Chapter Six.
Rina
“That lady is watching again, Mommy,” Xander said, and I jolted in surprise.
“Huh?”
“The ghost lady. She’s nice and tells us stories. Zoie isn’t frightened anymore,” Xander replied.
While I didn’t want my children to be scared, I wasn’t too certain about having a ghost tell the kids tales.
“Daddy’s taking us shopping for your presents,” Xander continued. Another shock ran through me.
“That will be nice.” I smiled.
“Yup, bye Mommy.”
Xander darted off as Adam came down the stairs. This week had been different. Adam was making a visible effort. I knew he’d called Janet several times, and that was fine. If that’s what Adam needed to heal, then he could spend hours on the phone with her. Hell, I’d even pay the bill.
Adam had encouraged me to sketch, but I really wanted to get my hands on some paint. While I usually used oils, I wouldn’t mind doing these in watercolours. The local scenery was pretty, and it felt like Christmas. There was one week left until Christmas Day, and I actually felt excited.
“Terry is picking us up. I need to buy him a good bottle of whiskey,” Adam said as he bent down and kissed my forehead.
“You’re going into town again?”
That was something Adam had done. He’d begun spending a lot of time with the children, freeing me up. At first, I’d felt pushed out, but I noted how wary the kids had been. That was what Adam was trying to overcome, so I’d followed his lead. Plus, I actually had the bug to create my paintings.
“Yes, we’re going Christmas shopping. See you soon,” Adam said, and I nodded. I smiled as Adam walked out with the kids, making a loud noise. Each declaring that they knew exactly what Mommy wanted.
“You look happier, if you don’t mind my saying so,” Mariah commented as she approached.
“It’s been a very difficult time. Adam seems easier, more relaxed,” I responded.
“I can imagine. Life likes to throw us curveballs,” Mariah stated, and I saw sadness in her eyes.
“You and Benedict are lucky to live here,” I replied for lack of anything to say.
“Normally, we don’t have snow like this. This is unusual.”
“Ah, I meant at the inn.”
“Oh. We usually spend Monday to Thursday at Wollscombe Manor, the family home, and then the weekend here. But we’re spending the next few weeks here. Benedict’s siblings are either all expecting or have just had a baby.” Grief crossed Mariah’s face.
“And you’ve not got pregnant yet?” I guessed.
Mariah forced a smile. “No. Excuse me, I have to get the rooms ready for the new guests.”
“Mariah, can I ask a question? Do you have a ghost here?”
“Lady Catherine, she means no harm,” Mariah replied and then quickly left.
The ghost had a name? Of course it did; this was England. A little confounded, I turned my attention back to my sketchbook. I had an idea for a whole new series. I wondered, however, if there were more inns similar to The Black Cat.
Adam
I was surprised to spot an arts and crafts store. The village wasn’t a big place, and this was decidedly a niche store. Walker noticed it at the same time I did.
“Mom mentioned some watercolours,” he said.
“Yeah, she didn’t bring any of her things to paint with,” I replied. “We both had the same idea. Although I’m not going to buy her a studio’s worth.”
“Dad, I’ll take the kids to the café while you get Mom’s stuff. Don’t forget an easel and canvases.”
“Yes, boss,” I replied, mock saluting, and Walker rolled his eyes.
“Dad?”
“Yes?”
“It’s been good kinda having you back.”
“Kind of?”
“Yup, you’re still different, but you’re spending more time with us instead of sulking. Shit happens, Dad. It’s how we deal with it that counts.”
Damn, out of the mouths of babes. Amused, I nodded at Walker and headed towards the shop.
In the deep snow, I felt insecure, even though every effort had been made for pedestrians.
I slipped a couple of times but caught myself before I went down.
Eyes pierced my back, and I turned and saw Walker had taken a window seat.
My boy was watching me with concern. Casually, I waved and managed to make it to the store.
Twenty minutes later, my wallet was much lighter than before I left.
The sales assistant had promised to contact Terry and get him to collect my purchases.
As I headed towards the café, a jewellery shop caught my eye.
Curiously, I walked over, as I’d not bought Rina a present from me, although the kids had spent a fortune on her.
In the window was a necklace, bracelet and earring set.
They were white gold, with an infinity symbol inset with diamonds.
Simple but elegant. Rina had always been my forever, and an infinity symbol would show her that.
Entering, I purchased them and headed across the road.
My leg slipped, and I started going down.
Desperately, I tried catching myself when a strong hand caught me and steadied me.
“There you go, lad. Bum leg, is it? Got one myself. Snow’s a bugger for us,” a voice said. “Lost mine in a motorbike accident. What was yours?”
Amused, I snorted. A stranger was accosting me in the street and actually asking me face-to-face about my leg. Not staring or whispering behind my back.
“Wrong place, wrong time,” I replied and returned the old guy’s friendly smile. I waited for the usual surge of anger that came with admitting I was less than whole. Not a real man. It didn’t come.
“That’s a lie. My dad’s a hero,” Walker declared with pride in his voice.
“Is that so? That’s a tale I’d like to hear, boy.”
“The little three are eating lunch. Come on, Dad, before they destroy the place,” Walker stated.
He positioned himself close by so that if I went down again, he’d be there to help.
A lump formed in my throat. Walker was sixteen.
I’d only had him a few years, and instead of being bitter and holding it against me, he was standing tall and helping.
Jesus, Rina and Dane had done a great job raising my son. Pride ran through me. Walker was an amazing person, and I couldn’t be prouder of him. I should have told him more than I had. That was something I’d correct moving forward.
“Would you like to join us?” I offered the guy who’d saved my dignity.
“That would be grand, son. Love a cuppa and a chat. I’m Pete.”
“Adam, and this is my eldest, Walker.”
“Nice to meet you, Adam. It seems fortuitous, this meeting,” Pete said.
Something inside me didn’t disagree.
◆◆◆
I placed a dessert order for Callum, Xander, and Zoie. Pete recommended the fish and chips, which Walker and I ordered. Pete asked for a shepherd’s pie. While I dealt with the younger three, Walker told Pete the saga of my injury.
“That story even made it over here. It was a shock. Couldn’t imagine something like that happening here, although the threat seems to be getting more realistic. England has some gangs over here. Guns might be illegal, but they still get their hands on them,” Pete replied.
“In a small village like this?”
“Not so much here, but in the large towns and cities, yes. England isn’t what it used to be,” Pete stated. “So, you’re a hero.”
“No. Just somebody who stood up and did the correct thing.”
“That takes courage. I’d wear that injury like a badge of honour, my friend.”
Confused, I frowned at Pete. “What do you mean?”
“Adam, you got that protecting hundreds of innocents, if not thousands. You challenged a bad man who had only darkness in his heart, and you lived while he didn’t.
That leg wound, Adam, doesn’t make you less of a man; it shows exactly what type of man you are.
A strong man who cares about the defenceless and those weaker than him. I’m glad I made your acquaintance.”
Surprised, I stared at Pete, trying to find any sarcasm or mockery in his words. There was none I could discern.
“What surprises you about my words?” Pete asked.
“Damn, I’ve never thought of it like that.” I rubbed the back of my neck, unsure how I felt hearing it.
“Bet you haven’t. The type of man you are, I bet you looked more at your disability than the positives,” Pete said, but there was no ire in his tone.
“Yeah, I felt less because of the injury,” I admitted openly. The younger three weren’t listening, instead, they were arguing about what they’d do when they got back to the inn.
Walker, however, was paying close attention. “Nobody ever believed that, just you.”
“Probably,” I agreed.
“No probably about it, Dad. Nobody judged you for having a limp. But your attitude upset a lot of us. We didn’t like how you reacted or thought about yourself.” Walker wasn’t holding back.
“I see.”
“You changed overnight. Our dad disappeared, and you became a bitter, nasty shit,” Walker continued, and I laughed.
Pete burst out laughing, too. “Got a good lad there. Speaks the truth and from the heart.”
“Dad, I’m proud of what you did. Loads of people could have been killed, and you put yourself on the line.
I don’t care you’ve got a limp; it could have been amputated for all I care.
I’m just proud of who you are because a lot of my school friends’ parents cowered behind locked doors.
None of those in my class can say their dad is a hero. ”
I stared at Walker in surprise as his words sank in. “Didn’t know you thought like that.”
“Dad, you didn’t bother to find out!” he retorted.
I couldn’t deny that.
“Well, now. Seems as if you’ve both had a breakthrough. Good luck to you both and Happy Christmas.” Pete got up and touched his head in a salute before shuffling out.
“Pete didn’t stay for his food.” Walker frowned.
“No.” The waitress appeared with a plate for me and one for Walker. “Sorry, Ma’am, the guy with us left. Can we cancel his order?”
She looked confused. “What guy? There wasn’t anyone else.”
“Pete, he ordered the shepherd’s pie,” I said.
She paled, staggered, and placed a hand on the table. “Sir, I don’t know what you’re playing at. Pete died last Christmas. He always ordered the shepherd’s pie.”