“What about you? Did anyone ever do things for you?”
“Och, nae. Me days were always full with the needs of the Ladies and now Lady Ashley has a baby. Her name is Emma. So I help with her as well. There’s little time for me own needs, but I dinnae mind.”
“Well, since you’re living here now, you need to understand that women are treated differently in this time. We’re more independent.”
“I dinnae ken.” There was so much to learn here, but Sara was teaching her. Every day she knew more than she had the day before.
“I mean we don’t need anyone – and by anyone I mean a man. We can take care of ourselves. We have jobs and pay our own bills.” Sara explained as they walked. “You know, I have my own apartment. I live by myself.”
“’Tis strange to me that anyone lives alone. At Breaghacraig there are so many people all the time. Do ye never get lonely?”
“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t.”
“Why do ye nae have a man?” Helene was really quite curious about Sara. She was very pretty and a lively lass.
“No. No one right now, but that’s okay. That’s what I mean, Helene. It’s okay to be alone and sometimes you need to be in order to get over things from the past.”
“Like Dougall.” Helene knew she needed to get over him, but she still loved him and missed him terribly.
“Yeah. Exactly,” Sara said.
Helene wished to change the subject. She couldn’t talk about this right now. “’Tis a lovely day today.” The weather was beautiful. Blue skies, dotted with feathery white clouds and a gentle breeze made the temperature pleasant. Not too hot and not too cold. Just right.
“How are you feeling today, Helene? I’m sorry. Did I say something wrong?” Sara’s face showed she was concerned.
“I be fine.” Helene didn’t wish to hurt Sara’s feelings, so she smiled as if nothing were wrong.
Much to her dismay, Sara saw right through her. “Are you still thinking about Dougall?”
“Aye. I can only hope that some time soon I willnae, but fer now I try not to let it make me sad.”
“I’m here for you. Any time you need someone to talk to, just let me know. I’m all ears.”
Helene laughed at that, imagining Sara with ears from head to toe. “Yer a good friend, Sara. Ye remind me of Ashley.”
“Is she your bestie back home?”
“What is a bestie?”
“Your best friend.”
“Aye. She is.”
“You must miss her.”
“I miss her and everyone else at Breaghacraig.”
“It’s hard to believe you’re actually a time traveller. If I hadn’t seen you with my own eyes right after you arrived, I might not believe it.”
“I can hardly believe it meself.”
“I always loved the idea of it. I mean, I didn’t think it was even a remote possibility, but I thought if I could I’d love to do it.”
“Maybe ye will someday.”
Sara laughed and led Helene into a small clothing store. The racks were organized by color, which Helene found fascinating. Color selection in her time was limited to whatever plant dyes they had available. Here there were so many colors to choose from it became difficult to decide which color was her favorite.
“This one’s pretty,” Sara said holding out a soft grey cashmere sweater with a vee neck. “You should try it on.” She handed it to the clerk, who put it in a dressing room. “Now for some sexy jeans!”
