by Jack Dey
“Please, sir, unhand my person. I am quite capable of entering the premises on my own volition.”
Tess’ mouth dropped open at Katrina’s rude outburst. “Lad... Katie! The gentleman was just trying to help you.”
Desapo was unfazed. “If I don’t carry you in, madam, your pride will be further injured if you have to crawl into the building.”
Katrina’s chalky face and piercing blue eyes stared directly into Desapo’s but neither would relent, not wanting to be the first to flinch or blink while the sidewalk standoff continued. Eventually, Katrina tired of the game and huffed, turning unsteadily from the car that she was using to support herself and started to walk toward the inn, but her knees buckled again. Swooping the determined and attractive brat into his arms, Desapo walked resolutely toward the hotel entrance, Katrina resisting his efforts all the way.
”Which way?!” Desapo bellowed, entering the foyer.
“Up the stairs and to the right... number 12.”
Tess ran ahead of Desapo and opened the door for him and the protesting Katrina wriggling indignantly in his arms.
“Things would work a lot easier, madam, if you cooperated,” Desapo complained, dropping Katrina unceremoniously onto the bed and then walked out.
“Roguish brute!” Katrina yelled after him. “I have never been so humiliated in my life and how dare he take hold of a lady in such a fashion,” she protested indignantly.
“Lady Katrina, our circumstances have now changed. We cannot afford to berate those innocent kindnesses bestowed upon us by willing gentlemen, regardless of their social standing. In fact, we will be out of money and destitute very soon,” Tess bent down, her stern face and fiery eyes searched Katrina’s, hoping to make contact with the sense she was sure existed somewhere inside her head.
Katrina sighed deeply. “You’re right, Tess. I am sorry. I was overcome by my father’s betrayal and that gentleman stepped in front of my ire.”
Tess stood up from the position Desapo had deposited Katrina, and paced the room. “We need to get our stories straight if we are to survive. You will not draw so much attention if we go on our original suggestion of being simply Katie, and maybe I can assume the role of your sister, Tess. That will still allow me to carry out my duties to you without causing undue suspicion.”
Katrina’s eyes sparkled at Tess’ plan. She liked the idea of a sister. “But how will I fit into being a commoner?” Katrina’s face appeared downcast.
“You’ll have to follow my lead. I’ve had a lifetime of training in the art, my lady,” Tess teased. “We’ll have to find a job also, to support ourselves after our money runs out.”
Katrina’s eyes were wide. “A job?! I could never... could I?!” Then she thought about the idea. Maybe she could earn her own support and make her own fortune.
“Okay, so from now on we are Katie and Tess Belinger,” Tess announced.
“Belinger?” Katrina quizzed.
“It was the first name that came to mind,” Tess confessed.
“Belinger it is, then.” Katrina echoed, feeling the most positive since she’d devised her ignoble plan to run away from the Riviera.
*~*~*~*
Desapo showered and then dressed, attempting to put together anything of value from the day’s comedy. He still didn’t have enough information to make a detailed plan or an accurate scope of the work to give a precise estimate to Pike’s association. He’d have to study the Barrett Passage and moreover, Black Dean with greater care, taking several journeys out to the swirling monster, but this time he would leave Pike ashore.
A plan unexpectedly unfolded in Desapo’s scheming mind with his thoughts turning to his brother, Neddy, knowing his experience in building stone lighthouses would be invaluable on this job. With an urgency to contact Neddy, Desapo needed to convince his easygoing brother to abandon his stonemasonry projects and come to work for him. They hadn’t worked together for many years and since each one wanted to be the boss, they’d decided to create separate companies, but both brothers had done well in their separate enterprises and often used each other as a sounding board for particularly difficult jobs. His older brother was the ever-present charismatic, full of fun and teasing and that was why Desapo loved having Neddy around. Desapo’s personality was more serious and abrasive and Neddy drew him out of his severe attitude. The job was fun, as well as sincere when Neddy came on board.
Desapo’s appearance at the front counter brought a beaming smile to Gustav. “Mr Desapo, all is acceptable I trust, sir?”
“Huh...? Oh, yes. I need to make a person-to-person call to Edward Desapo at this number,” Desapo handed Gustav a piece of paper with Neddy’s number on it.
“Right away, sir,” Gustav busied himself making the connection and a few minutes later handed Desapo the phone.
*~*~*~*
Chapter 25
The day had been long and tiring for Marguerite, with Majiv’s birthday celebration unlike any she had seen before. She spent most of the day hiding in the kitchen alongside Ima, keeping the crowd content with an endless supply of food and washing dishes, while music and dancing echoed into the room. Ima tried to chase her out to enjoy the celebration, but the memory of her lips touching the soft skin of Majiv’s handsome face and the electric zap she’d felt on contact frightened her.
The guilt of her wayward pregnancy and its concealment was weighing heavily on her mind, too, making it increasingly difficult to look the Liebermans in the eye. However, Marguerite felt content living with the Liebermans, and if it wasn’t for Majiv’s presence, it would have been an ideal arrangement; but for now he was the only complication and she would just keep her distance from him. Marguerite daydreamed as she washed another set of dirty dishes and jumped when she realised that someone was speaking to her.
“Marguerite!”
“I am sorry, Ima. Did you say something?” Marguerite apologised.
“Does your own family celebrate birthdays?” Ima repeated.
Marguerite’s face fell at the question and Ima saw the response. She looked away from the old woman as if she was coming to a decision and then softly spoke.
“My mother died when I was three. My birthday was a month before she died and that was the last happy family celebration I can remember.”
Ima’s eyes began to mist over at Marguerite’s confession. “Oh, I am sorry, Marguerite!”
The little round woman instinctively moved in and folded Marguerite in a hug. Marguerite was stiff and resistant at first and after a long moment, melted into the tenderness of Ima. She hadn’t been the recipient of a mother’s arms for many years, but it was impossible to resist her warm magnetism and before long, Marguerite had cautiously told her about her father and his manic ravings that had driven her out of his home. She explained her unhappy childhood, her father’s consolation in a bottle at her mother’s death and the countless beatings for seemingly minor misdemeanours.
She stopped short of telling her about Robbie and what he had done to her.
It was nearly midnight when the household quieted. Marguerite listened to Katarzyna excitedly recapping her day and her exhortation for Marguerite to join in. She tried to resist the sleep invading her mind and concentrate on Katarzyna’s excitement, but her exhaustion won and she floated off into a deep contented sleep.
A metallic buzzer stabbed viciously at Marguerite's sleep and announced the beginning of a new day. With a sleepy sigh, she reached across to the lampstand and silenced the alarm. The chill of the approaching winter was evident even in the second-floor bedroom and as Marguerite left the warmth of her bed and pulled her dressing gown around her, she shivered uncomfortably. Katarzyna stirred, mumbled something and rolled over and went back to sleep, but her pretty face tangled in a shock of jet black locks veiling the girl’s face. Her comforter had been dislodged as well and hung precariously off the side of the bed. Marguerite smiled at Katarzyna, realising this is what having a little sister would be like and then with a tend
er hand, she pulled the comforter back over her and tucked it under her chin, then cleared the misbehaving locks from her eyes.
As Marguerite dressed for her day, she ran her hands over her stomach and quietly greeted the growing baby bump. The house was quiet except for the occasional clatter of dishes, signifying Ima was up and probably had been since Majiv and Mr Lieberman had left for the bakery around 3 am. Ima would have Marguerite’s breakfast ready, as she always did when she descended the stairs into the kitchen, taking note of Ima and what she so selflessly did for her family. Soon she would have to do the same for her own family and Ima’s example was invaluable to Marguerite since her own mother wasn’t around to show her the ropes.
“Good morning, Ima,” Marguerite greeted as she walked into the kitchen.
Ima turned toward the voice and her face lit up in a smile. “And good morning to you, Marguerite. Did you sleep well? Sit and I will bring your breakfast.”
“Thank you. Yes, I did sleep well.”
Ima filled a bowl with hot food and then sat next to Marguerite. “Today is the Sabbath for the family, Marguerite,” Ima explained.
Marguerite looked up from her food with questioning eyes.
“It is our belief that our Father God requires us to rest on the seventh day from all work, as He did when He created the world. Our week ends at sundown tonight and the Sabbath goes till sundown on Saturday, where we do not work. We go to church tonight as a family and worship our Lord Jesus, our Messiah, and then afterward we spend time as a family, enjoying each other.”
A look of fear crossed Marguerite’s face as she stared into the eyes of the gentle old woman. Marguerite remembered her father ranting about God-botherers and the venom he spewed concerning Jesus, Jews and church people.
“I just wanted to tell you so you have time to prepare yourself, Marguerite,” Ima gently proposed.
“I have never been to church, Ima,” Marguerite replied worriedly. “In fact, my father spoke very ardently against religion.”
“It’s a normal response for people who do not know our Saviour Jesus,” Ima gently assured. “Fear always causes people to jump to conclusions and then speak out with violence against things they do not understand.”
“How do you know that what you believe is the truth, Ima?” Marguerite played with her fork, but gazed directly at Ima.
“Because the Bible tells us so,” Ima responded quietly. “Everything in the Bible can be proven by history, archaeology and proven prophecy. In fact, some archaeologists use the Bible as a roadmap to find ancient ruins. In the ancient times, prophecies were written sometimes hundreds of years before they happened and later proven to be correct. There are also many prophecies written about today, that have predicted future catastrophic events,” Ima continued.
“But a lot of people say that the Bible is just a bunch of confusing children’s stories,” Marguerite replied.
“That’s because they read with the mind of a man and not the mind of the Spirit. God is Spirit and the Word is Spirit and it has to be read with the mind of the Spirit.”
Marguerite appeared confused.
Ima got up from the table and disappeared into the kitchen and soon came back with a colourful map. She placed the map on the table in front of Marguerite. “This is a map of Israel. Now I will give you some names in Hebrew and using the map, I want you to find them and direct me how to get there.”
Ima rattled off some Hebrew names in her native tongue that Marguerite had never heard before, then she looked at the map in front of her and saw it was written in Hebrew, too.
“I can’t understand any of this, Ima,” Marguerite complained.
“Then you understand the dilemma of people trying to read and understand the Bible. If you do not know Jesus, then His word will not make any sense to you, either,” Ima concluded.
Marguerite understood Ima’s point. “Can you teach me how to understand then, Ima? My father’s ravings have been wrong on so many occasions and I want to understand from your—and Mr Lieberman’s—perspective.”
Ima smiled. “You are a smart girl, Marguerite. Maybe tonight at church you will gain some insight into who Jesus Christ really is.”
It was time for Marguerite to walk the thirty minutes down to the bakery and prepare for opening time. Marguerite stood at the apartment door and put on her coat. Ima followed her to the door and helped her dress, then pulled up her collar against the wind.
“Have a nice day, Marguerite.”
Ima hugged her and as she stepped out into the snowy landscape, the door closed softly behind her.
*~*~*~*
Chapter 26
Desapo’s business with Neddy took longer than he expected and the long distance phone call was costing him a small fortune. Neddy’s charismatic character had one small flaw: he couldn’t seem to make a quick decision and Desapo was getting annoyed. Neddy knew his character traits ate at Desapo, who seemed to be able to decide in a fraction of a second, so Neddy played on it, straining Desapo’s patience to the breaking point. He was just about to give up on Neddy and end the phone call when he noticed the appearance of the two women that he and Pike had helped, be it all too reluctantly on the part of the spoilt, dark haired beauty. Neddy’s rambling voice distracted him from acknowledging the two women, with the more sensible of the two standing at the counter and whispering intensely to Gustav, only a few feet away from where Desapo was trying to end the call. The spoilt one stood nearby and seemed to be disinterested in the conversation, gazing distractedly all around the foyer.
“All right, cranky, but you’d better understand this is going to cost you, little brother,” Neddy finally consented.
Desapo was trying desperately to eavesdrop on the intensity of the whispered conversation and Neddy’s ramblings at the same time, and in the end he gave up and told Neddy just to get on a train and get here. Desapo hung up the phone and handed it back to Gustav, who by this time had finished his whispered conversation with the lady and the two women had moved on into the diner.
“I couldn’t help overhearing your whispered conversation, Gustav. The lady looked quite intimidated,” Desapo’s intense gaze told Gustav he was expecting to be enlightened.
“Their situation is indeed unenviable, Mr Desapo. Unfortunately, my employer does not allow me to extend charitable anomalies.”
“Are you trying to tell me that they are about to be evicted from this hotel?!” Desapo’s expression seemed flabbergasted.
“I am at length not to be considered perfidious, Mr Desapo, but it would seem that the ladies are bereft of a financial supporter and quite soon I would be incumbent upon, should I say ever so circumlocutory, to expedite their departure. The lady was enquiring of any suitable employment they may be fortuitous enough to undertake in this establishment, but as the financial crisis inhibits amicable collaboration, I had no choice but to excogitate and answer in the negative.”
Desapo stared at Gustav with a questioning gaze. “So, you mean to tell me the ladies are looking for work?”
“Indeed, that is what I have just explained, sir.”
Desapo was about to leave the counter when a sudden thought stopped him and he returned to where Gustav was standing. “I have an idea, Gustav, that may be satisfactory to all parties, but I will need your assistance.”
Gustav smiled with anticipation at Desapo’s plan. He nodded as he listened and then broke out into an even bigger grin. “Bravo, sir! You can count on my collaboration.”
Desapo entered the dining room and walked slowly past the table Tess and Katrina occupied. “Good evening, ladies,” he gestured as he installed himself in a table close by.
Tess’ face brightened as she recognised Desapo. “Good evening, sir.”
Katrina turned away from Desapo with a look of disdain, giving him the impression of a cold shoulder.
“I do hope you have recovered from your turn, madam?” Desapo’s gaze turned to Katrina.
“I am recovered well en
ough, sir. However, I consider myself fortunate to have escaped a substantial injury at the rough treatment I received from your hand,” Katrina sulked, deciding she did not like this brute of a man, even if he had been so kind to her.
“Katie...! Please forgive my... sister, sir. Being unfortunately left behind by our ship has caused her a great shock. I am sure when she has had time to recover fully she will be more congenial,” Tess’ expression begged Katrina to comply.
Katrina turned toward Desapo and looked him straight in the eye. “I hardly think so... sister!” she stressed, before turning her gaze away from Desapo and Tess.
Desapo’s amused features were getting bored with the interplay and Katrina’s childish response. The arrival of the waiter to deliver food to the two women allowed an uneasy truce, and Desapo began to spread out plans and documents on the table in front of him. Soon, his attention was completely absorbed in his work, broken only by the waiter bringing him his food.
Katrina picked up her knife and fork with her gloved hands and removed her handkerchief from a small leather bag, polishing the knife and fork with such tenacity that Tess was becoming uneasy at the attention and stares from amused diners close by. Katrina was still adjusting to her new surrounds and even though she was hungry, the thought of eating common food from common utensils and plates still didn’t sit well with her. She placed a small amount of food between her white teeth, hoping once again that somehow this would neutralise any possibility of catching a common disease from common food. The taste of the food was making her mouth water and eventually, she gave in and hungrily devoured the rest.
Katrina’s antics made Tess nervous for their immediate future. Katrina’s only known ability was to grace high society parties with her elegant appearance and Tess knew if they were to survive, it would be up to her to earn an income. Tess planned to walk the streets of Lightning Harbour and beg for work, if need be. She worried that the allowance for Katrina’s upkeep was running out rapidly, and after tomorrow they would be literally thrown out on the street. Katrina was dropping social classes very fast and her riches-to-rags story would be inevitable if Tess didn’t do something. Katrina’s survival was dependent on Tess’ ability to provide for the clueless prima donna.
