ROCKED BY THE WAVES (23 page)

IN WITH THE NEW

Few days later, we started planning our journey to Nova Scotia. We needed to take the train and make many tight connections, then we would get to Charlottetown.

Home sweet home. I was excited and I was eager to hug the kids. I wanted to sleep in my own bedroom and savour some peace. But the thought of Sam shadowed my happiness.

It was the end of September and it was chilly. I wanted to talk to Sam about Edward, but he didn’t get in touch with me. I thought about talking it over with Keir, but would it be of any use? Probably not.

On September the 29th, we got on the train. It was awkward, because travelling was becoming easier and easier. Railways were almost everywhere by then and, even if they had been built by poorly paid slaves, they were good news. They really were.

We sat and I put my head on Keir’s shoulder. He used to kiss me on the forehead once in a while. I liked being like that. He was sweet, when we were alone.

«I feel like walking for a while», I said.

«Be careful».

«I will», I smiled.

I was walking throught the corridor, when I caught a glimpse of a tall man. He looked familiar. He was dressed in black and wore a big hat. He had a beard and he was wearing glasses.

I approached him. He turned to me and told me to stay silent.

«We don’t have much time», he whispered.

We entered a cabin.

«Sam, you scared me».

He was pale and thin. He hadn’t been sleeping for a while, I could tell that. His wrist was broken.

«I’m sorry, Claire».

«I miss you. I can’t stop thinking about you. This is not the life I want... you are all I want».

He was hiding a weapon under his coat.

I turned pale.

«I am sorry, Claire. But please, get back to Keir and shut the two of you in the cabin. A murder is going to place on the train».

«How do you know?»

«I’ll be the murderer».

«What?»

«I have to face enemies, Claire. They were getting too close to us and I... I need to get rid of this man. I need to kill him».

«Sam, I just want to be with you. I divorced Alex, I married Keir and I want to be with you now. I did everything you told me to».

He kissed me.

«In a month I’ll come and see you. We’ll meet in the woods. Now go back to Keir and shut yourself in the cabin. Please. He will take care of you. If he does you any harm, I will kill him. About Edward... don’t let Alex come to the house. He is still part of that sect... meet him in New York. Don’t let him come to Nova Scotia. Then we’ll see what to do...»

He kissed me once again.

«I don’t want to part from you... but now we must. It’s going to be ok».

«When will you be back?»

He took a deep breath.

«I don’t know. I was born in Russia. My name is Samuil Volkov. You know I’m a spy... my fellows call me Sauvage. I am a sauvage, actually. Anyway... I promise I’ll be back. Only I don’t know when. I love you, but a war is coming».

I shook my head.

We kissed, then I left.

«I love you and always will», he whispered.

I made a few steps, then Keir met me.

«Claire, I’ve been looking for you. It’s been half an hour!»

«I was in the ladies’ room».

We kissed. It was good. Then we heard someone screaming. I knew what was going on and I was terrified. What if Sam had been killed? I fainted and when I woke up I found that Keir had put me on a bed. A nurse was next to him.

«Oh, Claire, I was worried».

«Are you feeling better, Madame? Mr Murphy, she needs to eat something».

«Maybe she was scared because of the screaming and all that fuss», said someone who looked like a policeman.

«Maybe...»

Keir hugged me.

«Madame, there was a blond man. He was very pale and he had blue eyes. He had a scar on his cheek. Have you seen him?»

I turned pale.

«My wife is not feeling well. Please, let her rest...»

When we were left alone, he asked: «Claire, are you okay?»

«Just hug me», I said.

«I know something is wrong... why don’t you tell me?»

I hugged him.

We had just passed Boston. I figured Sam must have got off the train by then.

«Keir, I’m sorry... I was so scared».

We both smiled.

«What happened?», I asked him.

He told me the blond blue-eyed man had been killed.

«It must have been a pro, because he seems to have disappeared».

«Where was he from?»

«The blond man? He was German, I believe. Why do you want to know?»

«It was just an out-of-curiosity question».

He looked at me.

HAPPY ABOUT LIFE

The journey had been long and tiring. I was happy, though. We got to Charlottetown’s barrack, where a nice young man met us.

«This must be lady Claire. Lord John Taylor, to serve you».

I smiled.

«John, she’s my wife, so behave», said Keir.

«Oh, Keir...»

«Don’t you “Oh, Keir” me. I am looking for the Stuarts, anyway...»

«They are not here... may I help you?»

I looked at them. Were they going to take me home? I was eager to meet my kids.

Keir’s friend was charming. He was a bit shorter than Keir, but he was nice. I made an effort to be nice to him, even if my husband didn’t seem to appreciate it.

When we finally got home, I cried. I was so happy. I hugged the children and I kissed them. I had missed them so much.

«How’s London?», Edward asked.

«How is uncle Robert?», Jasmine asked.

«Did you bring us something?», Jodie asked.

«Did you meet dad?», asked Marcus.

Keir was holding Anish.

«Let’s all eat something. I have so many news to tell you!», I said.

Lord John looked at us. «Did the boy call you dad?»

Keir shook his head.

Bruce McVey and Rhona came to meet us with their eldest son, Alex.

We hugged.

«I need to talk to you all, Rhona. I married Keir».

They all looked at us in amazement. I tried to keep my cool, though.

«I will tell you everything. Now let’s go inside».

So that was it. The news had been announced.

«Where’s Moon?», I asked.

«A connection of theirs is ill, they will be away for a few days...»

«I’ll go look for them tomorrow morning. Keir, let’s invite Lord John for dinner».

«Do you fancy him?»

I laughed. «I don’t, but let’s be kind».

We all got in. Keir and I got upstairs and changed our outfits. He kissed my neck.

«I’m happy you told everyone straight away that we are married. Now we should tell the kids... and my parents».

«We’ll tell the kids Sam is on a business trip. Then we’ll take Edward to New York, so that he can meet Alex. So will you make it up with your parents?»

«Why in New York? I mean... yes, it’s for the best, I suppose. Anyway... yes, I will make it up. We had a fight because of you».

«Why?»

«They disapproved of my feelings for you. Now they will know I was right and they were wrong».

«We’ll talk to them», I said.

«You are my angel».

I suddenly thought of Sam’s letter. It was still hidden in my pocket. I loved Keir, because he filled my need for love, but it was Sam the one I was truly in love with.

I joined the kids in the garden. Edward and Marcus were playing with Dubh. Anish and Jodie were trying to climb on top of a tree. Jasmine was playing on the grass.

«Will we get our presents, mom?», Jodie asked.

«You should get a bath first. Then we will open your presents. Did you do your homework?»

They looked at me. They didn’t. I chose not to care for once.

Keir came to the bathroom with me, where we made the kids undress and bath.

They were happy. Keir had fun and so did I.

«How’s John?», I asked him.

«He likes our house and he fancies you».

«Let’s get him drunk, so that he forgets about all this».

We laughed.

Then we got into the living room and opened the gifts.

I called for Rhona and Bruce.

«This gift is from Paris and it is... for Jasmine! ...a dress? Claire, it’s way too big for Jasmine...»

«Mine! Mine», Jasmine replied.

«This doll is for Jodie...».

We gave Marcus a train and Edward got... a train ticket to New York. Anish got a bear.

I had bought a book for Bruce and a necklace for Rhona. She was moved.

I had something for Keir’s mother as well, but I would give it to her later on.

«And for John we have... a wonderful dinner! Sorry, pal... no gift for you», Keir said.

A BLACK PUDDING

On the following day, after breakfast, Keir went to look for Mr De Luca. I went to Moon’s, but no one was home. It was the fall and the colours of the woods were amazing. I looked at the sky.

It was then that I realized I was home, but Sam was not. I headed the cave, then I walked for a while. I bumped into Rhona and Peigi.

Peigi turned to me. I walked to them, but I noticed that Edward and Marcus were getting out of the stable. They were trying to ride a horse.

«A horse is too big for you. Just ponies, guys! Go back inside and take a pony».

«Dad taught me how to ride a horse», Edward said.

«He’s not here now, though».

«When will he be back?»

«It’ll take a while, I believe...»

«Did he abandon us?»

«Of course he didn’t! He’ll just need to stay away for a while...»

«Why is Keir sleeping in dad’s bed?»

«Er... he’s taking care of us».

«Will we have a new brother?»

«Why should you?», I whispered.

«When adults sleep together, they always make babies».

I turned red.

«Keir went to look for Mr De Luca. Are you happy?», I asked. They ignored me and run to Dubh, who was playing with Jodie and Anish. Jasmine was wearing her new dress.

«Hello, Peigi. Hello, Rhona»

«Madame, everyone is talking about you and your new husband, Keir. What about... Sam?»

«It is hard to explain, Peigi... but yes, I married Keir. We would like you to come over for dinner tonight, actually».

She looked at me. She was my mother-in-law now.

Peigi and Bruce came to dine with us that night. She helped me in the kitchen, and so did Rhona. I put the kids to bed and then went to greet Keir, who had just got home.

Peigi and Bruce didn’t seem to be eager to meet their son, I noticed. They were embarrassed. He had been a real challenge, as a boy. He had changed quite a lot, which was a surprise to them. It was unlike the Scottish, to change so much. And I had been the most striking surprise to them. I knew they were wondering what would happen when I would get tired of their son. It would be a hard night, but we must get through it.

Everything was ship-shape. We had cock-a-leekie, chicken broth, black pudding and haggis. They were all Scottish specialties.

I gave Peigi the gift. She seemed happy about it.

She wore it at once. It was just a simple brooch. She thanked me and she seemed to be moved.

«It was Keir who chose it», I said.

«We would like to tell you about our journey», he said. He held my hand. «Do you want to know about it?»

They both looked more embarrassed than ever.

«Son, we came here because Madame Claire asked us to. But we don’t belong in this house, nor do you. Do you know that? You are not English, you are not a Lord. You’re no better than the rest of us».

Keir turned red. He stood up at once.

«Claire has been nice to you! And you should behave properly! I know I’m not a Lord. But do you know I am your son?»

I was petrified. Peigi seemed to be shocked.

«You are not my son! And she, she will get tired of you. You have spent your life thinking about her, now you married her... she was already married to a good man! How can you take care of her kids?»

«Bruce, please... I don’t want to intrude, but this is none of your business», I said.

«Where’s your husband? Why are you with my son?»

«This is none of your business either».

«A bheil thu ga mo thuigsinn?», said Keir. They all stood in silence.

«We should eat, I believe», he said.

He served the pudding.

«I must compliment Rhona. It is delicious», he said.

«I made the bread!», I twittered.

He smiled at me.

Bruce sat. Then he took a bowl of pudding himself.

Keir told them about Paris, London and New York. They listened to him. When we got to bed, we all knew there were still many things to say. But we should wait for them.

«I’m sorry», he said as he hugged me.

«Don’t be. It was not your fault».

«It was. I know how they are like».

We kissed.

«You could do better than me, my dear Claire, but I love you».

«I don’t want a better man. I’m sure things will settle. What did you tell them?»

He looked at me. Then he remembered.

«I just asked him to make an effort and understand».

He paused.

«I know you don’t want a child... but... why?»

«Being pregnant makes you feel bad. It’s not you, it’s just that I’m not sure I can face a pregnancy...»

He looked at me.

«Shouldn’t couple be willing to have children?»

He paused.

«Oh, we already have. And we have each other».

It was a lovely night. He climbed on top of me. His eyes were so green. He kissed me and I caressed his hair. I loved him because he was strong and brave. He was delicate and he loved me. Sam was so unlike Keir, but they were also similar.

It was a hot summer day. I was standing in the tower and looking at the fields. I liked the flowers and the smell of the sea. I could hear the waves breaking on the shore.

A ship appeared.

The sky was clear and blue. I was looking at the kites flying in the air. It was amazing. They were light and free. I could feel the wind through my hair and I would have liked to fly.

A bee stinged my cleavage.

I opened my eyes. I was in my bed, with Keir. Anish was on top of me.

«Anish...», said Keir.

«He might have had a nightmare».

We looked at him and smiled.