ROCKED BY THE WAVES (18 page)

«Keir, shouldn’t you know your son’s habits a bit better?»

«Oh, Sam’s the perfect father, right? He’s always perfect at everything he does, right? I married my son’s mother to do her a favor. We didn’t share the same house and I never got to meet Anish, when she was alive. I don’t know him and he doesn’t know me. I chose to take him here. I could have been promoted in India, you know? But I chose to come here because of Anish. I want him to be okay».

I was moved.

«I feel like I am just some fading ink on old letters... I want to be important for someone. I can mean something to Anish...»

«We all love you, Keir. This is your home and you can come here anytime you like. I’m sorry if I offended you».

«Why don’t you open up with me, then?»

«I need time. I’ve been scared for such a long time...»

«Scared?»

«We’ll talk about this some other time».

When Keir left, Sam asked me if everything was fine. I shook my head and told him about our conversation.

«I feel sorry for Keir. At least now he has somewhere to come to».

«Should I tell him about Alex?»

«Just do what you believe to be right».

Few days later, Sam brough home a huge dog. It was black.

«Who’s this?»

«Kjiku brought it to me. It’s a very good dog. Likes to protect the people he loves... it is four months».

It was huge.

«It’s for our security, you know», he added.

«What’s its name?»

«Dubh, which means black».

«What will it eat?»

«Meat, fish, anything...»

«What about the kids?»

«It was used to Moon’s kids... it will he happy with ours».

Dubh headed the kids. They were happy to meet the dog.

Before dinner, I asked the kids to go bath. They were covered in grass and dog’s hair.

«Sam, you will help them».

The task was hard. Five kids were a lot to deal with.

When Sam and I got to our room, he kissed me and said: «You’re so hot. Your shirt’s terribly wet... I think I have an idea».

We were willing to undress each other.

«But the kids», I said.

«We won’t be long».

«Oh, Sam...»

~ ~~ ~ ~~ ~ ~~ ~ ~~ ~ ~~ ~ ~~ ~ ~~ ~ ~~ ~

Paris, June 1903

«Michelle, I told you you can’t stay!»

«Mon amour, why? No one is coming to visit you».

«I am waiting for my wife».

«It’s been ten years, mon amour».

«Just go. Now!»

«Très bien. Will you come tomorrow night? At the theatre, remember?»

«I don’t know. Things could happen before tomorrow».

«Bonne nuit, mon amour».

«Bonne nuit, Michelle».

~ ~~ ~ ~~ ~ ~~ ~ ~~ ~ ~~ ~ ~~ ~ ~~ ~ ~~ ~

SURPRISE SURPRISE

Prince Edward Island, June the 30°, 1903

It was the end of June, when Keir came to see Anish. The kid was perfectly well, he was tall and he liked our food very much. He had grown up quite a lot. When Keir came to see him, he was playing.

«Good to see you, Keir!», said Sam, Dubh behind him.

«I can see you are all doing great»

«Oh, kids will be kids, you know...»

Moon’s sons were climbing a tree, while Jodie and Anish were trying to catch them.

«Is he behaving?», Keir asked.

«He is and he has quite an appetite. He’s always playing», I replied.

«I’ll go fetch Edward. Claire, will you stay here with Keir? I’ll be back».

«Eddy stop it‼», I heard him screaming as he went away.

«So are you officially back to Nova Scotia?»

«I am. I live in Charlottetown, in the Prince Edward Island Regiment. Given my single father status, I’ve had a few privileges, so I’m still a lieutenant, even if I’m not in India anymore. My career is at a stop, by the way. But I don’t care. I need to take care of Anish and become a good man. I want to be here».

«You can come here anytime you like. Will you be staying for a couple of days? You can’t leave in the afternoon, Anish wouldn’t like that».

He shook his head.

I knew he hadn’t been talking to his parents for a long time and I was sad about that. He was alone and he needed to face a father’s responsibilities on his own. I was happy to help him, and so was Sam. They were very similar, I thought.

«Claire, you know why I’m doing all this, right?»

«Sam and I are taking care of Anish», I said.

«You made me a promise. Will you keep it? Sam left us alone for a reason... isn’t it time you told me everything about you?»

«Are you sure you want to know?», I whispered.

«I am».

«I’m from London and I belong to the upper-class. Some ten years ago I fell for a very rich man. He has many friends and... many secrets. I am one of them, even if I don’t really know why. Anyway, he made someone follow me for over two years. This man is, or was, also part of a... sect, I believe. We were in France and I saw him during a meeting. It was then that I met Sam. We fell in love and run away. My former husband is still looking for me, but Sam will protect me in case...»

Keir was shocked. I had been very brief, though.

«What’s the man’s name?»

«Alexander Wilson».

He turned pale.

«I’ve heard about him. The general knows him very well and I know they kept in touch... maybe now I know why».

I turned pale myself.

«Do you think he knows I’m here?»

«No, but I will keep my eyes open... just in case. So is Edward his?»

«Yes».

«Did you know that?»

«I found that out right after Sam and I left London».

«So... you are double married?»

I took a deep breath.

«I was young».

«So... you married Sam, right?»

«I did. He is special on many levels».

He was stuck. Then he became angry.

«I would have married you, Claire! I could have done that. I could have accepted anything».

«I know that, but Sam looks after me and he loves me».

«I could do that too. How can I stand... us? I mean, my trying to... he’s a good man, you’re right».

I turned red.

«I love him».

«But he’s not from London, right?»

«He’s Scottish. His mother is Scottish. She’s a lady».

«Oh, well...»

I laughed.

«Let’s go fetch Anish».

«Claire!»

I looked at him.

«What shall I do, so that you can love me?»

«I already do».

And I did. Just not in the way he wanted. He was like a brother to me. He needed me and he needed affection.

When I got to Sam, he asked me: «Keir seems to be shocked. What did you tell him?»

«The truth. He will help us».

«Why?»

«Because we are looking after Anish».

«Are you sure it’ll be enough to him?»

«That’s what he will get, Sam».

I kissed him.

He looked at me and hugged me. His eyes were very close to mine.

«I won’t let him get between us, Sam».

«I love you».

In the meanwhile, Keir was trying to make friends with Dubh.

On the day after, Renny was still not there. But we got a visit from Mr Jackson Turner. We had met him so many years before. He came to our farm without knowing that it was us, the ones who now run the estate.

He was elegantly dressed, he was even wearing an ascot. He loved London’s fashion, I could tell that.

«Claire?! You didn’t change a bit, my word».

«Good morning», said Sam. Keir was with us.

Mr Jackson talked to me as if we were good old friends, which we weren’t.

«Good morning, Sam. It’s nice meeting you again. I’m here on business. We are building a railway nearby. Who’s this? A relative? A friend?», he asked alluding at Keir.

We all looked at Mr Turner.

«My cousin», I replied.

«Handsome guy, really».

Keir was clearly on the edge of jumping to Mr Turner’s neck and strangle him.

«He’s a lieutenant. He’s been in India for a while. Now he looks after our island».

«I see. So, may I come in, Claire? I wonder how you can live here. It’s such a quite place...»

I laughed. My life wasn’t quite nor peaceful. Not at all.

«Do come in».

Sam took him inside.

«Go fetch the kids. Look after them. I’ll be back», I said to Keir. Then I followed Sam inside.

It was way too much for one day.

THE MONEY IN THE WELL

«So, Mr Jackson Turner, what have you been doing during these past few years?», Sam asked.

«Same stuff. Been travelling all over Europe, but now I feel like moving to New York. Things are quite different over there».

Sam and I looked at each other.

«How did you like Europe?»

«Paris is great. I met many interesting people, like artists. I bought paintings and... well, French women are... something. Of course they are not as beautiful as you are, Madame Claire. Your skin, your hair, your eyes... you are charming, you know».

«So. French women», said Sam.

«Dinner’s delicious. Just like Madame Claire», Jackson said.

Sam turned red.

«What about theatres?», I asked.

Jackson smiled. «I like cabaret most. They danced can can. Music is fast and the dancers uncover their legs. It’s great fun and...»

«What does the name mean?», Sam asked.

«It means scandal. It’s due to washerwomen in Montmartre. I went to the theatre, anyway. I saw
Galop infernal
. It’s devilish and exciting. Have you ever been to Paris?»

«No. Is it worth the trip?», Sam replied. I looked at him. He had been living in Paris for many years.

«It is. Take Claire with you».

«Maybe it’s not the best place for such a woman. Maybe it’s better if Keir goes there».

Keir looked at him.

«Thank you, but I think I’d like to stay here for a while. I have been travelling far and long enough, I believe».

«Please, tell me about the places you visited. It must have been quite an adventure».

Keir said a few words, then he told Mr Jackson some his adventures.

«Sounds exciting. Well, let me tell you something as well. I’ve just bought a small and mysterious island».

«Tell us about that».

We were having dessert and none of us wanted Mr Jackson to stay for the night.

«It’s Oak Island».

He looked at us as if he was waiting for our reaction.

«It’s a small island in Lunenberg», he added. «Few years ago, a young man was walking there. He noticed an oak tree and saw that the ground under it had been dug. He found some awkward tools next to the roots. On the day after, he came back to the tree with two friends of his. They dug and found the Money Pit, which was a well. It is said that it leads to the Templars’ treasure. Some say that it is a tomb, others believe it leads to a trasure that has been hidden bythe English. It is also said that everything is just a legend made up by the Masonry. The land belonged to the pirates, anyway, so maybe something’s really there. I didn’t find that out ye
t»
.

We were speechless and charmed. We were also scared. Would there be a crowd of friends of Jackson’s from now on? We needed privacy and peace. We didn’t want anyone to know that Sam and I were hiding in Prince Edward Island.

«So, will you be digging there?», Sam asked.

«I will. I have a team of engineers digging there and I don’t want anybody else to know about this... for now».

We took a deep breath. So Alex wasn’t going to come to Nova Scotia. For now.

When Jackson left, we went to bed. Sam was clearly worried. He always was, when Keir slept over. He was jealous, even if he tried not to let it show.

I went to the bathroom, while Sam remained silent for a while. I found him looking outside the window. Was he thinking of Oak Island? He probably was and I could see why. It was a dangerous and unpredictable matter altogether. We didn’t know if Alex and Jackson were acquainted, so maybe they weren’t.

I thought about Keir as well. I was sorry for Sam.

I hugged him, but he didn’t hug me back.

«Are you okay?»

«I’m not sure I can stand this anymore».

Was he talking about Anish and Keir?

«Do you want Anish and Keir to go?»

«I don’t, but I’ve been thinking about something. I want us to renew our vows».

I was stuck.

«What do you mean? We’re married now... remember?»

«Yes, but I want something official and... proper».

I looked at him.

«Are you sure of that?»

«I am».

He smiled.

«Claire, I also want a proper party. With friends, family and... everything».

«All right then».

We hugged.

«We’ll get married here. We’ll find a priest and he will fix the day. We’ll wait for Renny, right?»

We both smiled. I liked the idea. We needed to tell Keir, though.

On the morning after, right after breakfast, Keir left. Sam went to look for the priest. We would tell Keir the news some other time.

«I’m sorry you won’t meet Renny, Keir», Sam had told him.

Keir had shaken his head. Sam had smiled. It was really hard for Sam, I knew that.

After some three days, Renny and Robert arrived. They were very happy to hear about our plans.

On the afternoon, the kids were sleeping while Rhona tidied the kitchen up. I was going to meet Moon and ask her to be my bridesmaid.

I went into the woods and walked for a while. I kneeled to look at a flower I wasn’t familiar with, but two hands grabbed my waist and pushed me into a cave.

I was being held against the wall. Keir was standing in front of me.

«You’re gone crazy!»

I was stuck.

«What?»

He was red and angry. He grabbed my arms.

«Keir, you’re hurting me».

He was breathing heavily.

«No,
you
are hurting me».

«I assume you found out about the vows... I’m sorry you feel like that».

«You bitch! I thought we had an agreement».

«You are talking nonsense».

I tried to move, but he hold me tighter.

«You are not going away. You said you loved me!»

«Keir, I already am Sam’s wife. It’s not like I am doing anything new...»

«You stay here!»

«You can’t force me! I want to go!»

«Oh, I can. Now you listen to me».

«Let go of me first. Then we’ll talk».

He didn’t let go of my arms.

«I’ve been trying to forget about you, Claire. I have. I loved you and I have run away. I still love you and it hurts. Remember the letter you sent me? I freaked out, when I read it. I tried to get myself killed. I would put myself in danger on purpose. Then I decided I would be friends with you. And I started dating women, hundreds of them. I don’t even recall their names, Claire. I was horrified of what I was becoming. Then I was told one of those women was pregnant and I married her. I didn’t even remember how she looked like. But I married her anyway, because you would be proud of me. When she died, I knew it was time for me to come look for you. You said you loved me, Claire!»

I closed my eyes, in a desperate attemp of feeling less worthless.

«Do you really love me, Claire? Do you know what love means?»

«I do, but...»

«Do something then!»

«I already do. I take care of your son!»

«You are renewing your vows! You know what that means?»

«Just let go of me, Keir», I screamed.

He was still helding my arms.

«I won’t! I am the one that takes the decisions here!»

«Are you crazy?»

«Shut up! I need to think...»

«Listen... I’ll renew my vows because Sam’s the love of my life. I’d never deny him such a thing. He needs me and he loves me».

He let go of me all of a sudden.

«What shall I do then?»

«I love you much and I am sorry if you are feeling bad about all this. But, please, don’t do this. Don’t live in such a... such a fairytale. I am taking care of your son and I am your friend. This is it».

«You are not a friend. I love you. I know I do».

I looked at him. He was handsome and charming. He was passionate. I hugged him
.«
I’m sorr
y»
, I whispered as I caressed his neck. he was crying above my shoulder.

When he calmed down, he asked
:«
What shall I do, then
?
»

«
I can’t tell you, but I am your friend. You can always count on me. Just don’t try to do anything else, please. Talk to me and... don’t let Sam find out about thi
s»
.

«
Will we still be able to talk
?
»

«
Of course we wil
l»
.

He was allright by then.

«
You hurt me so bad, when you behave like this. I truly love yo
u»
.

«
I can’t just forget, you know
?
»

«
So… if someday I’ll come to you and tell you that I’m yours... will you still want me
?
»

«
With every fibre of my being. I would love you and respect you, just like Sam does. But I know it won’t happe
n»
.

«
Suppose I di
d»
.

He was upset and confused. He looked at me. He didn’t know what to say.

«
I’d be good to you. I love yo
u»
.

I smiled.

«
Let’s go bac
k»
.