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The Blackwater Lightship - One
[ This chapter has been split into the original page breakup of the book,
and for that reason starts off at page three ]
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Helen woke in the night to the sound of Manus whimpering. She lay
still and listened, hoping that he would quieten and turn on his side
and sleep, but when his voice became louder and more insistent and she
could vaguely make out words, she got out of bed and moved towards the
boys' room; she was unsure whether he was dreaming or awake.
She had left the landing light switched on and she was able to see, as
soon as she came into the room, that Cathal had his eyes wide open.
He looked at her from the bed, an uninvolved spectator in the scene
about to be enacted; he then looked over at his brother, who was
crying out hoarsely and fending off some unknown terror with his arms.
She woke Manus gently and pulled back the blanket which covered him. He
was too hot. Only half awake and rubbing his eyes, he began to whimper
again. It took him a while to realise that she was there and the
dream was over.
'I was frightened,' he said.
'You're all right now. Maybe you'll go back asleep.'
'I don't want to go back asleep,' he said, and began to cry.
'Will I carry you into our bed?' she asked.
3.
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