by Unknown
Catherine took a shower, then donned black jeans and a periwinkle blue sweater with a scoop neck that—according to Lindsey—brought out the color of her eyes. She squirted on some designer perfume she’d splurged on and gave her hair one more brush before leaving for her date with Daniel. And for good luck, she had put on her Celtic wedding band.
~~~
When she entered the hotel lobby, Daniel was waiting for her by the door. He gave her an admiring once-over. “You look good cleaned up.”
She laughed. “You’re not so bad yourself.” He had on a beige fisherman’s cable knit sweater and looked like a model for one of those cologne ads in Vanity Fair.
They decided on a pub on the outskirts of town and drove off in Daniel’s car—a rental marginally bigger than Catherine’s. The road took them past sheep farms, stone cottages, and the odd architecturally designed home.
“It’s funny,” said Daniel. “I’ve travelled to many places around the globe and I was always glad to get home. But this place is one I could settle down in, if it wasn’t for my work.”
His thoughts echoed hers, and for a moment, she had an odd feeling they’d had this conversation before.
Daniel went on, his face serious. “Maybe it’s the fact that almost every time you turn, you see water. I’ve always been drawn to water…” He chuckled. “As if that wasn’t obvious. But it’s not only that. Here, the land is mysterious, like the ocean. The way it swells and meanders, as if each valley contains some old story that’s been forgotten or waits to be retold.”
Catherine tilted her head as she looked at him. “You have a way with words. Are you sure you don’t have some Irish in you? Some of the world’s greatest writers come from Ireland.”
“Oscar Wilde, James Joyce, Yeats.” He smiled. “Who knows. The way people move from place to place, anything is possible.”
“True enough.”
“My background is Italian, but I swear this land feels like it’s in my blood.”
It’s in my blood, too, she wanted to say. She gazed out the side window and caught a glimpse of a ewe grazing alongside the road. A soft rain began to fall, and Daniel put on the wipers. The wetness intensified the greens of the land, brightening an otherwise grey evening. Around the next corner, they came to a wee village. At the edge of it, The Lamplighters’ Tavern, its wood siding painted magenta. The brightness of it, along with the gas lamp hanging over the door, made it more than welcoming. It looked like a safe haven, one where her strange revelations might land on receptive ears.
TWENTY-SEVEN
The pub was already packed with locals even though the musicians hadn’t set up yet. Catherine and Daniel chose a table in the corner. After they’d both ordered a Guinness and an Irish meat pie, the blond waitress, whose ample cleavage overflowed her low-cut top, said to Daniel, “You’re an American, then?”
“Yes,” said Daniel, with a sparkle in his eye.
“Is this your girl, then?”
Seemingly unsurprised by her forward question, Daniel said, “No, she’s not. Do you think she should be?”
The waitress laughed. “I don’t know, depends on what you want.”
After the girl left, Catherine teased, “She completely ignored me. All she could see was you. Too bad you’re taken.” And then quickly before he had a chance to read too much into her remark, she said, “I forgot to ask, are things okay back home?”
“Some mix-up with the caterers. The chef that Sean hired quit. She told me he thought she was interfering too much.”
“That’s too bad.”
Daniel stroked his chin, right below his dimples. “That’s Sean. She’s pretty hands on with everything. I guess he didn’t like it. Anyway, she had to find someone new. She didn’t have to run it by me, but I guess she feels better when she can.”
“Great!” Her Great came out weakly, as if she was insincere, which she was. She couldn’t care less about his wedding plans. The fact they were fine was irritating. She’d wanted some inkling there was room to maneuver, to be more than just a fellow diver. In the midst of her thoughts, the young woman with the big breasts returned and set their beer on the table. This time, she didn’t linger. Catherine figured it was because she was too busy.
Daniel raised his glass. “Here’s to more great dives together.”
She clinked his glass and said, “I’m amazed you can say that after today.”
“You were more than adequate the second dive. Lapses of concentration can happen to anyone.”
He was being too kind. Up until now, he hadn’t pushed her to tell him what’d happened, but the way he was gazing at her, all somber, she expected at any moment he’d be pressing her for some kind of explanation.
Sure enough, he said, “I have some serious reservations about our upcoming dives.”
She braced herself. “What do you mean?” She hoped he wasn’t thinking of getting a different buddy to dive with.
“Hennesey’ll do everything he can to put up roadblocks.”
Relieved his concerns weren’t about her, she relaxed and sat back.
“If he’s found one of the Armada ships,” Daniel said, “he’s going to have two governments battling it out.”
“You’re right. I hadn’t thought of the Irish, but the wreck is within their twelve mile range.”
“Exactly. And the Spaniards can claim their war ship wasn’t abandoned, that it was wrecked while making its way home. There’d be no contest then, but the Irish may still try.”
“And what about the barque? Do you think he‘ll inform the National Monument Service?”
“If he’s smart, he will. The laws require he contact either them or the Ministry of Environment or the police within four days of any significant discovery. Especially now that he’s on to something big with both wrecks.”
“Both?”
Daniel nodded. “Don’t kid yourself. Hennesey didn’t say much after you stumbled upon the British one, but I bet he wants to know what’s on that ship. If I’m not mistaken, she was a trading ship, and she could’ve been carrying anything.”
Catherine hadn’t thought of that. Maybe there was something in the hold the spirit wanted her to see.
He chugged some beer. Wiping his mouth, he said, “But if that barque wasn’t insured by Lloyds of London, the Irish government can claim ownership of it too. It’s within their territorial waters.”
“So, he’s up against it.”
“It won’t bother him. He’s challenged these laws before, and for the most part, he’s won. He gets his hand slapped every so often, pays a big fine, but for what he makes on the discoveries, he more than makes up for the times he’s in trouble. It’s hard to prove someone looting. There are so many ways he can cover his tracks.”
She frowned, wishing there was some way to stop Hennesey. “It’s depressing. I don’t know about you, but right now, I’m going to finish this beer and try to forget the ethical quagmire we’ve entered.”
~~~
Since they had to rise early, they left the pub while the musicians were still warming up. The drive back seemed quicker than Catherine would’ve liked. She had yet to tell Daniel why she’d left his side underwater. She was surprised he hadn’t brought it up over dinner, but then maybe he was the kind of guy who wouldn’t push for an answer.
He parked in front of Sea Breeze. The one beer Catherine had was not enough to give her courage. She eased her qualms by first saying, “I’m lucky Frank paired me with you. I don’t know if I could’ve found a more understanding buddy.”
“Don’t flatter me yet. I’m still waiting for that explanation you owe me.”
There it was. He wasn’t going to let her off the hook. He watched as she searched for the right words. She wished she’d volunteered earlier. “I’ve been meaning to tell you all night...”
“So tell me,” he said, teasingly.
She could feel her neck and shoulders tense up. “You’re going to think this is silly.”
“Try me.” His eyes were
serious.
“Well...” She hesitated and then let her story pour out. She told him about the ring and the dreams she’d had since buying it. Every detail. He sat there and listened, his eyes widening with each piece of the story. She had no idea what he was thinking, but she carried on as if there was no other choice. “And then, when I was underwater today—there she was again, the young woman, a phantom, floating above the gunwale, the same one I’d seen before.”
She paused, thinking he might comment but he said nothing. She couldn’t tell if he accepted her story, or thought she was a raving lunatic.
Despite his lack of response, she continued. “Like I said, I don’t know who she is. I had begun to think the woman in my dreams was me in distress.” She bit her lip. “At the time, it made sense. Now, I don’t know what to think.”
“You’re thinking maybe she’s a ghost?”
“Yes.”
He stared out the front windshield. The night sky was black. “I don’t believe they exist.”
Wonderful. What else had she expected from someone with a scientific background? Of course, he’d lean in that direction.
He went on. “Given you were planning on diving after being off so long, why wouldn’t you dream about some strange person, lost and crying out?”
It’s more than that, she wanted to yell. She was angry she’d shared her story with him. He probably thought she was unbalanced.
“What? Did I say something wrong? I’m just saying -.”
She interrupted, “There’s more to this story.” She then told him about her encounter with Martin, the grave at St. Catherine’s cemetery, and her experience at the yellow cottage.
When she finished, he said, “No wonder you followed her.” He seemed genuinely puzzled. He stared at the ring on her hand. “You know, if you’d told me a few months ago about all of this, I would’ve said it was a bunch of bunk.”
“And now?”
He then told her about the psychic he’d seen at the symphony fundraiser. “Strange, huh? There was one thing she said that stuck with me. At first, she mentioned I was going to take a trip across the ocean. To me, that was a no-brainer. She could’ve got that information from anybody there. But when she said my trip would be a spiritual journey, one that would change the course of my life—and she said it with such conviction—it stayed with me.”
She sighed. “I was a skeptic, too, and yet with all this happening...” She wondered if she should tell him about her meeting with the medium.
He gazed softly into her eyes. “She also told me a great love was waiting for me, someone who’d been waiting for a very long time.”
She smiled half-heartedly. “Your fiancé.”
He shook his head. “One of my friends told the psychic about Sean but she said that Sean wasn’t the one.”
Catherine’s eyes widened. “Was that troubling?”
He pursed his lips. “At the time, I dismissed it.” He looked into her eyes.
She wanted to glance away but didn’t. His eyes were so sensual and his lips inviting, she could feel her body responding.
“What about you? Is some great love waiting for you?”
She swallowed. “Not that I know of. I kind of messed things up the first time around. Maybe I’m not meant to be with anyone.”
He knitted his eyebrows. “That’d be a loss.” He took her hand and said, “Catherine, I ...- .”
Her cell phone rang. She let it ring a few times, not wanting to answer. She was stunned that Daniel was holding her hand. His was strong and warm; she didn’t want to let go. But then, worried it might be Alex, she took it out of her pocket and looked at the call display. It was Sybil’s phone number. “Sorry, I have to take this.”
He dropped her hand.
“Hello.”
Richard’s voice was calm. “Alex has had an accident.”.
“Oh, no!” Catherine’s stomach reacted as if she’d been punched in the belly. “Is she okay?”
“She fell off her horse today, but she’s going to be fine. A few scrapes and bruises, but nothing broken. Do you want to talk to her?”
“Of course, I want to talk to her.” She put her hand over the receiver. “My daughter had a riding accident.”
“Mama?”
“Alex, sweetheart, are you okay?” Catherine gulped, her fear threatening to get the best of her. It was as if her daughter was as far away as the black heavens outside. She wanted to pull at the earth and bring her close.
Alex said in a quiet voice, “Mama, I was riding really good and I don’t know what happened. Priscilla got scared and her feet went up and I fell.” She started to cry.
“Oh, honey, I’m so sorry. Did you get badly hurt?”
“No,” Alex’s crying petered out to sniffles.
“Was there someone there who helped you?”
“Yes, Wendy did. She gave me a big hug.”
Catherine tried to remember who Wendy was. Then she remembered the riding instructor she’d talked to on the phone when she was arranging the camp. “Ah, I’m glad. I’m glad she did. I wish I was there to give you one, too.”
“I wish you were, too.”
“I’m sending you lots of kisses for all your boo boos.”
“When are you coming home?” Alex whined, “It’s too long already.”
“I know. It won’t be long now, I promise. I won’t stay a moment longer than I have to.”
“Okay.” She didn’t sound okay.
“Let me talk to Papa again.” Catherine glanced at Daniel who had his eyes shut and his head resting on the seat-back. She hoped he didn’t mind waiting.
When Richard got back on the phone, Catherine said, “Are you sure she’s all right?” When he reassured her, she said, “Well, if she decides to ride again, make sure she doesn’t get a horse that spooks so easily.”
“Catherine,” said Richard. “She’s already decided. She loves riding and her horse is a gentle one. It was one of those freak things, but she wasn’t going fast. She basically slid off and got shaken up a bit.”
“You’re telling me everything, right?” Catherine was on the verge of tears. “You’re not holding back, are you, because I’m far away?”
“No, she’s fine. Don’t worry. She’s well taken care of.”
Catherine sighed in relief. “Thanks for being there.”
There was a silence, and then Richard said, “You take care of yourself, okay? She’s alright.”
“Okay.”
There was some mumbling in the background, sounded like Sybil, before Richard said, “Oh, Catherine, Alex is going over to Kaitlin’s tomorrow for dinner and a sleepover, so if you want to talk to her, phone her here before five our time.”
After she hung up, she sat for a moment, her eyes welling with tears. Daniel leaned towards her and she fell into his arms and cried into his shoulder. His musk scent enveloped her and any tension she had flowed out of her body like a dam let loose. Being comforted by Daniel felt like the most natural thing in the world. But as soothing as his embrace was, she reminded herself he was engaged and pulled back. “I’m sorry. I hate it that I’m on the other side of the ocean.”
“You’re obviously a good mother.”
“I don’t know about that. If I was, I’d be home with her now and not here on this assignment.”
“That’s a lot of guilt.”
She smiled wryly. “I was raised Catholic. Guilt comes with the territory.”
“Tell me about it.”
“You, too?”
He nodded. “A conversation for another time.”
Grabbing her bag off the car floor, she put her hand on the door handle. “Sean’s a lucky girl.”
He gave her an inquisitive look and said, smiling, “You’re buttering me up so I won’t get mad at you if you screw up again.”
She half-laughed. “Let’s hope I’m passed screwing up. Knock on wood.” She knocked her head lightly a few times.
He laughed. “Let me walk you to the
front door.”
“I think I can make it on my own.” She opened the door and got out. “You know,” she said, holding on to the door, “I hope to have another look at that British ship.”
He leaned towards her. “If you want it to happen, it will. It might help you get over this ghost thing.”
Was he making fun of her? She looked at him curiously. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” She closed the door and walked up the front walk, waving without looking back.
Once in bed, she tossed about, ruminating on her evening. She was glad she’d finally told him about the spirits, even if he didn’t believe her. And when she’d mentioned wanting to explore the other ship, he was encouraging. He’d said, if you want it to happen, it will. Not unlike Lindsey saying, ask the universe for what you want and it will come. Was it that easy?
She wanted Daniel. He had hugged her, but that was only to console her. Or maybe he did feel something for her. But even if he did, what was the good of that? Her phone call from Alex underlined the difficulty of her position. Even if Daniel was available, she was still a mother with a child, a child who was very attached to her father.
TWENTY-EIGHT
Now that Hennesey had locked in the dive site, the work became frenzied and the days long. Hungry for that telling detail that would prove his calculations right, he pushed for more dives than the team could handle. And to make matters worse, there was talk of stormy weather on the way. It wasn’t surprising then, that all Catherine wanted to do at the end of each stretched-out day was eat and sleep.
To deal with the frenetic pace and her confusion over Daniel, she willed herself to concentrate solely on her photography. She’d also taken to leaving her ring on the dresser in hopes the spirits would give her a break, and for the moment it seemed that they had.
The other change had to do with Daniel. Outside of their buddy dives, she had little contact with him. He and Tom spent their time erecting the metal grid over the Spanish wreck site, and documenting any finds.
With each crew member absorbed in his job, Catherine found everyone was too busy or fatigued to pick up on any slight, or maybe the acrimony that remained was simply put on hold. Whatever the reason, there were no more blow-ups.
