“It’s so good to see you all!” He kissed them one by one. Beth felt familiar arms around her and had a sense of coming home.
“I’ve waited so long for this moment!” She buried her head in his chest and let the tears fall.
“Why are you crying Mummy?” Amy rocked the baby back and forth and looked at her parents in surprise.
“Because I’m happy. Daddy and I have looked forward to this holiday for a long time.”
“Will I see the big waterfall that you told me about?”
“We’re going to relax in a cottage on the beach for a week, and then we’ll drive to Niagara for the second week.” Beth wiped her eyes and reluctantly pulled herself away from Liam’s chest.
“Let’s get going, it’s a bit of a drive to Kincardine, but we’ll stop in Elmira for dinner on the way.” Liam took the trolley and headed out towards the short term car parks.
The car was spacious, with plenty of room for the pushchair. Beth saw the baby car seat and had a pang of guilt when she thought how Liam must have bought the car with his own son in mind.
“It’s a people carrier. There’s a lot of these cars over here. The middle seats fold down if you want some extra space.”
“Wow! There’s so much room in the back!” Amy looked around appreciatively. “Wait until I tell Penny Green at school!”
“I thought she wasn’t speaking to you?” Liam smiled at Amy.
“She is now. We’re best friends.”
“That’s good news.”
As the car turned onto the A401 West, Beth sat behind Liam with the children and marvelled at the wide freeway, complete with an express lane in the middle for drivers that had no need to exit for a long time and priority lanes for people carrying more than one passenger.
“The roads in England seem tiny by comparison.” Her head swivelled from left to right.
“We do things on a big scale on the other side of the pond. Ok at the back, Amy?”
“Joss is asleep, and I’m reading one of the books you sent me. They’re great. Thanks Liam –er…Daddy.”
Beth awoke as the car approached Elmira and Joss stirred, hunger pangs gnawing.
“Sorry Liam, I didn’t mean to nod off.” She gave Joss some water and Amy fidgeted in her seat:
“Don’t worry about it. I’ve never worked out why air travel is so tiring. You just sit in the seat doing nothing, but you’re exhausted at the end of the flight.”
“I need a wee Mummy.”
“We’re stopping for dinner now, so there’ll be washrooms in the restaurant.” Liam turned his head towards his daughter as he pulled up in the car park:
“Amy, you’ll find the ladies serving here are dressed in an old-fashioned way. They’re all Mennonites, and they belong to a big group of religious people who prefer not to use the modern labour-saving devices. They still dress as people did over 100 years ago, and they drive a horse and buggy instead of a car. They’ve made all the food in this restaurant themselves, and you’ll find it’s delicious.” You’ll also see all the roads around here for miles have little gravel paths down either side especially for the Mennonite horse and carriages.”
“Wow. Why would people not want to buy a car? Cars are so much faster than a horse and buggy!” Amy looked out of the car window to see if any Mennonite families were passing by.
“It’s just their way. Many of them are farmers and they use all the old farming skills instead of ploughs and combine harvesters.”
“That’s so interesting, but don’t the young people rebel?” Beth wondered if the teenagers could resist the lure of the mobile phone, TV and computer.
“They are allowed to go out into the big wide world to see if they prefer it, but surprisingly most of them return to the old way of life after a while.”
Beth unstrapped Joss and gathered a bottle of milk from the cool bag.
“I hope we’re not too far away now, this is the last but one bottle.”
“It’s roughly about another two hours. Mom lives in Kincardine, and she’s filled up the fridge for us at the cottage. There’s loads of baby bits there because other members of the family bring little ones. You’ll meet Mom tomorrow. Her parents bought the cottage when they were first married. It’s a bit of a family heirloom now.”
“I can’t wait. Thanks so much for inviting us, darling. I actually went out to Cley to visit your dad last month with the children. He loved them. He seemed so pleased to see me.” Beth followed Liam in to the restaurant.
“I know. He told me on the phone. He’s always liked you. He’s got good taste.” He kissed her and announced their arrival to the receptionist behind the front desk.
“Table for three and a high chair please.”
“Of course. Please come this way.”
They were shown to an empty table in amongst several others that were already full of diners. Against the walls were large buffet tables groaning with every kind of food imaginable. Smiling Mennonite ladies weaved to and fro in amongst the tables as they served drinks:
“I keep thinking I’m back in the 1880’s!” Beth whispered.
“Mummy I need a wee!”
“Liam, can you start Joss with his bottle please? I’ll show Amy where the toilets are.”
“We wouldn’t be so vulgar as to call them toilets. They’re washrooms don’t forget.”
“Oh yes. It does sound better though doesn’t it?” Beth laughed as she and Amy stood up.
Liam cuddled the baby close and gazed at him as he contentedly sucked at the bottle. He suddenly wondered what Toby was doing, and if he was missing his daddy.
CHAPTER 39
“Liam, that was just the most gorgeous meal I’ve ever eaten!” Beth leaned back in the chair, replete.
“It’s pretty wonderful food, eh? I always stop here on the way to see Mom. You know everything’s fresh and homemade. I’ll get the check and then we can be on our way again.”
“I’ll just change the baby’s nappy first.” Beth started to make her way back to the washroom.
“It’s not a nappy, it’s a diaper.”
“Or is it diaper, eh?”
“Touché!”
Both children were asleep within a short time of the car pulling out onto the road. Beth climbed into the front seat and enjoyed sitting next to Liam in the gathering darkness and feeling comfortable enough not to have to make any conversation. Every now and then a Mennonite horse and buggy would pass by on the side of the road; the family inside staring straight ahead and unsmiling in their Victorian apparel.
“What a way to live! It doesn’t seem to fit in with today’s fast pace though.” Beth found that she was becoming fascinated by the Mennonite way of life.
“It’s what they know; they’re born to it. Some of them are quite wealthy. Have a look at their houses that you can see spread out. The majority of them don’t even have any electricity.”
“Good God.”
The land had flattened out, and on either side Beth could see low buildings and miles of open farmland. She felt happy to be at one with the earth and the sky, and to be able to sneak little glances at Liam’s profile as he drove into the night.
“Happy, darling?” Liam turned to her, conscious of her eyes watching him as they passed by the outskirts of Kincardine.
“I’m in heaven, I swear. I don’t know if it’s being with you, being out of that awful prison, or being on the Citalopram though!”
“Hopefully it’s being with me that’s doing it, eh?” A small smile played about his lips as he spoke.
“You bet!” She relaxed in her seat as they drove along the coast road.
“We’ll be there in five. Don’t go back to sleep.”
“Oh, I can see the sea! Amy will be delighted.”
“It’s Lake Huron, not the sea. The water isn’t salty.”
“Wow. I can’t wait to see it in the daylight.”
“The cottage backs onto the beach. You’ll see it tomorrow.”
He
swung the steering wheel to the right, turned up a narrow track, and brought the car to a halt in front of a 1930’s white clapboard cottage surrounded by tall trees and hedges. Beth could see a light shining behind the blue front door.
“Mom’s been and gone by now. It’s all ready for us.”
“It’s wonderful. I love the shutters on the windows.”
“The cottage is usually closed up this early in the year, but Mom would have lit the log burner so it’ll be nice and warm inside.”
Beth eased Joss from his car seat and Liam held Amy. Together they carried the sleeping children up the few wooden steps and into the kitchen.
“The front door wasn’t locked.” Beth whispered and looked around.
“Nobody locks their doors around here. There’s no need to.” Liam placed Amy carefully on one of the bunk beds and took off her socks and shoes:
“Don’t wake her up, I’ll sort through the cases tomorrow and find her pyjamas.” Beth covered her daughter up, noticing the attractive bedspread.
“Mom made the quilt when I was born. Every stitch was sewn with love.” Liam whispered and smiled.
“I can’t wait to meet her again.” Beth smiled back as she placed the baby in his cot. “I need to make up some bottles for Joss now in case he wakes up in the night.”
“Everything you’ll need will be in the kitchen. Mom knows about these things.”
Beth made her way back to the kitchen, approving of the welcoming feel of the cottage. Scores of old family photographs hung upon the walls of the main living area, which had obviously been set up to accommodate many branches of the family all at the same time. Liam as a moody toddler stared out at her from the wall adjacent to the back door which led out to the sun deck. Comfortable sofas and armchairs surrounded a low central table. The log burner gave out a pleasing heat, and children’s toys were scattered about in large baskets. A bookshelf of well-thumbed novels stood in one corner behind the TV.
“Oh Liam it’s such a lovely cottage. I’m going to love it here.”
“And I love you, baby.” He put his arms around her and laid his cheek against the top of her warm head.
“I love you so much. I’ll make up the bottles and then have a nice hot bath.”
“Ah. No bath I’m afraid; only a shower. We Canadians like showers.”
“Ok. A nice hot shower then!” She kissed him and put the kettle on to boil.
CHAPTER 40
Refreshed and glowing and wrapped in a towel, Beth rooted around in the suitcase for her night clothes. She smiled as she heard Liam singing in the shower. She could hardly believe that only a few months had passed since being freed from Evans’ grip.
By the time Liam had come out of the shower Beth had made herself comfortable on the sofa in front of the log burner. Her eyes felt heavy:
“Room for another one on there?” He sat down by her side wearing a clean t-shirt and jogging trousers, and smelling of a mixture of shower gel and toothpaste.
“Absolutely. I think I’m in heaven, but I don’t remember dying.” She smiled as she cuddled up to him.
“And you haven’t. You’ve got a lot of living to do first.” He kissed her lips and she buried her head in his shoulder.
“Liam, I think I ought to get something out in the open straight away. I don’t know if I’m ready for a physical relationship again yet. I hope you understand.” She breathed a sigh of relief at getting the worry off her chest.
“Of course, darling, you’ve been through a lot. If you want to sleep alone there are plenty of beds here. I totally understand.” He held her tighter and she relaxed in his arms.
“I’m so sorry. It’s just that…………” She broke off, unable to go on any further.
“I know. I have a pretty good idea of what he did to you. If I ever hear that he’s got out of jail he’d better keep looking over his shoulder. We’ll just take it one day at a time.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be. I don’t want to hear another word about it. Just keep cuddling me.”
“I can do that. I don’t want to sleep alone though like I have to do at Mum and Dad’s; I’m so used to Amy in the bed with me. Is it fair to ask you?”
“Well, there’s nobody else about and Amy’s asleep, so I guess it’ll have to be me then.” They snuggled nearer, enjoying the closeness.
“We used to sleep naked. Do you remember?” She sighed and listened to the clock ticking on the wall.
“How could I forget? We used to lay together like two spoons.” He tried unsuccessfully to block the memory.”
“I can’t do it again just yet.”
“Will you behave yourself? I told you, I don’t want to hear another word.”
She lifted her head and kissed his neck:
“Can you stroke my hair like you used to?” She closed her eyes and smelt the warmth of him.
“Sure can. I’m good at stroking, but there’s not much hair to play with these days.” He took a small piece of the blonde hair between his fingers and twirled it around.
“I couldn’t bear it any longer. The way he looked at it and touched it; I used to cringe inside. If he’d ever given me a knife or a pair of scissors I would have cut it off myself.”
“I’ll never do anything to you that you don’t want me to.” He kissed her hair and felt tears forming in his eyes. He blinked them away.
“Will I ever be able to get over this?” She looked up at him and his heart gave a lurch.
“With time, darling. I’ll help as much as I can. I’ll be your counsellor. Soon the good times will outweigh the bad.”
She gazed into the fire:
“What about your little boy? Will Patty let you see him?”
“She wouldn’t at first, but then she told me he kept asking for his daddy and she’s relented. I’ve only seen him a few times in the last couple of months though, but she’s thawing out a bit now I think. It’ll get better in the long run.”
“I’m so glad. He’ll need his daddy as he grows up. Where are they living now?”
“With her mother. I’m as good as dead though as far as Cathy’s concerned. I’ve given Patty money for a new place.”
“Of course. So you’ve kept the old place in Toronto?”
“Yes. It’s turned into a bachelor pad now. It needs a woman’s touch again.”
“Will I see it before I go back?”
“Sure. It’s not too far from the airport.”
He ruffled her hair:
“Come on; time for bed. I want to be your spoon.”
With Liam’s warmth against her back, she knew no more until daybreak.
CHAPTER 41
The sound of a baby’s cries broke through her dreamless sleep:
“Mummy! Where are you? Joss is hungry!” Amy’s worried voice at finding herself in unfamiliar surroundings brought Beth suddenly back to reality. She felt Liam’s arm tighten around her waist as she began to climb out of bed:
“Let’s stay here all day.” He yawned and chuckled.
“Oh yes, that’ll work well with our two little people.” She gently removed his arm, swung her legs over the side of the bed, and rooted around for her slippers.
“Just kidding. Let’s get up and at ‘em!”
“I’m in here darling!” She smiled as the bedroom door flew open and Amy appeared.
“I looked out of the window, and all I can see is water! Is that the sea like Philip and Jack sailed on in Bill Smugs’ boat?”
“It’s Lake Huron, Amy. When we’ve had breakfast we’ll wrap up warmly and go down onto the beach. You won’t want to swim in it though, it’s very cold at this time of the year.” Liam wrapped a dressing gown around him and followed Amy and Beth out to the kitchen.
“I can’t swim yet anyway. Mummy, can I pick Joss up out of his cot?”
“Yes of course. I’ll warm up his bottle.”
She placed a bottle of formula milk into the microwave. Liam came up behind her and put his arms arou
nd her waist:
“Love you so much, honey. I’m so glad you’re here.” He kissed the top of her head.
“Me too. It’s a dream come true. I used to think about you every day and wonder what you were doing.”
“Mummy, Joss has done a poo!” Amy entered the kitchen, wrinkled her nose, and handed the baby to her mother.
“Babies do tend to do that Amy. Tell you what; I’ll change his diaper and Mommy will fix you some cereal, eh?” Liam laughed as Beth handed Joss to him.
“Can I sleep in your bed tonight like I used to in the house with no windows?” Amy carefully poured cereal into a bowl.
“Well, Daddy sleeps with me now darling. You have your own bed here like you do at Nanny and Grandpa’s house.”
“Why does Daddy sleep in your bed and I can’t?”
“You slept in my bed because there was nowhere else for you to sleep and there was no room to put another bed down. Children usually sleep in their own bedrooms in houses that have windows. This house has windows, and Nanny and Grandpa’s house has windows.” Beth shook the bottle of baby milk and hoped she’d given a good enough explanation.
“Why doesn’t Daddy have his own bedroom here?” Amy was not going to be put off so easily.
“Daddy is not a child. You and Joss have your own rooms and Daddy and I share now. It’s what grown-ups do.” Beth gave a sigh of irritation as she waited for the next question.
“So can I sleep in your bed when I’m grown up then?”
Beth smiled at the childlike logic and gave in:
“Yes; when you’re grown up, but only if you still want to.”