It took me a moment to register what he had said.
“Why? How could she have known.” I asked.
“They knew a lot about what was to come. You see, every time the crystal is used it leaves a mark. Just like when you tread in the mud and leave behind the print of your shoe, so the crystal leaves it mark in time,” Harry said, putting a log into the fire. “The thing is, only a few have the skill to read the marks, and even those that do aren’t always as accurate as they would like to be. It’s not just the crystal that leaves a mark. People too leave a trace, a stamp in time of their life; their joys, their sorrows, their deeds… but that isn’t important now. Jessie and her mother bought the property next door to the antiques shop before you were born, Rose. It’s much the same as Angus’ shop in its layout. I believe it was last owned by a watchmaker,” he paused, and stared at the kitchen, a slight wrinkle creasing his forehead. “The strange thing was we found something in the tunnel.”
“Oh aye?” Simon said, raising his eyes in interest.
“Yes, we found four portraits.”
“Some sort of robbery gone wrong, perhaps?” I suggested.
“Perhaps,” he replied thoughtfully.
“Tell me about the portraits?” Simon said firmly.
“One of them was a portrait of you,” Harry said, nodding at Simon, Duncan and I.
“And the other three?” Simon asked.
“Well, two of them were of Grace and Robert, and the other was just of Robert.”
“Robert?” I asked.
“The man Grace marries in the past. My many times great uncle.”
“So you have no idea how these portraits came to be in the tunnel?” Simon asked with a clear hint of suspicion in his voice.
“No, fella, no idea at all. Jessie had no idea either.”
“What happened to these portraits, then?
“I… errr… I showed two of them to Grace before she left. I used them to help her understand what was going to happen to her. I didn’t tell her where I had found them of course. I think I just said I’d found them in the attic. The odd thing was, she had actually written notes to herself on the back of them.”
“And the rest of the portraits?”
“I gave one to my cousin, George. He owns the Bed and Breakfast by the minster, ‘Cavalier’. You might have come across it?”
Simon shook his head, “No, can’t say as I have.”
“Giorsal recognized you three immediately and took the portrait home with her. They had it up in the house for as long as I can remember.”
“What happened to the tunnel?” Rose asked.
“Jessie and I used it to move between the shop and the pub. That way we were sure never to be seen together. Then, after you were born, your mother came to work for me as a cook. The job provided the perfect cover, but as time went on and the Dark Circle grew more powerful and dangerous, we were driven back underground. We couldn’t risk anyone linking us, so Jessie stopped working here and we met only in the tunnel. We installed two bells: One at the shop and one at the pub. If anyone entered either end, a bell would ring at the other end of the tunnel. When she left she gave me the keys to the shop, but I haven’t been across since.”
“Why?” I asked.
“Soon after she left, Angus bought the shop next door.”
“Harry, if you knew what was to come, why did you let Rose go out with Angus?” I asked.
He shrugged. “I had no choice but to let it happen.”
“So this tunnel is still open?” Simon asked.
“As far as I know it is, yes.”
“Draw up a list of what we need,” Simon said, slapping a pad of paper and a pen on one of the round topped tables. “Kate, are you agreeable to going into the city?”
“Yes, of course, I don’t mind.”
“Good. Harry and I will take you through the tunnel and wait for you in the shop. Duncan, you are to stay here and mind Rose and your mother.”
“Right you are, Pa,” Duncan nodded.
“How long should we cater for?” I asked, tearing a sheet of lined paper from the pad. It still amazed me how easily available and thin the parchment of this place was.
“Cater for two days,” Simon replied.
I slumped against the spindle back of the chair, and drew an absent minded swirl in the corner of the page. I jumped as Rose and Kate pulled up low padded stools and settled in next to me.
“So what we got then, Corran?” Kate asked.
I looked up and smiled at the fiery-red headed girl. She was just a child, a normal nice, friendly child who should have been out buying gifts and decorating her house with tinsel and glitter for Christmas. She didn’t belong here, with us, in the middle of all this.
“Kate, you are free to leave whenever you want. You know that, don’t you?” I paused, searching her face. I could see the fear in her eyes and understood the tremble of her hands. “This is a dangerous fight, sweet. Go home now and forget we ever existed.”
“I’ve never run from a fight in my life. I don’t intend to start now. I’m with you lot, all the way.”
It wasn’t difficult to see what Rose liked about this girl. She had gumption, guts and most of all she was strong. Not just physically but mentally. The girl had what it took to do great things and perhaps this was her destiny.
“Just know that we don’t expect it, Kate.”
“I know,” she said, her voice strong and sincere. “No one’s asked me to stay. I’m staying because I care and want to help. Besides, I kinda feel like it’s my duty to help Grace.”
The mention of the woman’s name cut me dead and I flinched unwittingly.
“You OK, Corran?” Rose asked.
“I’m fine. Just a twinge,” I lied. “Shall we do this list, then?”
“I was thinking about the best way to do this,” said Rose, tapping her fingers gently on the table. “Kate’s not going to be able to carry enough food for five of us. I could go with her.”
“No,” Harry interrupted. “You aren’t leaving this pub, Rose. It’s too dangerous. You are resourceful girls. I’m sure you’ll work something out.”
Rose scowled up at him and I couldn’t help but notice the dark look of betrayal that flashed across her eyes.
“Suddenly I have a father,” she muttered under her breath.
“He’s just looking out for you, love,” I said.
“If you say so.”
“Resourceful and creative. That’s what we need to be,” I said, changing the subject, “We need three meals for two days, for five people.”
Kate rubbed her forehead as if to shift a headache. “I’ve never been very good at maths, but that sounds like an awful lot to carry.”
“Let’s start with breakfast,” I suggested. “What about oats? A box large enough to do ten servings.”
Rose laughed and I frowned over at her. “What’s so funny?”
“Oh man, this is going to be good,” she said. “Harry hates oats. Mum used to make it when she cooked here.”
“And did he eat it?” I asked.
“Yeah, because she made him, but he called every mouthful pig slop.”
“If he’s hungry, he’ll eat it,” I said, scribbling oats on the lined page in front of me.
“Won’t we need milk to go with that?” Kate asked
“No, there’s nothing wrong with porridge made with water. What about lunch. Either of you have any ideas?”
“Cup-a-soups?” Rose suggested.
“Perfect,” I agreed, adding it to the list.
I had personally become somewhat addicted to the mushroom flavor over the past few months, and resisted the urge to add my preference.
“Dinners are going to be bit more difficult,” added Kate, “But I have a suggestion.”
“Fire away, hun,” said Rose.
“Well there’s a packet of sausages in the freezer, and I noticed some flour in the cupboard. If I get a two liter bottle of milk we can make a toad in the
hole.”
“I’m sorry, Kate, but I don’t know what that is,” I said.
“Sausages and batter baked in an oven,” Rose offered helpfully.
“Done,” I said, adding the last bits to the list.
“Shall I just get what I can for the rest of the meals?” Kate asked.
“Yeah, you’ll come up with something, hun. You’re a genius with stuff like this,” Rose chirped.
Harry retrieved two large reusable carrier bags from the kitchen and snapped several twenty pound notes from the bar till.
“Keep safe, sweet,” I whispered, giving her a hug.
“You said it yourself, Corran. There is no reason why anyone should connect me to any of you. I’ll be fine.”
“See you in bit, hun,” Rose said, taking her friend’s hand and giving it a gentle squeeze.
I turned my attention to Simon. “Look after her.”
“I wouldn’t let her go if I thought she was in any danger,” he replied curtly.
“Come on you two, the shops will shut if you gas for much longer,” barked Harry.
“Gas?” I asked, wrinkling my brow.
“He means gossip, talk, you know the thing,” chirped Kate, her red hair bobbing as she spoke. “I hear you, Harry, and I’m coming.”
“Be safe,” I mouthed, as they disappeared through the old door in the cellar.
******
CHAPTER 12
Rose and I made our way back up the slimy cellar stairs with Duncan following behind. Despite the extra room beneath my rib cage I still found myself breathless and gasping for air at the top of the stairs. The ache in my back had returned and my womb tightened in response to the exertion. Dropping my shoulders, and trying to relax, I took slow, steady breaths. Grabbing the door frame with one hand I rested the other on my contracted womb.
“Are you alright, Ma?” Duncan asked behind me.
I couldn’t answer, but nodded slowly.
“What’s up Corran?” said Rose, turning back after hearing Duncan.
“It’s fine, really. Nothing to worry about… All just part of being pregnant.”
“Let’s get you into a chair. You look an awfully funny color,” insisted Rose. “Give me a hand to get her back by the fire,” she said to Duncan.
I didn’t argue. A chair was exactly what I needed and I was glad of their help.
“You know, Ma, I swear you have one of those African elephants in there,” Duncan said, easing me into the spindle-backed chair.
“Nice job there, Duncs, just go tell your mother how big she is,” Rose snapped.
“It’s alright, love,” I said weakly, slumping in the chair.
“I think you could use a cuppa,” Rose replied, ignoring my son.
“Don’t run after me, Rose. I’m fine. Just needed to sit down for a few minutes.”
“I’m making a cup, so you might as well drink it,” she said, turning toward the kitchen.
“Thank you,” I whispered.
“No bother, Corran. You coming, Dumbo?” she said, facing my son.
“What’s a Dumbo?” I heard him ask as they disappeared into the kitchen.
I shifted uneasily in the chair, leaning first to the left, then to the right. I straightened, trying to ease the ache in my back. No matter how often I adjusted my position, it seemed impossible to get comfortable. My eyes grew heavy and my body ached with the need of a soft mattress, and eventually exhausted with the effort of finding comfort, I hauled myself out of the chair and made my way to the base of the stairs.
“Duncan, love, I’m going upstairs for lie down.”
“Right you are, Ma. Do you want a hand up the stairs?”
“No, love. I will be fine.”
I closed my eyes, wanting just a few minutes rest but I must have fallen asleep because when I opened them again it was dark and downstairs I could hear the voices of Harry, Simon and Kate.
Rolling off the bed, I stubbed my toe on a suitcase that I was sure hadn’t been there before I lay down but dismissed the mystery in favor of getting back downstairs.
“How long have I have been asleep?”
“A couple of hours, Ma.”
“Goodness, I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be daft, Corran. You needed that,” said Rose, handing me a steaming hot cup of milky tea.
“It’s got milk in it,” I said in surprise.
“Aye, lass, that it has, the girl done good,” Simon said, affectionately putting his arm around Kate’s shoulders.
“Did everything go alright, Kate?” I asked.
“Everything went just fine, Corran. I got all the stuff on the list plus a few extras.”
“A few extras!” exclaimed Harry. “She could hardly walk for all the bags she had.”
“You didn’t hurt yourself, did you?” I asked, with a look of concern.
She shook her head and smiled. “Of course I didn’t. Harry’s winding you up.”
“The clever lass ordered a taxi to Rose’s house where she packed up some things for us. Then she booked another taxi and had it take her to the Morrisons at Foss Island,” Simon said, with a hearty grin.
“Goodness, Kate. Thank you,” I said, smiling up at her. “But how did you get into Rose’s house?”
“Oh, that was easy. She always keeps a spare key under the mat on the front door step,” Kate said with a laugh. “You wanna come see what we’ve got?”
I smiled weakly, realizing that meant I had to extract myself from the chair.
“I’d love to, Kate,” I said, putting my hands on the arm rests and heaving myself out of the chair.
The moment I stood, my head thudded and the room swayed, but I held myself steady, not wanting to cause concern. Taking a long, deep breath, I followed Kate and Rose into the kitchen, where I quickly realized that Harry hadn’t been exaggerating.
“How did you pay for all this?” I asked with genuine concern.
She shrugged. “I used my credit card.”
“Credit card?”
“She means she borrowed the money, Corran,” Rose replied.
“But who from? Won’t they get suspicious?”
The two girls giggled and shook their heads in unison.
“I borrowed it from the bank. They’ll not care why I borrowed it just so long as I pay it back,” Kate explained.
“Simon will see you right.”
“Corran, don’t worry about it,” Kate said firmly. “We’ve bigger problems to deal with than a few pounds borrowed on my credit card.”
Rose laughed. “Like feeding three men for a start. I got the sausages out of the freezer when you were gone. They’re not completely thawed yet, though,” said Rose.
“They don’t need to be. If you grab a frying pan, you can cook them on a very low heat. Fry them slowly and they won’t burst.”
Potatoes were peeled, a cabbage was shredded and carrots were washed. Bacon and sausages were added to a batter mixture and it was all then poured into a smoldering hot, oiled baking tray. Kate was on her haunches in front of the oven.
“It’s rising.”
“Like there was ever a chance it wouldn’t?” Rose laughed.
“They don’t always,” Kate said, trying to keep her long curls out of her face.
“Here, I’ll get that,” Rose offered, moving behind her friend and snapping a band from her wrist.
“Cheers mate,” Kate said, as Rose gathered a mass of her fiery hair into an untidy ponytail at the base of her neck.
“Better?” Rose asked, grabbing a pair of oven gloves from the counter. “Look lively,” she said, throwing the gloves to her friend.
“Cheers.”
“Do you still cook much, Kate?” Rose asked, turning suddenly serious.
She shook her head. “No mate. Haven’t cooked much since I left your place. It was your Mum used to get us cooking. Live mostly off takeaways now.”
“I miss it,” Rose said, starting to dish up the plates, “You know, being a kid. We had some good
laughs, didn’t we?”
“Yeah we did,” Kate said, sliding the fully loaded plates off the counter top. “Come on, let’s go feed this lot.”
“What have you lasses got planned for breakfast?” Simon said, swallowing the last mouthful of his meal.
“Have you not had enough?” I asked with genuine shock.
“I’m fit to burst, lass. A man could die happy on a meal like this. But if God sees fit to grant me another day, then there’s no harm in having something to look forward to.”
“It’s like old times,” Harry said quietly. “Jessie used to cook this all the time.”
“That’s because everyone enjoyed it,” Rose said, laughing.
“I don’t suppose there’s any leftovers?” Duncan asked hopefully.
“Sorry, Duncs. We dished it all up,” replied Rose.
“Where did you learn to cook, Kate?” I asked.
“Rose’s Mum,” she replied, starting to side the dishes away.
“Put those down,” I said, interrupting her. “The men can clear this away.”
“Actually, she’s got a point,” said Rose, returning her plate to the table top. “Come on guys, your turn to do some work.”
The three men looked across at us in shocked silence but didn’t argue.
“Thank you, girls. That meal really was delicious,” I said, when the men had left the room. “Would either of you like me to make you a cup of coffee or tea?”
“We’ll do it, Corran. You stay there,” Rose said.
“How about we all do it?” I suggested.
“OK, but let’s wait for the guys to finish the pots or they’ll do a runner as soon as they see us in the kitchen,” laughed Kate.
“You are so right, hun,” said Rose, still laughing. “I wouldn’t mind but all they’ve got to do is bang the pots in the dishwasher and set it going. It’s not like they’ve got to wash them.”
“Oh heaven forbid if they did,” chirped Kate.
“Speaking of just having to put the pots in the dishwasher,” I said, “they’ve been in there a while. Do you think they’re alright?”
“Probably trying to figure out how to start the thing,” suggested Rose.
“What’s this about the dishwasher?” Harry asked.
I looked up to see the three men carrying trays.
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