by Alisa Grey
He was a real storyteller. You would never stop listening to him. He had travelled quite a lot, so he knew many tales. He was often alone.
As chattering with him, we heard a shot. We were in the middle of nowhere, so it was awkward. We looked around and saw that a shallop was being put into the sea.
«It’s Mr Hill. When he sees a shark, he just... you know, his leg was injured few years ago. Now he just can’t stand sharks».
«Where are they going?»
«He killed the shark, so they are going to get the body. We’ll cook it».
Once in New York, we found a pleasant atmosphere. It was the end of September and it was still warm. The city was very vital and the people were all very busy. It was clear that New York was going to become a crucial city. I liked the chaos and the melting pot.
We were staying in a small hotel down the Greenwich Village. It had been recommended to us by the captain Clarke.
«Miss Rogers is the owner. She is a nice middle-aged woman. It’s a nice neighbourhood and you should be fine. She is a good friend and she will be kind to you».
When we asked him where the Greenwich Village was, he replied: «South-east Manhattan. The site had been bought in the XVIIth century from the Lenapes. The Hollanders paid in goods for it, you know? It was 24 dollars. A wall was built to defend it, in the XVIIIth century. But then it was destroyed. Still, the site is now called Wall Street».
When we got to the hotel, we found that it was a nice building. The furniture was elegant and there even were some Tiffany abat-jours.
A small, fat woman came to meet us. She wore a violet dress. She seemed nice.
«Good morning, dears. My name is Miss Rogers. May I help you?»
«My name is Keir Murphy and this is my wife, Claire. Captain Clarke recommended us your hotel».
«Dear Brandon! How’s he?»
«He is very fine».
«I’ll show you your room».
We were taken to a nice room. There were curtains at the windows and a nice sofa in the middle of the room. The bed was big. There was even a terrace which was packed with flowers.
«We like it very much, thank you».
Miss Rogers looked at us, then she smiled.
«I’ll let you rest».
She left.
«I so want to take a bath...»
«Do you want me to help you?»
«No, thank you».
I relaxed as much as I could, as long as I could. When I was back to our bedroom, I found that Keir had fallen asleep. After a while, someone knocked on the door.
«There’s a message for you, Madame».
I took the white envelope. It was from Sam. I went to the bathroom, shut the door behind me and opened it.
My dear Claire,
I’d love to be with you now.
I am happy that you got married and I feel much better knowing that someone is taking care of you. I will keep an eye on you, nonetheless.
I’m sure you told Alex about Edward. Let them meet. I will help you with that.
I love you and always will. I don’t know when I will be able to meet you, but please know that time won’t change what I feel for you.
I’ll keep in touch.
Yours,
Sam
I cried. The paper smelt like Sam.
When I was able to wash my face, I hid the letter in my pocket. Keir was still sleeping. I sat on the sofa.
I needed to wait for him to wake up, for Sam to write to me again, for us to be back home. Was Sam in New York, then? I didn’t want to be unfair to Keir, but I loved Sam.
«What are you thinking about?», Keir asked.
«Nothing, I’m just hungry», I said.
«Me too. What shall we eat?»
«Mmh... I don’t know».
«I’ll take you somewhere. Clarke recommended the place. We’ll have pastrami and bagel».
I found out that bagels were rolls of bread. They were boiled and then cooked. They could be served with anything inside of them. We walked through the Village and got lost. We got to the heart of the neighbourhood anyway. It was the sunset. We sat on a bench and Keir hugged me.
«You know, Clara, this arch is like the one in Paris», said a man next to us. He was sitting with a nice lady.
Young couples and a few men were walking around us.
«This place was a swamp, then it became a cemetery. In 1797 the city bought an old farm and made that become a cemetery», said the man.
«Your students must be very proud of you», said Clara.
«Oh, they don’t care about an old professor».
I was charmed by that couple.
«Claire? Are you listening to me?»
I looked at Keir.
«Look at that couple».
«They are sweet, aren’t they?»
I shook my head.
«But so we are», he said and he kissed me.
«Are you a bit jealous of me, Claire?»
«What?»
«Remember that man in Paris? Men look at you and... they think about things».
«Oh, Keir... I don’t even notice men...»
«I’m glad you don’t. You keep me busy anyway...»
«If you are talking about my wish to meet Sam, you may as well shut up».
He took a deep breath.
«I promised myself we would never fight», he said.
He was sweet. He was jealous, but he was trying not to argue with me.
«I wish you trusted me, Keir».
«Let’so go back, shall we?»
We got back to the hotel.
It was like playing chess, when it came to our relationship. He was a good player, though. He was patient and fetchy. I didn’t like to lie to him, but I just couldn’t tell him about Sam’s letter.
By the time we got to our room, he seemed to have forgotten everything about our fight. I was getting undressed, when he took me in his arms and kissed me. He kissed my neck as well and I felt peaceful. Feelings took over and we made love spontaneously. Making love was the only thing we could really do together. It was magic. I caressed his back.
«How many women have you been sleeping with?»
He turned pale.
«Many, but you already know that. I’m sorry about my... past life».
I remained silent for a while.
«Will you be sleeping with other women? From now on, I mean».
He looked at me.
«Claire, I love you and won’t risk losing you. Right? I’m a married man now. I could never do anything to you that could hurt you. I’m not like... you and Sam».
«Not like...»
That had been unkind.
«Listen. I don’t trust him, Claire. I trust you, but I don’t trust him. He abandoned you and your children. He didn’t choose the right thing. If he will be back, I won’t let you put me aside. You are mine now, and this is final».
He took my hands and kept them still. Then he forced me to open my legs with his knee.
«What are you...?»
He entered my body.
«I know you like it, Claire. Don’t pretend you don’t».
He started pushing inside of me.
«I won’t lose you, Claire».
He unleashed my hands and we made love once again.
CHAPTER 34
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. Rai
lways 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.
CHAPTER 35
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.
«Th
is 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.
CHAPTER 36
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».
