Summer
OceanofPDF.com
TWENTY-THREE
June 21stSt Mary’s Churchyard, La Canette, 10pm
Easter was long forgotten by now in the warm summer. The longest day of the year. There were always celebrations in the village. Old traditions transformed into tourist attractions. As the day came to an end, and the ferries had sailed back, taking the day trippers away, leaving La Canette peacefuland quiet.
The light at dusk threw purple shadows on the grass in the churchyard where George knelt on the grass. He placed white flowers against the headstone and wiped stray dry leaves off the oldlettering.
In lovingmemory of
Lady Isobel Du Montfort nee Cotentin
1959-1994
Beloved wife of Richard.
Beloved motherof George.
George’s hand was gentle over her name, her dear name. “Forgive me, Mum. I never came to visit you here. I was angry, and I couldn’t bear to see you hidden behind a stone. I didn’t want to accept what happened, so I stayed away. But I have missed you every day.” His fingertips traced the engraved prayer.
Love Is Patient, Love Is Kind.
It Is Not Proud. Nor Easily Angered,
It Keeps No Recordof Wrongs.
Love Does Not Delight In Evil
But Rejoices Withthe Truth.
It was quiet in the churchyard. A lone bird chirped and sang his sweet song as the dark fell slowly and the breeze rustled the leaves in the trees. George sat very still, and he read the lines againand again.
When he finally spoke, his voice was barely a whisper, “Forgive me, Mum, for turning your loving memory into anger and bitterness. Forgive me for hurting others because they were not equal to you.”
His gaze travelled around the graveyard, the church beyond, and the fields of his mother’s island.
“I lost my way, Mum. I need your help.”
OceanofPDF.com
TWENTY-FOUR
Three months later. Le Cou/Blue Sage Hill, 6pm
Millie had wooden steps and walkways constructed around the hilltop to connect Blue Sage Café with the isthmus, so people would not have to walk over loose rocks and wild shrubs. She normally took the quicker, more direct route over the hill but not tonight, not in her heels. The sun, sinking low behind her, threw her shadow long in front of her on the wooden boards, like a mermaid’s silhouette.
The invitation had specified formal evening wear, and this was the first time she’d worn her green silk dress since that dinner with George last year. Many memories brushed across her mind just as the soft silk brushed her legs. The September evening would have normally required the shawl she carried folded over her arm, but the island had been enjoying an unseasonal heatwave, and the evening breeze was warm on her bare armsand back.
Evans was waiting for her at the other end and helped her climb into the carriage. She was grateful Mrs B had sent him; it would’ve been a long, dusty walk all the way to the church.
“Who’s going to be there, do you know?” Millie asked Evans as the horse clip-clopped towards the eastern end of the island.
“It’ll be someone from the Royal Household for the ceremony. There’s seating been added outside ‘cos the church won’t fiteveryone.”
“Everyone?”
