The Emerald Key - By Christopher Dinsdale Page 0,37
grocer’s stand with its shelves of fresh fish and vegetables as well as several bakeries with their steaming loaves of bread.
“I’m hungry,” said Colin.
“Keep your chin up,” Jamie replied, picking up the pace. “I’m sure there will be a meal waiting for us at the cathedral.”
The church towered before them. The large stone face and slim silver spire were quite different from the older, squatter Catholic churches found scattered across Ireland. Ignoring the main doors to the sanctuary, Jamie led the children around to the side of the church and the walled cloisters. Entering through a small gateway, they strolled through dark hallways to a wooden door. Jamie grabbed hold of a large iron knocker and rapped it several times. After a moment, it swung open and a thin priest with greying hair and an open, kind face examined the three Irish youngsters.
“May I help you?” he asked in French.
“My name is Jamie Galway,” Jamie replied in French, “I am with the Brotherhood of St. Patrick, and I was hoping that you might give my young friends and me food and lodging for the night.”
As they shook hands, the priest looked down at the ring on his fourth finger.
“Yes, of course. I am Monsignor Baillargeon. Please, do come in. A member of the Brotherhood, you say? I didn’t realize members could be so young.”
The priest moved to the side, allowing Jamie and the children to enter the church office. The room was a small and comfortable study with shelves of books, a writing desk, and a set of cushioned chairs facing a log-burning stone fireplace. Lying on a bearskin in front of the fireplace was a little boy about two years old playing with a set of painted wooden blocks. He had light brown hair with playful green eyes and a halo of freckles across his nose.
“Little Simon,” said the priest to the young child, “it’s past your bedtime.”
The priest scooped up the young boy, tickled him until he giggled, then walked him to a narrow flight of stairs that led up to a loft.
“Please, have a seat by the fire. I will return as soon as I put Simon to bed.”
Jamie and Beth thankfully collapsed onto the chairs. Colin’s eyes were locked on the collection of colourful blocks on the bearskin. He looked up to Jamie, who nodded his approval. Flashing a smile, the young boy flung himself down on the soft fur and began building towers.
“I didn’t think priests could have children,” said Beth.
“They don’t,” agreed Jamie. “But I doubt Simon is his child. They didn’t look anything like each other.”
She lowered her voice. “Please don’t tell him that I’m a runaway! He might return me back to the orphanage! Or worse, they might send me back to the farm!”
Jamie paused in thought. “How are you going to get another family if you don’t tell them what happened to you at the farm? I can promise that I’ll do everything I can so that you won’t be sent back to the same family.”
“I don’t want another family.”
“What are you going to do, then, if not go to another family?”
She looked pleadingly at Jamie. “I’d like to stay with you.”
Jamie raised his eyebrows. “I can’t adopt you, and even though I like you, Beth, I’m not in need of a little sister just at the moment.”
“Please? Just for a little while? I can help you find your brother. Remember what Tutuyak said? Our paths will be intertwined!”
Jamie examined her pleading face. “The one thing I will need when I get to Montreal is a nanny to look after Colin while I search for my brother. Would you be able to do that for me?”
She nodded eagerly. Before she could reply, Monsignor Baillargeon stepped onto the landing and made his way down the steps to his waiting guests. He joined them in front of the fireplace. In fear of being found out, Beth fell into an unusual silence.
“Little Simon is such a blessing, but he does take his time to fall asleep.”
“Is he an orphan?” asked Jamie.
“Yes. He’s one of hundreds I have in my care. I’m doing everything I can to find them safe places with families in the church. Simon I’m especially fond of. It gives me a moment to imagine what life could have been like as a father if I hadn’t chosen to do the work of God.”
Beth purposely looked away, but Jamie smiled in admiration. “That is a huge but noble task. Hopefully all will