Memory House

by Ruth Hay

  “You are a wise woman, Mavis Montgomery. I really did not see that I have been backing myself into a corner lately. I think moving downstairs near you has jolted my brain into action.”

  Mavis laughed aloud at the compliment and Vilma thought she had not heard that lovely sound for some time. It was a reminder that Mavis had quietly been devoting herself to Hilary and her garden and she was not getting the help and attention she deserved. In the new year, she decided, things must change for the better. It is what Harmony House is all about, mutual help and support.

  “Father, I hope you are not upset about my leaving for Edinburgh? It’s only going to be for four days, that’s all the time we could get.”

  “Not at all upset, Stuart. The truth is this move to Canada is taking up all my time and energy these days. There is a lot of paperwork and legal stuff to deal with before I will be secure. I have land purchases to be approved, as well as supervising the new house build for us.”

  There was a pause on the line and Stuart thought, for a moment, their phones disconnected.

  “About the new house, Stuart, I think you know I am interested in Vilma Smith. I hope to get closer to her over the holidays and if everything works out, it may be possible that she joins us in the new home I am building.”

  Stuart was stunned to hear this from his father. Although their relationship was only in the beginning stages, he had figured out his father was the consummate businessperson, but his idea of how females operate was stuck somewhere back in the dark ages.

  “Look, you may not be happy to hear this, father, but that little project of yours is not a foregone conclusion. Vilma Smith is not the type of person to sit around waiting for you to make up your mind. She’s off to Jamaica over Christmas with four other people. You could have missed the boat entirely.”

  Stuart was risking all kinds of trouble by being so forthright with his parent. Deliberately leaving the suspicion that Vilma might be entertaining a man during this holiday, was somewhat unfair, but if there was any chance at all with the independent Vilma, and Stuart had doubts about it, his father had better pull his socks up and turn his mind to his personal future rather than the business development.

  It was now becoming clear to Stuart why his father had not married again. He had totally submerged his personal life in business affairs and now he was alone with his dogs and getting older by the day.

  Another hard fact that Stuart was aware of, but not mentioning, was the matter of his father’s presumption that his only son was welcoming the offer of a shared home. In his opinion, it was rather too late for that option.

  If, indeed, he decided to stay in Canada, he would much rather live with Grant in Harmony House which was close to the hospital. Moving to some mansion in the country was not appealing to him. Truthfully, he would miss the camaraderie of the women and the feel of a real home atmosphere. His father’s lifestyle, as he saw it, leaned more toward anonymous housekeepers and gardeners. How could that compare to Mavis’s garden and the superb kitchen where everyone’s contribution was warmly welcomed and savoured?

  Stuart knew in his heart he was being selfish, but if his father had wished a close relationship with him, he should have started the process ten years before.

  “Sorry, I must go now. In order to get the four days off, Grant and I are on a schedule to see patients every hour of the day to clear off a backlog. Christmas, unfortunately, is one of those times of the year when people with mental issues are at great risk.

  Whatever you decide to do, father, I wish you a Happy Christmas.”

  “Thank you, Stuart. The same to you. Please convey my good wishes to your mother and her family.

  Take care, son.”

  Jamison Ingleby turned off his phone completely and sought the nearest chair in his hotel suite.

  He was stunned by what Stuart had told him. In his world, a plan, once devised, was inevitable. Ask and it will be done, was the motto of Jamison Ingleby Associates Architects in Boston. Dealing with a son was clearly in a different order of precedence.

  Stuart was not about to become the compliant family member his father had dreamed of when first they connected by phone from Canada. That was now becoming crystal clear to his father.

  Clear also, was his dire mistake in expecting Vilma Smith to fall into the pattern of other women he had known. Women, awed by his wealth and success, who would follow him around the world, if required to do so. These females made no demands and were satisfied with only his company for however brief a time. When business concerns intervened, they said goodbye and departed his life with a gift of some kind that pleased them.

  The trouble was that Vilma Smith, as well as being beautiful, elegant and sophisticated, was immensely attractive to him in a visceral way he was not accustomed to feeling. He had not encountered such a strong attraction to a woman for decades, if ever. He had made the decision to go full force on settling his business matters so he could then focus exclusively on Vilma, but he had ignored one vital part of the plan.

  He had not informed the object of his desire about her importance to him. Even worse, he had broken more than one promise to keep in touch with her, expecting her to sit quietly waiting for him in that big house of companionable women.

  Since understanding the import of Stuart’s information that Vilma was not going to be available during the holidays, his world turned over.

  What had he done?

  What could he do now, if anything, to put the situation right?

  Chapter 31

  Almost the last thing Vilma did before leaving for the airport was to call Andy and make sure the dogs were happy.

  “They are doing so well, Vilma. Please do not waste a moment worrying about them. I swear Prince has taken them under his paw, as it were. He wants to play with them all the time.”

  “That is wonderful, Andy! I can’t thank you enough for this. I feel like a young girl off for an adventure and it’s all thanks to you.”

  “It’s the least I can do for you, Vilma. You will always hold a very special place in my heart.”

  Tears again! Thank heaven he can’t see me!

  “One more thing, Andy, and this is not about the dogs. Do you ever get requests to house cats?”

  “All the time! People bring feral cats they find on their country property or cats they can no longer keep for one reason or another. It’s becoming so bad that I am thinking of another expansion. We have enough land to build a separate facility for boarding cats alone.

  Tell me, Vilma, why do you ask?”

  “I wonder if you would keep your eye out for a rather special young cat for Mavis? Her little Marble passed away some time ago and I think she needs a new pet.”

  “No problem, Vilma. I will contact the Animal Rescue people who take most of the ones we get. I will find an animal to suit Mavis. That’s a kind thought. Should I deliver the cat to Mavis? It would be nice to see her again. She was always good to me.”

  “If it works out, that would be excellent. She and Hilary will be alone for most of the holidays this year. They would love to see you again, Andy.”

  “Great! Have a good trip, Vilma.”

  “I intend to do my best. Give Astrid and Oscar a hug from me.”

  “Every day! For sure!”

  Mavis was driving the women downtown to the bus transport point. The luggage was loaded, and the passports checked and all the paperwork copied although Vilma insisted she had it all on her smartphone.

  “Better safe than sorry!” Mavis cautioned.

  Hilary was waving from the front door with a shawl around her shoulders. There was no snow accumulation but the weather had turned bitterly cold.

  “Are you sure you will be all right, Mavis?”

  “Oh, my goodness, we are looking forward to this. A fridge full of food, a lovely Christmas tree scenting the house, every festive recording ever made to play and all the television specials to see? What more could we ask?

  Off we go now, and don�
�t forget to have a good time, Vilma!”

  The happy excitement in Mavis’s car soon transferred to the bus. It felt like the first day of school holidays. Everyone was going home for the holidays or travelling to warmer climes like Jannice, Honor and Vilma. Two hours passed in talk with the other passengers and before they knew it, they were lining up in the airport and handing over their luggage.

  “Now, to find the men and get some lunch in the lounge before we fly off.”

  “Lead the way, Vilma!”

  * * *

  The happy atmosphere lasted all the way to Kingston Airport and on the journey by airport bus to the resort.

  The weather was perfect, the sky a clear blue and the mountains green with foliage. The first sight of the beach villas was exhilarating. Everyone dropped their luggage and ran down the pathway through the palm trees and vibrant tropical plants, kicking off shoes like children and walking in the clear waves on the edge of the blue ocean.

  “How could I have stayed away so long?” exclaimed Vilma, to the birds and the air.

  “This is paradise!” announced Jared. In his whole lifetime, he had never before seen such a place.

  Honor just gazed at him in amazement. He seemed to have shed years already. She could not believe they had one whole week here together.

  Mitchell and Jannice walked ahead along the beach to their secluded villa near the new beach restaurant and bar. They were already in couple mode and Vilma thought the others were not likely to see much of them for a day or two at least.

  By the time Vilma, Honor and Jared climbed back up to their linked villas, the luggage was there for them. Vilma stood back smiling contentedly as Jared raved on about the beautiful building blending into the hillside and the amazing views and the sky ever changing, and the gorgeous fitments inside the villa and the tray of fruit and cool drinks to welcome them.

  Finally, Honor stopped him in mid flow and announced she was going to unpack and Jared could sit on the terrace and admire everything while Vilma strolled over the boardwalk to her villa for peace and quiet.

  They would re-assemble later for supper together.

  * * *

  After refreshing naps and showers, wearing their lighter clothing, the Canadian contingent strolled along the beach under a dark sky toward the lights of the restaurant. It was a new facility and one Vilma thought added greatly to the resort. The food, cooked onsite, was plentiful and delicious. The men said the fish was the best they had ever eaten and the women relished the fresh vegetables and the cocktails embellished with pineapple and lime quarters.

  By the end of the meal everyone was feeling tired. It would be an early night. Stargazing was scheduled for the next evening.

  Vilma said goodnight to Honor and Jared and made her way carefully along the boardwalk to her own villa. It was an enjoyable day with plenty of good company but, somehow, it made the contrast of being on her own harder to cope with.

  I am not about to spoil this beautiful place with silly regrets! The past is gone. I will walk on my own tomorrow and every day, so I am tired out each night. I will fall asleep in my chaise longue on the terrace watching the stars wheel overhead and enjoy every moment.

  * * *

  Vilma started off very successfully. She was on the beach for an early morning swim before the heat grew oppressive. She was alone except for the Jamaican boys who were raking the sand and wiping down the beach umbrellas and tables. She swam out to where the sea turned to a deep turquoise and dived down once or twice to inspect the colourful fish darting in and out of the submerged rocks. She did spot a few black sea urchins lurking on the sand, and knew it was safer to swim right back to shore rather than wading in. Those spines were dangerous and painful if impaled on a foot. She made a mental note to warn the others.

  She sat on the beach until she was dry again and relished the warmth of the sun. At this time of day in Canada, she would be returning with the dogs from their morning run. She gave a passing thought to her dogs but immediately dismissed any worry about them. They could not be in better hands than those of Andy Patterson and she could not wish for him anything to surpass what he had created for himself.

  There was no need to plan the day ahead. She would leave that to her companion couples.

  Mitchell knew the area well. He could hire a car for any of the island tours. She was content to swim, walk and eat, relax and just be.

  Hunger drove her back to the villa where she found Honor and Jared just beginning to come alive.

  “Please do what you want, whenever you wish. Don’t bother about me. I am perfectly content to do nothing. You can order food to be delivered here if you want to, or go along the beach and eat there.

  “That sounds blissful, Vilma. May we bring something back for you?”

  “No thanks, Honor. I feel like eating an omelette sitting right here and admiring the view. I will take a walk later in the day. Go talk to Jannice and Mitchell and make plans with them, if you like. The main thing is to enjoy every minute to the full. It’s what I will do.”

  “You are a very special lady, Vilma Smith.” Jared spoke with his arm around Honor and an expression on his face that was transformative.

  * * *

  Vilma ate her omelette and drank fruit juice, freshly squeezed, then changed and took a nap during the heat of the day. She saw nothing more of her companions and knew they were looking after themselves as she had instructed. The freedom from responsibilities was invigorating.

  As the afternoon air began to cool toward sunset, she put on walking shoes and climbed up to the road. The resort was not close to any village or town she could walk to, but it was enough to stroll by the side of the road and listen to the insects and birds in the bushes. Occasionally, she stopped to look at a wild flower that appeared to be as exotic as any orchid. She thought of Mavis who would know its name in a second, and laughed. Everyone to his or her own expertise, she thought. What is mine?

  It required a few more steps and several minutes of pondering to answer that question.

  What she came up with was an innate kind of style that she possessed, the kind of instinctive style that made it easy for her to select wardrobe items, and plan rooms and décor for a home. That was what she loved the most. She might never again require that particular skill but she had enjoyed fixing up Faith’s old room.

  Looking around at her surroundings, she estimated she had gone well past the resort grounds and was possibly approaching the next cove along the shoreline. It was getting hot so far above the sea breezes and she decided to make her way down the sloping hill toward the beach.

  It did not prove to be so easy without the resort’s path through the foliage, but she persevered until she stood high above the beach and could see to her left, the line of rocks that separated the empty cove beneath her from the resort beach. She stood there, on the crest, gathering strength for the descent and breathing in the fresher air. She raised her hand to shade her eyes. The horizon was sparkling in the late afternoon sun. Amidst the glitter of the waves there was something moving slowly toward the land. She adjusted her sunglasses and made out a large boat, a speedboat or yacht of some kind, with an upper deck and a flag on high. It was unusual to see sea-going vessels around this area so she watched with interest to see where it might be heading. Instead of moving along, the boat, (was it a tourist ship?) cut its engines completely.

  A figure arrived on deck, and climbed down the rope ladder on the side of the ship and jumped into the sea. Vilma was alarmed. Surely, she would not be expected to perform a rescue out here?

  Vilma was more than fascinated. Did this person know there was no one on this deserted cove? Did the person mean to walk to the resort? The person appeared to be a proficient swimmer. He, or she, was making good time through the waves. Vilma stayed still and watched to see how the drama would play out. This was a tale to tell over supper tonight.

  The swimmer reached shore and stood up shaking the water out of his hair.

  Vilm
a stared. The man scoured the hilltop looking for a figure and when he saw her, he waved.

  Who on earth could be waving at me?

  She decided to make her way to the beach and see if the man needed help. Something was wrong. Someone on the boat may need help.

  She burst through the last of the foliage and saw the man approaching her.

  At this distance, she recognized him. He was wet and breathing deeply from his exertions but it was him, for sure.

  Highly unlikely. Impossible as it might be, the swimmer was Jamison Ingleby.

  Chapter 32

  A hundred questions filled her mind but she had neither the breath nor the time in which to begin to ask them. Jamison was doubled over from his exertions. They ended up collapsed together, side by side on the sand laughing soundlessly at the peculiar picture they made. One hot and sweaty female beside a dripping wet, and now sand-covered male, who was still breathing deeply.

  Answers would come later. For now, it was more essential to get safely to the resort beach.

  The light was beginning to dim as they made their way to the rock barrier. Jamison was leaning on Vilma’s shoulder and she was busy inspecting the rocks for sharp edges since his feet were bare.

  In the distance, a boat set off from the big yacht, aiming to follow them along the shoreline until they reached their destination.

  The resort restaurant was lit up for the evening meals. The early diners included Mitchell and Jannice who sat stunned to behold the pair of vagabonds emerging from the far point of the beach.

  It was Jannice, who recognized Vilma.

  “Good grief! Mitchell, run and help Vilma. It looks like she has found a swimmer in distress. Hurry!”

  Mitchell duly reached them and took Jamison’s arm off Vilma’s shoulder, placing it on his own.

  “What happened?”