If there was one problem in the parish it involved the constant rows between Sean and Bridie Flynn. Fearsome were their tempers and long were their memories.
So Friday evening saw them rowing over some small happening from months before. Bridie struck Sean with the phone - Sean countered with the back of his hand. Bridie came back with a broom handle across his shoulders.
Sean grabbed the implement and pulled Bridie down the stairs. With the impetus of her fall, Sean spun her out of the open front door and into the street. He threw himself astride her winded frame and began slapping her across the face, just as Father Murphy came round the comer on his Friday visits.
Looking up and seeing the priest, Sean thought quickly and glowering at his prostrate spouse he roared: 'Now will you go to Mass?'