you and I, you know,” Leah continued. “Except that I’ve the benefit of a few more years’ hard-won experience than you. All I’m saying is that shutting yourself away, literally or emotionally, isn’t really the best course of action. I believed that by staying away from everyone I couldn’t hurt them anymore, nor could they hurt me. I’m no longer sure I was right.”
Rachel heard the truth in her words.
“You’re young; don’t for heaven’s sake wait until it’s all too late. Get stuck in this messy life, the joy and the sorrow . . . drink deep . . . speaking of which . . .” She got unsteadily to her feet, squinting at the clock above the bar. “Fancy another?” Her words slurred.
Rachel too noticed the time and peered out of the window, where night had fallen without her realizing. “I don’t think you’ll be going back to Embers tonight,” she said.
Leah shrugged. “S’pose not.”
Rachel didn’t feel like any more to drink and didn’t think it would do Leah any good either. “Why don’t we order some food and you can come back and stay at mine?” she suggested. “There’s a spare room and I can even rustle up a toothbrush.”
Leah smiled widely at her. “Great. I’ll get another round in.”
Rachel didn’t have a chance to refuse.
Chapter Forty-Four
Little Embers, Spring 1952
With one arm around her shoulders, Richard guided Esther back to the house and bade her sit in the parlor. She was quiet and clear-eyed, her earlier shivering having ceased, though for years afterward he would be haunted by the look on her face when he had found her. He didn’t think anyone could possibly look so pale, paler than winter milk even, blanched of all color.
It didn’t appear that anyone else had been woken by Esther’s screams and though he hated to leave her, he went to rouse Jean. He knew he could rely on the nurse to keep a cool head and as he explained what had happened she nodded briefly before saying, “We’ll need a ladder, and something to cut him down with. Give me a minute and I’ll get dressed and come with you. We can put his body in one of the cottages; I don’t think bringing him to the house is a good idea.” She was matter-of-fact and unemotional, speaking rapidly and quietly. He found himself thankful for her calm presence of mind.
“Absolutely,” he agreed. “There’s a ladder in the shed and I’ll fetch a knife too.” It didn’t occur to him that he was still in his pajamas and dressing gown, nor to put shoes on his bare feet.
Together they followed the trail of dark footsteps to the orchard.
Jean let out a tiny gasp when she saw Robbie’s gently swinging form, but stifled it and held the ladder steady as he climbed.
“Oh God. No.” Richard saw that part of the cord Robbie had used to hang himself with was the strap from George’s binoculars. He raised his knife and began to saw at the leather. He made short work of it, a quick back and forth and Robbie fell like a lead weight to the ground. There was no kinder way.
“I’ll take his arms if you get the feet,” Jean instructed after Richard had climbed back down the ladder. He was again grateful for her clear and quick thinking.
Together they made a staggering progress toward the stone cottages on the west side of the island. Richard shouldered the door of the closest one open and they stumbled in. It was a simple dwelling, with two sparsely furnished rooms, but there was an iron-framed single bed in one of them. They hauled Robbie’s body up onto the ticking mattress and Jean found a blanket. Richard noticed her cross herself as she laid it over him.
“We will have to notify the police,” Richard said as she turned to face him. “It is a good thing the boat is due today. We can get a message to St. Mary’s by the evening.”
“Yes,” agreed Jean firmly. “But I think what we need is a strong cup of tea, first and foremost.”
“Right you are. I should get back to Esther too, check on her.”
“Why don’t you leave that to me. You’ve both had a terrific shock.”
Richard hesitated. Insisting on going to Esther would be to further reveal his feelings for her. “Good idea,” he said. “I shall tell the men when they appear, and Mrs. Biggs.”
“I expect she’ll already be in the kitchen by now.”
“Yes, yes .