Chapter 20 #3
It takes a few moments to click together what he means, as I wonder why he would need to explain the lack of adaptability of the lodgings.
But when I glance over at Henry, it dawns on me that he is referring to us being married and that we wouldn’t be able to share a cabin.
Little does he know we are quite relieved to hear this piece of news.
“We understand, and it will not be a problem,” I assure him.
His face is like a statue—rock solid, devoid of a single human emotion.
I’m unable to determine if the significant details about me are shifting his opinion at all.
Feeling like we are at his mercy, susceptible to both falling under his favor and disfavor, I decide to assume a role I never had to before—the role of a thankful daughter.
“I must apologize for grandfather's oversight. We, too, were not aware he didn’t inform you about us, or our growing family.” I study him, hoping my eyes are overly dramatizing the helplessness and sorrow I’m trying to convey.
“I must ask, does this change anything about our arrangement here? Do we need to find sanctuary elsewhere?”
My father doesn’t reply as quickly as I hope, which worries me.
A nurturing father wouldn’t hesitate to reassure his daughter that it wouldn’t.
He was never a father first and soldier second.
For all my life, it was always the opposite, or more accurately, only as the latter.
And now, naturally, he is calculating with his military mindset, and possibly for the first time in more than a decade, considering it as a father.
“No,” he finally decides, “this doesn’t change our arrangement. It would have been informative for us to be aware of it, but it’s nothing critical that affects our agreement.”
Relief washes over me at his words. I had feared for a second he might change his mind. But whether he thought that or not, it doesn’t matter; we are still allowed sanctuary here. We express our appreciation for his understanding.
As I glance around the lifeless base, I hope we don’t need to stay here for too long. A part of me feels slightly guilty for not disclosing the real reason why we need their protection, but I’m not that na?ve to see how much danger I would be putting us all in.
The sky darkens around us, the sun setting beyond the dense forest we are surrounded by. The streetlights of the base turn on, with Henry and me glancing at the warm hues of light now hitting our faces. It’s only evening, but my body feels like it’s well into the middle of the night.
“Dinner will stop being served shortly,” my father announces. “I know you had a long journey and will leave you two to get acclimated and rest. We can reconvene our conversation in the morning.”
He reaches into his breast pocket and pulls out three small envelopes.
Their shape can only mean one thing: telegrams. My pulse quickens at the sight of them, as there are only three people who would be contacting us.
Anticipation consumes me as he holds them.
I’m desperate to read the words inside—especially from Grandad—but I know better to do that in front of my father.
“These are for you,” my father says as he hands them to me. “We received them no more than a day ago.”
I take them, trying to contain my eagerness. “Thank you.”
My father stands before us with an awkward pause. As if he wants to say something else, but seems to have changed his mind. “Have a good evening,” he decides, with a nod to both of us. Then, swiftly makes his way toward his office.
When he is out of sight, I quickly hand an envelope to Henry. We open them in such a frantic rush that my hands shake as I read their contents.
“Dr. Baccar arrived at Constantinople not too long ago,” Henry says as he continues to read the telegram. “She started researching at the university today and will keep us posted. She hopes we arrived at Canterbury with no issues.” Henry looks at me. “What does yours say?”
“It’s from Dr. Alarie. He arrived in Athens a day ago and has already started researching. He, too, says he will keep us posted and hopes to hear from us soon.”
I open the last telegram—from Grandad. I haven't read out its contents yet, wanting to take this moment to read his words privately. “Grandad arrived in Rome two days ago,” I announce once I’m ready.
“He started researching with a professor at the university and asked for us to contact him as soon as we receive this.”
It also says he misses me and reassures me that everything will be alright, but I decide to keep that part to myself.
I fold up the telegrams and place them into my purse. “We should head to the telegram office and let them know we arrived safely.”
“Then we can rest for days on end?” Henry asks with a chummy smile on his face, like a kid asking his mother for a sweet treat.
I can’t help but laugh at him. He always knows how to make me smile when I need it most. I also know I’m in a delirious state where anything will make me laugh at this point.
“Yes, Mr. Ashford,” I say as we walk arm in arm toward the telegram office. “We can then rest for as long as we like.”