The Promise

by Michelle Vernal

  She’d picked up both from The Natural Way and had come home to make herself a brew of the lemon balm tea. The fragrant tea had been sipped slowly while soaking in a bath with a few drops of lavender oil. It had taken the edge off her aching head.

  Isabel felt an affinity with Molly, thinking that if they’d been born in the same era, the pair of them would have been friends. She’d been misunderstood, she decided, and if she were alive. Now she’d more than likely be into homeopathy or be a herbalist like Delwyn. Who knew? Maybe she would have even become a Doctor. Either way, Molly had been different, and Isabel guessed if she were around now she’d have blue hair too.

  It was the superstition of the times Molly moved in that had labelled her a witch. Isabel had looked her up on Wikipedia and knew she’d had her issues; living in squalor and canting a curse on a local woman that had come to fruition. Neither were good looks in the 1800s. Still, she’d been guilty of the same thing too. Not the squalor bit; you couldn’t be messy in a hostel dorm room—Lidija from Latvia with whom she’d bunked down with in Cairns proving the exception to the rule.

  She could recall, however, directing a silent curse at Charlotte Hervey–Moorcraft more than once during her high school years. The golden girl who had confidently taken the lead in every school production. She hadn’t really wanted her to break her ankle so that she could step in and save the day because she wouldn’t have had the courage to do so anyway. Well, maybe she had just a little. It just hadn’t seemed fair that Charlotte had gotten the whole package, but it hadn’t worked anyway, as for Ashley and Connor the ill thoughts she’d wished upon them didn’t bear thinking about. It had probably been the same for Molly. She hadn’t actually meant to do the girl she’d cursed real harm.

  The tide had turned against her with the village folk because people were quick to believe the worst. Poor Molly had been wronged because in Isabel’s opinion it was just a sorry coincidence. She rolled onto her side and contemplated flicking the light off spying the unopened paperback lying next to it.

  Perhaps reading would help her unwind. The book had been lying on top of a pile of others on a cluttered shelf in the flat’s sitting room, and the cover had grabbed her attention. Rhodri had spotted her scanning the blurb and said it was a good read; she was welcome to borrow it. So, she’d taken it and put it on her bedside table for moments like this, when she couldn’t sleep. She opened it to the first page and snuggled down turning the pages faster as she got into the story. She was completely engrossed in other people’s drama when she was startled by a message pinging its arrival. Isabel snaked an arm over to retrieve her phone, and she squinted at the screen. It was from her mum.

  ‘Loved it! You up?’ she read out loud her voice seeming noisy in the empty room.

  ‘Yep.’ She punched in her reply.

  Half a beat later her phone rang. ‘Hi,’ Isabel said surprised. ‘Is everything okay? What are you doing awake?’

  ‘I couldn’t sleep,’ Babs Stark replied. ‘And I was fed up with listening to your father snore. It’s like lying next to Thomas the flipping Tank listening to him huffing and puffing away all night. So I made myself a warm milk, and that’s when your video arrived.’

  Isabel sniggered. ‘Rather Thomas than the Fat Controller, Mum.’

  ‘I heard that!”

  ‘I thought you said Dad was in bed?’

  ‘He is, we are, but I woke him up to watch you and your Rhodri fella in action. Oh, Izzy, you were fantastic. Dad thinks so too, don’t you?’

  There was a grumbled consent followed by a high pitched whine.

  ‘Prince Charles knows it's you on the line. Don’t ask me how; it must be a doggy sixth sense. Look you’ll have to have a word, or he’ll never settle down again. You’re a naughty boy, yes you are.’

  Isabel sighed. She’d heard her mum use a far sterner tone on her over the years, but it was no use protesting. ‘Go on then, put him on.’ The fact that she was about to have a heart to heart with a lovesick corgi at 1 a.m. did not escape her. ‘Hello boy. How are you?’ The reply was a pant.

  ‘Now listen to me, Prince Charles. You need to be a good boy for Mummy and do what she says, all right?’ The panting got heavier. Isabel took it as a yes. ‘Now then did you see your girlfriend when you went for your walkies with daddy today? She might get jealous if she knows you’re chatting to me, you know.’ Oh, my God, this was getting ridiculous, she thought as the panting reached a crescendo. ‘Mum, I’m tired I’m going to hang up now.’

  ‘All right. Night-night sleep tight. I’m going to sleep in your room, this is ridiculous.’ A snore erupted in the background.

  Isabel smiled. ‘Night Mum, Dad, Prince Charles. Love you guys.’

  Isabel abandoned her book flicking the light switch off. It was late or early however you wanted to look at it. She needed to try and get some sleep.

  ͠

  Isabel was just on the verge of slipping into a solid slumber when her mobile shrilled the arrival of the morning like an annoying cockerel. She dragged herself out of bed and stumbled bleary-eyed into the bathroom.

  A glance in the mirror revealed mussed hair and dark shadows under her eyes making them look too big for her face. Hopefully a shower would sort her out, and turning the handle she waited for the water to heat up. She stood under the hot needles for a length of time that would have had dad banging on the door when she was younger. There was nobody around to tell her off now though. Rhodri, she knew, was downstairs in the gallery. The only reason she got out of the shower was that she was beginning to resemble a prune. And thankfully, by the time she’d had coffee and toast, and managed to cover those raccoon-like rings under her eyes with concealer, she felt part of the human race once more.

  It was 9 a.m. already, and if she wanted to stick to her plan of seeing Constance before she was due at The Natural Way, then she’d best get a move on. Now, where had she left her boots? She decided a room search was in order, although, it was getting too warm for boots. She’d have to splurge on some summer sandals. Maybe she should use the extra pounds Brenda had flicked her way, she debated with herself, getting down on all fours and locating the errant boots hiding under her bed. She shoved her feet into them and slung her carry all over her shoulder before taking the stairs two at a time.

  Rhodri she saw, upon entering the gallery, was in deep conversation with a customer over a bold painting she hadn’t noticed on display before. She hung around behind the counter for a second until she caught his eye and sent him a tentative smile to see how the land lay this morning. She was relieved to see him grin. It was a new day, and she swept through the gallery to the bustling Esplanade outside with a lighter step.

  A brisk walk later she arrived at Sea Vistas and Nurse Jill, who she commandeered as she stepped out of the lift, informed her she’d find Constance outside enjoying the morning sunshine. Isabel exited through the doors the nurse gestured her toward, and she followed the path that wound its way down into the garden.

  The day was a stunner, she thought, spying the bench seat up ahead where Constance was sitting. Isabel smiled upon seeing she was dressed in her yellow outfit. Her snowy halo was dipped slightly as though she might be napping, although Isabel doubted it. Constance, she had already gauged over the course of their short friendship, was not a napper. There was no sound as she approached apart from that of her feet crunching on the loose gravel path and two speckle-chested song thrushes having a noisy dispute over a worm beneath the rose bushes. The expansive shrubbery on either side of the path gave up the heady scent of flowers just beginning to burst into bloom. There were far worse places to while away a morning.

  ‘Constance, it’s me,’ she called not wanting to frighten her by suddenly looming up in front of her. Constance turned her head slowly in acknowledgment of her approach, and Isabel picked up her pace for her last few steps. ‘Well, you’ve found the spot. It’s a glorious morning,’ she announced with all the gusto of a Butlins’ Redcoat.

  Before Consta
nce could get a word in, Isabel produced her phone. ‘This will make you smile.’ She held it aloft, shading it from the sunlight as she played the video back.

  When it had finished Constance demanded she play it again but this time pulled her glasses out of her pocket before taking the mobile from Isabel. Isabel watched on amused as her eyes lit up and her mouth quivered with amusement; she patted her free hand on her lap to the beat of the music.

  ‘Well done. You and Rhodri make a good team. I used to sing once.’

  ‘Did you?’ Isabel was only half listening. She was thinking about Rhodri. They did make a good team. They understood one another, she thought her mind flitting back to the conversation they’d had last night. She would have loved to talk to Constance about it, but she’d promised it would go no further and a promise was a promise. ‘I wouldn’t have had the nerve to get up there if he wasn’t standing alongside me.’ She carried on chatting telling her about Alice, and the Acapella Group she’d been invited to join, but by the look on Constance’s face, she knew she was only half ­listening.

  ‘Are you all right Constance?’ To her alarm, as she looked at Constance in the hope she’d confide, she saw her eyes were shiny with unshed tears. She thrust her hand into her bag and hurriedly felt about for the packet of tissues she knew was in there somewhere. Her hand closed over the pack, and she pulled one free, passing it to Constance who dabbed at her eyes before speaking.

  ‘I’m a silly, old woman.’

  ‘No you’re not. You’re far from silly, and I’ve decided you’re not the type to be old.’

  That raised a glimmer of a smile. Constance took Isabel’s hand in hers and held it tightly. ‘I need you take me somewhere, Isabel. I have a story I need to tell.’

  Chapter 38

  Isabel strode up Union Street at a clip that had her puffing. She didn’t want to be late. She’d stayed with Constance longer than she’d planned that morning. It was the second time she’d seen her upset, and it had unsettled her, and she’d not wanted to leave until she was sure she was all right. She was frustrated too by Constance’s refusal to elaborate further on the story she wanted to share with her. Although, she was guessing she would finally learn the truth behind what Ginny’s last words meant. It was very much a dangling carrot, but Constance would not be swayed further on the matter. The most she’d said was that this was something she needed to do as soon as possible.

  In the end, Isabel had guided her back up the garden path and settled her in her easy chair over by the window in her room. She’d gone back downstairs and made her a cup of tea, doing her best not to spill a drop as she rode the lift back to her room. ‘I’ll sort it out, Constance, all right? We’ll get to wherever it is you want to go,’ she’d promised, before leaving.

  It would have to be a Sunday because she’d ask Delwyn, who had a car first and that was the only day the shop was closed. That would mean asking Brenda for a few hours off in the afternoon which wouldn’t go over well. Otherwise, she could ask Rhodri. He and Delwyn were the only two people with transport that she knew well enough on the island to ask. She didn’t fancy all the effort involved with getting Constance on a bus, but a bus to where? A taxi perhaps then? That could be pricey given she had no idea of the destination Constance had in mind. She’d cross that bridge when she came to it. First things first, she’d see how the land lay with Delwyn.

  The sign for The Natural Way came into her line of sight, and she burst through the door a few seconds later. Delwyn looked up startled from the counter where she was in the middle of ringing up a customer’s purchase. Isabel smiled a greeting at both Delwyn and the young man she was serving before disappearing out the back to deposit her bag and give herself a quick tidy up. She was glad she’d shoved her brush into her bag as she peered into the small mirror on the wall. She tugged it through her tangled hair and once she was satisfied she wouldn’t frighten any customers away, she ventured out into the now empty shop.

  ‘Thanks so much for coming in Isabel; I appreciate it.’

  ‘It’s no problem. Is everything okay?’ She hoped she wasn’t being nosy.

  Delwyn’s smile was wide. ‘Everything is great—better than great actually. Nico’s holding an exhibition of her pottery work in her studio from eleven-thirty until one-thirty and I promised her I’d be there to show moral support. It’s very early days for us, so I didn’t want to let her down. To be honest Isabel, I can’t believe she’s interested in me, she’s so talented and super gorgeous. I think she comes across as super confident, but she’s a bit of a marshmallow once you scratch the surface. I’ve got you to thank you know for introducing us.’

  Isabel gazed at Delwyn’s daft expression and the penny dropped with a resounding clunk. Delwyn and Nico were an item! How could she have been so blind? Her mind raced, she wondered if Rhodri knew. So much for her thinking those two were an item of sorts, she thought still gobsmacked as Delwyn continued talking.

  ‘You can close your mouth, Isabel. I take it you didn’t know I was gay?’ Delwyn looked amused, and Isabel guessed her reaction was one she was used to.

  ‘No, and I don’t have a problem with it, really I don’t, you just took me by surprise. I thought Nico and Rhodri had a thing.’

  ‘Rhodri?’ She snorted. ‘Sorry, he’s lovely looking and all but definitely not Nico's type. I rather thought he was more yours.’ Her eyes twinkled.

  Isabel flushed. ‘He’s a friend and my landlord that’s all.’ She realised he had become her friend over the weeks since she’d been living with him at Pier View.

  ‘Then why you’ve gone red? Ah, don’t worry about it I’m teasing you. And you’re not the first to be surprised by my sexuality; it’s something I don’t broadcast. I don’t see why I should. It makes no difference to who I am as a person.’

  ‘You’re right, you shouldn’t have to.’ Isabel was feeling embarrassed by her decidedly uncool response to Delwyn’s news and was keen to move away from the subject of her Welsh landlord.

  Delwyn, however, smiled. ‘It’s no big deal. Anyway, I’d better get a move on; I promise I won’t be late back and thanks for this.’ She held her hand up in a wave and strode to the door.

  ‘Don’t rush. I’ll be fine.’ Isabel managed to call after her, watching her walk out the door, with a flummoxed look on her face. It was then she remembered she’d meant to ask her about taking her and Constance on her mystery outing. Bugger; it would have to wait until she got back now.

  The two and a half hours sped by as in between the steady flow of customers, she familiarised herself further with the different products displayed around the shop. She read the labels as to what they were for, her mind soaking up all their different uses like a sponge. She was almost disappointed when Delwyn reappeared. She was glowing, and Isabel doubted it was down to any potion she stocked in the shop.

  ‘Hiya. How did it go?’ She put the bottle of rose water, which she had just learned was one of nature’s skin care superheroes, back on the shelf.

  ‘It was great, thanks. That woman is so talented. She took two commissions and sold four pieces.’

  ‘Brilliant,’ Isabel enthused. She felt a surge of pleasure at seeing her friend looking so happy.

  ‘Has it been busy?’ Delwyn threw her bag into the back room.

  ‘It’s been steady.’

  ‘Saturday customers are the best; they’re never in a rush and always in a good mood.’

  ‘You’re right,’ Isabel said thinking back to the lady she’d had a lovely chat with about the benefits of aloe vera juice.

  ‘Well, don’t hang about talking to me. It’s a gorgeous afternoon out there. Go and make the most of it.’ Delwyn opened the till and fished out a handful of notes holding them out to Isabel. ‘Here, take this.’

  ‘Oh, I didn’t expect you to pay me! It was just a friend doing a favour.’

  ‘No way—that’s not fair, go and treat yourself.’ Delwyn was insistent. ‘If you don’t take it then I won’t feel as though I can
ask you again now, will I?’

  Isabel took the money, albeit reluctantly. It was all well and good to be magnanimous when one was rolling in it but she was not, and she needed a pair of summer sandals. ‘Thanks. Oh before I forget. I promised Constance I’d try and arrange a lift for us on a bit of a magical mystery tour. She won't tell me where she wants to go, and I know tomorrow is your day off. So, I wondered how you were placed?’

  ‘Oh, Isabel any other time I’d say yes. I’d love an outing with you both, but I already promised Nico a trip over to Yarmouth for lunch tomorrow.’

  ‘No problem,’ Isabel said quickly, seeing Delwyn felt bad. ‘I’ve got a backup plan. I’ll check in with Rhodri, and see if he’d mind doing the honours. His car must be due for a run, or the battery will go flat.’

  ‘Well, good luck and if he can’t, I’d love to go next Sunday.’

  Isabel did not think she could wait an entire week to hear whatever it was Constance was going to say. ‘Cheers, Delwyn. Enjoy Yarmouth.’

  ‘Will do, and say hi to Rhodri and Constance for me.’

  Isabel gave her friend a final wave and headed off down the bustling Saturday afternoon street. Her mind was buzzing over Nico and Delwyn having gotten together, and even though the money was burning a hole in her pocket, she decided to head straight to A Leap of Faith. It might pay to get in quick with Rhodri to see if he was free after the gallery shut at one tomorrow. The longer she left it, the more likely he’d be to have made other plans, she thought, hot-footing it back there.

  Rhodri was rolling a poster print for a customer, and when the coast was clear Isabel, fit to combust, burst out with, ‘Did you know Nico and Delwyn were an item?’

  Rhodri laughed. ‘I don’t think they’ve made it official, but yeah, I had a pretty good idea they were smitten.’

  ‘Well, I had no idea.’ Isabel was almost indignant. ‘I felt like a right plonker when she told me.’

  ‘I’ll admit I was surprised they got together because it was you Nico had the hots for initially.’