Auld Acquaintance

by Ruth Hay

  “Where did this come from?” she puzzled. The sepia-toned photograph of a group of people in a formal pose, taken in a studio many years ago was vaguely familiar to Anna.

  She felt as if she had seen it somewhere but had not really studied the figures long enough to establish any connections.

  Anna leaned back against the closet door and angled the photograph toward the fading light from the bedroom window. One of the women held a small posy of flowers and now Anna saw that all the men and women had carnations in the lapels of their suits.

  “Could this be a wedding photo, or is my imagination tying my wedding picture to this one? Certainly doesn’t look like a wedding. No white dress here, it all seems rather sombre. Not even a real smile on any of the faces.”

  As she looked again at the faces, something stirred in Anna’s memory. The solemn young couple in the centre wearing dark suits and hats had a slightly familiar appearance. The angle of the man’s head and the tilt of the woman’s eyebrows struck a chord.

  “Wait a minute!” she exclaimed. “That’s Simon’s head shape and my eyebrows. This must be our mum and dad’s wedding picture!”

  The shrill ring of the telephone broke abruptly into Anna’s thoughts. She extricated herself from the closet but kept hold of the photograph as she dived for the bedside table. The answering service was not switched on and Anna detested missing a call in case it was something important. She untangled the phone cord and dropped the photograph in her hurry but managed to lift the receiver on the fourth or fifth ring.

  “Yes, who’s calling?” she asked in some agitation.

  “Sis, is that you? It’s Simon. Are you OK? You sound anxious.”

  “Oh, Simon, I’m sorry, it’s just that I have had a strange day and I was deep in old memories when your call came. How is the family? Is Michelle all right?”

  “Sure thing, everyone’s in fine fettle here. The grandkids are revelling in the snow. They’re always asking when Great Auntie Anna is coming to visit.”

  “Actually, Sis, I’m calling about a letter I received a couple of days ago. It’s from a solicitor in Scotland of all places and I don’t know what to make of it.”

  “Not you too!” interrupted Anna. “This is positively weird! I have just discovered an old photograph and I was wondering if it was our parents’ wedding picture.”

  “Well, fine Anna, but what has that to do with the letter I got?”

  “Right! I’m getting ahead of myself, Simon. My letter from Scotland informed me I am the owner of a farm house belonging to Helen somebody who has recently died. Was your letter the same?”

  “No, but the same Helen, Helen Dunlop, I think, has apparently left me some money.”

  “Really? That’s amazing! Simon, who is this person and why are we hearing about her for the first time?”

  “Anna, I am no wiser about that than you seem to be. You said you had an old wedding picture of our parents? Do you recognise any of the wedding party? Our folks never spoke about family much. All I know is that they met and married in Scotland before emigrating to Canada. Maybe there’s a story here. Could be, the house is worth a fortune

  and there’s a family feud at the heart of it all!”

  “Ha! I seriously doubt it Simon. You always did have a vivid imagination!”

  Anna was reluctant to mention that Simon’s theory was the second version she had heard that day, so she rushed on to a more sensible topic.

  “Give this Dunlop name some thought, Simon, and see if you can come up with an explanation or find something in Mum and Dad’s papers. Didn’t you inherit a bureau that used to be in Dad’s office when the old house was sold? Perhaps there’s a clue in there. Anyway, we’ll talk soon and try to figure this out. Give my love to Michelle, the kids and the grandkids. Bye for now.”

  “All right, I’ll do that! Don’t fret Anna. We’ll get to the bottom of this and at least we have a handsome cheque at this end to help us pay off the Christmas bills! Take care of you.”

  As soon as the phone was replaced on the bedside table, Anna felt the exhaustion of the day overtake her.

  “Enough already! I have to eat something and collapse into bed before I expire!” she shouted to the empty rooms.

  No wonder they say living alone is bad for your health, Anna thought, as she headed for the kitchen. Talking to yourself is the first sign of mental stress and I’ve been doing it all day. I guess there’s not so much distance between me and those two homeless men in the library after all.

  * * *

  With this chilling conclusion, Anna placed the old wedding photograph on her bedside table for later consideration, and dragged herself into the kitchen for scrambled eggs and toast with a large mug of hot tea.

  Chapter Three

  “Bev, it’s Susan. I’m calling a Samba meeting for next week. Anna needs our help. Nothing serious, she’s OK but requiring a little of our brand of gentle persuasion.

  You know what I mean, eh?

  I’ll explain everything when you call me back with a date. Talk to you soon.”

  * * *

  “Maria, I know you’re at work and I didn’t want to call you at the Mall. I’m trying to get a date for a Samba meeting next week. Anna’s had a great opportunity dropped in her lap and I’m afraid she’ll miss out if we don’t encourage her to accept it. Don’t say anything to Anna yet. Call me back at home tonight if you can.”

  * * *

  “Alina, I think this is one of your volunteer days but I need to talk to you about Anna.

  If she has already told you about Scotland, you’ll know why we need a Samba meeting soon. Give me a buzz when you get home from school.”

  * * *

  “Right, that’s the gang alerted. Now I need to tackle Anna and see how she feels after a couple of days to think things over.”

  “Hold it Sue! You are rushing things here.” Jake’s calm voice always soothed his wife but a massage on her tense shoulders did an even better job. Jake manoeuvred his wheelchair into position with accustomed ease and started the treatment.

  “I know, I know, honey, but this could be Anna’s big chance to recapture her energy and drive. You know how I have worried about her for years now.”

  “Yes, I do understand. Some might say you are interfering in your friend’s life, Susan, but I have watched you move mountains for your buddies and they are so lucky to have you fighting in their corner. I have first-hand experience of how valuable your persistence can be!”

  “Thanks, Jake. That means a lot to me.” Susan reached back to touch Jake’s warm hands on her shoulders and gave them a squeeze. He was in a good period of health at the moment with only minimal muscle weakness. It was so like him to want to give comfort to her when he could. She knew it was his way of saying thanks for all the hospital visits and physical help she gave when things were bad.

  “I’ll try to slow down a bit but I do have some new information to share with Anna about the inheritance.”

  “Can’t say I’m surprised about that. You were still at the computer when I woke around four this morning.”

  “It was worth it Jake. I connected with the website in London, England, where births and deaths are registered and I found out more about who Helen Dunlop might be.

  I was pretty sure she must be related to Anna and I think I have found a clue. Complete strangers don’t leave property to just anyone.

  I searched Anna’s parents’ marriage certificate. They were married in a Glasgow registry office in 1940, listed as Marion H. Jarvis, shop assistant and Angus T. R. McLeod, engineer. Kyle Purdy was a witness, and an Amy Warren also signed the document.”

  “How does that help find Helen Dunlop, Susan? I can’t see any connection.”

  Jake had stopped the massage and wheeled round to look at his wife’s notes on the office desk.

  “Neither did I, at first. I checked the list of births, deaths and marriages rather than the certificates because I was curious about the initials in each name.
Sometimes middle names derive from family links and can lead to other sources.”

  Susan’s excitement was obvious in the tone of her voice now and the dogs, sensing her emotion, rose from the doorway and pushed their wet noses onto their mistress’ knee to provide comfort in case it should be needed.

  Jake signalled silently to the Labradors and they settled at his feet with the promise of a walk soon. Susan had hardly noticed this interruption as she was intent on the pages in front of her.

  “Look here, Jake. Anna’s mother’s middle name is Helena!”

  “So? That could be entirely coincidental, Susan. It doesn’t prove anything and you know it.”

  “Of course I know it, but you must admit it is a little strange and that got me thinking about Anna’s grandparents. Helen Dunlop died in her late eighties so she would be a contemporary of Anna’s mother and father, although her name is different. What if the answer was in the previous generation?”

  “Now you’re getting into the realm of outright supposition. Was Anna’s grandmother or grandfather a Dunlop?”

  “Unfortunately not, Jake. Their married name was Knox.”

  “Hmm! A dead end then?”

  “I suppose so. I ran out of steam at that point, I admit, but I have a feeling there’s more to it. I am not giving up just yet.”

  “I never expected you to Susan. Why don’t you have a nap and I’ll take the dogs for a run in the dog park. The sidewalk snow should be cleared by now.

  Don’t forget you have to tell Anna about all this. She may not be quite so enthusiastic especially when she realises you have been poking around in her family business without her permission.”

  “True. I’d better not get too far ahead without reporting in to Anna. I’ll need to see her as soon as possible and I’d better be well rested for that little encounter, judging from the reception I got yesterday.”

  “Susan, it’s Alina returning your call. What’s going on with Anna, you’ve really got me wondering? Don’t panic, I haven’t called her yet but I am due to hear from her any day now. It’s been a week since we last spoke. I put it down to the weather but now I’m thinking something’s up. I can meet any evening this week, or next if need be…the sooner the better as I am getting worried now. Anna is my oldest friend and needs gentle handling Susan. Just let me know the where and when and I’ll be there. Bye for now.”

  * * *

  “Maria here. I’m working nights till 10:30 this week Susan, but I can switch shifts with someone if necessary. Is Anna sick? I tried to get her on Thursday but her phone was busy or off the hook all day. I’m sending you an e mail and a text to Jake. Get back to me ASAP.”

  * * *

  “Hi Susan, it’s Bev. I’ve got a big accounting job on this week. It’s the best chance I’ve had all month to make headway on the mortgage so I can’t risk it. I’ll be glued to my home computer day and night until the work’s done but you know where I am. Call me when the time and location for the meeting are set and I’ll drop everything. Who needs sleep anyway!

  Love ya for caring, Sister Susan.”

  * * *

  Susan sighed as she came to the end of her messages. It was supposed to be easier to get together with friends when most of them reached retirement age but, honestly, this group seemed to be busier than ever, what with Maria at the Mall and Bev working from home, not to mention Anna’s erratic hours at the library. What happened to the nice image of little old ladies in rocking chairs on the front porch with tea and scones?

  Scheduling a meeting with this lot was worse now than when they were all working full time, although both Maria and Bev were younger mums with kids at home.

  I have to solve the problem of getting Anna to agree to meet without alerting her to the kind of intervention I have in mind. I’d better start working out the details.

  Lunch is out. With most of us busy during the day, that could only happen on a weekend

  and I don’t know if this can wait so long.

  An evening meal might be possible if Maria gets enough warning. A restaurant could be neutral ground for what I have in mind but not so good for the sort of enthusiastic atmosphere I need to create. In any case we can’t have Anna storming off if she doesn’t like my suggestions.

  Susan turned to her laptop and decided to send an e mail to the Samba group filling in some of the detail about Anna’s situation and asking for advice about a meeting place.

  As Anna was the only one of the group without a home computer since she used the library e mail, there was no chance she would see the messages, and the information would allay Alina’s fears for now, giving everyone a chance to think of how they could persuade Anna to take the chance of a new start in life.

  I still have to deal with Anna of course, she realized. She won’t be impressed by all this cloak and dagger stuff behind her back but I really feel this is an amazing opportunity for her.

  Perhaps I won’t mention my plans to Jake just yet though.

  * * *

  Susan, you are such a good friend to do all this for Anna but you must know you are treading on dangerous ground. She is only just recovering from the last bad episode of blaming herself for Richard and I don’t want to send her off on another downward spiral.

  Be sure you handle things as diplomatically as possible.

  I’ll be there whenever and wherever. We can do a pot luck at my place if you like but what will the occasion/excuse be?

  Alina.

  * * *

  Susan anything you decide is good for me. Just give me a bit of notice so I can clear the work, and my mind. Can’t offer my place as it would require a major clean up that I just don’t have time for right now. Kudos to you for setting things in motion. Anna deserves some good luck.

  Bev.

  * * *

  “Anna, it’s Susan, here.”

  “Oh, I’ve been meaning to call you Susan. I want to apologize for my behaviour on Saturday. I left you so abruptly when you were only trying to help me. I .....”

  “Wait! It’s perfectly OK Anna. Don’t worry. I know you were upset and I jumped in without thinking about your feelings. You know me, I never hesitate to rush in where angels fear to tread.”

  “Susan, you don’t need to apologize to me. You have been such a good friend. I could never repay your kindness to me. I feel like such a fool letting myself be thrown by a silly letter like that. It’s nothing to be concerned about, and I’m sure it will all work out once I contact that lawyer.”

  “That’s what I’m calling about, my dear. I did do some investigation and found out some more. Remember I asked you to see if you had any family information?”

  “Yes, I did find an old photograph that might be useful and that reminds me, Simon got a letter from the same lawyer and a sum of money from the Dunlop lady.”

  “Ah, that’s interesting! I want to see that photo Anna. Listen, it’s about time the Samba group got together again. Why don’t we meet at your place and put our heads together to see what we can figure out? I’ve told the girls the rough outline of events and they’re all dying to get in on the mystery. I’ll order a big pan of lasagna and bring some Italian bread so you don’t have to do a thing. Does Wednesday evening suit you? It looks like the weather has calmed down for now.”

  “Wednesday? Well, if you think the girls would be free it’s all right I suppose, but I really wonder if it’s worth everyone’s time and trouble Susan. It’s a bit of a storm in a teacup I think.”

  “Don’t be too sure, Anna. I’ll send messages right away and if you don’t hear from me before Wednesday, we’ll be on your doorstep around 7:00pm. I am so looking forward to a good chat and catch up. Bye for now!”

  * * *

  Anna put the phone down and tried to figure out what was going on. Susan was a force of nature all right. When she got an idea in her head she was like a whirlwind and sometimes she left people spinning in her wake. Anna felt like she had been spun around and she wasn’t quite sure what directi
on she was facing.

  A simple get together for food and gossip, or a plot of some kind? What was behind Susan’s request? It can’t be anything drastic Anna told herself as she automatically tidied up papers and dishes, casting her eye over the apartment as it would be seen by her friends in a day or two.

  I won’t have long to wait before I find out. I’ll do a spot of cleaning this evening and maybe I’ll make a start on that sherry trifle all the girls love.

  * * *

  Anna spent most of Wednesday at the library. The February ‘Loving Reading’ series was about to begin and Anna’s talent for eye-catching displays was in demand.

  “I can’t imagine how we could do this every year without you, Anna,” gushed Andrew.

  “Your ideas are the foundation of our print and TV ads and Tony will scan them into the web site. That combination you created of teen sci fi book covers and futuristic business non-fiction, is outstanding, and will appeal to our reader demographic.

  Tony has some kids standing by to do personal reviews of the new titles and we have persuaded some local reviewers to do critical pieces tying together the economic theme and science fiction as a predictor of future trends. It’s a perfect match and I can’t thank you enough.”

  “Not a problem, Andrew. I really enjoy this kind of thing. It reminds me of my teaching years and I always loved science fiction for my grade 7 and 8 students even although some of them thought I was too ancient to know what it was about.”