Echoes of Grace

by Caragh Bell

  ‘Bloody dreadful,’ said Gordon, shaking Gloria’s hand. ‘Too soon, my girl. Far too soon.’

  ‘Right, tell the waiting staff to earn their money,’ ordered Sebastian. ‘There will be about fifty people or so.’

  They entered the house and were met by a line of men and women dressed in black.

  ‘Wine, sir?’ asked one.

  ‘I’ll have a scotch,’ snapped George. ‘A large one.’

  William kissed Andrew’s nose. Ella had just fed him in the privacy of the kitchen and he was now in his arms, content and sleepy.

  ‘He’s quite handsome,’ said Laura, stroking his soft cheek. Sipping her wine, she shivered. ‘This house is just as creepy as the last time. Remember that New Year we spent here?’

  ‘Not really. I was plastered if you recall.’ He looked longingly at the pint of beer on the table by his side. He was cradling the baby on his right arm and was afraid to move for fear of waking him.

  ‘I’m so glad Henry had the sense to move to London.’ She watched Christian and Gloria. He reached out, patted her back and she smiled. They seemed to be having an amiable conversation and for that she was glad. If only her mother would love him like she did. It irked her that Gloria didn’t quite approve of their union, although she masked it well.

  ‘I’ll just pop over and see what they’re talking about,’ she said, walking away.

  William glanced at Andrew. He had fallen asleep again, his eyes fluttering as he slept. He had grown so much already. His blue sleepsuit was straining at the toes. Ella was of average height so he had to presume that that Josh person was tall. It would be a lie to say that he didn’t think about the other man. He had been terrified when Andrew was born – terrified that an emotional exhausted Ella would insist on informing the biological father. Instead, she hadn’t even mentioned him.

  Aurora appeared and William gave her a pleading look. ‘Will you hold him for a while? My arm is sore. And I’m dying to drink that.’ He nodded at the glass of beer. ‘Come on, you were so good with him at our place.’

  She hesitated but nodded. ‘Okay, just for a while.’

  She took the sleeping baby in her arms and kissed his soft head. Softly, she sang the Cornish lullaby Maggie had taught her, rocking him to and fro. Looking up, she saw James watching her. He had a faraway look on his face. Their eyes met and he jumped, pulling himself together immediately.

  ‘Will,’ she began.

  ‘Yep?’

  ‘Did you see much of Daddy lately?’

  ‘Not as much as I should have,’ he said honestly. ‘What with the baby and all, we’ve been so busy.’

  Her eyes shone. ‘Me too. I feel guilty.’

  ‘Hey, there’s no need for that,’ he said kindly. ‘You were in another country entirely. He was so thrilled for you.’ He took a swig of beer. ‘The last time I saw him was about three weeks ago or maybe it was longer. Gloria invited us down for Sunday dinner: a slow cooker stew. It was our first outing with Andrew, you know, with a car seat and all that. It took us about half an hour to get out of the house.’

  ‘How was he? Did he look sick then?’

  ‘Well, I hadn’t noticed it before, I must admit. Then James mentioned how ill he was in France.’

  She nodded miserably. ‘We thought he had a cold.’

  ‘But that day he looked so frail. He barely touched his food. Then this bloke turned up out of nowhere, just as we were eating, and demanded to talk to Henry.’

  ‘A bloke?’ She looked up.

  ‘Yes – a tall guy with an Irish accent. They went into his study for ages. Then we heard shouting so Gloria went to intervene.’

  ‘Shouting?’ she repeated. ‘Why?’

  William shrugged. ‘We don’t know. The man left and Henry said absolutely nothing. He didn’t explain or even tell us who the stranger was.’

  Aurora desperately tried to make sense of what he was saying. ‘Three weeks ago, you say?’

  ‘Yes – just after Andrew was born. Or maybe it was four weeks? Ella will know. She counts that sort of thing.’ He grinned. ‘I’m useless.’

  ‘Was it the weekend of Bertie’s party?’

  ‘You know, as you mention it . . .’

  Aurora stood and thrust the baby into his arms. Then she was gone.

  She ran outside and took deep gulps of air. The rose garden was empty and had become overgrown and wild. Pushing open the small gate, she went straight to the bush where Henry had picked her mother’s rose each year. The perfumed smell hit her immediately and she almost gagged.

  That man. The man she met at the party. He had called to Henry. It had to be the same person. He was friend of Bertie’s – a writer, he said. He had avoided telling her his name. Looking back on it, he had known things: about Grace and the past. Oh, how did she miss it? She struggled to remember his face. He had dark skin and brown eyes.

  Brown eyes.

  Eyes identical to her own.

  ‘No, no, it can’t be,’ she said out loud. ‘Please, no.’

  ‘Borealis?’ James appeared around the corner. ‘Are you all right?’

  She put her head in her hands.

  ‘What is it?’ He was beside her in a flash. ‘Is the mingling too much for you? I can take you back to Maggie’s if you’d like.’

  ‘Oh, James, I’m so confused.’ She burst into tears.

  ‘Come here,’ he said, hugging her tightly. ‘Let it all out. Today was always going to be hard.’ He held her as she sobbed, rubbing her back soothingly.

  ‘I just can’t believe how irrevocably my life has changed in a few days. Everything was going brilliantly. I got that part I wanted and my career is on the up.’ She pulled back slightly. ‘I didn’t get a chance to tell Daddy. I didn’t get a chance to tell him about Scarlett.’

  ‘I’m sure he knows,’ said James. ‘He’s somewhere right now toasting your success.’

  ‘And now I have that other business to deal with . . .’

  ‘All in good time.’

  ‘I need a drink,’ she said suddenly. ‘A large one.’

  ‘Of course. Let’s go back inside.’ He took her hand. ‘Gordon has some Rare Midleton if you fancy that. He was saving it for his own funeral but then realised he wouldn’t get to taste it.’

  She half-smiled. ‘I hate whiskey.’

  ‘Wine then.’ He smiled. ‘Come on, before Laura cleans us out.’

  Claire stood awkwardly in the corner, nursing a glass of red wine and checking her phone.

  Laura sidled over and smiled. ‘How are you?’ she asked. ‘Long time no see.’

  Claire shrugged. ‘Things could be better, Laura, but that’s how it goes, I suppose.’

  ‘Oh?’

  ‘James and I . . . well, we’ve been having some problems.’ She looked uncomfortable for a moment. ‘I’m not sure if we can work them out.’

  Laura stared at her. ‘Really? What’s up?’

  Claire stared at the ground. ‘He’s refusing to commit properly. We fight about the house and then there was your wedding . . .’

  ‘My wedding?’

  Claire nodded. ‘That was the climax really. I caught him kissing Aurora on the beach. Then, instead of falling on his knees and begging for my forgiveness, he took off to St. Tropez and spent nearly four hundred quid on a taxi.’

  Laura did a double take. ‘You caught him doing what? Are you quite sure? James and Aurora?’

  ‘I know. Sounds crazy, doesn’t it?’ She slammed her glass down on the table bitterly. ‘Then again, it was obvious from the start. He’s in love with her – he has been for years.’

  Laura shook her head. ‘That can’t be true,’ she said uneasily, remembering a sleeping James draped over Aurora in bed the morning after Henry died. ‘He’s her brother.’

  ‘Is he? Really?’ The small girl snorted. ‘What he feels for her is far from brotherly love, Laura. I’m just kicking myself that I didn’t see it. Oh, it was Borealis this and Borealis that. Then, she’d call and he’d
drop everything and run. He spoils her and puts her first. It came to a head out in France and he’s been so distant since.’

  ‘I’m finding this hard to believe . . .’

  ‘Look!’ Claire pointed to the doorway.

  James had just appeared with a tear-stained Aurora trailing behind. He had her hand firmly in his and they went straight to the drinks trolley. He filled a glass of white wine and rubbed her cheek. Laura watched him. He had the same expression on his face that last night in her room. It had bothered her then but she had forgotten it due to the stress and grief. Now, she could see exactly what Claire was talking about. In fact, it was like she had always known.

  ‘So, I came today to show my respect for Henry. He was such a lovely man.’ Claire straightened her dress and picked up her bag. ‘James promised me that he’d take me back to London. I guess we’ll have that conversation when we get home.’

  Laura shook her hand. ‘Thank you for coming. I’m truly gobsmacked.’

  ‘So am I, Laura. So am I.’

  Aurora gulped back three glasses of Chablis and immediately felt better. The alcohol had a dulling effect – it numbed her senses and made her forget. She drained her glass and held it out for more.

  James held his hands. ‘Whoa, whoa, Borealis. You’ll be on the floor soon. How about some water?’

  ‘No. I want more wine, please.’ She faced him defiantly. ‘A large glass again and stop babying me.’

  He nodded. ‘Of course. Coming right up.’

  Laura stared at them from across the room.

  William ambled up beside her and nudged her playfully. ‘You look all serious, Lolly. Is it the dwindling white-wine supply? I have to admit, it’s decreasing at an alarming rate.’

  ‘Look over there,’ she said, nodding towards James handing a full glass of wine to Aurora. ‘What do you think of those two?’

  William gave her a strange look. ‘I suppose I like them, as they’re family and all.’

  ‘No, I mean, have you ever noticed anything strange between them? I just had an eye-opening chat with Claire. She thinks they’re in love.’

  ‘Oh.’ William didn’t look remotely surprised. ‘Maybe she’s right.’

  ‘Will?’ Laura whipped her head around. ‘You’re not shocked?’

  He shook his head. ‘Not particularly. They’ve always had this thing – surely you noticed it. He adored her, ever since the beginning.’ He shrugged. ‘I thought everyone knew.’

  ‘Everyone knew what?’

  ‘Look, think about it. He always made it home for her birthday: always. Through gales and earthquakes and freezing conditions. I don’t remember him being around faithfully to help you to blow out your candles, Lolly.’ He popped a blini in his mouth. ‘Then there’s the way he always puts her first. I can’t say I’m surprised. Crikey, Claire must be in a state.’

  ‘Oh, they’re on the rocks. He’s taking her back to London in a while so she thinks that will be it. They’ll have that conversation.’

  ‘Thank God we decided to stay at the pub with Gloria,’ said William in relief. ‘The journey down was pretty tense. They didn’t speak at all.’

  ‘Oh, Chris and I booked in there too.’ Laura smiled. ‘Let’s get out of here soon and avail of the residents’ bar.’

  Freddie Thompson arrived with Maggie and shook George’s hand. ‘Sorry for your troubles,’ he said, nodding formally. ‘Mr. ’Enry was a gentleman, ’ee was.’

  ‘Why, thank you, Frederick.’ George smiled tightly. ‘I agree – my father was a wonderful man.’ He turned away immediately and resumed his conversation with the local magistrate.

  James appeared and hugged Maggie. ‘Well, hello,’ he said, kissing her cheek. ‘Any pies for me today?’

  ‘Not today,’ she said, beaming. ‘You look the same, you do.’

  ‘Hello, Freddie,’ said James, shaking his hand warmly. ‘You probably don’t remember me?’

  ‘Oh, I rightly do, Master James. Sorry for your loss.’

  ‘The little ’un is takin’ it badly,’ said Maggie. ‘She stayed with me last night and all I ’eard was sobbin’ from ’er room.’

  ‘She loved Mr. ’Enry,’ agreed Freddie. ‘It’s only natural.’

  James face was troubled as he looked at Aurora. She looked lost on her own, drinking wine and struggling not to cry. He wished he hadn’t offered to drive Claire now. All he wanted to do was stay by her side. She needed him – she needed stability. Judging by the cold reception from her brothers, she’d need all the allies she could get.

  Suddenly Claire appeared and pulled James’ sleeve. ‘Sorry to be rude, but we need to make a move. I’ve an early shift in the morning.’

  ‘You want to leave now?’ He looked dismayed. ‘Really, Claire?’

  ‘Yes, really.’ She checked her watch. ‘We’ve been here for hours.’

  James knew it was futile to argue. ‘Oh, okay. I’ll meet you at the main door.’

  She walked away, waving at Laura and William as she passed.

  ‘’Oo’s that?’ asked Maggie curiously.

  James said nothing for a moment. ‘A friend,’ he said eventually. ‘Look, I must go. Wonderful to see you, even if it was brief. Look after Aurora. I think she’s had far too much wine.’

  Freddie nodded. ‘I’ll take care of ’er, Master James. Poor girl is mighty upset, she is.’

  ‘Yes, yes, she is.’ He blew Maggie a kiss. ‘I’ll call to see you soon. I’d forgotten how beautiful it was down here.’

  ‘Drive safely, Master James,’ she said.

  He walked over to Aurora who was standing alone by a large plant. ‘I’ve got to go,’ he said gently. ‘I promised Claire that I’d take her back to London.’

  Her fuddled brain struggled to process what he was saying. So, him and Claire were still together? Of course they were. His presence all day was just the usual brotherly duty – James was being James. The kind rock who always looked out for her.

  ‘Take it easy on the wine, Borealis. You’re not used to it.’

  She barely registered what he was saying. ‘Claire is waiting,’ she said vaguely. ‘You need to go.’

  His expression darkened for a moment but then regained its cheerful expression. Leaning in, he kissed her cheek lightly. ‘I’ll see you back at home.’

  She nodded. ‘Sure.’

  ‘James?’ called Claire from the door. ‘Come on!’

  Sebastian stood up and clinked his glass. ‘Thank you all for coming here today,’ he said in his plummy accent. ‘Daddy would have been delighted to see so many faces he knew and loved.’

  Aurora threw back her wine and stared broodily at the ground.

  ‘It was wonderful to see him reunited with our mother, Marcella, today.’ He beckoned at George to join him. ‘She was his one true love and I’m sure he’s at peace now, lying by her side.’

  Gloria’s face reddened and she shrank backwards. The boys had barely spoken to her all day. In fact, they had kept her out of everything. If it wasn’t for Gordon, she would have been clueless. She prayed that they would mention her – just once. Being on their turf, she felt like an outsider. Certainly not the grieving wife.

  ‘This sad day reminds us of Mummy’s funeral. We had the reception in the very same room. It seemed fitting to have Daddy’s here as well.’

  William patted Baby Andrew’s back, his face darkening. Surely they would mention Gloria or even Aurora for that matter.

  ‘So, if you’ll all raise your glasses,’ continued Sebastian. ‘To Henry!’

  ‘To Henry!’ chorused the bemused crowd.

  Aurora slammed her glass down. ‘Might I have your attention?’ she said in her clear voice.

  Everyone turned around and she stood up straight.

  ‘My mother, Grace, was Henry’s second wife. Many of you knew her during her brief time here in Cornwall. I think it’s only right that she gets a mention.’

  ‘Hear! Hear!’ said Gordon.

  ‘Also, Daddy’s widow Gl
oria. My lovely stepmother.’ She gestured to where Gloria was sitting. ‘A truly beautiful person who welcomed me as one of her own. I think it’s important that we acknowledge her loss today. Indeed, all our loss.’

  Sebastian glared at her but George said nothing. He just sipped his whiskey with an impassive face.

  ‘You see, Henry Sinclair was not just a fine playwright and loving father, he was also the kindest man I’ve ever known.’ Tears began to roll down her cheeks. ‘He loved us all so much and did everything he could for us.’

  ‘Thank you, Aurora,’ said Sebastian, giving her a pointed look. ‘That’s quite enough.’

  She ignored him. ‘You see, he was so generous and kind that he even took in a child that wasn’t his.’

  She looked around at all their bemused faces.

  ‘You see, Henry wasn’t my father. My mother was pregnant when he married her.’

  There were horrified mumblings amongst the guests.

  Sebastian made a move to grab Aurora, but George held him back. ‘Let her finish,’ he said silkily.

  ‘He told me before he died: how he raised me as his own and protected me from further heartbreak.’ She was crying openly now. ‘I loved him. He was the best father anyone could ask for.’

  ‘Except he wasn’t your father,’ said Sebastian nastily. ‘What a revelation.’

  She turned on him. ‘I can see exactly what’s going through your narrow little mind. How this affects your inheritance. That’s all you think about, isn’t it, Seb? Because your life is so pathetic, it’s all you have.’

  ‘Well, it certainly changes things,’ he said. ‘If you’re the illegitimate brat of that Irish whore you have no claim to his estate. I think that has made my day.’

  There were gasps from the crowd. Laura looked at William in alarm. Aurora was clearly drunk and needed to be stopped.

  Gloria got up and grabbed her arm. ‘This is an entirely inappropriate conversation,’ she said in her ear. ‘Come on, my love. Let’s go.’