St. Columb - Chapter Six

VI

Over the next several weeks I began to fall into a routine at St. Columb. I would awake every morning promptly at six and have breakfast with Emma, who had been up an hour before helping with the preparation of breakfast for the children. Afterwords, I would walk with her over to the orphanage and help serve from seven to eight; then I would proceed to the offices and begin the daily grind of finding these wonderful children homes. After about a month or so since my arrival, I had managed to arrange adoptions of fifteen children.
I can remember precisely this one little girl that I had the perfect family for: Her name was Beatrice. She was eight years old, rather healthy and had radiant red hair; she was very shy but once she became accustomed to me and the Ashley family she proved to be a very lovable and affectionate. The Ashley's were a wonderful family, I wished that I could've swayed them to take more than one child because they really were delightful people. Mr. Ashley served in the war as a medic and met Mrs. Ashley while she was working in the clerk's office. After the war they were married, unfortunately Mrs. Ashley was unable to have children. I have been in contact with them for a few months now and was very excited to have found them a child that they connected with. There were just a few more technicalities to go through and they could take little Beatrice home tomorrow.
It was during lunch that I noticed Beatrice was secluding herself from her usual table. This worried me, I suspecting that she was having second-thoughts about leaving; after all she had been at St. Columb since she was four, and had little memory of her parents or her previous home.
“Emma, why do you suppose little Beatrice is sitting alone?”
“I don't know. It always bothers me to see one of the little ones sitting by themselves, perhaps she's sad. She's always been a pensive little thing.”
“You don't think she's having second-thoughts do you? About allowing the Ashley's to adopt her?”
“No, I don't think that. I do think that she will miss her friends, she is very close with Max and Shelia, the little dark-haired girl over there emptying her tray. She'll probably miss them terribly.” I looked in the direction where Emma was pointing and saw Sheila, she was walking towards the exit, followed by little Max; Max tugged playfully at her hair, and Shelia chased him out the door.
I saw, after turning my attention back to Beatrice, something that struck me as very shocking, Robby had made his way over to where Beatrice was sitting and was talking to her. His back was to me so I couldn't see his face, but judging from Beatrice's he was welcome. She wasn't smiling, but she seemed comfortable with him; I saw him tap her nose, she smiled then.
“Does Robby get along well with the other children?”
“Not so much with his peers, but he does a splendid job with the younger ones. When the orphanage started to become too full he helped out the other staff members, he may not be a sociable boy but I am grateful for his help. I wish I could be with every one of these children.”
“Oh Emma that's nearly impossible! Not only that but think of your own child, you have the maddening task of not only being the headmistress to over sixty children but a mother to your own. To be quite honest I think I would've gone mad years ago, you're doing a brilliant job. You're doing the best you can, and that's enough.”
“Thank you Rachel, it does my heart good to hear that. I hope Grace feels the same way.”
“Grace loves you, and she knows that you love her. Trust me, I have an eye for these things.”
“After you managed to get fifteen children adopted in a month, I think I'll trust you with just about anything.” Emma smiled, squeezing my hand.
I laughed and turned my attention back to Robby and Beatrice. I noticed that the smile had disappeared from her face, Robby reached across and took her hand in his; he rubbed the top of it and said something to her. Beatrice then stood up and took her tray to the wastebasket, she emptied it and soon went out the door. I couldn't tell if she was in a better mood or not, but when I had turned my attention back to Robby, he was gone.
The rest of the afternoon went by relatively uneventful, I organized the paperwork for the Ashley's so to have it ready for them tomorrow morning; I also set up an appointment to meet with another couple about adopting one of the older children, Jake. I was filling out a form when I heard a slight knock on the door frame, I looked up and saw it was Grace.
“Hello Grace! What a pleasant surprise, how has your day been?”
“Just fine, I just came home from school.”
“Glad to hear it. Did you want something darling?”
“Actually I was wondering if you could do me a small favor.”
“I will if I am able, what is it?”
“Well Dougan is going into town to pick up our order at the bookstore, we ordered new textbooks for the younger children. I have a ton of homework to do and I was wondering if you could go in my place and help him with the order. He just needs someone to read the checklist off to him as he loads it in the truck, just to check for accuracy you know.”
“Oh well I think I can manage that. I just have a few more forms to take care of here and I'll be finished for the day. You can tell Dougan that I'll meet him in front of the house in about ten minutes.”
“Thank you so much! I'll tell him!” and with that she was off. I later learned that the following conversation had ensued:
“Dougan!”
“Gracey! Well did you ask her?”
“Yes, and she said she'll meet you in front of the house in ten minutes.”
“Oh Gracey you're the best, thanks!”
“You know she is a really nice lady Dougan, you could've asked her out to dinner yourself.”
“Well it would've been weird...this way I have an excuse that we're already in town. Besides, what if she were to think me a fool?”
“You wouldn't know because you didn't ask. You're too much of a bloody chicken.”
“I am not! I'm cautious!”
“Chicken! Chicken!” Grace laughed imitating a chicken.
“Grace what are you doing silly girl?” Emma asked coming out on the porch.
“Imitating Dougan. He's a regular full-bred chicken.”
“Emma I'm going to toss your daughter in the creek.” Dougan replied, grabbing at Grace. She squealed and ran up the steps to her mother's side.
“Not if you want to continue living in my attic. She does have a point Dougan, you could've asked her yourself.” Emma laughed putting her arm around her.
“Bloody hell, you women always stick together!” Dougan muttered, storming off to get the truck.
“I always thought Dougan to be a pretty tough chap mum. Why is it that he's so afraid of Rachel?”
“Its not that he's afraid of her per say, he's afraid of the possibility of rejection dear.”
“Rejection? But Rachel likes Dougan, why would she say no?”
“Darling you'll find that relationships between men and women don't really change much. One party will always be hesitant of the other and always afraid of what the other will think of them. Your father was terrified at the possibility of courting me, he thought I would think him a lunatic.”
“Really? What did you do?”
“I told him he'd be a lunatic not to court me.”
Grace and her mother laughed and went inside, leaving Dougan to his thoughts. I must say, the conversation was equally as amusing when I was told of it later.

I came out to find Dougan waiting for me in front the truck, he smiled and opened the door for me.
“Well then shall we go?”
“As long as you promise not to have me working like a slave, I am very delicate you know being a woman.” I teased as I climbed into the cab.
“Oh bollocks, I'm sure you could hold your own. But since you're new, you get to slide.” he said, closing the door once I was inside. “This time.” he added with a wry smile.
The errand didn't take long, but it was getting late and I was feeling rather hungry.
“Did you want to stop and get somethin'? There's a place right up here that has smashing food.”
“That sounds heavenly, I'm starving.”
I was so occupied with my hunger that I didn't notice Dougan's eyes light up or how he could hardly contain his smile, which probably was best because he would've been rather embarrassed if I had inquired about it. The restaurant was very lovely, it was small and not very busy; the setting was very intimate. I found myself growing concerned about my appearance, after all the wind had been blowing that day and had probably made a total disaster of my hair. I also wondered if there was anything on my face; I couldn't just open my mirror and check, Dougan would think me a frivolous, vain woman. I tried not to worry about it. Why was I worrying about it?
“This is perfect, I've never seen it this empty before. It's usually pretty hoppin' when I come here.”
“You come here often?”
“Not often, but sometimes when my mates and I want someplace to cut up. I don't do it very much anymore, the orphanage keeps me pretty busy.”
“Do you ever miss it? Cutting up with your mates as you say.”
“Not really, that was a thing of the past. I'm a much different person now, I know what I want and where I want to go. I have Emma to thank for that.”
“Really now? Do tell, you've made me curious.”
“Well as much as a pain the older kids can be, I do enjoy bein' around them. They trust me, and I would do anythin' for them, Emma said that it takes a special person to tolerate that age. She said that once I get enough money saved up I should go to school and be a youth counselor, I gave it some thought and decided it was a brilliant idea.”
“That's wonderful Dougan! I could see you being an excellent counselor, you have the patience of a saint.”
“Well that's what I like people to think.” he laughed; the waiter brought us our food and drinks, I was very happy to see that glass of wine. A girl can only handle so much tea and milk.
“When do you think you'll be able to start school?” I asked, sipping my wine.
“Not anytime soon. I couldn't leave Emma with all of the work that needs to be done around there everyday. The other staff workers are too busy with the kids to do what I do, especially now with all of the kids around. I'll wait until things have settled down. Plus I don't like the idea of leaving Emma and Grace without a man in the house, especially since they live so far out in the bloody country.” he replied, taking a bite of his steak
“Dougan Bardwell you may just be the most noble man I have ever met.” I smiled, he looked down and blushed, setting down his utensils.
“Nah, not really...” he began, looking up at me. “You're the one who's to be admired.”
“Why do you say that? Believe me I'm nothing special I assure you.”
“Yeah you are....you always seem to have hope in somethin'. A trait that is all but gone in people today. Not only that but you see people, you've somehow managed to find these kids wonderful homes and everyday there are more and more people coming to the orphanage to inquire about adopting kids. You have no idea how desperate things were gettin' around there, I had never seen Emma so stressed and upset; she was worried that we would either have to start sending kids away or worse, Parliament would take her land away. When we heard from you it was like an answered prayer...especially to me. I thought I would never see Emma or Grace smile again. I began to loose hope...then you showed up and turned the whole place around. You saved us Rachel, and for that I am eternally grateful.” he said, reaching across the table and taking my hand in his.

I don't know what it was in that moment, perhaps it was the way he looked at me or the way my hand fit perfectly in his; the only thing I did know was that I was madly in love with Dougan Bardwell.

“Dougan...I—I don't know what to say....that has got to be the most sincere thing anyone has ever said to me. Thank you.” I replied, putting my other hand over top of his. We sat there for a moment, gazing at each other. Finally he broke the silence, jolting me back to reality.
“Well then, if you're finished I suppose we ought to be gettin' back.” he said, standing and putting on his jacket and cap.
“Yes, I believe we should. We may be able to make it in time to see some of the children before bed.” I replied standing.
“Well...I did have one more place to show you if you weren't in any rush. It's all fine and dandy if you are, the place isn't going anywhere.”
“I would hate to mess up your plans Mr. Bardwell, t'would be terribly rude of me.” I smiled, earning me that charming boyish grin of his.
“Well then Miss Winter, shall we?” he replied, offering me his arm. I laughed and gladly took it.

Dougan took a back way to St. Columb, showing me the beautiful countryside and the winding path of the creek. We drove to the very top of a hill and stopped, he got out of the truck and walked around to my side, opening the door for me.
“Here we are, go and have look there at the top of the hill.”
I walked a little ways to the peak of the hill and was immediately breath-taken. The hill lead into a small valley that held St. Columb, the moon glowed full and round overhead; the sound of the creek accompanied by the sound of the nightingale and crickets was very soothing. I felt like I was in a Shakespearean garden, a regular Titania in her realm of faeries.
“It's beautiful isn't it? I come up here every night before bed just to do a bit of meditatin'. Can't sleep if I don't.”
“Its magical Dougan. Really.” I said turning to him.
“Yeah...magical.” he said in a low voice. My heart began to race, his handsome features were accented in the moonlight; his bright blue eyes held me in their gaze. He pushed a stray lock of my hair out of my face, his hands gently grazing my skin; his touch caused my skin to tingle. I held his gaze, seeing nothing but him in that moment; he gently cradled my chin in his fingertips and kissed me. It was a lovely kiss, soft and gentle; nothing to rushed or demanding. He pulled away, his cheeks turning scarlet again.
“Sorry...I don't know what came over me...” he chuckled nervously. I smiled and laced my arms around his neck.
“Did I give you any impression that I was not enjoying that?”
“I don't think so.”
“Then why in heavens name did you stop?”
He laughed and pulled me close to him and kissed me again.
We spent an hour or so sitting there, enjoying each others company; I checked my watch and realized that it was dreadfully late and we still had to get the books unloaded.
“Dougan we had better go, it's almost ten.” I said standing up and stretching.
“Cor blimey we've really been out here that long? Well lets load up then.” he said hopping to his feet and taking my hand. As we walked back to the truck I noticed something glittering in the bushes.
“Wait, what's that?” I asked him; I walked over to the bush and noticed that it was a little girl's bracelet. I felt myself grow cold, and I felt a very unsettling feeling in my stomach.
“Rachel what is it? What's wrong?”
“Dougan...this is Beatrice's bracelet....the Ashley's gave it to her yesterday.”
“Don't panic, she probably lost it when she was playing today. We sometimes bring the kids up here.”
“No you don't understand, she doesn't like to venture out this far!” I started into the woods, I knew in my gut that something was terribly, terribly wrong. Dougan followed me, we called out Beatrice's name hoping to hear a response; nothing. Just the sounds of night.
“Perhaps she found her way back, its dark out even with the moon this full. She wouldn't stay...” Dougan was trying to console me but he saw it was for naught, I think he also felt the same way I did.
“We have to find her Dougan. We can't go back until—“ I stopped, my eye catching something further down the riverbank. Not saying anything, I ran towards it, hearing Dougans voice call out my name. I ran until I came upon it, I stopped dead in my tracks; it was as if the devil himself stopped me. To this day I will never forget that scene until the day I die, it is carved in my memory and will remain there.

There was little Beatrice, sweet, loving, affectionate Beatrice; lying dead on the riverbank. Despite my best efforts not to, I screamed; I remember nothing after that except darkness.