The Edge, Chapter One - A Rowansford story

Amy was warm, well-fed and contented. And this little house belonged to Anita – no-one could throw her out of it, make her move. Or take Amy from her. Dav had never got to see his child: the Saint Mark had sunk and the sea had swallowed him. She hadn’t even had a chance to tell him she was pregnant. But she still wore the engagement ring he’d given her the day before he sailed, at the end of a wonderful week’s holiday together. Amy. Loved, it meant. Because she was. And at the end of every day, they’d sit and rock together, before Amy went to bed, and Anita would tell their daughter just how much she was loved. One day at a time, that’s all Anita was doing at the moment. Just living, one day at a time. Very successfully, so far. Anita had everything planned. All those summer camps her aunt and uncle had sent her on, year after year; she’d learnt a lot at them. Especially the wilderness survival skills one! She could feed them both – and the science labs that were springing up everywhere, following RMB laboratories to Rowansford would pay for specimens. She could earn the money that they needed – and she still had some savings too. Today, to her surprise, someone else had turned up at the pond. Elderly, yes, but still looking fit and healthy. He was courteous too, carefully not casting where she was casting. Anita had a feeling he’d start chatting before long – he didn’t look the reticent type. But in the end it was Anita who’d spoken first. She’d taken Amy off behind the rocks to do a wee, and as they came out together, she saw the man slip and fall. Hastily, she dumped Amy back next to her teddy bear and rushed over.
“Are you all right?”
“Yes. Yes, my dear, of course I am.”
He stood up shakily, and rubbed his head. Anita sat him down on the bench and looked at him closely. His eyes were unfocussed, and he looked pale.
“I don’t think you are all right. Where do you live? Can we phone for someone to come and fetch you?”
“That would be difficult, my dear. My wife doesn’t drive – and we’ve no horses now either. It’s not that far, though…”
“I think we should get you home.”
One of her summer camps had been big on first aid, and to her eyes he’d bumped his head and might well be slightly concussed. It wasn’t easy, negotiating the woodland paths between the pond and his house, carrying Amy and lending him an arm when he needed it, but Anita was strong and determined. She brought him safely to his front door.
“You must come in, my dear – my wife will want to thank you.”
Yes, thought Anita – and I’d better tell her what happened too, because I bet you’ll make light of it, so as not to worry her. “Stay and eat with us, my dear.” Alice Bardon wasn’t as talkative as her husband, Jacob, but she was just as kind and friendly.
Amy had been cooed over, petted, fed, and was now asleep upstairs, safely tucked into a bed. And Anita wasn’t going to pass up the chance of a free meal – especially as Jacob’s accident had happened before she’d caught anything.
“This is delicious,” she said. “Thank you very much.”
It was, too – Alice was a very good cook, with years of practice behind her as well. “I’m just so grateful you were there – to help him home.”
Anita could tell how fond they were of each other.
“I can’t believe I was so silly as to slip,” Jacob said, shamefaced. “But enough of that. What did you do today, my dear?”
“I had to go into town to do some shopping – we can’t grow our own toothpaste! Which reminds me, I bumped into Flora Pettistree, so we went for a cup of tea together, and I heard some news! Young Bryony Eleigh has got married! Flora thinks his name’s Donald. He’s definitely been married before, because he’s got a teenage child – she didn’t know if it was a son or daughter.”
Young Bryony, it transpired, was nearly thirty (Anita smiled to herself at that) and ran the riding stables on the other side of the river.
“And what about Archibald?” Jacob asked (still sounding a little shaky). “What’s his latest invention?”
“I didn’t ask!” Alice said, laughing. “She’s a nice girl,” Alice said to Jacob, clearing up the dishes after Anita and Amy had left, stepping off softly into the darkness. “I do hope she does call again. I’d like to get to know her better.”
Jacob nodded. Grief sours some people, he thought (Alice’s old school friend Griselda among them), but Alice’s grief over the loss of their daughter had made her heart quick to sense loneliness and hurt in others – and quick to want to ease it. Should she go and see the Bardens again? Anita kissed her daughter’s dark head fondly, lifting her out of her cot to begin another day together. They had liked Amy, she thought, enjoyed seeing a small child: she guessed they’d had children of their own – but they hadn’t mentioned grandchildren, so there probably weren’t any.
Possibly yes, she thought – she could always inquire after Jacob as an excuse for visiting. It might be okay. But she was still wary. First stop was fishing though – she needed the food. She’d think about it some more while she fished. What decided her, funnily enough, was someone riding past while she fished. Was that the “young Bryony” they’d talked about? She didn’t know, but remembering the kindly way Alice had spoken about her, she decided yes, she’d get to know the Bardens a bit better. She didn’t think they’d pose a threat to her and Amy. “Oh my dear, I’m so pleased you came! Do come inside. I was so hoping you’d call – I even looked out some toys for Amy to play with. They’re a bit old, but I did clean them thoroughly.” Alice hadn’t just got out some toys for Amy – she’d found a mat for the floor as well. Anita thanked her for the toys and the mat.
“The dolls’ house was my daughter’s once.” There was a sad finality in Alice’s voice that stopped Anita asking more.
“I’m glad you like the mat though – I made it for her.”
“You made it? Wow!”
“I used to sew a lot once.” Alice sighed, but then brightened up a bit. “I’d forgotten how much I enjoyed it.”
“I’m not sure if I thanked you enough the other day.” Jacob Barden had a lot of natural charm. Anita smiled back at him.
“You did! And you’re looking much better now.”
“Oh, Alice takes good care of me. She used to be a nurse – that’s how I met her, breaking my arm when I fell off a horse. Luckiest break of my life, I called that.” Anita visited the Bardens again some ten days later, a little tentatively, but the warmth of their welcome was unmistakeable. Jacob had even unearthed the potty they’d used for their children
“They’re lonely – a bit,” thought Anita, “and Amy brightens their lives. We’re not being a burden or a nusiance.”
When she left that day, it was with a firm invitation from Alice to come again next week. She began to help the Bardens with the odd chore – hauling the water up from the well to water the vegetable garden, for instance – but mostly it was Amy’s smiles, Amy’s laughter and generally sunny humour that was making a difference to Jacob and Alice. Anita knew now that they’d had two children – twins – but that their daughter had died. Jacob had told her that – he talked far more than Alice did! Alice began to teach Anita how to make jams, jellies, chutneys, preserves – they began with strawberry jam, which was easy and quick. Amy chatted away in the background.
“Do you know, this is so nice,” Alice said. “Having a kitchen with people in it again.” “Take a jar home with you, my dear. You helped to make it. And I’m sure Amy would enjoy it.”
Anita’s heart was touched – it was a long time since she’d been able to trust someone, to enjoy friendship. Autumn came, with the apples ripening in the little orchard, and Anita helped Jacob and Alice clear the garden ready for the spring planting.
“Mind you, those pesky dandelions will be back next year,” Jacob grumbled – but even his grumbling was good-humoured.
So far, the autumn had been warm and sunny, but it would be turning chilly soon. Anita would have to spend some money on warmer clothes for Amy, who had grown out of last year’s clothes. Her own winter clothes would do her another year, thankfully. Alice treasured the midweek visits. She didn’t even mind the potty trips! Having a small child around the house was making her feel younger, and she liked Anita. They respected each other’s privacy: she asked Anita no questions about Amy’s father. Anita would tell her if she wanted to. And she appreciated the help with the preserving, as well as the company. Anita caught Jacob and Alice under the mistletoe as she arrived on Christmas Day! Jacob looked mildly embarrassed, but Alice just laughed. Jacob took their coats away to hang up.
“I’m so glad you could come,” Alice said. “Luke – our son – we’ve met up at a hotel for Christmas the past few years, but it’s been much nicer to be here at home again. And he’s with his new girlfriend this year. You two are such a blessing to us both.” The meal was fantastic. And Alice made her famous chocolate pie for pudding.
“I thought Amy would like it better than Christmas pudding. And it’s Jacob’s favourite too!” After they’d eaten, Alice sat down and watched Amy play with Jacob’s present for her, whilst Jacob and Anita dealt with the dishes.
Amy’s playmat was an island of brightness in the middle of the floor and looking at it, the ache that had gripped Alice’s heart ever since Sarah died, eased a little. It was a small thing, a playmat for a child, but it felt like it carried a whisper of spring after a long winter. They sat there for a while, the three of them, watching the flames, watching Amy play, while the winter sky went pink with the early sunset.
“I must go,” Anita said, almost reluctantly, “but thank you again for a lovely day.”
“No, it’s us who should be thanking you,” Jacob said. “You and Amy have given us a lovely Christmas. Don’t forget your presents!”
The play table was staying at the farm – there was no way Anita could carry it home! But Alice had given them some other presents as well.
“Open them at home, my dear, They’re only small gifts.”
It was a pretty big bundle though, seeing as they were only small gifts! “I do miss Luke,” Alice said.
“I know. Me too. But we might get to meet his new girlfriend in the spring – he said he’d have some holiday due, and she might be free too. That would be good.”
“I do hope she’s nice – as nice as Anita. And I do hope she’ll be okay – Anita, I mean.”
“She did borrow the axe, when I warned her it was going to be a bad winter. And I asked her how much wood she’d got cut and stored – she told me, and it’s more than enough. She’s managing fine, wherever she’s living – look at how healthy Amy is.”
“That’s true…but I’ll be happier when I see them again. I know – I’m an old fusspot!”
“No, you’re not! You just have a loving heart. Come here and let me kiss you again…” Alice’s presents to Anita and Amy had all been things she’d made: a warm knitted sweater for each of them, a bright playmat for downstairs, and a smaller, prettier one which Anita put in the bedroom. With the wood-burning stove, the new clothes and the mats, Anita and Amy were cosier than ever before. Even if the bathroom was so full of wood that they could only just get to the toilet – and all their washing was done in front of the fire! It would be spring before either of them could take a bath again. When the power cut came, Anita and Amy were fine snowed up together in their little house – though they did end up sleeping in their clothes for a couple of nights in the hard frost that followed the blizzard. But they were warm enough, and Anita blessed Alice with all her heart for her kindness to them. She’d heeded Jacob’s warning and stocked up with tinned food, which she rationed carefully, not knowing how long they’d be holed up in the woods. Jacob, trudging back from the mailbox and eyeing up the snow levels, worried about Anita and said so to Alice once he was inside.
“We’ve got icicles a foot long. And the snow’s thick on the roof – I hope she’s all right.”
“Well, you can’t go out in this weather. Not at your age. And we don’t even know where she lives.” But Alice’s worry wasn’t all for her husband.
“No – but I think it must be in one of the little houses up on the edge. She fishes in that pond, and she wouldn’t go further than she had to, with Amy to carry. When the snow’s stopped, I’ll go up there.” The first of the little houses up on the edge was empty. Jacob paused, wondering if he’d come on a wild goose chase – and then stopped and sniffed the air. He could smell woodsmoke! And presently Anita, much to her surprise, found Jacob at her front door.
“Truly, I’m not trying to pry. But we had to know if you two were all right, Alice and I.”
“Come inside then, and see us for yourself,” Anita said, smiling into his concerned eyes. “You are as snug as a bug in a rug, aren’t you?” Jacob had soon had to peel off all his outdoor layers.
“These houses were well built in the first place – they’ve weathered well. How did you find it? Not many people know about them.” There was no nosiness in his manner, only genuine interest, and Anita decided to confide in him.
“It was a gift to me from the owner. He felt he owed me something.”
Jacob asked no more, but sat down and enjoyed his hot drink – and filled Anita in with all their news.
“And Luke’s definitely coming to Rowansford in the spring – with his new girlfriend. Alice is really pleased about that.
It was nice having a visitor, Anita decided. One like Jacob, anyway. It was spring, and Luke would be in Rowansford again – even if he still wouldn’t come to the farm.
“I do hope we like her,” Alice said, a little nervously.
“My darling, you get on with everyone. Even Griselda Tostead!”
“That’s true.” Alice relaxed a little. “I’d just so love to see Luke happy again.” Luke hadn’t felt so happy for ages. He still couldn’t quite work out how come he’d landed such a gorgeous girl, but for the first time since his sister had died, he no longer found each day long and dreary.
Lucilla slid her arm around her shoulders, and he smelt her seductive perfume, felt the cool silk of her negligee against his bare skin.
“After…breakfast…we’ll go to the library then, shall we?” she murmured in his ear.
“How about after…lunch… as well?”
She pouted adorably, and then gave in. “All right then, darling – as long as we get there.” “Is this it?”
“Don’t let appearances deceive you! This library has all the historical maps and records of Rowansford.” “Well, I’ve found something out,” Lucilla said thoughtfully. “And at least I know what else to look for.”
Luke wasn’t quite sure why Lucilla thought Rowansford would be the perfect town for her research, but he wasn’t going to complain about getting to spend time with her! A bunch of teenagers came into the room. Lucilla glanced at them, and hoped that they wouldn’t be noisy. They milled around for a moment or two and then thundered off downstairs again in that irritating teenage way.
She started leafing through the book she’d been looking for, but what she really needed out next were maps. It did look as though the guy she’d chatted up a few months back had been right about the potential of this place though.