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The McMahon house was a typical Irish dormer bungalow on the edge of the Burren. Two storeys, but not really two storeys, more like one and a half storeys. It was a three bedroomed affair that was isolated from other dwellings for a half mile on all sides. It had a gravel drive out the front and a back garden with no high fences or trees. A high border would only block the expansive views of the bleak but beautiful landscape. Normally you could see someone approaching the back of the house for a mile or so.
âMom!â Conor cried while opening the kitchen door.
Nora didnât look at him, âYouâre back earlier than I expected, the lunch isnât ready yet.â
âIâve someone â¦. something to show you.â
âOh rightâ she said, rinsing plates without breaking rhythm.
âDonât be surprisedâ, he said âHeâs fine really, just looks weird.â
Her head did not move, but her eyes rotated sideways in slow motion, as the plate floated gently to the bottom of the sink.
âJesus H Christ!â She stumbled backwards towards the corner of the kitchen.
She stood there transfixed, unable to mutter a word for a few moments. Then she regained a modicum of composure.
âCome over here, calmly and slowlyâ she whispered. But Conorâs bemused look forced her to up her game. âCome over here now!â she shouted in maternal desperation.
Conor, seeing the dynamic unfold, came half way between the two of them âHeâs fine really, he hasnât said a word and seems grand, like. He walked all the way back here with me and listened to me chattinâ away and didnât seem to mind at allâ
âOh, heâs grand is he? Heâs a feckinâ alien or something - youâve no idea what heâs really likeâ
Conor had seen the sense to come over to his motherâs grasping arms.
Her chin raised âIâm gonna call the Guardsâ
She slid her back sideways along the kitchen cabinets behind here, clutching Conor close to her. While keeping her eyes on the alien her hand reached up to the phone on the wall and she dialled 999. She made a trembling account of what had just happened, and despite some disbelief the operator said she would dispatch someone to her location.
She put the phone back on the hook while keep her eyes on the alien. They waited in awkward silence.