An Imperfect Librarian - Elizabeth Murphy [85]
Walter came up behind me with Folio in tow. He nudged me out of the way. More like a shove.
“Answer my question, please,” I said. “I’ll go then. You won’t see me again. I promise. Just tell me what you know! I’ll say nothing about these boxes.”
He turned around, stopped and glared at me. For an instant, I thought he’d kick me like he’d done with the dog. I stood my ground. “Please. I need to know if–”
“Once a fool, always a fool.” He walked out of the garage and headed to his house with another box in his arms.
Folio ran alongside as I followed behind Walter. “What do you mean?”
He walked faster than I did, even with a box in his arms. “Take Folio and go on. Ya’ got no business here,” he said, looking back over his shoulder. “Ya’ done enough damage. Leave her in peace.” Folio went inside Walter’s house. I waited outside. Folio appeared first, then Walter.
“I didn’t mean to do her any harm,” I said. “One simple misunderstanding led to another, one innocent mistake followed another. I didn’t mean to–”
“Once a fool, always a fool,” he repeated quickly then brushed past.
I rubbed Folio’s ears to distract her so she wouldn’t run off. I wanted to explain, but it was easier to change the subject. “I don’t mind helping with the bail. I know it must have been a financial–”
“The man Kelly from the library, Henry Kelly, put up the bail,” he said, without a glance towards me.
I let go of the dog and followed Walter. This time he closed the door and clinched the padlock. He turned around then walked past me with such determination that he nearly knocked me over.
“Thanks, then. I’ll be off,” I said. “Folio will be happy at–”
The house door slammed shut.
I haven’t been back to Walter’s since then. That was the first and last conversation between us. As for his judgement of the fool, I’m not so sure I agree with him, although I did take his advice to leave Norah in peace. That doesn’t mean I’ve stopped longing for her or that I don’t visit the pond regularly. If I run into Walter, I’ll tell him I’m there for Folio’s sake.
Norah would be pleased with me for taking such good care of Folio, although she’d probably scold me for spoiling her and tell me I should punish her when she pees on the carpet in the bedroom. I plan to eventually put down a hardwood floor anyway. Norah definitely wouldn’t approve of Folio sleeping on my bed. The house is so big, Folio could have her own bedroom. When Cyril finishes rewiring the place, he tells me I should consider renting out rooms to tourists in the summertime. “Mainlanders would pay a fortune to spend a week around the bay in a spot like this.”
I have no plans to rent out any rooms. They’re reserved for Tatie and Papa’s visit. After Tatie heard what happened between me and Norah, she was ready to pack her bags. Papa didn’t want to leave France, but he hates staying alone in the house at Cavaillon.
They’re tired and disoriented by the time they arrive at the airport. On the drive to my house I tell them about the plans for the next two weeks. We’ll go to Mercedes and Cyril’s house for a barbeque one evening followed by a haunted hike that starts at the cathedral just across the street. Edith has booked us a boat tour to see puffins and whales. We’ll drive with Henry and Nancy to Trinity for a weekend of theatre.
After we arrive at my house, I carry the suitcases up over the steps then leave them in the living room. We go outside to visit the shed that Cyril pokes around in when he comes by. We stroll over by the wharf where a dory and skiff are docked. I tell them about when Henry visits and how the fishermen assume he’s from around the bay. I joke that I’ll have to book him for elocution lessons. Down on the shore, we’re attacked by armies of flies. It’s the offal