Anna woke early on the morning following the wedding proposal, and carefully untangled herself from Lawren’s arms and legs. She was fully awake and needed a chance to absorb the events of recent days without the distraction of worrying about Lawren’s input.
She crept downstairs and found a track suit she kept for gardening hung up under her warm overcoat.
With this layer over her night clothes, and a scarf, and the hood of her coat pulled up and tied, she felt she could face any autumn weather Scotland could throw at her.
Leaving a note beside the kettle and slipping her cell phone into a pocket, she opened the back door and stepped out into the morning. It was a cold, crisp day with a clear blue sky and a temperature low enough to turn the tips of the rain-sodden grass to frost.
She suddenly experienced a pang of longing for Canada. A morning like this in Ontario would warm by the afternoon and a barbecue would finish off the day. The thought of home, (where exactly was her home now?), seemed to crystallize her current discomfort. Was it too much, too soon and was she in danger of making decisions too quickly?
She shrugged off the uncomfortable thoughts and set her sights on climbing to the top of Helen’s Hill.
If the exercise did not clear her mind the view from the top would, at least, provide some perspective.
The lower reaches of the hill were still in shadow and Anna had to concentrate on watching where her feet were placed. There were some slippery spots to navigate and once or twice she had to bend down to steady herself on nearby rocks or grasp the strong stems of gorse bushes for leverage.
By the time she was half way up she was feeling warmed through and watching her breath steaming on the cold air. The moment when she broke through the dark and into the light of the rising sun seemed like a blessing. She stopped to catch her breath and look back toward the house.
The sun was glinting on the windows and turning the glass to bright mirrors. Wisps of steam from the heating system escaped from the chimneys and rose straight up into the air. The sun turned the tops of the sheltering line of firs to gold and brightened the last leaves on the rowan tree where bunches of orange berries still hung, waiting to feed the winter birds.
The old farmhouse looked much the same from the rear as it would have looked to Helen Dunlop. The additions and alterations Anna had required were invisible from this angle and the house nestled into its garden and its fenced and stone-walled property as if it would last for a thousand years.
But Anna knew she did not have a thousand years in which to enjoy this house and this view. It was imperative that she made good decisions for the limited span which she could see ahead. Not that there were any guarantees of happiness. She thought of Susan caring each day for Jake’s disabilities. She projected forward to a time when her dear Alina might be severely restricted by deteriorating eyesight. She wondered if her own fingers that sometimes ached in the cold, and that nagging stiffness in her back in the early morning were the beginning signs of arthritis, and she remembered Philip’s concern about the Alzheimer’s disease that had blighted his mother’s life.
The future was uncertain for all of them.
Was that a reason for denying the happiness of the present? Was it not better to move forward with the knowledge that illness and sorrow could well happen, as it did to all humans, and accept that chance with hope and belief in the powers of the human spirit to overcome all obstacles? The question remained. Was she strong enough to face the uncertainties?
Was her love for Lawren enough to ward off the fear of failure in a second relationship, one to which she had already committed herself in an uncommonly brief amount of time?
For all of her life she had been conservative, circumspect and unadventurous. This new Anna had already dared to venture into unknown territory. Was it a place where she could continue to live in comfort or was it a temporary location in which she might soon grow uncomfortable?
For a brief moment she wondered what people would think of an older woman marrying a younger, artistic man with a non-traditional lifestyle. Would they think he was taking advantage of her?
“Who cares?” she cried. Mourning doves rose into the air in alarm from the bushes where they had been hidden. Anna followed their slow progress upward and called after them. “My friends know me and they will support my decisions. I’ve been a quiet observer of life, living on the sidelines for far too long. This is my chance for a full life and I am going to grasp it in both hands!”
She stood up and raised her arms to the sky. It was a physical sign of her open acceptance of Lawren and all that life with him promised.
Suddenly she could not wait one more minute to see his face again. It no longer seemed necessary to climb upward to the top of the hill. She had already attained all the affirmation the summit could have provided and she was ready to begin a new life with the marvelous man who had asked to share it with her.
She scrambled down the slope, conscious that she must not slip and break a leg and spoil this moment.
Safely on flat ground again, she ran through the field, threw open the iron gate in the wall and skipped over the hummocks of grass in the garden.
Lawren was waiting for her in the kitchen with a mug of coffee in his hand.
“There you are!” he exclaimed. One glance had assured him that Anna was happy and relieved of all doubts. “You look exhilarated! All flushed and excited! Come and let me warm you up, my darling! Bacon’s in the oven and you can sip my coffee while I pour you a cup. We have a lot to plan for, future Mrs. Drake.”
The wedding news raced around the Samba friends as soon as Alina had put down the phone after talking to Anna. Alina had insisted she was not at all surprised. “You two are made for each other. Neither one of you would have been happy with some ordinary partner. It took me a while to recognize that, but I am convinced of it now.”
Anna had asked if Lawren’s suggestion of allowing Alina and Philip to stay in their condo had helped to make up her mind in his favour, and her friend had to agree it was a contributing factor, for certain.
The good news was that Alina had already found a condo unit in the same complex just a few doors away that she felt sure would be ideal for Anna and Lawren.
“I’ll be happy to take over the garden for you, if you want, and of course we’ll help with the move,” she had added.
Anna asked if Philip was intending to stay in London for much longer and was informed that he was glad to take a break from work and investigate the pleasures of his surroundings. Apparently he had taken a liking to Springbank Park and was encouraging Alina to walk there most days.
“I tell you,” she had declared, “I haven’t been this healthy and happy for many years!”
What followed was a heart-to-heart between the old friends about the men in their lives.
Alina volunteered that she would not be marrying Philip any time soon.
“You must remember that you have been married before, Anna, and you can imagine what that would entail. As far as Philip and I are concerned, we are both stepping into unknown territory and we are not the type to rush ahead.
Not that we haven’t talked about it. We have talked about everything you can think of. Frankly, I believe the man has been silent too much in his life. It’s high time his secrets and worries were released and I am pleased to be the recipient of his confidences.
These weeks here on our own with nobody to interfere have been so good for both of us. I am feeling more relaxed about our friendship and our future. I think the new start here in Ontario is giving him a chance to reinvent himself. He certainly needed to have a focus apart from his endless work demands.”
Anna was surprised to hear Alina wax lyrical about Philip in this way. The time on their own had definitely brought their relationship into a closer sphere and having a chance to live in the condo together would have given Philip a look at what life with Alina would be like.
That’s all good, then, she thought.
Alina’s next question brought Anna back to the present.
“So what’s been happening with you two, apart from the big wedding news, of course?”
“Really, Alina, I’m not too sure about the wedding emphasis.”
“What? You’re not having second thoughts already?”
“No, no! The marriage idea is what I want, more than a fancy wedding ceremony. Lawren said it could be just as I wished and the more I think about it, the more I feel I don’t want all the fuss of a formal occasion.”
“Well, I hope you don’t think you’ll be running off somewhere by yourselves to do the deed. I know a Samba group who would track you down and march you up the aisle no matter where you might flee to!”
Anna laughed at this comment but she had a strong feeling that Alina’s humour concealed a true fact.
She thought about Bev and Alan’s lovely wedding in Oban. It was a beautiful occasion, and by chance and some good organization, almost all the Sambas were in attendance. This brought up the thorny issue of where such an event would take place for Lawren and herself.
London, or Oban, or Glasgow, or somewhere else entirely?
The complexities that could occur were even now beginning to give her a headache.
“Are you there, Anna?”
“I’m right here! Just thinking about things.”
“Well, don’t think too long. There will be lots to plan before such an event.
Now, enough about that! How is Lawren coping?”
“Lawren is constantly amazing me! For someone who was an only child and who lived and worked alone for most of his life, he is adapting to a more social environment much more easily than I would have guessed. Despite being thrown into my family at the deep end, as it were, he actually made some astute observations about them after only hours together and he went off for a hike with Ashley, Simon’s granddaughter, and charmed her greatly as far as I could see. And, he’s been able to work here!”
“How would he get time to work, and what’s his subject?”
“Oh, he has commissions for family portraits and he is also drawing sights he saw in the south of England. The sketches are quite wonderful, Alina. I can’t believe his talent.”
“Huh! You are not a creditable judge, my dear. You are obviously smitten with the man.”
“I would hope so since I just agreed to be his wife!”
The laughter zinged through the lines and Anna ended the conversation with thanks and good wishes for her forever friend and her half-brother.
“Hmmmm!,” she pondered aloud, “if we could get one of Simon’s clan or one of the Sambas or even one of Maria’s daughters to move into the complex, we would have an exclusive enclave there in London, Ontario, and the parties would be wild!”
The thought of parties made her remember her doubts about a wedding venue.
Anna was not the only one thinking about this.
“Maria! Have you heard about Anna and Lawren?”
“Of course! Alina has been on the phone already.”
“So have you been approached about a dress for Anna?”
“Susan, I don’t think the woman has had time to catch her breath never mind plan a wedding dress. There’s not much any of us can do until we find out the where and when.”
“You are right, of course, but I am so excited for her that I can hardly contain myself. I keep remembering Bev’s beautiful and unusual wedding in Oban. Do you think they will choose something similar?”
“I really have no idea, Susan. You should keep in touch with Bev or Jeanette for the latest news on that front and please keep me in the loop. I’ll be travelling for the fashion shows in Milan very soon but you know my cell phone number.”
“Yes, I’ll be in touch as soon as I hear anything. Isn’t it wonderful news?”
“Absolutely! Take care, Susan.”
Maria glanced around the busy store where her cruise clientele were eagerly inspecting the latest styles for winter and spring 2013. Nova was doing her best to steer the larger ladies to gowns that would suit them best and Theresa was moving in and out the connecting door between Maria’s and her own Babywear Accessories emporium. The teenagers who adored Lucy’s styles would be coming along after school hours to see what was new and daring in fall fashion but by then the older customers would have retired to their apartments and luxury flats for their afternoon teas.
Maria stole a moment to think about the differences she now saw from just months ago. She and Paul had their home to themselves again and all was serene there. They organized two busy schedules and made the most of the time they were together. It was like a honeymoon weekend once or twice a month and she loved their closeness.
Lucy had been transformed by finding work in Toronto in the fashion and film industry. As she was often seeing the cutting edge of the business she was able to inform Maria’s young set of the up-to-the-minute latest styles. The recent Toronto Film Festival had provided a whole new range of colours and patterned clothes, some of which derived from Europe rather than America, and Maria could see the eager response of local teens reflected in her increased sales.
Another benefit was that Lucy had become very close to her Gran. She occasionally spent a weekend with her Toronto Italian relatives, as much to get away from industry gossip in the flat she shared with two other girls, as to quiz her grandmother about her own fashion roots in Italy and the many stories of how she had established herself in Canada.
When the Toronto Fashion Week was in full flow. Maria booked a hotel room in a downtown spot favoured by the rich and famous. Lucy spent as much of the week with her as she could manage and the two women bonded at the Holt Renfrew shows or sitting in the hotel foyer, dressed to the nines, watching the beautiful people come and go and critiquing their hair styles and outfits.
Maria could hardly credit that this knowledgeable, vital, young woman was the daughter whose teenage antics and bad manners had almost driven her to distraction. Now she was a family girl who loved her parents, her sister’s children and her grandparents in equal measure. It seemed that taking her away to Italy and then permitting her to leave school and work in her chosen field had encouraged Lucy to appreciate her family rather than separating her from them, as Maria had once feared.
“Mum! Nova is asking for your help over there. I have to nip next door again to see a customer. I’ll be back later.”
Maria shook her head clear, and concentrated on the present. It was such a comfort to be working alongside her elder daughter. Theresa was a whiz with the store computer accounts and when she needed to take her kids to doctor appointments or parties it was always possible to arrange the time for her. Whenever she could, Maria elected to look after the two little ones; another treat in her new life.
She checked her watch and saw it was time for the teens who ran Lucia’s Lines to arrive. They came in most days after school and Maria had taken them on as part-time assistants. The girls were super keen on Lucy’s forward-thinking fashion ideas and proudly wore black T shirts declaring, ‘We specialize in Lucia’s Lines’.
Their happiest day was Saturday when Lucy’s Fashion Picks of the Week arrived by express post and could be exclaimed over and displayed prominently for the teen shoppers. Currently, the girls were running a blog to see which of the Fall Favourite colours, (emerald green or purple), graphic designs or fall florals, would be the most popular this season.
Once again her thoughts returned to Anna’s upcoming nuptials. Where would she and Lawren marry? With close friends on both sides of the Atlantic, it was going to be problematic for Anna, whichever venue she chose. Thinking that this was the way of the world at the moment, with families split up and people travelling back and forth between continents, just as she did herself, she decided not to invest any energy on the wedding attire topic until she knew more about the occasion.
Maria’s final thought on the subject was how pleased she was that Anna had come into her own. Her mind drifted briefly to Anna’s old apartment where the Sambas had gathered to discuss the Scottish inheritance for the first time. What changes Anna had seen since then! From clothing and hairstyle to travel and romance, Anna Mason was a new and happier creature.
With a deep sigh of satisfaction, for both of them, Maria turned back to her work.
“Bev, it’s me, Jeanette. I’ve been very patient but I can’t wait to hear if you know any more about Fiona’s romance?”
Bev found herself in the midst of a dilemma. She had just put down her phone after talking to Susan in London, Ontario, and she did not know yet who in Scotland knew about Anna and Lawren, or, whether she was free to spread the news or not. She had a strong impulse to tell what little she did know to Jeanette. After all wasn’t she now a Samba member?
“Well, Jeanette, how are the children doing?”
“What? You saw them yesterday.”
Two seconds later and Jeanette had figured out that she was being deliberately distracted.
“All right! You can’t fool another Canuck. What’s going on? Do you know something about Fiona or not?”
“I really haven’t heard anything more about Fiona and her boyfriend. I’ve been busy lately.”
“OK then! If you know nothing about Fiona, what else is it you are hiding from me?”
Bev realized she could not keep up this subterfuge much longer. Jeanette would guess eventually anyway.
“I have heard something, Jeanette, but it came from Canada and I am not sure if the secret is out yet. I don’t want to break a confidence or spoil a surprise.”
“Now you’ve really got me curious! Spill, Bev! You can trust me. My lips are sealed tight if that’s what will make you feel more comfortable.”
“Oh, I do want to tell you! It’s choking me to keep silent. Susan just called to tell me Lawren proposed to Anna!”
“What!!! When did this happen?”
“Recently, as far as I know. Alina told Susan. But since Anna hasn’t told you or I, I think we can presume it’s hush hush for now. They probably need time to get used to the idea. Promise me you won’t say word one until Anna tells us herself.”
“No problem! This is great news! If they were a younger couple I would be thinking there was a pregnancy in the wind but that’s not possible.”
“Oh Jeanette! What a thing to say! Don’t let Anna hear you suggesting such an idea. She would be horribly embarrassed.”
“Of course not! I’m only fooling! It’s fantastic news though. They are certainly not letting grass grow under their feet. I wonder where they will choose and when? Goodness there’s a lot of excitement to come.”
“You are right about that! Now remember your promise.”
“Don’t worry about me. I’m a new member of the Samba group. I don’t want to be thrown out this soon. Let me know if you hear anything more.”
“I will do. I may have to call Canada if I can’t stand the suspense.”
“You do that, Bev. I’ll be waiting.”
Bev practically hugged herself at the thought of Anna and Lawren living nearby as a married couple. They would be even closer than before and she and Alan could do things with Anna and Lawren as couples together. There were places to show Anna that Alan had shared with her that neither Anna nor Lawren had ever had time to see. They could go to Skye and see Kirsty again and explore the island and then there was a tour of the Black Isle that Bev had heard about and Edinburgh was a must……..
She wandered into the kitchen and began to mix up a cake without really knowing what she was doing. Her mind was full of exciting times ahead with her Samba friend and somewhere inside her it seemed appropriate to make a cake to celebrate.