“A Hippie’s Child”, a work of fiction just published, is available from Books.ie (Irish contemporary Fiction) or Bookworm, Thurles and Easons Thurles/Clonmel.
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The story begins when Billy discovers the true circumstances of the death of his friend James, a Christian Brother. Most importantly also he learns the truth about his father’s death, a crime committed twenty years previously. James became a very important figure in Billy’s life during his formative years and their friendship continued into his adulthood. His father’s death traumatised and prevented him from realising his true potential. Alone in the shop which James used as an escape from his peers, one year after his friends death, Billy experiences waves of emotions. In an effort to come to terms with his feelings, he recollects his life, makes decisions about his future and plans to brings a criminal to justice.
Having relocated from his ancestral home in England to Ireland at age five Billy spent three idyllic years living with his father until tragedy struck. After his father’s death his aunt Philomena from England deposited him with Dee Hamilton-a woman of dubious background, with poor maternal instincts and who had also relocated from England. She was ill suited to caring for the boy which resulted in many difficulties for him as a child and a teenager.
His childhood friend Annie, her mother and neighbours became hugely influential in his life. However, the most important and positive influence he experienced was provided by James who saw potential in the boy and unwittingly an opportunity to satisfy a need within himself, manifest from his past. Taking him under his wing he guides the boy through his teenage years capitalising on his intelligence to his benefit for the future. He also influences him in respect of morals, ethics and religion even though the boy had little interest in the Catholic faith due to his background.
Lack of parental guidance, associating with boys from the ‘wrong side of the track’ and manipulation by a devious youth resulted in him having brushes with the law. This behaviour combined with Dee’s reputation cast him in a poor light in the community. However, with the help of ‘pillars of society’ who had faith in him, most notably James, he emerged into adulthood relatively unscathed.
Three girls become significant in his life at different times and in his late twenties all are vying for his attention. He found companionship, love, lust and friendship but would he choose the right girl to secure happiness?
At the age of eighteen he moved to his aunt’s home in England to pursue his third level education in medicine. Unfortunately his career was marred by his continued insecurity. He learns the faith of three generations of family including the demise of his ancestral estate. Dee’s past life is brought into focus and he learns some unsavoury truths. James continues to influence him but unfortunately tragedy results due to poor judgement by both of them.
When he discovers the true circumstances of the deaths of his father and James, a criminal must be brought to justice. Only then can he make plans for both family and career for the future.
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Will Fahey was born in 1955 and grew up in Co. Tipperary, Ireland. He lived in Dublin and Kildare before returning to live in his native County. He worked in the accountancy business serving as CEO of IFAC Accountants for the last eleven years of his career.
Married to Kate for forty years he has four sons and three grandchildren. Now retired he spends his time with family, travelling, writing, gardening and hillwalking. He has given time to the voluntary sector throughout his life. He is a volunteer with Citizens Information and Cashel Lions Club. He believes that interacting and connecting with people or sometimes just watching and listening is important to one’s self worth.
His first book, IFAC Accountants-The First Forty Years chronicles the events and personalities behind the birth of the organisation and its growth into one of Ireland’s largest accountancy practices. His second book, A Hippies’s Child is a work of fiction inspired by people he encountered in rural Ireland in his youth. It espouses the importance of love and adult guidance in the development of children and young adults.
Cormac, James and Finn.
