Seven Days Destinations

by Ruth Hay

  Beth Simmons had changed during the time he was absent from the office. She had developed a new responsibility for clients and patients and was a model of propriety when it came to confidentiality.

  She had managed to secure alternative appointments for those in the midst of treatment and postponed new patients until Wesley’s schedule was returned to normal.

  The result of this was that Wesley enjoyed a period when he was not overbooked and he had time to do some research and catch up with patient files.

  Unusual and pleasant as this was, he found his mind drifting from time to time. He thought about Zachary and Zoe and missed his hours of play and observation of the little boy. Naturally, he was overjoyed at the signs of high intelligence he had seen in his boy and he wished he could continue to sponsor that growth in person. Not that the Excelsior Day Care facility was anything less than excellent. Nothing in Zoe’s company was allowed to fall below that standard, but he thought about the rapid growth of his son and wanted to be on hand to see each new stage or new step.

  His relationship with Zoe had also reached a new stage. As a couple, they had been through so much since Zach’s birth. It had drawn them closer. He had no doubt about Zoe’s gratitude to him for the weeks during which she had been incapable of being a mother to their son, but there was a slight distance between them which had not been there before. He put it down to her busy schedule and the adjustments it required, and yet, there could be other more disturbing reasons.

  Perhaps she unconsciously resented his ability to care for Zach when she had been unable to do so.

  His analytical mind roamed over this assumption and could not totally reject the possibility. After some intense hours of deliberation, it came to Wesley Philips that the only solution to this dilemma was to broach the topic of another child.

  He immediately realized how problematic this would be. After the experiences she had endured, Zoe might not be able to contemplate a repeat event. And yet, if all went well it should be possible to erase the bad memories and start again as it should have been.

  There was a slight dismay for Wesley when he thought of all he would miss with a second child if Zoe took on the major role, but he quickly dismissed that selfish thought.

  If Zoe agreed to enlarge their family with a natural birth or even an adoption, he would be the best, most supportive husband and father the world had ever seen.

  Nothing could be done until Zach had his first birthday in the new year but between now and then he must carefully prepare the ground so that, if at all possible, his darling Zoe would welcome the idea of a new child to love.

  Every week brought amazing changes in Zachary. Zoe was delighted to be close by whenever he did or said something extraordinary. She would receive a call from the supervisor to tell her to stop by for a moment if she could. Unless this type of call arrived in the middle of an important meeting, Zoe would signal to Suzanne, or to whoever was in her office at the time, that she would return shortly and then speed down to the Day Care floor to see Zach’s latest discovery.

  It always surprised her how quickly she could resume her previous mind set regarding finance or new products or staffing issues. She had prided herself for years on her ability to handle multiple important concerns without dropping the ball, as the men would phrase it. This juggling act was second nature to her and was likely one of the reasons for her success. She knew most women were natural multi-taskers. She employed many women because of this skill. But Zoe Philips had developed the skill to a high degree that surprised her even more when applied to Zachary. She was able to watch him say or perform some new task, give him a hug and words to praise him and still arrive back at her office and pick up the strands of the discussion without missing a beat.

  Suzanne said she was nicknamed ‘SuperMom’ in the staff cafeteria. Zoe had to smile at this. There were far worse things she might have been called. As long as Zach was happy and Zoe’s reputation as an executive did not suffer, she was delighted to accept the new title. In fact, she was thrilled. It had taken hard work and a lot of painful self-examination for Zoe to achieve the kind of peace and satisfaction with her life she now enjoyed. She would never take any of her present comfortable existence for granted. Never. It would take a great deal to make her risk it at all.

  It was late in the afternoon when the phone call came from Wesley.

  She saw his name on the display panel and immediately wondered what had happened. It was their habit never to interrupt the other at work unless for an emergency.

  “Zoe darling, everything is fine. Don’t panic. I just received a phone call from Aylward Beck in Toronto. He wants us to take a holiday in Canada and bring Zachary to meet him and Marian. He says all the family there are anxious to see you again. Do you think we could steal a week or so next month? If you believe it’s possible, I will make all the arrangements for us. Think it over and we’ll discuss it tonight.

  Sorry to disturb you but I felt it was a good idea.”

  She put down the phone and had a moment of sheer excitement. Other than Carla, Sandra and Michael, they had not had any visitors since Zachary was born. She felt a surge of pride at the thought of Aylward’s family admiring her lovely child. She knew Aylward had talked to Wesley about her initial difficulties and he had received some advice from the professor, but now that everything was going so well, she wanted to erase all the bad memories and show the world what a success they had made by pulling their little family together in spite of all the odds.

  She remembered the time she had spent with Aylward’s granddaughter, Portia, in the Mexican resort.

  It would be good to see how she had progressed since then. She had never been to Toronto but one of the executives at Excelsior had a family cottage in the Great Lakes area in Canada and he extolled the beauties of the country at every opportunity.

  It would be good to get away together as a family without the pressures of work. October was not a busy month for her. The autumn promotions were well underway already and the Christmas campaigns were set to go to the printers. If they could fly to Toronto and return before the school break, when many airports in England were busy with travellers, they would be able to zip in and out and be back home before they were missed at work.

  In addition, it would provide an opportunity to view the North American markets for both cosmetics and baby wear. She would return with a wealth of ideas and some samples, in Zach’s size of course.

  The more she thought about it, the greater her excitement grew.

  She looked around her office and checked the desk. The day’s work had been accomplished. She would leave a little early, collect Zach and head home by taxi. Wesley would be surprised at the positive reception he was about to receive to his unexpected announcement.

  Chapter Seven

  A Tuesday in October.

  So far, to Wesley’s amazement, everything had gone according to plan.

  It had been a rush to get flights with good seats for three passengers but he had no problem with other holiday bookings. Accommodation in Toronto was arranged by Aylward. He had reserved the visitors’ suite in his new Toronto highrise condominium for the Philips’, and assured them all the services of the building were at their disposal during their stay. Zoe was pleased to hear this included babysitting in their suite with a portable monitor for the parents.

  “It sounds as if their condo has every facility you could want. We may not venture outside it at all. I like the idea of meals ordered and brought to us 24 hours a day if required. It’s like a top class hotel.”

  “If that’s what you want, Zoe, we can certainly stay there as much as you like, but from what I have heard from Aylward their building is in quite a good location right on the edge of Lake Ontario and very close to all the attractions of a major North American city. There should be many activities for Zach, and for us, to enjoy. We’ll check out everything when we arrive and then choose what we want to do.”

  Zoe had her head down inside the
new luggage she had ordered for the trip. It was surprising how much a young child needed. She mumbled something about weather and Wesley had to ask her to repeat it since her voice was muffled.

  “Oh, I am trying to imagine what it will be like to have endless sunshine every day. A little like our week in Mexico, I suppose, but Zach has added to our luggage needs significantly. I remember packing a few dresses and sandals for Mexico. That has changed now, of course, and we will be in a large city as you said, Wes, not in a holiday resort.”

  Wesley was pleased to hear the note of excitement in his wife’s voice. Far from resenting the time away from Excelsior, she had requested a business plan from her office and now had some contacts in Hudson’s Bay, Holt Renfrew and other chain stores in the Eaton’s Centre Mall for initial meetings while they were in Toronto.

  “I expect the weather will be a bit cooler at this time of year in Canada than it was in Mexico. Marian says if we are lucky we may see some of the spectacular fall tree colour but there’s plenty to do. It will be good for you to see different shopping styles. You can buy new clothes for Zach there. Don’t pack too much for him. Marian told me there is a whole underground city of shopping of all types beneath the streets. I believe you can walk for miles in comfort, no matter the weather.”

  “It’s really exciting, Wes, and thank you again for making all the arrangements. I have had very little to do and we are off today.”

  Carla’s tales of her twins’ restless behaviour on the flight from Los Angeles to London, had scared Zoe somewhat, but Zach was good as gold on the long flight allowing all three of them to catch a couple of hours of sleep. They arrived in Pearson Airport to find it was still early in the day in Toronto and a limousine was waiting to whisk them through the city’s suburbs and extensive motorways to the lakeside condominium apartment where Marian and Aylward Beck now lived.

  They were shown, by a receptionist, to the guest suite where they found everything to their satisfaction. Marian Beck arrived within minutes and was delighted to meet Zachary. The feeling was mutual. The little boy accepted the white-haired matron at once and they were fast friends immediately. Marian insisted they leave all their luggage to be unpacked later. She had organized a splendid brunch on their spacious fifteenth floor balcony and she was anxious to show off their condominium as soon as possible. All four entered the Becks’ private elevator and were smoothly conveyed upwards in mere seconds to the private front entrance where Aylward was ready to welcome them.

  Zoe and Wesley were stunned by the view across the lake to the Toronto Islands. It was a glorious day with a cloudless blue sky and sparkling water. With a ferryboat system plying between the mainland and the islands, and a boardwalk winding along the lakeside, there was much to watch. Marian had to urge them to join her at the glass-topped table where their brunch awaited under covers.

  Neither Zoe nor Wesley thought they were hungry until they saw the food spread out before them. It was a combination of cereals, fruits and juices with hot foods including waffles, French toast and maple syrup and every kind of egg you could want.

  Marian said she had already eaten, so she volunteered to entertain Zach indoors once Zoe chose a plate of food and a drink for him. It was a memorable start to a day neither of them would ever forget.

  After Wesley had consumed a cup of coffee and his first ever waffles and syrup, which he declared ‘sweet heaven’, he asked Aylward how Marian was adjusting after her heart attack.

  “She looks very well and quite relaxed,” he stated quickly, in case his old professor should think he was in any way worried.

  “She is very well indeed. This move downtown has been beneficial for both of us to a degree I could never have predicted. My only regret is that we did not think to do this much earlier. I was clinging on to an outdated way of life that was much more suited to our younger selves. Being relieved of all that responsibility has truly been a godsend for us.”

  “I can certainly believe that, Aylward. You look ten years younger and, if I may be so personal, I think you are taller, straighter and slimmer than the last time we saw you.”

  Zoe looked surprised to hear her husband make these personal remarks but she could not deny their truth. Marian and Aylward seemed to have dropped their careworn attitudes with this new lifestyle. Their accommodations were superior; comfortable but not crowded; much more of a holiday home atmosphere than a daily living space.

  “Ha! I am glad you noticed the physical improvements, Wes. I have access to all the health facilities you could name right here in this building and a selection of congenial companions with whom to enjoy them. The tower has a variety of age groups as owners, which is good for us oldies. I must say it has given Marian and me a new lease on life.”

  Zoe was munching her way through a delicious omelette stuffed with colourful vegetables and cheeses. She could feel energy surging through her. It must have something to do with the air wafting in from the vast size of the lake they had only begun to glimpse from the plane. She had imagined Lake Ontario to be similar in size to one of the lakes in the Lake District in England but she had never seen anything of these dimensions in her life. She could also sense the buzz of a busy, cosmopolitan city nearby. Their ride from the airport had shown them a variety of subdivisions, commercial areas, apartment complexes and hotels. Traffic was heavy but moved along speedily. It was hard to reconcile this peaceful, lakeside scene with all the hustle and bustle of the nearby city but the Canadians seemed to have achieved just that happy combination. She found it both interesting and energizing.

  “When you two have finished eating, you must go down and settle into your suite. If you need anything at all, please lift the phone and call us. You will find a push chair and a high chair there for Zachary and the fridge has an assortment of baby foods you can try if you wish.

  Also, there is a private dining room in the building which we have reserved for this evening. Our entire family is anxious to meet you. Feel free to sleep, if you wish, or take a cab for a tour of the downtown sights. You’ll find a display of tourist pamphlets and the closed-circuit television has other current ideas.

  We will stay with Zachary in your suite while you are absent, or you can take him with you. There are good parks as well as shopping areas. He might enjoy an outing with the stroller.”

  “Aylward, you have done so much to make this a wonderful start to our holiday. I can’t thank you enough. We’ll do as you suggest and get settled into our suite, then see how we feel. Dinner with the family tonight is a splendid idea. We will all have plenty to talk about.”

  They collected a smiling Zach who had eaten well with Marian’s undivided attention, and was now happily exploring the huge apartment on hands and knees, pulling himself upright on soft furniture.

  “He is so advanced for his age, Zoe. He talks well and eats well and he is about to walk any day now. You two have done a beautiful job with him. You must be very proud.”

  Wesley took his wife’s hand and gave it a squeeze. A few months ago, he could not have imagined this scene, or thought to hear this approval from a woman who had raised her own children and knew a thing or two about babies.

  In the end, all three Philips’ had a nap together in a big king-sized bed with soft white sheets and covers.

  They awoke refreshed and made use of the huge bathroom where Wesley showered and Zoe bathed Zach then popped into the bath herself while Wes entertained their son.

  It was still daylight although the sun was now beginning to slip down the sky. They decided to take a stroll on the boardwalk by the lake and enjoy the holiday atmosphere before dressing for dinner with the Beck family. Zoe hung up their clothes in the bathroom so the steam from the bath could smooth out any wrinkles. They soon found the public elevator and reached the ground level, making their way through colourful gardens to the area they had seen from Marian’s balcony. Zach bounced in his stroller and called out to the seagulls floating in the breeze.

  “Well, this is love
ly! It feels like a nice temperature just now. I’m not sure we could stand the full heat of the day yet. Coming from England, this October weather may be a trifle too much.”

  “Oh, Wesley, I’m sure we can benefit from a bit of real sunshine for a few days. We’ll protect Zach of course but I think you are very attractive with a slight tan. Remember Mexico?”

  He smiled. Mexico seemed like a vast amount of time ago. It was a time when they were still in honeymoon mode with few worries. He remembered Zoe in summer dresses and a wide-brimmed hat strolling along the walkways of the Nuevo Vallarta resort with such a carefree smile.

  He remembered the nights they sat on their balcony listening to the sounds of music from the entertainment centre and the lovemaking they enjoyed afterwards. So much had happened and yet, he could see some of that carefree attitude in Zoe’s face again. It would be so wonderful if she had at last sloughed off the cares and sorrows of the winter months and become his Zoe once again.

  He looked down at their son happily engaged in watching passing children and families, and knew what they had gained with him, far outweighed the desperate times after his birth. Life would never be quite that carefree again but what they shared now was so much more meaningful. Would their joy be doubled by another child? It was not something anyone could know in advance. Whether that ever came to pass or not, Wesley Philips knew, on looking at his family by his side, he was truly happy and content on this day, in this place.

  They assembled in the private dining room as the shadows were beginning to bring cooler air to the evening.

  No one present on this occasion could forget the last time the Philips’ and Beck families had gathered together like this in Mexico. That had been a momentous event; one that had changed so many lives for the better, including those of their hosts. The senior Becks had dispersed some of their wealth to each child and grandchild and transformed their lives in meaningful ways. Zoe and Wesley had some idea of what had happened since that night but now they were keen to see the effects for themselves.