by Carol Holden
The easy friendship renewed itself as the pair worked the village clinics together.
James thought Taz to be a very attractive woman and Taz found James to be a caring, charming man.
There was an attraction growing between them, just as strong on both sides. They had never spoken of their previous lives, but one evening when Taz had been invited to visit James in his new home, he felt he should tell her about Susan.
It was fifteen years since she had died and he remembered the wonderful life they had together and felt ready to commit again now to Taz. When James told her his sad story, she looked at him with comprehension of his care and kindness and she knew he would not use her as Liam had done.
When it was Taz’s turn to confess her secret, she felt the shame of it, all over again. James was horrified when Taz told him of her only experience with a man.
James held her as she shivered and remembered the utter self-contempt she felt. She had not told another living soul, not her parents, not her sister, nobody until now. James felt honoured that she trusted him enough to have told him and he held her close as he gently comforted her.
“Not all men are like that, Susan and I had a mutual loving relationship that helped to sustain us at the end of our life together. The closeness we felt for each other helped me to continue my life.” James said.
James turned her face towards him and gently kissed her on her lips.
“I don’t want you to be afraid of me. I would never hurt you. I will teach you the love you should have had.” Taz feels her heart beat faster as James gently kisses her again.
Chapter 61
Simon’s grandfather was waiting at Kathmandu airport to take his family, Sahida , Mark, Simon, Mula and little Taj, home for a meal and a night’s sleep before their onwards journey the next day, back home to Pokhara. He felt that he was participating in little Taj’s life, having had no contact with his father’s until he was well into his teens.
He was reliving the time with his own son, Taj, as well as the time he could have had with Simon, his grandson, as a little boy.
Mrs. Menon, Taz and James were waiting with a meal and a welcome home. James was holding Taz by the waist and they were beaming happily as the travelers returned.
“Hey! What’s this about?” Sahida asked her sister.
“James and I are engaged.” Taz told them.
“Well, so are Mark and I.” Sahida replied.
“Well, this needs to be celebrated.” Dr Menon said. “The homecoming, the engagements of my two daughters and the return of little Taj to our home.”
A double wedding was arranged to take place in the spring and Sarah and David, Katie and Stan, Mary and Joe, along with the beloved Charlie, were invited.
Although Charlie was ninety, he was well and determined to make the long journey, to see where Simon and all the family lived. The Nepalese scenery seared Charlie’s heart, lifting his spirit, as he had never felt so close to nature in all his life. The road journey to Pokhara, he felt was the best he had ever taken. Sahida and Mark accommodated Mark’s mother and dad, in the house they shared. Simon and Mula had made preparations for Sarah, David and Charlie to stay with them. Mula loved Charlie because he reminded her of the times she spent with her grandfather, in the hills above Kathmandu. She would sit with him and hold onto his hand as she smiled shyly and Charlie’s eyes crinkled with humour and laughter. Taj followed Charlie about, pulling him by his hand, to show him the garden and pointing to the white peaks above them. Charlie was in his element and felt his life was back to the days when Simon and Anne were small children, demanding his attention all the time. He remembered how they had filled his days, taking the loneliness of the loss of his wife, a little at a time, until his life was full again with the children of his son. He missed Amy and he wondered how she would feel about his life now, he was sure that she would have loved it here, with this family and this scenery. When David was working as a civil engineer, she was thrilled to go on holiday to where his project was being completed, and see her son after months of his absence. Charlie pondered on his life, being forever grateful for his son and his extended family. Taj would not have a splintered life as Sarah and Simon had had, he was here where he should be and when he is older, he will be able to include his grandparents in to his life.
“My life has been magical.” Charlie says as he smiles to himself.