‘Come back soon,’ said Eleanor. ‘We love having you.’
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
A few weeks later, her mother kindly drove her to Heathrow where she met Michael and Sylvie Masters. They were experienced travellers, and after the formalities of checking in and going through security to Departures, they ushered her to the business-class lounge.
‘We thought we couldn’t travel business class and put you in coach,’ Sylvie explained. ‘And Michael is no fun at the airport. He only ever reads things on his laptop, won’t go shopping or anything.’
‘I’m always happy to shop,’ said Cass, although her checked-in case was full of presents, and gifts suitable for small children who lived on an island. ‘Even if I don’t buy anything.’
Somehow she found herself buying tins of shortbread and chocolates anyway.
‘You never know when you might have to give something to someone unexpectedly. Christmas will be on us before we know it,’ said Sylvie, looking at what was in Cass’s basket. ‘Maybe I should get some of those cute tins as well.’
A smile from Michael when they were back in thelounge indicated he was grateful to Cass for keeping his wife company. While he was obviously quite prepared to ignore Sylvie, he did generally prefer her to be happy.
They were sipping a reviving glass of champagne after their shopping when Sylvie explained why she was also on the trip to Dominica. ‘We like a little bit of a break towards the end of the year. It makes the winter go past more quickly,’ she said. ‘So this is business for Michael and pleasure for me. I know this is work for you, Cass, but I do hope you’ll enjoy it as well.’
‘I’ve been before. Dominica is a wonderful island you’re bound to fall in love with.’ Cass stopped. ‘Although there had just been a hurricane when I last visited.’
‘I don’t suppose that made it more lovable, if you don’t mind my saying,’ said Sylvie. ‘If you loved it then, you’re bound to like it more now, when things have had time to settle down.’
Cass smiled. ‘I do hope you both love it as much as I do.’ She realised that she felt possessive about Dominica and would be resentful of anyone who didn’t fall under its spell as she had done.
Although the flight was extremely comfortable and the change at Antigua fine, Cass still felt she had travelled to another world by the time they arrived on Dominica. But when she saw Toussaint, grinning widely and waving, she suddenly felt at home.
The soft air welcomed her like a cloud perfumed with exotic flowers and trees. The sound of the people, alltalking rapidly, gesturing, hugging, handing over erratically wrapped baggage, was familiar and welcoming.
Toussaint gave her an enthusiastic hug before greeting Michael and Sylvie more formally.
He stowed all the bags and then they were away, Cass sitting in the front with Toussaint.
Soon she began to feel herself relax. Although her previous time on Dominica had been full of stress and adventure, she felt it had made her come alive. She’d had to stretch herself, find strength from the deepest parts of her. But it was so great to be back, and she felt embraced by the warm air.
Then suddenly it began to rain. It was hard and heavy and Cass laughed. ‘I’d forgotten how much it rains in Dominica,’ she said to Toussaint. She turned to Michael and Sylvie in the back. ‘Don’t worry, it won’t last for long.’ And that very moment, it stopped. ‘You see?’
‘It must explain how lush everything is,’ said Sylvie, who, Cass felt, may not yet have fallen under Dominica’s spell.
‘Wait till you see where Bastian lives,’ said Cass.
As they drove along the rough and currently muddy track to his house among the trees, glimpsing a vivid blue sea edged with foaming surf, Cass felt a bit like she sometimes felt in Scotland, that she was coming home. Or if not home, to a place where she felt happy, relaxed and knew what to do.
Bastian was waiting for them outside his house, Delphine at his side and Friendly coming forward to meet them. There were hugs, exclamations and greetings.Delphine gave Cass what she felt was a specially warm embrace which Cass returned with enthusiasm.
‘Friendly!’ said Cass as the dog came up to her. She gave him special attention, crouching down to fondle his ears, thinking how much she liked dogs and how pleased she was to see him.
The others had moved on to the veranda and Delphine was pouring rum punches. Cass smiled to think of how strong they would be, and hoped it wouldn’t be too long before lunch, when a shadow made her look up.
Ranulph was standing over her like a character in a superhero movie. Tall and, with his back to the light, dark and expressionless.
Cass thought she was going to faint and realised it was partly because she’d been crouching for too long. She got up and had to steady herself on a nearby chair. She had not imagined she would see him here, and felt furious suddenly. Apart from work, getting over Ranulph was one of her major reasons for coming to Dominica, in spite of the memories. She was convinced that being on the island, doing what she loved – painting – was what she needed.
‘What are you doing here?’ she said, hardly able to speak from shock.
She could at least see his face properly now. He raised an eyebrow. ‘Much the same as you are, I imagine.’
Cass moistened her lips. ‘I doubt that.’
Delphine appeared with two tall, misted glasses fullof cut-up fruit as well as liquor. Her look as she gave Cass her drink was almost apologetic and suddenly Cass understood. The extra hugs were supposed to be a warning.
