Where Old Ghosts Meet - Kate Evans [69]
“My dear, after that spat, I was that upset I didn’t know what I was doin’ or sayin’ no more, but one thing I was certain of, Sheila would have her chance in life. I was goin’ to see to that, no matter what. On that day, Nora, at that moment, I valued my independence more than I’d ever done in my whole life.”
A shadow fell across the kitchen and made them both look up. The sun had slipped behind a cloud. Dark murky fingers reached silently across the grey expanse of water, while on the far headland, dramatic tonal patterns merged on the sculptured blackness of the trees. A momentary stillness hung on the air and then abruptly, as if giving a signal to continue, the sun reappeared from behind the clouds and the evening continued its silent progress.
Peg cleared her throat as she tried to reclaim her story. “Anyway, when the dust settled I was glad I spoke up. It lifted my spirits, made me feel stronger and in control again. It had cleared the air, and after that I knew in my heart that somehow everything would work out.”
“Sheila was happy to go along with your decision?”
“It took a bit of time. She had come to believe Matt was right and that she should stay home, but I told her it would be a comfort to me to have her close by when I was to the hospital in St. John’s, and being a nurse in trainin’, she’d be able to deal with the doctors and all. Anyways she finally agreed. Little did I know that before I ever saw the island again, Sheila would have her trainin’ done and have met her young man and be gone for good.”
“You were gone for a long time then?”
“Yes, girl, several years. I never expected that. Anyway, me insistin’ Sheila go away for her trainin’ put Matt in a difficult spot. After our words he kept to hisself a bit more. I could see he was doin’ a lot of thinkin’. It was comin’ up time for us to leave and I was busy with preparations.”
The folded laundry lay in neat piles on the table. Matt came in from the yard, hung his hat on the nail behind the door, and stood for a moment to take in the scene.
“Sheila and me, you know, Matt, we’re off in a couple of days. What are you plannin’ on doin’ with yourself?”
“I don’t know but I’ll see you safely to St. John’s to begin with. If you wish, that is.”
She looked up from what she was doing, surprised and delighted. “That’s kind of you, Matt, to think of that, being as neither one of us has ever been off the island. That would be a wonderful help.”
He sat to the table, resting his arms between the piles of laundry, his hands tightly clasped, and began twirling his thumbs round and round in maddening circles. From the corner of her eye Peg watched the action, recalling how, on his first night in the house, she had watched, fascinated, as his long thin fingers had worked the same crazy rhythm. Time and again since then, she had observed the same action, circling, circling, forwards, backwards, going nowhere. Sometimes it would drive her crazy and other times it would bring out a certain fondness, a desire to soothe and comfort. Now she wanted him to stop. She decided to try again.
“Matt, there’s something I’ve been meanin’ to say to you.” She wanted him to look at her. “Matt,” she began again, edging forward in her chair. She could hear the faint rush of his breath between his teeth. A pulse throbbed at his temple. “I’d like for you to bide in the house while I’m gone.”
“That won’t be necessary.” The reply was there, ready on the tip of his tongue. “I’ll be on my way as soon as I get you settled in St John’s.” He made a move to get up.
She placed a hand on his arm. “Matt, sit down a minute and listen to what I have to say. I’m asking you to help me.” Her words set up a barrier blocking his way. “When I’m lyin’ in that hospital bed in St. John’s,” she persisted, “I want to be able to think of this house as being warm and lived in, with the smell of food cookin’ on the stove and a light in the window. I want to come back to a home, not a house. It would be a great comfort if you could stay on and do that for me.”
“I don’t know anything about