we would come back one day, just to look. Eoin was reluctant to budge, his eyes glued to a model car that looked just like Thomas’s.
“Good day, Eoin. Where’s the doctor today?” the pawnbroker asked, demanding Eoin’s attention. Eoin sighed gustily and let me propel him toward the counter.
“Good day, Mr. Kelly. He had patients to visit,” Eoin replied, sounding so grown up, I was reassured. At least one of us wasn’t terrified.
“He works too hard,” the pawnbroker commented, but his eyes were on me, curious and considering. He extended his hand, clearly expecting me to take it. I did, though he didn’t shake it like I expected. He grasped my fingers and pulled me forward, ever so slightly, and brought my knuckles to his bristly lips, setting a small kiss there before releasing me.
“We have not had the pleasure, madam.”
“This is my mother,” Eoin crowed, his small hands gripping the edge of the counter, bouncing on his toes, gleeful.
“Your mother?” Mr. Kelly repeated, confusion furrowing his brow.
“I’m Anne Gallagher. Pleasure to meet you, sir,” I said, but offered no other explanation. I could see the wheels turn behind the small glasses, the questions that begged to be asked. He stroked his beard once, twice, and then again before setting both hands on the counter and clearing his throat.
“How can I be of service, Mrs. Gallagher?”
I didn’t correct him but slipped the ring from my finger. The cameo against the dark agate was pale and lovely, the gold band delicate, the filigree finely detailed. I couldn’t help but think my grandfather would understand my predicament.
“I would like to sell my jewelry and was told you would treat me fairly.”
The man produced a jeweler’s loupe and made a great show of examining the ring before he stroked his beard once more.
“You said jewelry,” he hedged, not quoting a price. “Do you have something else you’d like to show me?”
“Yes. I thought I might sell my . . . earbobs.” I used the word Thomas had used and pulled the diamond studs from my ears, setting them on the counter between us.
His furry brows jumped, and he raised the jeweler’s loupe again. He took a moment longer on the earrings, saying nothing. They were each two carats and set in platinum. They had cost me almost ten thousand dollars in 1995.
“I cannot give you what they’re worth,” the man sighed, and it was my turn for surprise.
“What can you give me?” I pressed gently.
“I can give you one hundred fifty pounds. But I’ll be able to sell those in London for a great deal more. You will have six months to repay the loan before I do so,” he explained. “It would be wise to keep them, madam.”
“One hundred fifty pounds is more than satisfactory, Mr. Kelly,” I said, ignoring his suggestion. The earrings meant nothing to me, and I needed money. The thought had hysteria burbling in my throat. I needed money. I had millions of dollars in a time and place that did not yet exist. I took a deep breath, steadying myself, and focused on the task before me. “And the ring?” I asked firmly.
The pawnbroker fingered the cameo again. When he hesitated too long, Eoin reached into his pocket and placed his own treasure on the counter. His eyes barely cleared the edge, and he pinned the pawnbroker with a hopeful gaze.
“What’ll ya give me for my button, Mr. Kelly?”
Mr. Kelly smiled and picked up the button, eyeing it through the loupe as though it were of great value. I was slow to make the connection and had just begun to protest when the jeweler frowned.
“S McD,” he read. “What’s this, Eoin?”
“It’s very valuable,” Eoin said.
“Eoin!” I rebuked softly. “I’m sorry, Mr. Kelly. We won’t be selling that button. I didn’t realize Eoin had it with him.”
“I heard Seán Mac Diarmada scratched his name in a few buttons and coins. Is this one of them?” Mr. Kelly asked, still studying the little brass bauble.
“I don’t know about that, Mr. Kelly. But the button is a keepsake. Will you excuse us for a moment?”
Mr. Kelly inclined his head and turned his back, busying himself with the cases behind him. We stepped away from the counter, and I knelt in front of Eoin.
“Eoin, do you know what that button is?”
“Yes. It was Doc’s. His friend gave it to him, and Doc gave it to me. I like to carry it in my pocket for good luck.”