%he ferryman didnt answer, but looked an"ry. Mary tried to chan"ethe subect. *%here werent any pubs here 17 years a"o, she said. *-omany people "o there now/

*)h, yes. %he pub is open all ni"ht, the ferryman answered. *Peopleplay &rish music and dance. e love the pub.

Brian hated dancin". *&m not "oin" to a pub. e said.

*-ont worry, we wont take you, said !live. *0oure too youn".

*%hats not true. %hese are family pubs, said the ferryman. *People ofall a"es can "o.

*;reat+ Brian said, sarcastically. *& cant wait+

'bout @ minutes later, they arrived at the island. *elcome toilmarny &sland, said the ferryman. **Anoy your stay+

%he Parkers took their ba"s from the ferry and looked around. %herewerent any si"ns and they didnt know how to "o to 'unt (arahs

house. %hey saw a small man sittin" on a rock. e had a lon", "reybeard, and he wore a "reen acket.

*A$cuse me, do you know !ra"lee ouse/ asked Mary. *&s it nearhere/

*0es, follow me, said the small man, and he walked =uickly alon" apath.

%hey walked after the man, but it was di8cult with all their ba"s.(oon, a fo" appeared and they couldnt see very far. %he only thin"

they could see was the small mans lon", "reen acket.

C


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!

Aunt Sarah


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*4o+ %heyre dan"erous, said 'unt (arah. *0ou can hurt yourself witha knife. & dont want that.

Brian looked down at the 3sh on his plate. %he 3sh looked at Brianfrom the plate with its bri"ht eye. *)h, & dont feel well, said Brian and

he ran outside into the "arden.*-oesnt Brian like 3sh/ asked 'unt (arah. *Mrs )!onnor usuallycooks the meals, but she left on (aturday. 4ow & must do everythin"myself.

*-ont worry. ell help you, said Mary.

Mary and !live pushed the terrible food around their plates with theirforks. *Am, thank you for the meal but were very tired and we canteat, said Mary. *Perhaps well have somethin" later.

%here were three 2oors in the house. 'unt (arah took Brian upstairsto a room on the second 2oor. *Be careful on the stairs, she said. *'nddont "o near the window in your room. &ts dan"erous.

*hy is the window dan"erous/ Brian asked, surprised.

*0ou can fall out, answered 'unt (arah.

(he closed Brians door and accompanied Mary and !live to the third2oor.

&n Brians room, there was a lon", dusty mirror, a cupboard and a bed.

Brian heard somethin" move behind him. e turned =uickly, but therewasnt anythin" there.

' cold wind came throu"h the open window and Brian went to close it.%here wasnt any fo" outside now and he could see the rocks and thesea. ' 3"ure was walkin" on the rocks, but Brian couldnt see his face.

%he 3"ure sat on a rock and threw somethin" over his shoulder intothe sea. e was 3shin".

(uddenly, Mary and !live knocked on Brians door. *ere hun"ry,!live said. *Lets "o and 3nd somethin" to eat.

*%here arent any restaurants on the island, Mary said. *But we caneat in the pub. ell say "oodbye to 'unt (arah and then we can "o.

%hey tried to 3nd 'unt (arah, but she wasnt anywhere. *'unt (arahnever leaves the house, said Mary. *(he must be here somewhere.

*)h, come on, lets "o, said !live impatiently. *&m really hun"ry. ellleave her a note now and well 3nd her later.

"

E


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Mur#hy$s %u&

%hey walked alon" the path to look for the pub.


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*%he house is dan"erous, he said. *0ou must demolish the back of thehouse and rebuild it. &f you dont, the roof will fall down.

*ow much will it cost asked !live.

*'bout H:@,@@@, said the builder.

'unt (arah is very upset.

*)h, what am & "oin" to do/ she cried. *& havent "ot enou"h money.

*-ont worry, 'unt (arah, Mary said. *ell think of a solution.

'fter the builder left, !live and Mary sat with 'unt (arah. *0ou cantlive here any more, 'unt (arah, said Mary. *%he house is toodan"erous.

*& suppose youre ri"ht, said (arah, *but where can & "o/ &m sofri"htened+ hat will happen to me/

*0ou can live with us in London, said Mary.

(arahs face became white. *)h, no+ London is a bi", fri"htenin"place+ she said. *&ll miss my home and ilmarny &sland.

*-ont worry, said Mary. *0oull be ). ell help you.

*hat will & do with the house/ asked (arah.

*e can try to sell it if you want, said !live.

(arah put her head in her hands. *)h, & cant decide anythin", shesaid. *(ell the house if you think thats best+ then she walked to thedoor.

Mary was worried about her. *'re you )k, 'unt (arah/ she asked.*here are you "oin"/

*&m "oin" to talk to


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*& dont think so, answered Mary. *(he doesnt know need a mobilephone+

Brian was in his room. (uddenly, he had a stran"e feelin". assomebody watchin" him/ %hen he saw writin" in the dust on the

mirror. &t said, *%ake care of 'unt (arah+ M


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well need to brin" electricity. But & like the candles and oil lamps. 0es,& want this house+

%he estate a"ent was happy with Mr 9acksons enthusiasm. *%heressome land, too, he e$plained. *0ou could build on the beach.

*;reat+ said Mr 9ackson. *e can have a souvenir shop and a cafJ onthe beach, boat tours, waterKskiin"

*;ood. &ll brin" you the le"al documents tomorrow, said Mr ilde.*here are you stayin"/

*&m stayin" in a room at Murphys Pub, said the 'merican. *&ll be onthe island for a few days.

9ust then Mr 9acksons phone ran" and he answered it. (uddenly, hisface became white. *ho is this ow did you know about

e switched oI his phone =uickly.

*&s there a problem/ asked the estate a"ent.

*%hat was really stran"e, Mr 9ackson answered. *(omebody phoned towarn me about this house. e said, *-ont buy that house+ Leaveilmarny &sland immediately and dont return+ e had an &rishaccent.

*here did the call come from/ asked the estate a"ent. *!heck thenumber on your phone.

%he 'merican looked at the number. *&ts 555 D?@7?, he said.

*%hats impossible+ said !live. *%hats !yphone number+

*ell, somebody else is usin" your phone, said the estate a"ent.

Mr Parker was an"ry. *Brian+ he said. *ait until & "et my hands onthat boy+ &m very sorry, but my son is playin" a trick on us.

*)h, kids+ lau"hed the 'merican. *&ts ). &ve "ot three kids at home.-ont worry about it.

'fter the men left, !live was still an"ry. *Brians in bi" trouble+ hesaid. *ow could he do that 6 and with !yphone/

*)h. es ust bored, said Mary. *-ont be an"ry with him. %heresnothin" for him to do here.

*ell, well take him back to London soon, said !live. *ell sell thehouse to Mr 9ackson, and then well return to An"land with 'unt(arah.

*;ood. & cant wait to use an indoor bathroom a"ain, said Mary.

%hey started to make plans and soon for"ot all about Brian.

17


14/22

,

Mi+hael -ini.in

Brian was still in the cave. %here was a hole in the roof of the caveand sunli"ht shone into a corner. Brian saw some 3shin" rods, andthere was somethin" familiar on a rock. &t was his fathers mobilephone. *ey+ %hats my dads phone, he said aloud. *ow did it "ethere/

*& brou"ht it here, said a voice. (omebody was sittin" on the rocks inthe dark. Brian could see the small man with the lon" "rey beard.

*ho areyou/ asked Brian. *0ou keep appearin" and disappearin"+

*&m Michael


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over the rocks. %he island will be dirty and noisy and there wont beany 3sh. e dont want that+ e like our simple island.

*& can understand that+ said !live. e tried to smile.

Mary felt very uncomfortable. (he put her hand on !lives arm.*Maybe we should 3nd a nice =uiet family to buy the house, dear, shesaid to him.

Giley "ave a bi" smile. *0es, maybe you should, he said. *)r ust leaveold (arah in her house. (he loves it.

%he man behind the bar took three "lasses from a shelf. *ell, thats3nal, he said. *%here wont be any tourists on this island. Letscelebrate.


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'unt (arah was very worried. *%hose people want to buy my house+she said. *)h, why did & a"ree to sell it/ & dont want to leave+


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!live and Mary were in the livin" room with Mr 9ackson, the lawyerand the estate a"ent. *&m sorry, but weve decided not to sell thehouse to you, !live said.

Mr 9ackson was very an"ry. *But you cant do that. 0ou must sell+ hesaid. *' promise is a promise+

*But we didnt promise you anythin", said !live. *%he islanders dontwant tourists on ilmarny &sland. 0ou heard them yesterday in thepub. e cant sell the house to you.

Mr 9acksons face was very red. e took his hat and coat and walkedout of the house an"rily. %he estate a"ent and the lawyer followedhim.

11

Sarah$s %aintin)s

(uddenly, !lives phone ran". &t was an artist from London. *hat/%he paintin"s arent ready yet/ !live shouted an"rily. *But thee$hibition is ne$t week+ 0ou never have anythin" ready on time+

e switched oI the phone. *(ome artists are so unreliable+ he said tohis wife. *%hey never keep their promises.

(uddenly, Mary smelt smoke. *&s somethin" burnin"/ she said. *Letslook upstairs. %hey ran up the stairs to Brians room. %he cupboarddoor was open and they saw the secret passa"e in it.

*%he secret passa"e+ said Mary. *(o its here+ My mother once told meabout it, but & could never 3nd it+

%hey ran into the passa"e and found Brian and (arah in the room atthe end of it.

*'re you )/ asked Mary. *hy do you disappear to this place, 'unt(arah/ 'nd whats that smell/ hat happened/ -id you start another3re/

Brian tried to calm his mother. *&ts ), Mum, he said. *%heres no 3reanymore.

%hen !live noticed the paintin"s. *ho did these/ he asked (arah.*%he artists name isnt on them.

*%heyre 'unt (arahs, Brian said. *(he painted them.

*Geally/ said !live, ama#ed. *%heyre "ood. ery "ood+ 0oure a realartist, 'unt (arah+

1D


19/22

Mary looked at a paintin" of a youn" "irl with a yellow dress and a2ower in her hair. (he couldnt believe it+

*%hats me when & was a child+ she said, surprised. *& didnt know youcould paint, 'unt (arah. -o you want to sell some of your paintin"s/

!live can put them in his e$hibition.*!an & make enou"h money to repair the house/ asked 'unt (arah.

*& dont think so, said !live. *But we can try.

%he family left the smoky room throu"h another passa"e. &t ended inanother cupboard at the back of the hall. !ra"lee ouse was certainlya very interestin" place+

)n (aturday mornin", the Parkers were ready to meet 9immy and "oto Puck


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&n the evenin"s, the family went to the pub. Mary loved the &rishdancin" and she learned some new dance steps every ni"ht. )n(aturday ni"ht, there was a dance competition, and Mary won+ (hewas very proud.

(lowly, the Parkers were fallin" in love with ilmarny &sland. Londonseemed like a diIerent planet to them.

12

Moin) to Ireland

%he Parkers still tried to sell 'unt (arahs house. But every time !liveput a .

*&ll have everythin" & need then, (arah said. *Please stay here, too.&ll be very lonely when you leave.

*&m sorry, we cant stay, 'unt (arah, said Mary. *!live and & must

return to work, and Brian has "ot school. e misses his friends and hissports club.

!live didnt put any more


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Mary and !live looked at each other. *ell &m tired of the tra8c inLondon, said !live. *'nd with &nternet and eKmail, & can do my workfrom here. hat do you think, Mary/

*ell, therell be electricity and two bathrooms in the house soon,

said Mary. *'nd maybe & can "et a teachin" ob in the school inillor"lin.

*&m startin" to make some friends here, said Brian. *'ll & need now ismy computer and %> and all my discs.

*). ell tell (arah, said !live. *%hen &ll "o to London to prepareeverythin".

*0ou know, !live, said Mary. *& really think were doin" the ri"ht thin".

(arah was very happy about the Parkers decision. %he builders

3nished the work on the house, and they moved all their thin"s into it.Brian started to "o to the secondary school in illor"lin, and Mary "ota ob at the same school. (arah felt safer with the Parkers there. (hestarted to "o outside to paint, and she was very happy with her newpaintin"s.

!live was very happy, too. e travelled to London once a month tosell (arahs paintin"s.

'nd what about


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Kilmarny Island

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