Sarah watched how quickly the older woman had buckled and arranged chains along the pony’s neck and back. She noticed that John had watched closely too. She had no doubt he’d be able to do it himself the next time they needed to harness up the little pony trap.“Little Ned will see you fine, please God,” Dierdre said, patting the pony on the neck.They had debated whether or not Sarah should ride Dan or take the cart. But the lure of goods that Dierdre had left behind at her farm had settled the question. Sarah would go there first, look for Seamus, then load up the trap with anything she could carry from the house. Then she’d go on to Balinagh to ask for word about David.That was the plan.Sarah tugged on Dierdre’s driving gloves and looked back at the cottage.“You’re going to be okay here?”Dierdre handed her the driving reins.“For the hundredth time, Sarah, yes,” Dierdre said. “We’ll be fine, won’t we, boyo?”John came over and gave his mother a hug.“We’re armed, Mom,”
