‘Who died?’
‘Hm?’ Hemi looked up with rheumy eyes.
‘Who died?’
‘Ngaire’s mum. That just left Ngaire. Her brother had gone to war. He was one of the ones who never came back. It was then that Tamati’s family took pity on her and had her come live with them.’ He paused again. ‘Of course, they didn’t know.’
Dan gritted his teeth, in an effort to control his impatience.
‘Uncle? What didn’t they know about Ngaire?’
‘That she was carrying on with that Marine. Kowalski, or whatever his name was. I remember him, too. Tall, blonde, like a Pakeha movie star.’
Augi swallowed and glanced at Dan who frowned and looked away.
‘And then, of course, they went away.’ Hemi licked his lips. ‘The marines.’
‘And so what happened to Ngaire?’
‘She married Tamati,’ he said at last in a softer voice. ‘He was a good man. Gentle. Different.’
Dan’s jaw flexed. ‘You knew him well?’
Uncle Hemi nodded once. ‘Everyone knew Tamati. Although some pretended they didn’t. Tamati was…’ For once Hemi seemed lost for words.
‘Tamati was…?’ Dan prompted.
Uncle Hemi’s eyes flicked towards him. ‘Not the kind of choice people expected Ngaire to make for her husband,’ he said.
Dan’s throat worked. ‘And Hope?’
Uncle Hemi’s mouth curled, not quite a smile. ‘Ah, Hope.’ He leaned back in his chair, blanket sliding slightly. ‘Beautiful baby. Bright eyes. But a handful from the start. I remember her all right. Came along after the war ended. After she was born they moved back into MacLeod’s Cottage.’ He paused and then heaved a deep sigh. ‘Tamati loved that girl.’
Dan’s face went still. ‘He was a good father?’
Hemi shot him an intense look. ‘Yes! But him being a father? Of course, that surprised everyone. He was a good man and he wanted to look after Ngaire. He loved her in his own way. But it was Hope who was the apple of his eye.’
Dan opened his mouth to speak, but Mere placed a warning hand on his arm and shook her head.
Hemi closed his eyes and his face settled into deep grooves as he relaxed.
Mere glanced at Augi and Dan. Augi nodded and rose.
‘I think we should go. We don’t want to tire out Uncle Hemi.’
Hemi snapped his eyes open. ‘I’m not tired!’
’But I think we should still leave,’ said Augi, throwing a meaningful glance at Dan. ‘I should get back to open up the library.’
Hemi nodded. ‘Thanks for the books.’
‘My pleasure.’
Dan stood up. ‘Thank you,’ he said simply. ‘For trusting us with that.’
Uncle Hemi waved a dismissive hand. ‘I didn’t trust you,’ he said. ‘I trusted time.’
Dan felt gooseflesh rise along his arms. He turned his gaze fully on Dan then, and there was something almost kind in his expression.
