Return to Oban

by Ruth Hay

  Now, I see a pot of tea at the ready so let’s sit down and you can tell me all your plans.”

  By the time Jeanette took her leave, both Anna and Ashley were ready for a nap. They had lived in comparative silence for so long, it was exhausting to cope with the speed of her speech and the plethora of ideas that spilled from her mouth.

  “She’s a force to be reckoned with, don’t you think, Ashley? We added Jeanette to our original Canadian Samba group and she’s been a great asset, especially for me. However, I think a short rest is in order now. I need to gather my strength if we are to be visiting the new baby soon.”

  Ashley agreed and planned to use the quiet time to do some preliminary planning for her book. After this she would call her publisher with the news that she had already started on the project. A slight exaggeration, of course, but she was reluctant to tell him the true story. Whatever happened, she and Anna must discuss the book’s contents soon.

  The discussion occurred sooner than Ashley had expected.

  She had made the call to Canada and was back at her notes when Anna arrived in the kitchen and guessed what she was doing.

  “You have been patient so long, Ashley. What do you suggest for your book’s contents? Do you want me to write something for you, or would you prefer to ask questions for me to answer?”

  “I think the latter would be easier for you. I can make quick notes at first but I will have to buy a recorder of some kind so as not to make errors with your accounts.”

  She turned to a fresh page of her notebook. “Shall we give it a try now and see how we manage? Tell me about your first meeting with Lawren.”

  Anna smiled and moved over to the padded bench by the window so she could look out at the rain-washed garden and think back to the beginning of it all.

  “I suppose you can say it was art that brought us together. I had decided I wanted a painting or portrait of Helen Dunlop to hang in her house here as a tribute to her. The problem was how to do this as I had very few images of Helen to use as a guide. I advertised for an artist who might be interested in a challenging assignment and Lawren arrived at my door in London, on his bicycle, of course.

  At first, I had no idea who or what he was and it was due to his perseverance that we connected at all. I’m afraid I was quite dismissive of him, suspecting him of being a young salesman of some kind. It was only after I had mentioned his name to Susan that I really found out how talented he was as a portrait painter. When I finally accepted his invitation and climbed up to his attic studio in the old house, I soon learned how intuitive he was.”

  “Lawren Drake’s intuition is an acknowledged aspect of his talent. How did it show itself to you? It isn’t an easy thing to describe.”

  “You are quite right. I didn’t give it that label at first. I just caught the sense of something unusual in his glance. He seemed to look past my external appearance and delve into the depth of my feelings and intentions. It was not a comfortable experience, Ashley. I admit I was afraid of his ability to gauge my inner thoughts.”

  “I can imagine that would be a trifle upsetting for someone like you. Was it part of the ‘golden gaze,’ as I once heard you describe it?”

  Anna’s laughter rang around the kitchen. It was to Ashley, a sure sign of her recovery. That happy sound had been missing for some weeks now.

  “Oh, I believe I did use that phrase and it’s true. You knew him, Ashley. You fell under that gaze more than once. The very first time you met Lawren, he mentioned your future aspirations.”

  “I remember. We climbed Helen’s Hill together and he simply listened to my young-girl-talk for a while. He did have an unusual eye colour but I think his listening skills were equally important.”

  “I agree. He never indulged in meaningless chatter. He listened intently. When someone does that, as effectively as he did, it makes the speaker more inclined to reveal things. Perhaps this is one secret of his intuition but there was more to it.”

  “What do you mean?” Ashley’s pen was poised. She was ready for a new revelation and she was well aware the success of her book depended on these new revelations.

  “I don’t suppose you were ever told about the embarrassing encounter in a London coffee shop.”

  “Go on.”

  “Well, Lawren and I were meeting there so I could show him some of the few family photos I had.

  That wasn’t the embarrassing part. We were being spied upon by Susan and Alina which I did not like at all. I think it was the first time he held my hands in his, across the cafe table. I definitely felt something and it was not about the strength of his painter’s grasp. It was a peculiar sensation of what I can only describe as ‘rightness’. A feeling of coming home, I suppose. It sounds strange, I know, but it was an aspect of Lawren’s mystery that he could make me feel that way when I was so uncertain about the portrait project, never mind the contact with a much younger man.”

  Anna’s hand went to her throat. It was a gesture Ashley had observed before whenever her aunt was feeling emotional.

  “Was there something else of significance about that moment?”

  The older woman paused to think and her fingers automatically turned the thin small ring she wore on her right hand.

  Ashley knew this ring had belonged to Anna’s mother. It was one of the pair of rings she always wore.

  Anna Mason Drake could definitely afford to replace, either or both of these rings, with something more expensive but she had never done so.

  “He asked to hold this ring with its tiny flower shape composed of small diamond chips. I said nothing when I handed it over but he cradled it in his hands as if it were the precious Kohinoor diamond. He knew instantly it held great meaning for me. I now believe it was at that very moment he devised the notion to paint a triple project including my mother and Helen Dunlop. I can’t prove it, of course, but it is entirely possible. I might have been able to verify his thoughts right then if we had not been interrupted by the two spies. Lawren was polite but he left quickly and I thought I would never see him again.”

  “Did that thought disturb you?”

  “Not at first. My focus was on my own annoyance at the way we had been disturbed. Lawren had taken my photos with him and he had promised to return them, so eventually I understood there was to be another meeting and I began to look forward to it although with some apprehension. I did not know why I was so confused.”

  “Did your own intuition kick in then?”

  “I suppose so. Or it could have been the beginning of the attraction I felt that kept me moving forward with the unlikely project.”

  “So your next meeting was the one you mentioned just now, when you really understood about his intuition?”

  “Yes. He had taken the photos and made a preliminary sketch of the three heads. The background was hazy but the faces stood out and I admit to being shocked when I saw them. It was uncanny how he had devised such detail from the meagre information in a few blurry old black and white images. Yet, something felt so right about what he had created. It hit me in the heart, if you know what I mean?”

  “I think I do. It’s something you just know is true although you can’t really explain why.”

  “That’s it exactly! I knew there was a talent here beneath the surface and the man wielding the pencils and brushes, was tapping into a force beyond the obvious.”

  Ashley took a moment to write down the exact quote. She was looking for phrases that might be a title or even a chapter heading for the book. She needed to go off now and transcribe what she had heard.

  She wanted to capture the essence of Anna’s memories. Her journalist’s instincts told her this was priceless. So many people would be eager to learn what Anna knew about Lawren Drake.

  “I think that’s enough for now Aunt Anna. I will get this down on paper in a better form. Once I source a recording device we can go on for longer, if you are up to it.”

  “Of course, Ashley. It feels good to be talking about him
this way. I can sense him much more clearly than I usually do.” She paused to smile, then continued.

  “Oh, I was thinking about something. Would you like to use the office in the lounge for a quiet spot to write in? It’s rarely used nowadays. I have the key in a kitchen drawer here. It’s yours if you want and you can lock it for complete privacy. And feel free to use the laptop computer in there. Like most people these days, I use my phone for everything. ”

  “That sounds like a wonderful idea. I can retreat there without disturbing anyone else who might be in the house. I remember it’s a lovely space with the large window looking onto the rear garden and Helen’s Hill. It’s the perfect place for a writer.”

  Ashley took charge of the key and went at once to examine her new office. It was just as she had remembered. She plugged in the laptop and left it charging up. After her first real session with Anna, she was excited at the prospect of hours more to come.

  Thank God the memories were still fresh and relevant.

  It was not only the content that delighted her. It was such a privilege to spend this private time with her aunt. She was conscious, however, that obtaining the private times would become more difficult now that Anna’s friends were keen to re-establish their connections.

  Chapter Eleven

  Ashley’s prediction was correct. Bev’s call the next day set the merry-go-round in motion.

  Anna reported to Ashley that Bev had learned Fiona was back at home with the new baby.

  “There’s no more lingering in the hospital for days like Bev did when James and Eric were born in Canada. It’s up and out now which suits Fiona fine. She wants us to come over as soon as we can.

  Bev says she needs another day or so to set up her own household again but she is going into Oban to shop this afternoon and will take you with her if you want. I’ll wait for Jeanette to call with a date for the house-cleaning crew. She’ll take both of us to Glenmorie for the day and we can inspect the new house and the new baby boy. I can hardly wait to see all of them. Such a lovely family!”

  Ashley could hear a happy note of anticipation in her aunt’s voice at these plans. She would accept Bev’s ride to town and look around for a recorder as well as cards and a gift for the new baby.

  Anna was happy to stay put for another day. She had a plan to check through her wardrobe for suitable clothes for visiting Glenmorie and she would put a meat pie in the oven for their supper when Ashley returned. The rain and wind had blown away, bringing more settled weather, but the temperature was much colder and she did not want to catch a chill in her weakened state.

  Anna also wanted to phone Alina and bring her up to date with the long period of her inability to communicate. There might be recriminations and she preferred to hear these on her own.

  * * *

  To Anna’s relief Alina was not reproachful about the long absence. She was more concerned about the illness and Anna’s recovery.

  “Truly, I am well on the mend now. I promise not to rush things although I will admit to being tired of being shut up here when my objective was to enjoy time with friends again. I guess Rabbie Burns’ claim ‘the best laid plans o ’mice and men gang aft agley,’ fits the case.”

  “As long as you are over the worst now, I won’t complain too much but I am concerned about what might have happened if Ashley had not been with you and I feel guilty because I can’t be there.”

  “Oh, Alina, please don’t fret about that. I am glad you did not have to endure my misery but it has made me think more about our conversation regarding where we would choose to roost in our latter days.”

  “Surely, it wasn’t that bad?”

  “No, no! Giving my voice a rest for a week or two was not such a punishment. I was never in danger of dying and yet, I wonder what would have happened if I had need of hospital services. The medical care I got was excellent but a decent hospital is not close by as it would be in London, Ontario.”

  “Well, we can talk about that another time, Anna. You just concentrate on getting fit so you can see everyone. I am expecting full details on all that’s been happening since my last visit.”

  Anna noted Alina’s concerns and decided not to tell her about Ashley’s book project and its effect on her. That might be a conversation for another day when she knew how it was shaping up. So far it had been pleasant to think about Lawren at the beginning of their romance but there was more to be told and some of it was still harrowing for her.

  Ashley was in the office transcribing her notes when the phone rang. She picked it up and was surprised to hear Edmund Jansen’s voice.

  “Ashley? I’m calling to let you know I have an entire afternoon off this week. I know it’s short notice but I thought I would tell you, just in case you are free.”

  It was a jolt to force her mind from Anna’s account of Lawren’s intuition to figuring out why the doctor should be calling her. Then she remembered the prospective date at the castle.

  “Oh, I can’t say for sure, Dr. Jansen, but let me check for you and I’ll call you back if it can be arranged.”

  She heard her words, and immediately thought they could not have sounded more formal. She had even reverted to his title rather than his first name. Before she could apologize, he murmured something noncommital and the phone clicked off.

  “Darn! Now I will have to contact Gordon.”

  She knew the number and was relieved to get a reply on the line after a couple of rings.

  “Glenmorie Castle office; Donald here. How can I help?”

  She realized at once that Gordon would be in the new house settling in Fiona and the baby and this was not the time to be asking for favours.

  “Oh, Donald, it’s Ashley, Anna Drake’s niece. I’m sorry to bother you.”

  “Not at all, Ashley. I hear you have been a lifesaver lately for your aunt. I hope she is doing well now?”

  “Yes, she is coming along, I’m glad to say. I was calling about another matter but I think it best to wait until a better time.”

  “As you wish, of course.” There was a slight pause before he continued. “I do know I’ll be asked questions about this call by the boss, so perhaps you should give me a clue?”

  She was trapped now. There was nothing else to be done.

  “Well, Donald, I was going to ask if I could bring a visitor to see the castle sometime. It’s the new doctor, Edmund Jansen, but I know Gordon and Fiona have more than enough to deal with at the moment and doubtless there will soon be many visitors including my aunt and Jeanette McLennan.”

  “Och now, you are asking the right person about this, Ashley. I am in charge of the castle bookings these days and I can tell you there’s nothing planned for the whole of this week. You are welcome to come by any day and I’ll give your guest the tour. It’s no trouble, and my cousin Angus says the young doctor has done wonders for his wife’s arthritis, not to mention how he has helped you and Mistress Drake lately. Shall we say Wednesday afternoon?”

  She recognized once again the networking system in a small community. Everyone knew everything that was going on. She would not be surprised if there was already some gossip about her trip to town in the doctor’s car. No doubt speculation was rife. Donald seemed overanxious to set up this date for her.

  “If you’re sure it’s no trouble, Donald.”

  “Absolutely, sure. Just come by the office and I’ll have the keys ready.”

  The next task was to tell Edmund and try to reverse the poor impression she had left with him on their last call. Instead of the doctor, however, she reached the surgery receptionist and had to leave a message which was not what she wanted.

  Another tasty bit of gossip to be circulated on the hot line.

  Returning to her writing, Ashley half hoped Wednesday would not work out. This was getting complicated and she had more important things to do than swanning around in an old castle with a virtual stranger.

  * * *

  The writing had to be abandoned, finally, when Bev
arrived with her car. Ashley ran upstairs to get her purse and tidy her hair. It would not do to be seen in Oban in an unkempt state now that her name was undoubtedly on the lips of local gossips.

  She returned to the kitchen to find Bev and Anna in the midst of an update on how many changes had occurred in their mutual hometown.

  “You wouldn’t believe how London has grown, Bev. It seems as if every unoccupied corner is being used for another small development of townhouses. Alina and I are thankful Rosecliffe is walled on the east side and meets Springbank Road on the north, so no further building is possible. You wouldn’t recognize most of the city, and as for the traffic! It’s impossible to go anywhere during rush hours. We are glad we retirees can pick and choose our times to go out.”

  “I can imagine what you mean. After Los Angeles, Alan and I are so delighted we can return here to the peace of the countryside. You must feel the same way, Anna.”

  “I do, but it has been different while I was so ill. Anyway, we’ll talk about that another day. Ashley has some important shopping to do. No doubt she’ll tell you about it on the drive.”

  Ashley had not stopped to consider how she could capitalize on the private time with Bev. As one of the oldest of Anna’s friends, it could be useful to outline the book idea and ask for Bev’s opinion on Lawren and his impact on Anna’s life. It was too good an opportunity to miss.