Flying Backwards

by Jennifer W Smith

  “Yes, yes, Mr. Westborough, good to see you, lad.” Mr. Topper was a stout man with a gravelly voice. He pumped Ben’s hand. After the introductions, they went to the modest barn, where a few horses looked up at the new arrivals. Ben tended to the horse in question, and Nora listened in on his conversation with Mr. Topper, who explained that the horse was very old and very dear to him, and he wasn’t ready to bury her under the pasture. Ben was sincere and sympathetic. He advised the owner how to care for the horse during the last of its days.

  The men stepped out from the stall and chatted a few minutes with Nora. She learned that the barley Mr. Topper grew was primarily for animal feed. Ben had met Mr. Topper through a local grain supplier he used for Westborough Meadows. They soon said their good-byes and were on their way within Ben’s estimated thirty minutes.

  It had sprinkled on and off during their drive, but there was a break in the weather when they arrived at Warwick Castle. Nora slipped an umbrella in her purse in case, and Ben tucked his in his back pocket. Then they stood in line at the entrance. On the other side of the admittance building they stood before a sweeping view of the castle’s medieval exterior wall. The bulky stone structure topped with crenellations was an impressive sight. Ben reached for her hand, and she breathed out excitedly. “Oh, this place is awesome. Let’s go check it out.”

  They passed through the Barbican and Gatehouse area, where once a drawbridge would have been raised against an invading enemy. Nora opened the pamphlet and read aloud. “It says here the curtain wall is the main wall that connects all the towers and main castle structure. Along the wall, walkways were built, which meant that crossbowmen and archers could move swiftly from one end of the castle to the other during attacks at any points on the perimeter. Once in position, they could pick off the enemy from the battlements.” Nora paused to sneak a peek at Ben to make sure he was listening before she continued reading.

  “The tops of the towers were encircled by crenellated parapets that added a further layer to the castle’s defenses. Cut into the floor of the parapet at regular intervals are openings, or machicolations, through which the defense troops could drop stones or pour boiling pitch and quicklime onto the unfortunate attackers below.” She pulled a face. “Sounds gruesome!”

  Ben led her farther into the building, watching amazement sparkle in Nora’s dark eyes as she took in the enormous fortress.

  They toured each room, all filled with elaborate furniture, paintings, and wax figures. Nora read the placards and took photos. They climbed the curved stairs in the Defensive Tower, where they were rewarded with a 360-degree view from inside the castle courtyard. Caesar’s Tower, the tallest of the castle towers, rose before them. It was three stories, including the Gaol, which was the original dungeon. Nora admired it. “The cloverleaf shape is impressive!”

  A single flight of steps provided access to the lowest chamber in Caesar’s Tower, the Gaol. It would have been miserably dark down there in times past, Nora observed, with only a tiny shaft high on the wall to allow daylight in. Thankfully there were now discreet, modern lights so tourists would not trip.

  “Look, Nora.” Ben pointed to the ancient graffiti left by prisoners from hundreds of years ago. “Can you make out the names?” Nora and Ben spent a few minutes running their fingers over the etching in the stones, marveling that they had lasted all these years.

  They toured Guys Tower, which would have offered an amazing view on a clear day. This structure included the garderobe, or privy. “Did you know?” Nora asked Ben. “It says here that a garderobe usually consisted of a single hole, which simply lead to the outside cesspit or moat. It usually smelled terrible and was a haven for disease and vermin!”

  “I’m thankful for indoor plumbing,” Ben murmured. She shook her head, laughing. He followed her to the next spot.

  She continued to play tour guide and read on from the pamphlet. “The Clarence and Bear Towers were never finished. They were started by…?” Nora quizzed Ben as they strolled toward the twin towers. “I’ll give you a hint. He was briefly the king of England, and he was married to Richard Neville’s daughter Ann.”

  “Richard of Gloucester,” Ben offered. “Have we discussed him before?”

  “Wow, lucky guess.” She narrowed her eyes at him.

  In Clarence Tower, Nora checked out the well and ovens constructed inside the building for times of siege or attack. “This tower was named after Richard of Gloucester’s eldest brother, the Duke of Clarence,” Ben read. “Let’s check out the Bear Tower. They apparently kept live bears there for baiting,” Ben shared.

  After milling around inside and reading as many plaques as they could, they stepped outside and were blasted with fresh air. Nora realized there had been a stuffy, damp smell within the thick stonewalls.

  As the drizzle tapered off, they reached The Mound, one of the oldest parts of the castle grounds, first built in 1068 for defensive reasons. Nora was amazed to see the perfect vantage point before her for taking in the breathtaking views around Warwick and the surrounding area. “On a clear day you can actually see as far as Stratford-upon-Avon.” Ben looked up at the gray sky. “Next time I’ll bring you on a sunny day.”

  “Next time?” Nora stood close to Ben. “I would like that very much.”

  Ben dipped his head down to steal a kiss, but not before looking around to be sure no one was watching.

  On the drive back, Nora asked Ben about his childhood and what it was like when Bree used to stay with them as a young girl. What Ben described as “a typical childhood” Nora considered a privileged childhood. He had gone to private schools. When his sister wasn’t involved in competitions, the family had traveled some around Europe. They skied in Switzerland and swam in the Mediterranean. Ben confided that as great as all those places were, he enjoyed their quiet home with the horses around him. “I especially love it around the holidays,” he emphasized. “Around Christmas, we gather and have horse-drawn sleigh rides and bonfires.”

  Nora pictured it in her mind. “Sounds lovely.”

  He conjured up a few stories and then suggested a late afternoon lunch/early dinner; it was almost four o’clock, and all they’d had that day was some coffee and cookies at the castle’s concession stand. The road they took wound up a hill, and Nora remarked at all the beauty the landscape offered. Now that the rain had stopped the sun was breaking through the clouds.

  “I know a great spot. It looks down over the valley. It reminds me of the place I took you yesterday on horseback, up on the hill. It should be picturesque now with the sun low in the sky.” He seemed excited to show it to her.

  Nora recalled the view yesterday. “Yes, I loved seeing the church spires.” She smiled at the memory. There is something about Ben. The way he spoke of things allowed her to read his sensitive nature. He was impressively intelligent but not conceited in any way. He was thoughtful and romantic. Nora glanced at his profile, wondering what it would be like to be his girlfriend, to be around him often… Don’t put the cart before the horse, she remembered taking this slow would be a better course.

  She concentrated on the passing trees and asked, “Are we nearby?”

  “We are.” He seemed almost reluctant. “It’s just up ahead. Not far from the tavern.” He then smiled broadly at her. She was rewarded with his dimples.

  They pulled off down a gravel drive marked by two stone posts. They drove past a small structure that appeared to be under construction. The gravel road divided, and they bore to the right and stopped by a small cottage. “This is it.” Ben turned off the motor. They stepped out and walked in the squishy grass to the edge of the property, where the hill sloped down to the valley.

  “You’re right. This is a lovely spot.” Nora slowly spun around, puzzled. “This is off the road a bit. How did you know it was here? Do you know who lives here?”

  Ben had a gleeful look in his eye. “Actually, I do know the owner, quite well.” He paused for dramatic effect. “Yo
u’re looking at the new owner.”

  “What? Wow, Ben, you bought this place? Congratulations.” Nora was surprised and happy for him.

  “Come on, I’ll show you around.” Ben tried to contain his excitement.

  Nora followed Ben to the cottage. It had that English charm from the outside, but the inside lacked style and décor. The wallpaper in the first room had a deer-and-stag motif. The pine green shag carpet matched the wallpaper. Of course, Nora thought.

  “Wow, hello 1970s.” Nora pointed to the light fixture overhead and held up her hands. What could she say?

  Ben just laughed, “Yes, this place is a fixer, but I’m planning on gutting and redesigning it in time.”

  After touring the cottage Ben confessed, “Actually, it wasn’t this cottage that sold me; it was the building we passed, just up the drive.”

  Nora nodded. “The one under construction?”

  “Yes. That is going to be my new clinic.”

  “Really, you’ve already picked a place? You just told me you wanted to open a clinic. Oh my gosh! Congratulations.” Ben looked pleased at her enthusiasm. “Wow, a new house and a new business. What does your family think about all this? What did your parents say?”

  “Well, I have actually been saying for years that I want to start my own practice. I guess I just haven’t been quite ready, until recently. It was convenient to work and stay at my family home. But as I told you, I need my own place. I’ve been training Keegan to take over for me at Westborough Meadows.” He moved on to the next room, inspecting the doorway as he passed through. “My parents are supportive. Only they know. It’s not like I’m leaving right away. And I’m only about fifteen minutes away if they need a consult.”

  “Ben, I am so happy for you.” Wow, thought Nora, this is a good step for the two of us–if this relationship works out. It was somewhat awkward staying at the Westboroughs’ house, even when they were not at home. “How long have you owned this place?”

  “I became owner about two months ago. I’ve had a couple contractors out here already, and I’ve narrowed it down to this one company that specializes in medical installations for the clinic. They gave me a quote and an eight-week time frame. I should be able to open by the end of October or early November.”

  “What about the house? Will you move in soon?” She knew she hadn’t offended him by joking about the dated décor. He had a good sense of humor.

  Ben shrugged. “Yeah, at some point. My main focus is the clinic. Come on. I’ll show you around.” Ben gave Nora the rest of the tour: kitchen, dining room, bath, three bedrooms, and, of course, the front room with the shag green carpet. They left the house and walked through Ben’s future clinic. Nora was fascinated at what was already done.

  The front room would be a reception area with a counter and computer station. There were two exam rooms and one operating room.

  Nora was impressed by Ben’s detailed descriptions. “It sounds well thought out.”

  “Yeah thanks, and out back there’s a small barn with a couple stalls for my larger patients.”

  “I can’t wait to see it finished.”

  Ben locked up, and they got back in the car. He told her about a web page he was having done. Also, he would have some local ads printed, as well as mailings.

  The pub they stopped in offered shepherd’s pie served with rosemary sourdough rolls. It paired perfectly with their frothy beers. “That meal was the perfect comfort food on this drizzly day,” Nora murmured as she slipped her hand into Ben’s when they walked out of the pub. After he opened the car door for her, she slid in. They were back at the estate within fifteen minutes.

  They chatted easily late into the night. Nora persuaded Ben to play his guitar. Professing himself not ready to sing in front of her yet, he just strummed some songs. Nora dreaded leaving in the morning. She snuggled into him on the sofa, and they kissed and laughed until she bid him goodnight.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  On Monday morning Ben dropped Nora off at the airline terminal. He took her in his arms and kissed her in a long good-bye. This time he didn’t seem to care who was watching.

  “I’ll call you soon,” she promised. Nora found a quiet spot in the airport where she could wait for her flight. She often used such airport downtime to catch up on her calls. She started with Bree. “Good morning, Bree. When are you flying back to Philly?”

  “Morning. I’m in London until tomorrow. I’m at Evan’s now, but I’m meeting Corrine for lunch today while he’s working. Are you still with Ben? How is everything going? I want details!” Bree sang the last sentence.

  “I’m at the airport, heading home. I wish I was still with Ben. We had a great visit.” Nora tried to camouflage her delight but knew Bree could hear it.

  “How was the riding? Did you ride anything besides horses?” Bree joked. She’d told Nora before that Ben wouldn’t rush even if he was truly interested in her.

  “No, it wasn’t like that, but we did kiss.” Nora described their days together in a dreamy voice.

  “Are you an expert horsewoman now that you’ve been tutored by Ben? Although,” Bree said as an afterthought, “Corrine is the real horsewoman of that family.”

  Nora assured her that Ben had been very helpful, and she admitted she liked riding but joked about how sore she was after.

  Bree told Nora that Evan had taken her to an opera and then to a fine restaurant, which sounded very romantic. However, Nora would never trade trendy city hotspots for her lazy afternoon picnic lunches with Ben.

  Nora hung up after talking to Bree and called Sergei. She could feel her stomach knot. She hadn’t spoken to him since she left for England. In hindsight she wished she’d just told him before she left for England that their relationship would not go any farther romantically. She’d allowed him to hold her hand on the plane and kiss her good-bye. They had talked on the phone a few times, just generic conversations. If she had only known Ben had feelings for her, she would not have allowed things to evolve with Sergei. She had taken their friendship to a level that she now regretted. The dynamic in her life was shifting. She had traveled, literally and figuratively, very far in a short period of time.

  “Hi, Nora!” She heard the pleasure in Sergei’s voice.

  “Hey, Sergei. I’m at the London airport, on my way back. I was wondering if you were around tonight or tomorrow.”

  The loudspeaker announced flight information, so he spoke up. “Yeah, Alexi and I are just leaving the gym. I’m here tonight. What time do you want to meet?”

  “Umm, let me give you call when I get back in town, and we can figure out a time,” she suggested.

  “Yes, very good. I’ll talk to you then.”

  She figured Sergei had sensed the apprehension in her voice. She knew he was no fool and probably already recognized that their relationship had not advanced since their time together in Russia. Nora was relieved Sergei didn’t end their phone conversation with “I miss you” or “I can’t wait to see you.”

  Nora was able to grab a nap on the flight home. But her waking hours buzzed with thoughts and questions concerning her future. Can I really move to London? I don’t know anything about where to live, but Bree will know. I’m sure she will want to live near Ashley or Evan. They could certainly help us in the transition. Would Ashley be mad if Bree moved in with me instead of her? Or what if Evan wants Bree to stay with him after I move all that way? As much as I want it to work out with Ben, what if it doesn’t? I definitely don’t want to move across an ocean for a guy! Nora shuddered at the thought. She had just won her independence, true rely-on-herself independence. She had to know that this move would be good for her no matter what.

  The alterative to moving to London was staying in Philadelphia and finding another place. She would probably need another roommate. She might have considered asking Rebecca, but she’d already moved back to North Carolina.

  Nora liked Philadelphia well enough, but she wou
ld have no trouble leaving it behind. Besides, if she lived in Europe, she could easily travel on her days off and see more European cities.

  She checked off the pros and cons in her mind. Leaving her family was the biggest con, but she was an international flight attendant who could fly home whenever she wanted. Even though, she hardly saw them now.

  Pros included living in England with her best friend and hanging with Ashley and Corrine; that would be great. Traveling the world with Bree was what they had talked about. It was an opportunity to immerse herself in European culture. And dare she include Ben in this equation?

  The pros for going to England outweighed the cons.

  Nora plotted out a timeline. If they put in their application for transfer as soon as the end of September, which was a few weeks away, then they might be moving by early November. Huh, I could be spending Thanksgiving in another country–weird.

  It was just getting dark when Sergei knocked. When Nora opened the door she was welcomed by a balmy September evening. Sergei held up a six-pack of beer and asked if they should sit outside. Nora stepped out and gave him a friendly hug. They hadn’t sat out on the stoop in a while, not since the summer heat had pressed in on Philadelphia. During that time they preferred indoor air conditioning to the muggy nights. They settled on the steps, and he handed her a frosty bottle.

  “How’s your family? Have you talked to them? They were so happy to see you.” Nora took a long swallow.

  “They are good. My mother and sister asked about you. They liked you. Of course, who would not?”

  Her lashes lowered at his comment, hiding her thoughts, and she knocked her knee against his. “Your family was great. So nice of your sister Lydia to be my personal guide. It was wonderful to experience Russia with you. I can’t thank you enough for inviting me along. Sergei, you are such a great guy–”

  “But…” he interrupted.

  “What happened between us… Well, I think we should just be friends,” she said sympathetically.