by Inia Jardine
'So we just give her up?'
'No, we don't give her up, we let her go for now. We let her have the best life, education and opportunities she could dream of. We visit her when we can, and when she is all grown up she can come back to us out of her own free will if she wants to. She will have no reason to hate us.
We are going to have to set her free if we love her. I don't want her to hate me forever, do you want that?'
'I married a very clever woman. What is seventeen years in the greater scheme of things after all? I will only be in my sixties then, still young enough to enjoy her as a grown up daughter. And if we are shown to be responsible caring parents and not alienate her or them, they may even allow her to come to us for holidays in a couple of years. It's not like we will never see her. That will be great!'
'I think we must call them. Ask them to meet us at Von Diemens' office and we can get the paperwork done at the same time. I want to add a personal letter to her to be given to her on her sixteenth birthday, do you want to do the same? I am going to include a few photos of her, Kiki and the cats. I will include that one of our wedding in the garden with Bella and Howie on either side of us too. And one of us – fully clothed! – by the waterfall! What do you think?'
'It makes me very sad but yes, I will write a letter to her now. I will explain everything but obviously I will leave out the suspicions about her mother and Armand and the whole abduction thing. It is best buried and forgotten. Just happy times, happy memories, will be her legacy from us.'
A few hours later we shake hands with the Belmores and hand Cynthe over to them with most of her belongings. I have secretly kept a few of her things behind to hug and cry over when I miss her too much. I know that her absence will only hit us hard after a few days.
It is heart wrenching to see Jonah's sadness and I have decided to be there for him through this, put aside my own sadness and try to make it easier on him. After all, that is why we have each other.
Cynthe goes with the Belmores willingly and fortunately we don't have hysterics at the airfield. Tears aplenty, yes, but all other emotions are kept in check. At least we now have the packing up to do and then the move to Jamaica to keep us occupied. I have found that keeping busy saves you from too much introspection or nostalgia for the past. Kiki and the cats sense Cynthe's absence but in their loving ways comfort us through the worst of the loss.
As the doorbell rings I find myself frozen to the spot with fear. Late night doorbells or phone calls are usually bad news.
'Jonah could you please get that?' I stand frozen to the spot where I am busy packing our clothes.
When Kiki starts barking I know that it must be good visitors not bad, as she only barks like that when very excited. Huskies have this way of not madly barking at everything that moves like most dogs. They either growl or just stare at threats, only barking or howling when extremely excited or needing to warn you of imminent danger.
'Lilia, it's Bella and Howie!'
Thank God they're back. I need a woman to share all of the recent dramas with.
'Bella! I almost topple her by hugging her so hard. Oh My God I'm glad you are back. I have so much to tell you. First, how is your sister? Please, I need to hold Olivia.'
'My sister is doing really well and came through the first week fine thanks, she is now able to help herself around the house at least. Her ex and a neighbour are helping with the kids. We were bonding again, but I just could not stay any longer as Howie is needed at the store. What's been happening around here? Glad to see that you are safe. I felt so bad leaving you here alone.'
'Sssh about that. You just won't believe what has happened. I know it's late and you want to get home but please just stay for one glass of red?'
As we make ourselves comfortable on the couches by the fireplace with our wine, Bella says ' I know Cynthe is most probably sleeping but could I please go and kiss that beautiful child? I appreciate her so much more now after experiencing my sister's terribly naughty boys!'
I look at Jonah and he puts his glass down. 'Cynthe is in France.'
'What? What's going on Jonah? Lilia?'
Telling the whole story to these close friends is like opening floodgates. By the end of the sorry saga we are all in tears. Bella has to run to the bathroom as she feels sick to her stomach and Kiki starts howling in sympathy with all the spilled emotions. After we have a group hug and say an emotional goodbye to Howie, Bella and the baby, we sit down with the cats and Kiki.
'I want to sleep here tonight Jonah; I feel snug here. I'm tired and the rooms are so bare now with almost all of our stuff packed up.’ The fact that the possible new tenants may be using it as an office means we have to store almost all of our things.
He takes me in his arms and lies me down on the pillows. 'Lilia, let's do that. I want to make slow, slow love to you and fall asleep inside you. That always relaxes me.'
While he starts kissing me I start undressing him. For almost fifty and fifty something folks we know exactly how to rev the other up. We know how to melt the other and how to make the other feel like the most special person in the world.
Dating is overrated, so is adultery. In this marriage of souls and bodies, no holding back, being with a man who knows every square (or round) inch of me is how I want to die. We give and take equally, and I give myself over to the sensations. I fall asleep with him still inside me and dream of wind chimes softly tinkling in the fresh sea breeze with a hazy Cynthe waving to us from behind a veil.
25
'Jonah, you never did explain to me precisely how you got home so quickly from Jamaica. You did say something about a jet?'
'Yes, with all the emotional upheaval on my arrival it did not seem that important. Henri actually owns a long range Gulf-stream Jet, and he said that we can use it whenever we want. I did not ask too many questions as I can see that there is no shortage of funds. I smell a bit of a rat but for now I will overlook it.'
'Did the pilot take it back or is the jet still here?'
'It is back doing Henri's business in Cuba, where it is based most of the time doing international trips, but we can call him any time to confirm the date on which we want to travel. The best is yet to come...he said that Kiki and the cats can fly with us, no cages necessary. As long as they have their vaccinations up to date, they will be fine. From Kingston to St Thomas we have to travel by road to Gorgoleta, but we can rent an SUV or something, it's not that far, under two hours of travel.'
'Oh Jonah you don't know how happy that makes me. I was so afraid of Kiki having to travel in the cargo hold! That would have been horrible!'
'I know. I did not like it either. My Ducati can even go in the jet, but all our other stuff including the Range Rover will be shipped. Wait till you see the jet, it is so grand inside.'
'Tell me more!'
'Well, the logo on the jet you will love. Henri took the name of the Estate, Gorgoleta, and the Latin name for the doctor bird, Trochilus, and used it as the logo. In brushed platinum, a G and a T intertwined – the butterflies together with a doctor bird – and he calls his business Gorgoleta-Trochilus or GT. That is a combination of the birds and the butterflies, old and new.'
'Wow, so Henri and I will get on well! I also love birds and butterflies as you know – as well as G&T’s! I wonder why he chose the doctor bird for his logo? I know it is Jamaica’s national bird but he is Cuban.'
'Yeah Lilia, I figured you would approve but listen to my theory. There is a Jamaican saying “doctor Bud a cunny bud, hard bud fi dead" which means the doctor bird is a clever bird which cannot be easily killed. I think that Henri may be some kingpin doing shady business in Cuba, and he is crafty and clever.'
'Hey that's your dad you are talking about. Don't be judgemental. By the way, why would anyone want to kill a doctor bird anyway? They should be protected. I'm sure you will soon find out what his enterprise is and how he got so rich. Not that it's really your business.' I give him a smack on the arm.
Jonah
hugs me close and whispers in my ear 'Are you a member of the mile-high club?'
'No! Are you?'
'Not yet but I have plans for our trip on the jet.'
'Can't wait, hmm. Great minds think alike! That was actually the first thing I thought about when you mentioned the private jet!'
'Henri said that he would not deploy a permanent stewardess for our trip, so it's just the pilot and he will be occupied with flying the plane. Good for us. So, we have to talk about when we want to leave in order for them to plan for the dates.'
'But Jonah, what are we going to do with our land, are we going to sell?'
'I don't want to sell Lilia. It's so final. Let's keep it for now, just rent it out to the National Heritage Foundation like we considered before, and rethink it in a few years.'
'I agree, I'm sure they would look after it well. We also have to install extra security around the crater.'
'They undertook to do that, as it is a site of national importance. You never know, it may even become a World Heritage Site. How cool will that be!'
'I just hope that they will act honourably and protect the fossils and the mineral elements as well as our blue tiles and whatever they may hide beneath them - from exploitation. When I hear about these people offering fossil hunting expeditions I feel sick. People are just so greedy and will destroy everything of natural beauty in this world for their own monetary gain.'
'We are not going to be like that Lilia. Whatever we do and wherever we go to make an income, I will ensure that the environment and the people involved are not affected in a negative way. I would never use or abuse animals to make money.'
'That's a promise for sure. That's why I love you Jonah. But what are we going to do for money? I know we are not destitute but still.'
'Don't worry about that. I can go tutor again and you can garden, we won't sponge off him. I'm going to let Henri know that we have basically finished packing and that he can organise the jet for whenever it suits him. I am sure that he can coordinate his shady dealings around us. Maybe we can join him in that! Now it is time for that last bit of weed.' He looks at me and grins in a naughty way.
26
'Raise your glasses and drink to the Hibberts. Jonah and Lilia, the UK's loss is Jamaica's gain. Arumvale will miss you. But most of all, we will miss you. Cheers!' Howie clears his throat and clinks his glass to mine, Jonah's and Bella's. The two of them are giving us a small farewell party in our garden, with just a few people attending - those important to us.
They promised to clean up after we leave, so we are here to just enjoy the place for old times’ sake and to say goodbye. We are leaving for Jamaica in a few hours. I must say, even though there is still excitement, I am actually quite sad. No matter what happened here, we had good times too. I will miss our home, our land and our friendships. We are going to make a new start but Bella and Howie will always be welcome to visit us with their new sprog.
The next morning we leave for the airfield, Jonah on his Ducati and me in the Range Rover. Kiki and the cats are with me in travel baskets which they will be released from in flight. We only have a few suitcases. We also have a box with a litter tray for the cats. I have drugged the animals a little so that they don't get too disoriented in the strange environment or with the change in altitude. We are fortunate that they can travel on our laps or roam free in the cabin as they choose. Henri has made it very clear that we should see and use the jet as our own.
The interior of the private jet astounds me, as I am not used to such luxury. A symphony of gold and cream, it has been outfitted as a mini home including lounge complete with soft couches and coffee tables. Luxurious triple seats to use for take-offs and landings, a separate bedroom and small bathroom, kitchenette and dining area. Now, I have never been materialistic or liked air travel but I could get used to this.
'Jonah, wow. We can't let the cats and Kiki run wild here, what if they have 'accidents'?'
'Henri said use as your own! I am sure even cat accidents, dog hairs and worse can be cleaned up. But the cats are good with the sand box and Kiki will tell us if she needs the bathroom. I will put down lots of newspapers around the litter tray. Don't worry, if you have money to keep this thing in the air, you have money to pay for the best clean-up crew!'
True, but I will still endeavour together with my fur baby family, to cause the least disturbance to this pristine environment.
'Did you see that the butterfly and hummingbird theme is drawn through all fittings? It is just done so beautifully and tastefully.'
Gorgoleta-Trochilus. I wonder what he does to make this much money.
There must be a cargo hold somewhere as our suitcases and the Ducati disappeared into the jet on our arrival. Cargo can be many things, some of them quite scary. Best not dwell on that. It is going to be a nine-hour flight and there will be lots of time for Jonah and me to explore everything this jet has to offer.
I keep the sleepy cats in their baskets for now, safely fitted with seat belts on their sleeper seats. They are facing us so they can see and hear us. Kiki is on the sleeper seat next to me with Jonah on her other side. 'Wow what style we are travelling in my babies!' I ruffle Kiki's soft fur, and go to snuggle and hug the cats before settling down for take-off. I will open for them as soon as we get the seat belts off sign.
'We have come a long way.'
'Did you remember to give her the additional dose of epilepsy medication Lilia?'
'I did, and I have backup Valium with me in a syringe. Doc Tolliem gave me some in case she has a bad seizure on the plane. Let's hope it does not happen.'
As the jet makes the sudden lift off Kiki starts howling. I immediately start panicking and scrabbling in my bag for the syringe. 'Relax Lilia, she is OK. I think the howling will help her with any pressure change. Remember this cabin is safe for us, it should be safe for her. Not like the dreaded cargo hold.'
I just clasp Kiki tightly and talk to her in a soft voice until the plane levels out.
'Hey Mrs H, I want to show you something.' Jonah unbuckles the seat belt and holds out his hand to me. 'Come Kiki, let's open for the cats and go and explore the toilet area.' I open the cat's baskets but they are still a bit groggy so I leave them to sleep it off. They will be safe here no matter what, and can come out whenever they are ready.
While Jonah and Kiki explore the bathroom leading off the bedroom I look around the room. It's amazing. For a jet yes, but even in a normal room it would have been gorgeous. A huge oval king size bed in the middle, decorated with the creams, golds and the signature jewel green and blue of the hummingbird. I wonder if Henri actually ever uses this room. To my knowledge there is no woman in his life at present. Guess we will find out soon. Just then Jonah grabs me from behind and pulls me onto the bed. In-between kisses he removes my clothing and rolls over on top of me.
'Mrs Hibbert, welcome to the mile-high club' and with those words he firmly and solidly initiates us both into this exclusive club. 'What are the membership fees Sir?' I ask as soon as I can breathe normally again. 'Hmm, let's think about that for a moment.'
'Because it's the mile-high club, we should involve the finest Jamaican green in some way or other.'
'Maybe,' I sigh as I roll over lazily on the opulent bed and put my legs over Jonah's, 'maybe we can get nice and high once a month and do crazy stuff to each other. Good crazy stuff, not bad crazy stuff.'
'Like?'
'Oh I don't know, new things maybe that we haven't tried yet. Kama Sutra things.'
'You know I could never get into that book. I eventually got past the boring parts and got lost in amongst all the fishes and deer and elephant positions - I do remember the cow position. That sounded cool.'
'Show me?'
With that Jonah flips me over, pulls me up by my hips into the doggy position. 'You cow, me bull, jeeehajeehaah' he shouts like Tarzan whilst making lasso swinging motions in the air. This makes me laugh out loud until he leaves the lassoing behind and concentrates on being
a bull. Well this club is most definitely fun, and I join in wholeheartedly. 'Consider the first month's fees paid in full! We are in for a great time Big J...'
As we slowly wake up from our post coital nap we find the cats on the bed with us. They have obviously been exploring as the catnip I put in their baskets to calm them has been strewn all over the room. They are rolling around on the bed and purring loudly, not disturbed by the plane at all. Maybe it is good that the cabin windows are too high for them to look out of and can never open!
