Chapter One

Dublin Regional Marriage Tribunal.
Diocesan Offices,
Archbishops House,
Dublin 9.

Nullity of Marriage; Reece-Blake J.2 254/94

Personal and Confidential. 20th January 1995.

Dear Mrs Blake,

We are pleased to advise you that we are now in a position to arrange an appointment for you regarding your application to this Tribunal.
Please be good enough to call on the Tribunal Offices, Archbishops House, Drumcondra, Dublin 9. On Tuesday 14th February 1995 at 9.30a.m. to meet the Reverend Sean Ebbs.

I would be grateful if you would telephone or write to me, confirming this appointment, immediately. If you wish to confirm your appointment by telephone, please contact me at 607810.

You will appreciate that if we are to cater for all who seek our help at the Tribunal, it is most important that each person should attend the specified appointment. I would urge you therefore, to make every effort possible to keep this appointment.

With every good wish,

Yours sincerely,

Aidan Mason.
Tribunal Secretary.

Ruby held the letter tightly. It had been three months since she had made the initial application to the Catholic Church for an Annulment. She hadn’t expected an appointment so soon. She wondered had Eamann received the same letter. She sat down at the kitchen table and read it again. Her hand wandered across the table as she read, until it found the box of cigarettes. She pulled one out with her teeth. Her nail polish had not yet dried. The Archbishops house was not going to ruin her nails as well as her marriage.

She took a deep drag and perused the words slowly taking each one in. She blew the smoke on her nails, exhaling deeply. It had started too soon. She needed more time to think. Think about what? She wondered. There was nothing more to think about. The marriage was over. It had been over for almost two years now. It seemed only right to set the ball rolling. She had already appointed a solicitor to look after the Divorce end of things. Somehow an annulment seemed more profound. She picked up the phone and dialled Eamann’s number. It rang forever. Didn’t he know that he could set the answering service to pick up after 6 rings? Eventually, a recorded message came on. Ruby listened to Eamann’s voice, soft, confident, strong.

“High, you’ve reached Eamann, I’m not available to take your call right now, you can try me on my mobile at 086/23476, or alternatively, leave a message after the long bleep”.
Ruby listened to the long bleep and the silence that followed. Her voice abandoned her. She hung up.
What am I doing?

She took the receiver in her hand and dialled again.
A deep voice answered the phone.
“ Archbishops House, how can I help you?”
“Thank you, my name is Ruby Blake, I’m phoning to say..”
“Your reference number please,” the voice interrupted.
“Reference number?” Ruby stumbled.
“At the top of the page Madame,” the voice said.
“Oh yes, I see it, J.2. 254/94,” Ruby replied.
“Thank you, I just wanted to say...”
“Putting you through now Madame,” the voice cut in again.
“Fuck you...” Ruby’s words echoed down the empty line...