One Moment At Sunrise

by Karen Aldous

  Chapter 8

  Seb would never understand but Evie had never imagined she could suddenly be so happily consumed. The books she collected from the library expanded her knowledge of the canal and its visionary, Riquet. Although she had yet to reveal anything about the peasant women, she was getting hungrier to succeed in finding information and to rise to Ben’s challenge. Ben showed great faith in her and had given her the chance to prove to herself that she may still have that head for journalism.

  Already, from her little island, totalling almost three years of isolation, with only her own head for company, Evie felt her shores were spreading. Humans were now etching footsteps on her sands. Not only had her friendship with Suzanne blossomed this last year but her sister was on her way and Ben was in her life. And, Ben was inviting her to explore something. Something deeper, which she’d imagined had withered and died. That innate passion to enquire and write. It wasn’t just the opportunity to work at something she would find fulfilling, he was also making her think about the very direction her life was taking.

  As she sat at the front terrace waiting for her sister, sheltering from the sun’s glare and basking in a fresh whirling breeze, Evie wondered if she had been deluded in thinking she was the right one for Seb. Ben was quite perceptive and his view would be from the male perspective, so what he’d intimated could be spot on. She found that disturbing, and not something she wanted to face. At least not now. After all, Seb wouldn’t go to such lengths if he didn’t feel something for her. No, she was going to force Seb’s negative influence from her mind today and focus instead on what was right for her. Hopefully, that included Cally. She checked her watch, which seemed to be moving extremely slowly, and grasped her stomach as it gurgled and churned inside. Today would be a test for them both but she hoped they could find some common ground.

  Yes, she would be careful. Cally, in her eyes, had been unpredictable and mean in the past, but if her sister had taken the first step to reunite, she would be gracious enough to accommodate her and hope that they could start afresh.

  As planned, she had prepared Charlotte’s cake and left it baking in the oven. She checked her watch again and peered in the window to Charlotte sleeping on the sofa. It was then she heard the car approaching. She waved as she recognised the face behind the wheel of the Fiat and unlocked the gates, opening them wide and beckoning her sister in.

  Cally dashed from the car, threw out her arms and held Evie tight. ‘Wow,’ Cally squealed, freeing Evie from her embrace and eyeing her up and down, ‘you look amazing, and I can’t remember the last time your eyes sparkled like they are now.’

  Taking a deep breath and shrugging her shoulders, Evie beamed. ‘Thank you,’ she said, stepping back and searching her sister’s face for sincerity.’ ‘You look well too.’ Evie reached for her sister’s long chestnut hair. ‘It suits you.’

  Cally reached for her sister’s hand, startling her. It was a first. ‘Look. I know we haven’t got on over the years, but like I said on the phone, we are grown up now, I’m sorry I was such a cow and, as long as you can forgive me, I thought it was time we made amends.’

  With her free hand, Evie rubbed her ear. ‘I agree. That would be nice,’ she said, leading Cally towards the front door and feeling the squeeze from her sister’s hand. This wasn’t the Cally she remembered.

  ‘I know. I should have been more supportive. I was telling Mum yesterday, it is sad, we have become so divided as a family. I hope Mum and Dad will come and see you too. Where is Seb, by the way?’

  ‘Working.’

  ‘It won’t be easy, but I want to try and make peace there too.’

  Evie wanted to pinch herself. Cally was really surprising her now. She knew how much her sister and parents had hated Seb. Although she had made the choice when she agreed to his offer to live in the south of France, he was the one who had divided them completely – insisting she have nothing to do with them if they wouldn’t help support her. Naivety had prevailed. She should have been more assertive instead of letting him dictate who she could see. After all, they had offered support and she could have gone to live with her parents when they had planned to move to the West Country, but she had genuinely believed she would be happy with Seb – building a future together.

  Breathing out a big sigh, Evie said, ‘I can honestly say, this last week had been a total whirlwind. Despite starting with a near-death experience, my week has been the best ever.’

  ‘What? What near-death…?’

  ‘Come in. I’ll get us a drink and tell you about it.’ Evie beckoned her sister inside and followed her over the threshold.’

  ‘I forgot how gorgeous this place is. I can understand why you were so tempted.’

  Evie cleared her throat. She didn’t feel comfortable talking about the past. ‘Actually, I still have some wine that Seb left here last week, it’s not too early is it?’

  Evie led her sister down the hall.

  ‘Wine! You won’t hear me complain.’

  ‘I just need to keep an eye on the cake. It’s in the oven. Do you want to take your bags up?’

  ‘Good idea.’

  ‘First room on the left,’ Evie said, looking searchingly at her sister and thinking Cally had expanded a few inches.

  Cally unhooked her handbag from her shoulder and tossed it onto the hall chair before hauling her small case up the wide marble stairs. A magazine dropped to the floor from Cally’s handbag. Evie scooped it up; it was an in-flight magazine and as she flicked the pages, it opened at an article titled ‘Highlights of the Canal Du Midi’. As she padded down the hall to the kitchen, she began to read it through with interest.

  ‘Drink, Mummy?’ Charlotte cried from the sofa in the living area at the other end of the kitchen.

  ‘Oh sorry, cherub, did Mummy and Auntie Cally wake you?’ Evie threw the magazine onto an armchair as she dashed to the coffee table to retrieve the beaker of water for her daughter, settling her again with the drink and one of her picture books.

  Cally entered the room directly from the hall by the sofa and immediately opened her arms, reaching out for Charlotte.

  ‘Oh, my goodness, haven’t you grown, you little beauty.’ She sat down beside her niece, who eyed her with suspicion.

  ‘Charlotte, this is Auntie Cally, do you remember when she came to your last birthday?’ Of course she didn’t, Evie didn’t know why she felt it necessary to humour her sister.

  Charlotte’s eyes narrowed even further.

  Cally gave Charlotte her sweetest smile. ‘I think I’ve just made her cross.’

  ‘She’s just woken up and isn’t sure who you are yet. Give her half an hour and she’ll be all over you.’

  Poor Cally, Evie thought, but it was weird to think that, for once, she had more knowledge about something than her big sister.

  ‘Show Auntie Cally the picture of the ball.’

  Charlotte sucked her bottom lip and shook her blonde curls.

  ‘Ok Auntie Cally. Come with me and we’ll get a drink. Charlotte, you can come and see us when you want to say hello.’

  ‘Mummy.’

  ‘I’m going to get Auntie Cally a drink. You can come too if you want.’

  They left Charlotte on the sofa pondering and observing them with caution, book on her lap and cup in hand.

  ‘She’s so gorgeous.’ Cally clutched her heart as she followed Evie back to the kitchen.

  ‘Thank you. Have you heard from Mum?’

  ‘Oh, yes. I was going to text you yesterday, she’s fine. Probably drugged up to the eyeballs, but sounding so much better.’ Cally picked up the in-flight magazine from the chair, her mane of chocolate-brown hair tumbled to one side. ‘I’ve got one of these in my bag,’ she said holding up the magazine as Evie uncorked a bottle of white wine.

  Evie glanced over. ‘It is yours. It fell onto the floor. I was reading… well, I started the article about the Canal du Midi. There’s barely anything interesting about the history or the local people who liv
e and work around the canal, more about the village restaurants and cafes they can stroll to from their boat. I’ve learned so much about it since I’ve been living here, it’s fascinating.’

  Cally heaved herself up on a stool at the shiny granite breakfast bar, watching her sister pour the cool golden liquid into two glasses. ‘I suspect that’s about it. Keeping the advertisers happy – they’ll want people to be off their boats and spending money in the villages rather than digging into its past.’

  Evie placed the bottle back in the fridge and handed her sister a glass. ‘Unfortunately, you’re probably right. It would have been better to have added something of historical interest too. I mean, I’ve been delving deeper into the canal’s history and, flicking through this, there’s lots of potential for travel articles. Maybe I should submit something.’ Evie gasped, quite stunned at herself.

  ‘Go for it.’

  ‘Oh… I think I’m dreaming,’ she said whisking her hand to her mouth and chewing her nails. Could she really? She would certainly give it some thought. Though without a computer, she doubted it.

  ‘I’m surprised you haven’t been continuing with your writing.’

  ‘I’d like to, food for thought anyway. Thanks for coming.’ She raised her glass. ‘And here’s to us and a fresh start. Cheers.’

  They chinked glasses.

  ‘Cheers.’

  The oven buzzer sounded and Evie slammed down her glass and dashed for her oven gloves.

  Cally sipped her wine. ‘Mmm, lovely, thanks. Well, perhaps that’s what you should be doing, sending out travel pieces on the area. Using those skills you got while you were at college, seems a waste not to. I’ve been thinking about re-training.’

  ‘What, give up DJ-ing?’ Evie said opening the oven door.

  ‘Well I can’t do it forever. I’ve been mixing and producing some stuff, but I don’t know. I think I should start planning a more solid future. Maybe go and teach Maths, or become an accountant. Get a real life. A bit like you and your writing; we’ve done the graft and the qualifications. What is it they say? Use it or lose it.’

  ‘The trouble is, I never really built up many contacts. I don’t know that I could start again.’

  ‘Well you’ve nothing to lose,’ Cally insisted.

  As Evie took the cake and eased it gently out of the tin onto the cooling tray, she explained to her sister her new challenge.

  ‘Actually, I’m really excited. I’ve begun doing some research for a film about Pierre-Paul Riquet, the man who built the Canal du Midi.’

  ‘Really. How fascinating. How did that come about?’

  After she told her about the accident at the bridge and the subsequent conversations with Ben, Cally looked horrified. ‘Jesus, Evie.’

  Clutching her chest, Evie had to laugh. ‘But I am alive and grateful. In fact, it has been the wake-up call I needed.’ Evie then peeled greaseproof paper off the two sponges. It really had made her re-evaluate what was important, she realised.

  ‘What a relief you are ok. Bloody hell, Evie, what would you have done if you’d been killed? Charlotte would have been without a mother. I hope you have me down as your next-of-kin. Would Seb look after her? Don’t ever think Charlotte would be alone in this world, I’ll always be there for her. Jesus, that’s given me goosebumps.’

  ‘Well, thankfully it’s passed, but thank you. It’s something I need to discuss with Seb in more detail. Being nearby, I’ve asked my neighbour Suzanne to help if there was ever any such emergency. I’m sure she would let Seb know.’

  ‘It never struck my mind before now. God, I feel awful, Evie. I never imagined anything happening to you. But, you’re right, someone would need to get in touch with him. Of course, I’d be happy to help too if he needed someone to look after her. Ooh, it’s a horrible thought. Let’s change the subject.’

  ‘Well, I could give Suzanne your number too. Anyway, one good thing that came out of it is – I got to meet this guy Ben, and he’s keen for me to do his research… and pay me! Well, if he’s happy with it. It’s right up my street.’

  ‘Evie that’s great. I’m really happy for you. You’ll be thorough, I’ve no doubt about that. So how does it all fit exactly?’

  ‘Well, I’d read that a number of peasant women had been involved in the building of the canal because of their indigenous skills – so I told him, and he has asked me to explore that side of things to make his script more interesting.’ She licked her lips, ‘I haven’t told him it will be handwritten yet, but basically, if they helped design parts of the canal, he can’t completely overlook them in the film, can he? I don’t know much about his script. Maybe he’s making it high action, you know, all the macho-type of brawls in bars or fights on the land or holding back water, I don’t know.’ Evie threw the greasy wrappings into the steel bin in the corner by the French doors. Then thinking aloud she added, ‘Actually, I could type it up in the library and print it off. It’s just a one-off.

  ‘As a short-term measure, yes, it’s a good idea. But that’s so encouraging, you really should get back to your writing. Freelance would be ideal for you.’

  ‘I don’t know. I’ve never put it to the test. Possibly, something to think about for the future. It won’t get me out and about though, will it? I would like a job where I meet new people, waitressing or something. Wow, suddenly there’s so much I need to have a think about. I was just so shocked Ben asked me to do it, and pay me. A bit short-sighted really. It didn’t occur to me to turn it down because I didn’t have a computer.’

  ‘Ask Seb for a computer.’

  ‘Maybe.’ Evie tensed. She couldn’t admit to her sister that Seb had denied her a computer when she’d asked. And she really was racing ahead. Seb would object to her working anyway, so it was best not to go off at a tangent.

  Cally appeared pensive. ‘You could have my old laptop actually. I would need to clean it up a bit, but it would be ideal for your writing. Do you have the internet here?’

  Evie shook her head. She had not thought that far ahead. ‘No. But that would be great just to be able to use it for typing and storing files. I can then transfer them on a memory stick and print them at the library or set up an email account there and send them.’

  ‘It would be far easier with the internet here. At least you wouldn’t have to race out every time you need to send stuff. And you wouldn’t need to print it. Ask Seb for the internet.’

  Like it was that easy. Evie feigned a smile and bit her lip. It would be hard to admit to any of her family the difficulties she’d had with Seb; the penny-pinching lifestyle, his meagre allowance, not to mention his restrictions. And she didn’t wish to sound ungrateful either. Wiping her forehead, Evie knew her sister would give her the I-told-you-so speech.

  ‘Seb’s not keen on me having anything more than the basics. I suppose he foots the bills. That’s another reason I need to find some work. I could really do with having a bit of extra money as well as a bit of independence.’

  ‘Really? I thought he provided everything you wanted. I mean, that man must be loaded! So, you don’t have the WAG champagne mornings or charity bashes, pamper days and all the usual millionaire lifestyle trappings?’

  ‘Blimey, no. I don’t think Seb’s that wealthy, not to that extent anyway. And I wouldn’t like that anyway.’ Evie clambered onto a stool next to her sister. The conversation was now becoming embarrassing and she knew her life would sound exactly as her sister and parents had predicted – that Seb was keeping her sweet to keep control and prevent any scandal. How she would have loved to have proved them wrong, but how could she?

  ‘I’m a bit surprised if I’m honest. ‘Cally climbed down and collected her bag from the hall, lifted out her phone and began searching the internet. ‘Ok, I’m sure you could get a cheap internet connection. It can go on your phone line. And the next time I come I’ll bring the laptop.’

  ‘There’s no house phone. Just my pay-as-you-go on this phone.’ Evie held up the old mobile.’


  Cally’s eyes widened. ‘Are you kidding? That would be worth more as an antique. Have you even got a camera on there?’ Cally whipped it from her hand, inspecting the screen.

  ‘Sadly not.’

  ‘So, no photos of Charlotte?’

  Evie shook her head and at the same time gasped. ‘Seb has some on his camera that he’ll print off!’

  Cally’s eyebrows stayed fixed as she gave her an incredulous glare.

  ‘Suzanne has taken some with her phone. She said she will get some printed for me. And, Dad took some last year,’ Evie said hopelessly.

  ‘Seb can’t leave you a camera?’

  Evie’s mouth twisted. It wasn’t something she’d considered early on. Seb had taken numerous photos when Charlotte was a baby but, she had to admit, he hadn’t taken any recently. ‘No. I keep meaning to ask him to leave one.’

  ‘Oh, Evie, that’s…’

  ‘Mummy.’ Charlotte sauntered up to the breakfast bar dividing the kitchen and living area.

  Cally peered down at her niece as though longing to pick up the child.

  ‘Hello, poppet.’ Evie stepped down and lifted her to her lap with them at the breakfast bar.

  ‘I should have brought her another pressie as an ice-breaker,’ Cally told her. ‘I only bought a birthday present.’ She glanced down at her arm full of bangles and bracelets. ‘Can she play with these?’

  ‘Yes, it’s fine as long as we’re here to watch her.’

  Charlotte was soon sitting on her auntie’s lap playing with the novelty costume bangles, slipping them on and off her arms. Evie was delighted that the girls were bonding and enjoyed watching them before going outside and setting the bench table up. She had prepared a colourful salad for lunch under the vine leaf shade.

  ‘Oh, that food looks divine, Evie.’ Cally carried Charlotte out to the table and kept her on her lap. ‘You are such a sweetie, just like your mummy.’

  Hearing such endearing words from her sister brought a lump to Evie’s throat. She collected the wine glasses and placed them on the table before nestling in the seat facing Cally. She swallowed a sip of wine and, blinking back tears, chopped food onto Charlotte’s plate.