Chapter Fifty-Nine Inganess Beach, a year later
Chapter Fifty-Nine
Inganess Beach, a year later
It was a glorious spring day, and the Selkies were out in force at the beach, enjoying the sunshine and getting ready for their usual dook. Freya had been helped from the car and was sitting on a pile of cushions, swathed in blankets and looking almost back to her old self.
She’d never dance again like she had before the stroke, but she had discarded her despised zimmer frame and was slowly learning to shuffle around the house with a stick.
She was determined to be able to walk up the aisle to take her seat at the front pew for Sophia and Finn’s wedding.
She’d spent many happy hours with Evie planning her outfit, which would be taking her love of colour and silks, satins and bling to a whole new level.
She looked over at Evie. There were new lines on her face and dark circles under her eyes, but she was still a beautiful woman, and she and Ross were in a good place. They had found a quiet contentment in each other’s company and there was a deep understanding between them.
Evie spent a lot more time at his house, keeping an eye on his parents and making sure Ross wasn’t overdoing things.
He’d gradually gone back to work and joked he was about two years behind in orders for his famous Orkney chairs.
All of his customers said they were happy to wait.
He was busy in his workshop patiently crafting a peedie chair for Ola, and had put hours of love and work into making it perfect for the tiny toddler who wound uncle Ross around her little finger.
Evie and Ross didn’t have a torrid romance full of lust and passion.
It was peaceful and restful. They had been through so much together and it had made them strong as steel.
They weren’t the sort of people to declare their undying love to one another.
They just knew that they were two halves that made a whole.
She had left Ross happily at work, telling him she would see him this afternoon. Knowing she had Ross to go back to, Evie truly felt she had finally come home.
Beside her on the beach, Delima was making sandcastles with Ola and Hari the toddler was once again being handed around like a fat parcel.
Neither of the children remembered the dark events of last year.
Delima and Jack were the ones who had nightmares and for months wouldn’t let them out of their sight.
Jack still blamed himself for putting his children in danger, but Delima had forgiven him and they were back on an even keel. Amelia’s trial date still hadn’t been set – she’d pleaded not guilty to attempted manslaughter, and it was set to be a huge case in Scotland.
Jack had become a bit of a media sensation himself after the attempted rescue of the pilot whales, and he found himself in demand as a wildlife expert.
Saving a handful of them was nothing short of a miracle.
TV companies knocked on his door with all sorts of offers and ideas.
Jack’s Viking good looks and his way of explaining complex issues so clearly and passionately made him perfect for documentaries, but he turned them down.
He didn’t want to leave the island or his family.
Delima, acting as his agent (“Well, we might as well keep the ten per cent in the family,” she said reasonably) had cannily negotiated a deal for him whereby he broadcast live from their sanctuary into the BBC’s acclaimed Spring, Autumn and Winterwatch programmes.
He was in the middle of writing a book and put clips on social media that regularly went viral, especially when he was wearing nothing but shorts.
This had seen donations soar, with all the money ploughed back into helping animals and improving and enlarging the sanctuary.
Kate was telling Patsy about her online law course. It was hard work, but Kate was loving every minute and she’d never looked happier. She helped out at Joan McIver’s practice two afternoons a week and Joan had said she’d take her on full time in a heartbeat when she felt ready.
Maureen was bringing Evie and Sophia up to date about the plans she and Andrzej had to foster older children who needed a bit of stability.
“It’s all Andrzej’s idea, of course,” she said happily.
“He’s really excited about it. He wants to teach them all about Orkney history and he’s thinking of sponsoring the boys and girls who are interested to get an apprenticeship and a chance of a proper trade. ”
Maureen continued to be cancer-free and in remission.
She was growing stronger every day and continued to live in the moment, relishing life’s small pleasures.
Both Andrzej and Maureen were thrilled when Rory announced he wanted to join Andrzej’s building business after he left school, and asked if he could start as an apprentice joiner under Patsy’s watchful eye.
Maureen told them proudly: “Did you see the new sign Andrzej has put up over the workshop? It says ‘Kowalski Evie had seen more shades of ivory napkins than she thought were possible and the discussion on wedding favours had gone on for weeks.
Sophia beamed at them all. “Anyway, that’s not the only thing to look forward to.” She took a deep breath, beamed, and told them: “I’m pregnant. We’re having a baby.”
Everyone congratulated her at once and Sophia was wrapped in hugs and warm wishes. Evie looked at her friend with shining eyes, “This is the best news ever. How wonderful. A brand-new life coming into the world.”
“What did Finn say when you told him?” asked Freya.
“Well,” said Sophia. “He cried. Obviously. Then he told me to sit down and swaddled me in one of Maureen’s blankets.
And he was up all night pacing the floor and making lists.
One minute he’s fretting about me eating soft cheese and then he’s making plans to take the baby to Antarctica to see penguins.
He goes from petrified to euphoric in a heartbeat. ”
Kate laughed. “Welcome to the wacky world of parenthood where you have the most important job in the world, but no one gives you any instructions and yet somehow you muddle through.”
Delima agreed, “Yep, that about sums it up.”
Sophia suddenly looked uncertain and blurted out: “I have more news and I’m not sure how you are all going to take it, but Finn has agreed to move down south permanently with me.”
They all gasped. This was huge. Maybe an even bigger deal than the forthcoming bairn.
“We’re looking at houses outside of London and he’s managed to get himself a transfer from the RSPB – he’ll be monitoring red kites in Berkshire and he will, of course, be volunteering to be on beaver watch in Essex. ”
Freya smiled ruefully and turned to Evie, “So our plan worked, after all. Maybe a bit more successfully than we thought.” Sophia smiled. “Yes, he told me you two had put him on the hunt for beaver. Funnily enough he is very excited about it.”
Evie giggled but then looked sad, “But you will come back and see us?”
“All the time. We aren’t moving right away. I can still commute for a while yet, and I’ve got maternity leave, so I’ll bring the baby here as soon as possible. She needs to get the fresh, clean Orkney air in her lungs.
“She?” said Freya. “Is it going to be a peedie girl?”
Sophia smiled broadly and nodded. “Yep. We are going to have a girl. And Freya, if you don’t mind, we would both like to name her after you.”
For once Freya was speechless. She blinked back tears and couldn’t utter a word, but her heart was full.
Sophia held her hands. “Obviously, you will be her honorary grandmother and I cannot think of a finer woman as a role model for my baby.”
Freya managed to find her voice. “Oh Sophia. You have no idea what that means to me. You’ve made me so happy. Are you really sure?”
“Certain,” said Sophia. “You know how much we all love you.”
“Imagine,” said Delima. “We will have a baby Freya here next year. She’ll be a friend for Ola and Hari. And one day she will be a Selkie, alongside her mum and all of her aunties and her namesake, of course.”
“If I’m spared,” said Freya, laughing.
“You will outlive us all,” said Delima.
Freya sighed happily. “This is turning into the best day. But we are missing someone.”
“I’m here,” said a soft voice behind her.
“Liv!” said Sophia, giving her a hug. “I’ve just been telling them my big news.”
Sophia turned to everyone. “Liv already guessed. You all know she is working up at the hospital and she saw me going in for my scan. I had to tell her.” She smiled at Liv. “Thank you for keeping my secret.”
“It wasn’t easy,” said Liv. “I was bursting to tell you all, especially Evie.” Liv kissed Freya on the cheek.
“Sorry I’m late but I got some good news while I was on the way out the door.
A call from the hospital. I’ve been accepted to train properly as a health visitor.
I thought I would be far too old, but they apparently want women of maturity. ”
Everyone congratulated Liv. Evie hugged her close, “I’m so proud of you.
You’ve worked so hard. Rab must be thrilled.
” Liv and Rab had been going out with each other officially since Amelia’s arrest and were looking at buying a small house and moving in together.
“He’s really pleased, and with the money he’s making working with Andrzej we can afford a peedie mortgage, even though we are both ancient old relics. ”
Freya pretended to be affronted. “That’s enough of that.
You two are young things compared to me.
” She clapped her hands. “Right, you lot. Leave the babies with me and off you go into the water. I will have the picnic ready, and the coffee laced with booze. Although not for you Sophia obviously, but I can have yours, so it doesn’t go to waste. ”
“So kind and thoughtful, Freya,” said Sophia with a laugh. They all stripped off down to their swimsuits and, shrieking, raced into the water. As always the salty coldness took their breath away but they were soon swimming like silky seals.
Freya watched them from the beach. She’d been badly affected by Amelia’s vindictive lies, her attack on Ross and her own terrible scare after suffering a stroke.
She shuddered at the memory, but it had made her realise how precious life was. ‘It’s a cliche,’ she thought to herself, ‘but you really do have to seize the day. I may be almost 81 years old but I still have an awful lot of living still to do.’
She smiled, thinking of the new baby who would bear her name. It was moments like this that made life worth living. She watched Liv and Evie going down to the water’s edge hand in hand. ‘And who would ever have thought that those two would become proper sisters?’
They had all looked on in hope as Evie and Liv grew closer and helped each other to heal this past year.
The sisters had spent many hours together, talking through their difficult childhood and the trauma of the tragic death of Brodie all those years ago.
As they had grown to trust each other, Liv had even gone with Evie to see their mother in the care home.
Even though Cara had no idea who she was, Liv was glad she had visited. It was good to see her restless mother content at last. She was in a twilight world, but it was one where she could finally be happy.
Being with Ross and bonding with Liv had made it easier for Evie to cope, but it was her paintings that had truly saved her. She had been creating some complex, profound work, light years away from her seascapes, and had attracted the attention of major dealers as far away as New York and Tokyo.
She had attempted to repaint the portrait of Freya that Amelia had destroyed, and although it was still too raw, she knew she would be able to return to it soon and do her friend justice.
And one day she vowed to paint Brodie before his essence faded from her memory completely. There was only so much she could do from a photograph. For now, she had her Ross and her work, as well as her friends and her sister.
A new life coming into the world was the best possible way to stay hopeful about the future and baby Freya would be a blessing for all of them. Evie would always carry a burden of sorrow, but there was still so much to look forward to.
She stood by the shore hand-in-hand with her sister. Liv had come a long way too. She had a good man by her side, a new job she adored and she felt loved.
Evie smiled, “I think we’re both going to be alright, you know.”
Liv grinned back at her. “I know we are.”
Liv looked at her in admiration. It had taken a long time but she had grown to love her little sister.
“Come on then, Teenie, let’s jump in together.”