Forever Young The Beginning

by Gerald Simpkins

  He hoped to have his private cabin fitted with a well-concealed hatch that would give him access to the hold at any time. He figured to be able to access a small herd of goats or perhaps rabbits there for his nourishment. This access hatch would be undetectable to the crew unless a thorough search was made. He thought of Thomas and decided to ask him if he’d accept the job to make the modification. He thought less chance of it ever being talked about over a pint of ale that way. He’d be well paid and would then return to France. Ian liked the idea and resolved to ask Thomas while in Paris.

  He would also bring a microscope and would make a show of studying the blood of the animals while at sea. It could be bought in London or maybe while in Paris, along with a suitable ledger for all of his fake scientific entries. He would try to find a textbook on the subject too, even as he thought it must be in English though as the crew of the ship I am on will be British.

  He would walk to Caryn’s place and say hello. It would be something to do before he talked with the concierge later in the day, and it would be better than being alone with his thoughts. As he walked, he thought that he might need Robert’s connections to buy a microscope after all. He would cross that bridge when he came to it. Even as he walked and pondered this minor problem, he realized on another level that he was really only trying to occupy his mind to keep darker thoughts away.

  At Caryn’s place of business, she was in her office and came out immediately when the receptionist gave his name to her.

  “Ian, what a pleasant surprise! Are you staying in Paris for long?”

  “No, Caryn. I’m going on to London in another day or two.”

  “Oh?”

  “Banking business. You did hear that Celeste had her baby?

  “Yes, but I don’t know more than that it’s a girl.”

  “That’s all that I know too, except that she’s beautiful and she has Cosette’s eyes. And Liri had her baby too, a boy, born the same day.”

  “My word!”

  “May I speak to Thomas while I’m here?”

  “Yes.” She picked up a servant’s summoning bell and rang it. A young lady came immediately. Caryn asked her to bring Thomas to the office, and then said “Will you and Alandra at least please come have supper at my home then this evening?”

  He hesitated and looked down. Then he fastened his eyes on hers and said “Caryn, Alandra is dead. She died in an accident involving a runaway carriage in Barcelona.”

  Caryn put a hand to her mouth, her eyes widening. Ian heard the sounds of the busy sewing and fitting rooms filtering in to her office.

  “Oh, Ian! I am so sorry! Please forgive me.” She came to him then and put her arms around his waist as he put his around her shoulders. As they embraced he said “Now Caryn, don’t fret over it. You didn’t know. In fact none of the others know yet either. I posted letters to them today.”

  She stepped back then and looked at him. “Then you’ll not be joining them?”

  “No. I’m going to London on business and then to Scotland to tell my family there.”

  “I see. Will you return through Paris then?”

  “No. I’m going to America.”

  She looked shocked. “America?”

  “Yes. We’re starting a bank over there and I’m the one laying the groundwork for that.”

  “Oh. I see. Ian should you really be that far from home alone at a time like this?”

  “It may be that would be just what I need. It will keep my mind busy, and right now, that helps me. I’ve always wanted to go to see it anyway.”

  “When will you return?”

  ‘I want to return when everything is done and the bank is running smoothly. I’ll be taking some help along for that. But I really can’t say for certain when I can return. You know that things are volatile over there right now with hard feelings between the colonists and the British Crown.”

  ‘No, I didn’t know. Will you please dine with me this evening anyway?”

  About then, Thomas came in to the room, and seeing Ian his face split into a broad smile. “Ian McCloud! By Heaven it’s good to see you, Ian. What brings you to Paris today?”

  “I have work for you. I would consider it a favor if you came to London with me for a short time. I have two day’s work and will pay you well and you should be back here in three weeks.”

  Thomas looked at Caryn then, and then looked at Ian and said “I’ll do it, Ian. How is Jennifer?”

  “She’s very well, and I suspect that she’s quite interested in our young man, Andre.” Turning to Caryn he said “Caryn, why don’t you come with Tom and see London. Surely you must have a qualified person to leave in charge here. When have you last gotten away from this place?”

  She started to shake her head no, then she looked at Thomas and smiling, she said “You know, that may be possible, and I can’t recall the last time I was able to get away from this place. Can we talk about it at supper tonight then, at my home?”

  He looked out over the sewing room briefly, and then said “Yes.”

  “Seven o’clock then?”

  “Yes. I’ll see you then Caryn, and thank you for asking.” he said as he shook hands with Thomas and walked out of her office. As he was passing through the front office and vestibule, he nearly ran into a young lady wearing sunglasses. “Pardon Mademoiselle.”

  “Ian? Oh, Ian, it is you! Oh how good to see you!”

  “Alyssa. You nearly slipped past me.” She immediately came to him and they hugged. While he held her, the familiar scent of her hair triggered a flood of warm memories of times past. Unknown to him, Alyssa was experiencing the same things.

  “It’s good to see you, Alyssa.”

  “Likewise. I had no idea you were in Paris.”

  “Banking business.” The two separated then, looking into each other’s eyes.

  “Will you be here long then?”

  “Not really. I’m dining with Caryn this evening and may be off to London in a day or two.”

  “Oh.” The disappointment was evident in her voice.

  “I’m going to be at Caryn’s tonight for dinner at seven o’clock. I would be free after that, or you might ask Caryn if you could drop by while I’m there.”

  She seemed to be undecided and then she said “I’ll try to make it, Ian.”

  “Good. How are things then?”

  “We’re doing well, and Damien and his father are opening a new facility to make our clothing.”

  “That’s exciting news. You heard that Liri and Celeste both had babies then?”

  “Yes. Caryn told me that Celeste had a girl.”

  “Yes, and Liri had a boy.”

  “I didn’t know that. How is Alandra?”

  He looked away, out toward the street, and then he said “She couldn’t come with me.”

  There was a long pause then. “I see. You’ll tell her I said hello then?”

  He nodded and looked at her, and then said “You’re a wonderful friend. I must go now. Good bye, Alyssa.” He stepped to her then and took her in his arms. Her heart beat faster as this simple gesture again brought back a flood of wonderful memories she had of this man, and of the love she had for him still. As always, she felt warm and safe in his arms. He placed his hands on each side of her face and kissed her forehead. “I’m truly glad that I got to see you Alyssa. Good bye for now.” Turning away he put on his hat and walked out of the door.

  Alyssa continued inside, looking back once toward the closing door as Ian exited the place. She saw Caryn talking to Thomas about something obviously very serious then and approached them, her eyebrows raised questioningly.

  “I just ran into Ian on my way in. He seemed to be distracted or something.”

  “Distracted is not what you saw, Alyssa. Alandra is dead, and he is trying his best to cope with that.”

  Alyssa dropped her package and stepped back, becoming pale, her mouth open and her p
retty eyes widening. “Oh no! Oh no! What a horrible thing!” Her voice quavering she continued “She was such a lovely person, and so young! How can he bear it? This is too cruel! First Cosette and now Alandra! I feel so bad for him!” Tears formed at the corners of her eyes and began to course down her cheeks. Caryn and Thomas were moved at her sorrow on behalf of Ian, and both came to comfort her. She wept unashamedly then. The sounds of her grief mingled with the sounds filtering into the room from the busy sewing and fitting floor.

  Chapter 110

  Young Marc Beaumont awakened and saw that it was not yet sunrise. He thought of the things that he wanted to do today. He would be hauling stones. There was an enclosure for their chickens to be started also

  His wife next to him stirred and opened her eyes, smiling sleepily. He pulled her to him then and she pillowed her head on his chest. They murmured then about mundane things then as a husband and wife will often do upon awakening. He absently stroked her hair from time to time as she talked about what she would do in their garden that day. She rubbed one hand across his chest absently as she talked and he chuckled at her, saying “Behave now cheri or you can never tell what ideas I might get.”

  She stretched luxuriously and then looked up at him impishly saying “Mmmm. Why don’t you show me?”

  “We’ll have to be quiet lest little Simone be awakened.” he cautioned. Then he continued “In case you forgot, this is the sort of thing that happened before she arrived.”

  “Mmmm.” Chuckling then, she said “Would it be so bad if she had a little brother then? She slept all night. Let’s leave well enough alone, cheri, and start our day the best way that we know how.”

  They made love then, in a sleepy and unhurried way.

  Later, her red shawl across her shoulders, she approached the door and opened it. Her husband then heard the most awful screaming and ran to her as fast as he could. She stood with both hands pressed to her cheeks, moaning, leaning on the door frame. He shouldered past her to look upon a scene of absolute carnage.

  There were seven chickens with their heads missing, ripped open, scattered about with feathers everywhere. The remaining eight sat huddled in one corner of the coop, clucking rapidly and nervously, afraid to come down from their perch.

  Both of them heard little Simone crying to be fed. She had finally awakened. In a minute the young mother was cooing and nursing her baby in her rocking chair, as her husband disposed of the grisly remains of their slaughtered chickens by feeding them to their pigs.

  ***

  Miles to the south, the creature ran at a frighteningly swift pace through the dense, lush forestlands of the Rhone Valley. It knew where it was going. It knew where it was supposed to be. It had a purpose, and that purpose was not related to fulfilling its hunger or survival. As it ran powerfully it felt its strength returning. Its hair had returned to its former length. Exulting in its power, it reveled in being so familiar to it. It was going home. Southward it ran, ever southward, toward its home.

  ***

  Ian stood near the bow of the packet ship bound for Dover, savoring the cool Atlantic air and its salt smell. The sounds of the waves against the hull of the ship, the creaking of its spars and fittings, and the wind singing in the rigging were a soothing balm to his troubled and sorrowful spirit. He thought then of the many times he had enjoyed being at sea with a woman whom he had loved.

  And now as he thought along those lines, his thoughts turned to those loved ones in Geneva. How fortunate and blessed he had been to have his life saved by Cosette, and to be taken in like a son by Henri and Marie. The growth of the family since then had been a source of unending pleasure for him. He truly loved every one of them as he did his human family. No matter what America had to offer, he would return to his family. For the first time since Alandra’s death, he truly missed them with a palpable ache. But he resolved to make the best of this opportunity for their sakes as well as his own.

  He knew that in the end, his family in Geneva would move to America and that he would help to make that move far easier for them by what he’d do in the New World. Being alone now, he was the logical one to blaze a trail for the others in a manner of speaking. He had thought it through many times since Alandra’s death, and it always came down to him going to America alone. There was no way that Marie and Henri could spare anyone to be gone for who knew how long. Mustafa, Li, Louis, and Andre were there to take over what he had done before, and with the generational move coming, Henri and Marie could have a need for all of them. This was best for them, and he truly believed it was best for him too. He supposed that the anticipation of a long-term separation from his two families was making him have second thoughts.

  Thomas and Caryn joined him at the bow. She had a blanket wrapped about her shoulders and stood very close to both men, between them. Thomas had both arms around her and she leaned her head back on his chest. Ian was pleased, and he felt the ache receding.

  “You two are very good for each other. You’re both making me happy on a day that I didn’t think I could feel that way. Thank you for coming.”

  Caryn said “It’s me who should be thanking you, Ian. I know that you were at the core of finding Celeste when she was taken. I know that I’d never have enjoyed seeing her grow up to be the wonderful person that she is if not for you and the Lafayettes. Not to mention that I’d just be working on another job this day had you not asked Thomas to come with you. Don’t think badly of her, but Alyssa has told me that you saved her life too. Ian, she was so hurt to hear of your loss. I’ve seldom seen grief like that. I wonder if you know how much she thinks of you.”

  “Alyssa is a fine person and a fine friend. I think the world of her. No one deserves happiness more than she does. I didn’t want to burden her with the thing.”

  Thomas said “Jennifer is alive and well today in a large part because of you. And partly because of you I met Caryn. Thank you again, Ian.” He gently turned her head to face him and kissed her tenderly.

  “You two are letting my sad eyes see happiness. They’ve seen too much sadness, so thank you both again.” After a silence of several minutes, Caryn said “Come with us to take some hot tea, Ian.” The two left him then and made their way back to the aft deck and the entrance to the cabins.

  Dover was clearly in view now and his reverie was reluctantly taken to remembrance of the times he had seen those cliffs and showed them for the first time to a woman whom he loved. Little Aimee’s first innocent reaction to them impinged on his memories. It was bittersweet, but in the end, it became painful. He now found himself wishing to be off to London as quickly as he could change ships in Dover. He would force himself to not hurry Thomas or Caryn though. Why should their trip to Britain be marred by his pain?

  Unbidden, a thought that he had suppressed crept to the forefront of his mind. What if he’d never married Alandra? What if he’d never even gone to Spain? Wouldn’t she be alive this day? She wouldn’t have been at that intersection on that day for sure. Alyssa loved me and if she’d wanted to be brought over, likely I’d never have sought out Alandra. In time I would likely have asked Alyssa to marry me. From deep in his inner being came a warning this way lies madness! Turn your thoughts elsewhere lest you lose your mind!

  He resolved to not stay at the estate in London or at the summer estate. Too many ghosts from happier times awaited him there. The impersonal neutrality of a rented room was a welcome thing for once. He dreaded telling his family in Edinburg what had happened, but knew that he should say his good byes to them before going to America being that he was here in Britain anyway. Could he even bear to stay in the same room that he had shared with both Cosette and Alandra? He ached to see both of his families and at the same time he longed to be at sea in the Atlantic heading to the New World, to places that he’d never before seen.

  Grief is a strange and dreaded companion …a dark and sorrowful traveler accompanying
me now wherever I go.

  Chapter 111

  The Chief Minister of King’s Gendarmerie of all of France contemplated the sealed and confidential letter he’d just received. It had the now-familiar symbol of the Lefevre crest on it. Although it was most carefully worded, it confirmed that his retirement would be allowed. But that was only if Claude Rousseau was named to be chief of King’s Gendarmerie for all of France. He knew that the money promised was in the account at the Banque de Fellman in Lausanne and had even withdrawn some money from it recently. His retirement would be next year, and he would count himself one lucky man to have been recruited by the Lefevres. He couldn’t help but wonder if there were other senior ministers like him who were at retirement age now and naming a younger successor. Looking back at how far he had come with their help and his wonderful family and their security, he was content to let that remain a mystery.

  He summoned Rousseau to his office and told him that he intended to retire, but would not do so until Rousseau had been named and confirmed as his successor. Claude was surprised at the timing, and couldn’t wait to tell his wife the good news. He knew that the Laforges were behind this move and was grateful. His account at Banque de Fellman had grown steadily as promised. His future was assured and he was thankful that the Laforges had picked him that day some years ago in Marseille. He wondered if any other middle-aged assistant ministers were being promoted. Little did he know that eight others near to his age would be promoted to chief of their administrative posts within the next seven years.

  ***

  Ian sat across from Robert in his study at his home in London. Robert had a sad and worried look on his face. Ian hadn’t ever seen him that way before excepting when Aimee had been kidnapped. "Ian, I’m so sorry to hear of this tragedy. Margaret is going to be devastated. Both of us thought the world of Alandra. She has been after me to take time away from the bank to take her to Marseille and visit all of you. We were going to do that when I had to attend our next court in Liechtenstein. After seeing your family and being with them, we both want to see more of our friends. We’ve been in an isolated rut too long. I’m surprised that you came here now instead of going to be with the others of your family.”