Sand in the Wind

by Ruth Hay

  The news was good, on the whole. He had told Anna an e mail was on its way with details. Anna got the impression that, because of Philip’s work in Egypt, everything would be done to smooth the path of his family member and companion.

  “Now that sounds very hopeful,” Alina summarized. “I guess I will have to revise my former opinion of Philip.”

  “Well, he may have taken some time to pass on the information, but he is busy in England, of course. I think his help will make the trip much easier for us. I certainly wouldn’t want to be trying this on my own.”

  Anna stopped to think, and then continued in another direction. This was something she had thought about while waiting for Philip’s response.

  “We could take a package holiday to Egypt, you know. That’s an option we could explore. All the arrangements would be made for us with no worries about where and when.”

  “What? Move around with a group all day, on their timetable, with no chance to change our minds and stay a little longer in a perfect spot? No, if we can benefit from Philip’s knowledge of the area, it will be the perfect introduction to a place we have always wanted to see.”

  “Well, everyone says an escorted trip is the best way to visit a country for the first time. Perhaps we can combine the two; part cruise and part hotel stay. That way Philip won’t be overburdened with us. I’ll look into the possibilities.”

  “Just one thing before we get committed to this trip,” said Alina. “Can we truly afford the expense?”

  Anna had already investigated their current financial status and she knew what the money situation was. She turned to her partner and assumed a serious expression.

  “I guess you have been too busy lately to check our bank balance, Alina. I can assure you we are solvent. In fact, we are doing very well financially. James has just sent an interim report for A Plus and the internet business is booming despite the downturn in the economy. The new

  knitwear replacement idea has really caught on with boomers like us. In fact, we have nothing to be concerned about with respect to money.”

  “That’s good news, my dear. I suppose with no children to leave our money to, we could be forgiven for spending some on ourselves. Let’s do it!”

  Anna agreed, and their discussion soon moved on to time frames, preparations and the all-important question of packing.

  Anna could see a change in Alina already, and it made her heart glad.

  The whole summer and fall were ahead of them. With the trip to Egypt on the horizon, Anna was able to relax and concentrate on other things, knowing Alina was now in a much more positive frame of mind. With a little encouragement she might be persuaded to put her worries about the unknown future aside, and focus on the present.

  In the middle of July, a call from George Mc Lennan in Scotland turned Anna’s thoughts to a different problem.

  George informed her that the formidable Mrs. Aitken, his office manager and general watchdog over all affairs in the legal firm, had decided to retire and move to Spain.

  At first Anna was at a loss to see why this piece of news would concern her, but George soon got to the point. The new secretary had initiated an overhaul of the filing system and in the process, uncovered something that might be of interest to Anna. It turned out that Mrs. Aitken and Helen Dunlop had once had a friendship of sorts.

  At this juncture in the conversation, Anna’s ears perked up. She could just imagine the reticent Helen, and the forceful Mrs. Aitken, facing off in the tiny front office while Helen waited to be admitted to George’s presence. Of course the firm’s secretary would be privy to all the papers pertaining to Helen’s business affairs. It was not unlikely that, as a widow herself, she might have had some sympathy with this incomer to the area, and offered her support, in a highly appropriate and understated way, of course.

  George now had in his possession a package of photographs that had belonged to Mrs. Aitken. In his punctilious way he had ensured that these were of no interest to their owner, or to other Aitken family members, and so he could now offer them to Anna, if she so wished.

  “For goodness sake, George,” she interrupted in an exasperated fashion. “What’s in the pictures that might be of use to me?”

  “I did take a cursory look through them, on your behalf, and I am convinced some of the pictures show Helen Dunlop on various outings with Mrs. Aitken, spanning a number of years.”

  Anna was thrilled to get this news. If she could see what Helen looked like, it might help her to form a better idea of her connection to her unseen relative.

  “Now, that is welcome news, George! Could you have the photographs scanned and sent to me here? I could look at them and decide whether they are worth sending by courier.”

  “I will certainly do that for you. It might be wise if I number the photos so you can select the ones most useful to you.”

  “Good idea, George! I am really anxious to see them. This could be the breakthrough I have waited for.”

  “I’ll get onto it right away then. Oh, Jeanette says to tell you hello. She’s working with Bev at the farm. It looks like some changes will be happening there soon.”

  “Aha! I thought as much. A new broom sweeps clean, as you say in Scotland.”

  “Indeed! Can we expect you in Oban this summer, Anna?”

  “Not too likely, George. But you never know. My brother and his family are booked in to the estate house for a holiday in August, so the house will be full then.”

  “Right you are! I’ll keep that in mind and help them out with anything they need.”

  “Thanks, George! How could I manage without you?”

  “Ach, away with you, Anna! I’ll send on the photos as soon as possible.”

  Anna put down the phone with a smile on her face. She knew George would be blushing. Any compliment had that effect on him. She thought about the photos of Helen and hoped they would reveal more than the nursing home snaps she had found so disappointing.

  She had created a picture of Helen in her own mind long ago but it was sketchy at best. Seeing the real face instead of her imagined one, would bring the illusive Helen much closer.

  Somehow she felt there would be something to learn, but what that might be, was still a mystery.

  Chapter Five

  “Madame, what would you wish me to do with this special request for visas?”

  Nefer al-Sayyid did not look up from the file on her desk. As principal private secretary to the Egyptian ambassador, she had many tasks to accomplish and little time to coach lesser mortals in their duties.

  “What is the source of the request?” she asked abruptly.

  The young woman holding the papers, reached one hand automatically to adjust the hijab she usually wore, before she remembered it was a condition of employment in this office that she appear in western dress during working hours. She cleared her throat nervously and replied in a soft tone.

  “Madame, the request comes from an English person, Mr. Philip Purdy. I believe he is in charge of a building project in southern Egypt?”

  The sleek head of immaculately-styled, dark hair lifted briefly as she replied.

  “Yes, indeed! His architecture company is a valuable business contact. Remind me. What is the nature of the request?”

  “The gentleman asks that visas be issued for a relative and friend who wish to vacation in Egypt in December of this year. He also asks if these travellers may be accorded privileged status.”

  “I think we can arrange that for Mr. Purdy. His services have been beneficial for us. Place a reminder in my personal calendar. I will be at home in Luxor with my husband in December and I may contact his relative. Perhaps we can arrange to have a meal together.”

  “At once, Madame! I will prepare the visas for your signature.”

  “No, use the official stamp. I do not have time for such small matters.”

  Before the door closed quietly behind the younger woman, Nefer al-Sayyid had forgotten the incident and resumed studying th
e report before her which summarized various strategies to encourage tourists to vacation in Egypt again. She was aware, as were all embassy staff, that the Egyptian minister for tourism was urgently demanding innovative ideas to solve the problems created by the recent winter events.

  World-wide publicity of the unprecedented riots and public protests in the streets and squares of Cairo had resulted in a huge downturn in tourism.

  At a recent meeting he had stated, “The economy cannot stand a disastrous season with no tourists. All possible efforts must be made to ensure the safety and security of visitors. If prices must be cut to the bone, so be it. Uncertainties about government organizations must be minimized. Employment must be increased. The future of our country may well depend on economic success in the coming months. Make it happen.”

  The force of his words had struck all his listeners and the phrases still rang in Nefer’s ears.

  She feared for the future of her country. Although she had lived for many years in Ottawa, and married a Canadian there, she maintained a family home in Egypt to which she escaped each winter. Snow, ice and cold were painful to her. She had adjusted to Canadian fashions, speech and manners, but at heart she was ever Egyptian.

  Her husband had to accept this when he chose to marry a foreign national. In truth, she raised one dark eyebrow at the thought he had had a choice at all. When it came to decisions in their marriage, she held the power. Recent events regarding his health had made his role even less important in their partnership. Secretly, she wondered how long the current situation could be endured. She was never happy for long with the Canadian tendency to compromise.

  In Canada, she had some influence because of her government position, but in Egypt she was a person who was obeyed without question.

  The stifling humidity and heat of an Ottawa summer constantly fought with the central air conditioning in the Victorian building that housed the embassy. Nefer delicately dabbed at the slight accumulation of moisture on the back of her neck where the heavy knot of her hair rested. She thought longingly of the palm trees and fountains whispering in the breezes from the Nile in the garden of her home in Luxor.

  Sighing deeply, she returned to her work. A long sticky summer lay between her and the dream of that garden. Her house in Ottawa had only a small garden, the necessary sacrifice which ensured a reduced commute into the busy city. The house itself was adequate for her station in life, but there the opposite problem occurred. The air conditioning, so beloved by Canadians, was at full blast day and night in the summer months and the resultant frigid air gave her the shivers. She often wondered if there was any happy medium to be found in this country of weather extremes.

  Anna and Alina arrived at Style Source for the travel wardrobe consultation in the middle of the week, expecting things to be quieter in the mall. To their surprise, the store was crowded with customers and for the first time they noticed that teenagers were part of the clientele.

  “Lucy’s ideas seem to be popular!” Anna declared when they entered.

  Lucy’s mannequin, in a prominent place in the store windows, was attracting several young women. Alina and Anna could hear their comments, ranging from exclamations of the ‘rad factor’, whatever that was, to verbal drooling about the extreme colour combinations and the variety of fabrics and textures.

  Nova soon appeared at their elbows and offered to steer them to more suitable clothing.

  “You’ll not be wanting those sorts of clothes for where you two are going, I’m sure!” she laughed. “Maria has put aside some outfits for you to try on. She’ll be here in a few minutes when she finishes lunch with her husband.”

  Anna and Alina exchanged delighted looks when they heard this news. So it was true that Maria had made changes to her work schedule after the trip to Italy. Meeting Paul for lunch was definitely a new development.

  Nova escorted them into a private room behind the desk. Maria had converted a store room into a comfortable change room that looked more like a boutique hotel lounge than the usual tiny box most stores supplied. The women relaxed at once and began to look forward to the task of choosing appropriate outfits for their trip to Egypt.

  Alina noticed that there was good air circulation and a pleasant scent of lemon perfuming the room. Anna saw the open antique wardrobe where padded satin hangers were labelled for each of them and appreciated anew her friend’s skill at merchandizing.

  “Where shall we start?” she asked.

  “Well, let’s think of what we have already and see what we need to add.”

  Anna nodded in agreement. Alina was ever the practical one. They each had summer clothes for Canada and a selection of these had been useful when they took winter holidays in Mexico some years before. Those were swimsuit and cover-up kinds of holidays and Anna wondered if that would be what was needed in Egypt.

  “I think we need a cross-section of clothing for Egypt,” announced Alina, while Anna was still deliberating. “If we plan to see some of the wonderful sights of the country we will be touring around during the day and dining at night in restaurants.”

  “You are right, my dear! Considering the climate, we will have to be as cool and comfortable as possible but still fashionable for evening events.” She stopped to ponder another problem.

  “We must also remember the customs of a mainly Moslem country. We can’t risk offending people by dressing too casually or exposing too much skin, no matter what the temperature.”

  “Speak for yourself, Anna! I am past the age when revealing bare skin was the main consideration in my wardrobe choices.”

  Anna laughed and decided to see what Maria had picked for them. It was easier to choose when items were right in front of them, rather than imagine what might be needed in a place neither had ever travelled to.

  Right away Anna noticed how fine the materials were. The fabrics Maria had chosen were delicate and flowing but not transparent, despite the lightness of their weight. She tried on a pair of white, wide-legged pants and matched them with a tissue-thin top in a mixture of blues and turquoise colours that looked fresh and cool.

  “That is lovely on you, Anna!” exclaimed Alina. “Does it feel heavy at all? The sleeves are long and that handkerchief hemline covers a multitude of sins but it’s a lot of fabric.”

  “It’s like a whisper on my skin,” replied Anna in amazement. “A butterfly could not be any lighter of touch. Check out the label. Is it linen?”

  Alina moved over to find the manufacturer’s label and proclaimed that, not only was the outfit linen but it was also treated with a special sun protection factor.

  “Trust Maria to find exactly what we needed,” she said with a smile. “Now what do we wear for dinner beneath the stars?”

  A discussion ensued about evening attire. Alina thought silk would be appropriate and Anna ventured to suggest that their own A Plus line of silk-knit crocheted shawls would be the perfect accompaniment to the ankle-length, jewel-toned gowns Maria had selected for them.

  “Look!” declared Alina, “these dresses even have built-in bras! Hey! Less underwear to pack!”

  The sound of their laughter brought Nova to the door of the changing room. She had to knock twice before they heard her, and Anna was still breathless when she opened the door.

  “Is everything all right in here, ladies?”

  “Oh absolutely! We were just appreciating Maria’s knack of finding the precise clothing to suit our needs, even at our advanced ages. Look at these lovely things!”

  “Well, I’m sure pleased to hear that but you can thank the lady herself as she’s just returned from lunch with a very happy expression on her face.”

  Maria poked her head around the door at this point and immediately approved of the clothes her friends had put aside for purchase. As she collected them, folding the garments in tissue paper before inserting them carefully into the store’s distinguished-looking black carrier bags, Anna dared to enquire what had brought such a happy look to Maria’s face. “Was
Paul in a romantic mood?” she asked.

  “I am glad to report that my husband is always in a romantic mood these days now that his wife is far more relaxed about work.”

  “Good for you!” responded Anna. “Now tell me how to get Alina to slow down.”

  “I can’t help you there, Anna, and I might as well confess that I am expanding the fashion business here.”

  As her listeners gasped in surprise, Maria rushed to explain, “It’s not as bad as it sounds. I have just bought the adjoining premises. Paul was looking over the contract for me at lunch. We need more space for dressing rooms like the one you both used, and I want to give Lucy a chance to show some more of her ideas for the younger set.

  Now that Theresa is working with us, I have my girls together for once and I can think ahead to the future. I don’t expect I can hold Lucy here for too much longer. She has ambitions that won’t be contained here in this mall, so I have to capitalize on her expertise while she is available.”

  “Well, I think you are doing the right thing, Maria. You are obviously meeting customer needs here, judging by the number of shoppers in the store and with Nova to help you, success is assured.”

  “Thank you! I am glad you approve. Now what else do you two require for this fabulous adventure in Egypt?”

  “Oh, we’ve just started to think of packing, Maria, but if you know of a good shoe store please advise us. My feet must be comfortable, especially in the heat.”

  “Right, Anna! I’ll send you a list. The most important thing to remember is to shop for shoes on a hot afternoon when your feet have swelled. Buy only leather or suede and wear the shoes

  for a few days before you decide which pairs to pack.”

  “More good advice! No wonder your business is expanding Maria!”

  As they walked out into the mall, carrying their purchases, Anna and Alina agreed that thinking of packing made the entire holiday more real. There were months to go before they would actually pack their cases, but now that things were beginning to fall into place, for their own different reasons, each of them was glad.