A week later...

Rachael stood silently at the same spot she had spent many years watching the sea. It was there where she had thought she met someone who was to become an important part of her life. How wrong can a person be? All her hopes and dreams of the writer coming back to her had shattered when she read the book that Ms. Ryan, Dilana’s publisher, had given her. How could Dilana have written the book and betrayed them all? Was that all they had been to the writer, fodder for her new book, even her?

If she thought that was bad, things got worse when she overheard Mrs. Drummond, two days in town, later talking to Jimmy Straw, the butcher. He was one of the local men who had helped at the monthly BBQ’s Dilana had held for the orphanage. She hadn’t meant to eavesdrop but when the writer’s name was mentioned, she couldn’t help herself; her body was like a sponge drinking in every remark.

“You do know Jimmy she was cruising around Europe with some rich woman.  That’s why she never came back here, and that book!”

“What was wrong with the book?” The butcher carried on wrapping up the woman’s purchases.  He wasn’t that interested in what the Sterling woman did with her life, not now that she had left the area.

“Oh, Jimmy, really! It was about us! At least she used some of us as character models and she never asked!”

The man looked up interested suddenly. “Am I mentioned?”

“No! But that poor child Rachael is.” Mrs. Drummond tutted something under her breathe and Rachael tried, but failed, to hear what it was.

“Now, Dora, you can’t go saying things like that. If Sister Angela heard what you just said…”

“Oh, Sister Angela already thought the same thing.” Handing over the money for her purchase. The butcher shook his head. Small town gossip. Don’t people have better things to do than talk about others.

As Dora Drummond turned to leave the establishment Rachael quickly scurried away.

Another thing that hurt Rachael wasn’t really that Dilana had betrayed them but that she hadn’t been honest about going away and never coming back. The fact that she had left to be with another woman was simply too painful to think about.  Refusing to acknowledge the sensation of emotional jealousy that caused, though she knew she must face that sooner rather than later. Now, people were talking about the orphanage and her in other than good ways.  Not only that, a lawyer was due over this afternoon to talk with the nun’s! What else could go wrong?

Sister Angela had been called away unexpectedly so Rachel hadn’t had the opportunity to ask what she knew about the gossip. When she arrived back last night she had said this lawyer person was coming and that it was important. Not having the heart to talk to the nun if the orphanage was in trouble, she had decided that today she would return to the beach. It was the only place she still felt some measure of peace though it was very small, if only things had been different….

* * *

“I didn’t think you would come to collect me?” Dilana said quietly as she picked up her luggage and followed SG to the car park level of the airport.

“Yeah, I didn’t want you mobbed on your first day back as a celebrity.” SG muttered as she picked up the pace and headed for the ticket machine.

Di watched her pay for the parking ticket with a perplexed expression on her face…celebrity?

“What do you mean?”

SG punched the elevator button and they entered as it was packed with other people she smiled briefly and decided this conversation was better suited for the privacy of the car. Five minutes later they had the luggage stowed away and SG was negotiating out of the parking level.

“What do you mean celebrity?”

“Your new book went to number one in the charts and your last book is at two.  Seems readers can’t get enough of your stuff at the moment, I’m even reprinting the old novels to keep up with demand.”

Di couldn’t believe what she’d heard, one and two! “You’ve been working hard I see,” was all she managed to say, completely lost for words.

“No, not really. You did the hard work by writing one of the best heart warming stories I’ve read in the past five years. I’m being cautiously optimistic here but I think you might end up with an award or two along the way.”

“I don’t want to be a celebrity SG. I want to go home.”

Shifting slightly, SG glanced over to the writer as she heard the sincerity of the words. “I think you’ll be hounded if you don’t do at least a couple of interviews about the book. Didn’t you say you wanted it to sell well?”

“Sure I do! It is without my help, right?”

“Yes, it is, but anonymity hasn’t been your strong point and your relationship with Celina has only promoted you further into the limelight. Where is she? I thought you and her…”

“No! Please don’t go there, SG. Celina and I are no longer together, and never will be ever again!”

Sighing heavily, the publisher slowed the car down as she stopped at a red light.  Turning to Dilana and raising an eyebrow she asked. “Do I have to take cover for the fallout?”

“Not this time, SG, Celina promised me that she wouldn’t interfere.”

“You believe her?”

“Do I have any choice?  Anyway she wants me to write a story just for her, I said okay.”

A beep from behind forced SG to continue the journey and she decided to leave the rest of the conversation until they reached Di’s apartment.

Half an hour later, the coffee pot was brewing and both women sat down. SG eager to find out what was actually going on.

“You’re going to write Celina a story?” “How did Rachael look?” both women laughed as they asked a question simultaneously. It broke the icicle barrier that had been present ever since they met at the airport.

“You go first, SG.”

“Okay. You’re really going to write something for her?”

“If she leaves well enough alone with the marketing of the books I’ve written then yes, I didn’t say when though.” That brought a grin from SG who felt herself thawing in her friend’s favor.

“You ditched her, didn’t you?”

“Oh, that’s a little harsh SG. You asked me to come back. I’m back…yes, I ditched her. I’ll get the coffee, it should be ready now.”

SG wondered if Di had actually fallen for the older woman since they had spent the best part of six months together. She also had indicated that she was attracted to the woman when she had basically told SG to butt out of her life. Where did that leave her love for the mute woman?

“Here you go.”

“Thanks. Rachael looked okay, I think she was worried about you.”

Grateful grey eyes captured hers and said a silent thank you. “Worried about me? I did write and tell her that I was going away.”

“Perhaps she didn’t think you meant it and wanted to find out first hand, person to person.”

“I…did she know about…who I was with?”

“She never said, I didn’t ask or tell her.”

“Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me so quickly, Di, I wanted to, believe me, I thought she should know.” A glittered spark pierced SG. The anger evident in the writer as she glared at her.

“Why didn’t you?” The sharp words echoed in the room.

“You hurt her enough by going off like you did. I didn’t want to tarnish her image of you anymore than it already was. I’ve left that final defrocking for you!”

“Why are you so bitter, SG? You’ve made money from my last book and it looks like this new one is going to make even bigger bucks, you should be grateful to me.”

Standing up, SG was angry with her friend because she had no idea, never had. “Grateful? Grateful, you conceited bitch! I put my company and even the finances for my wedding into promoting your last book and would have gladly spent every dime I had to get you whatever publicity I could to prevent us from being used by the big boy’s and people like Celina! Then you go sell your fucking body! You want me to be grateful? No way lady!”

In all the time she’d known SG, and it had been a good many years now, the woman had never completely lost her temper with her. Not even when she was pushing her into doing things after her father died. Now she was actually swearing at her, a definite first. Brushing a hand through her hair that had grown to a longer style while she’d been in Europe, Di stood up to face her friend.

“I didn’t know that, SG. If only we’d talked.”

“I tried to talk to you but no, you have this massive ego that decided only you could salvage the situation! But, at what price, Di, what price did you pay?” turning away angry and upset SG, went towards the door to let herself out.

“Don’t go, SG, please!”

The pleading tone struck SG’s heart. Why she put up with the writer on a personal level she had never really known but, Di needed her. She always had and she’d missed her friend in ways that Darryl couldn’t possibly replace.

“Why?”

“Because I need a friend and you’re the only friend who knows everything about me and is still here regardless of the hurt I’ve caused you.”

“I’m not hurt. I’m ashamed of you and for you! You used your body for money.  To me that’s nothing more than prostitution and that wasn’t the Dilana Radolphin Sterling that I knew and loved. It certainly wouldn’t be the person Rachael Alderman thinks you are. How are you going to tell her, should she decide to speak to you again?”

“Will you let me explain?”

Closing her eyes briefly SG nodded her head, “It had better be good! Next time you think it is in our best interest for you to sell your soul, talk to me first, okay?” Walking over, she placed her arms around the writer whose tears streamed down her cheeks as a watery smile crossed her lips welcoming the hug.

“I promise I’ll talk to you first, I’ve missed you, SG.”

* * *

Sister Angela paced her small office area. She’d been asked once again to reconsider the role of Mother Superior of the order. If not, then they would consider closing the orphanage and moving the nun’s on to other orders. It wasn’t good for the order to be without the direction of the post and she had been given until Monday to come back with a reply. As she had been about to leave, the bishop informed her that a lawyer from the city would be calling tomorrow to discuss a matter of great importance. Beyond that, he’d said little and she had been fretting about the situation ever since. What a dilemma and there was only one place to go for guidance! Sister Angela’s eyes looked up heavenwards and a slow smile filtered across her face.

Perhaps that was how the other nun’s felt and she had been selfish in not considering their needs. If that was the case, she was not the ideal candidate for the post anyway, and she should move on. It would be difficult for her to see someone else running the order and the orphanage.

She had considered talking with Rachael but the child had her own problems, especially now. Rachael had left her the new book by Ms. Sterling and she had read it with great interest, especially as Rachael had been upset by the content.

Yes, the writer had taken liberties in using certain aspects of the town and the orphanage to form the idea of the novel but it was beautifully written and captured the essence of what they had over the years hoped to achieve. Here indeed, was a book that believed in faith and hope at its core. No one could fail to enjoy the drama of the characters lives and it had every element within its bindings.

When all this was over with the lawyer and she had talked with the Bishop again, she would sit down with Rachael and find out exactly what she was feeling about the writer. It was common knowledge in town that she had left for a trip abroad with another woman friend and those that didn’t know the author was gay, soon did as the gossips began their task of informing everyone who wanted to know and even those who didn’t. The worse thing was they had begun to talk about Rachael as well, wondering if the writer had corrupted the young woman in anyway. Perhaps corrupted was a little harsh, but then life was, never more so than now.

Walking over to the window, she looked out and saw three of the older nun’s; Sister Josie was eighty one, Sister Carolina was sixty-five and Sister Angelina was seventy-three. They still helped, especially in the cooking area, and the children loved them. How could she see them placed in another order; it wouldn’t be right. She had the ability to prevent it. Had she faith in herself to be the head of the order? At this moment, she really didn’t think so!

Perhaps it was time to have a ‘family’ meeting and discuss her current situation with the other nuns. After all, it was their lives too!

* * *

Celina Ratford picked up the volume on her coffee table, the evening before she had had a rather boisterous party as her homecoming. It had been attended by many of the people who she had around for fun but who now she considered merely hangers on. Her headache fueled the suspicion she had drunk a great deal the night before and her mouth felt like…well, it wasn’t nice.

Who had left her this gem she wondered, as she scanned the title and author’s name.

The name alone sent Celina into a despondency, she had tried to rid herself of her for the past week after Dilana had left. Sucking in a deep breath she turned the first few pages and closed her eyes in pain as she read the dedication.

That was why Di hadn’t wanted to stay with, her she was already in love with someone else! What had she been to the writer a long, one-off relationship? What of this other woman, hadn’t she cared?

What should she do?

Sitting down heavily on one of the plush sofas in the room, she put her head in her hands knowing that ultimately she deserved the author’s lack of emotional commitment. How could it have been any other when she had blackmailed her…in the beginning anyway. Her heart had hoped that over time Dilana would come to care for her…no, love her as she did Di. That wasn’t to be, was it? She had several options opened but which to choose…which indeed!

* * *

A month later...

It was her favorite time of the day, one she called her “Rachael spotting time”.  Other’s watched birds or animals or the stars, she watched for a wonderful person called Rachael Alderman. Dilana helped herself to a cup of coffee the housekeeper had made. It was unusually bitter and she grimaced at the taste. Guess good old Mrs. D wanted to poison her with this unhappy beverage! Well, maybe the woman had a grouse though not as much as Rachael had. All she hoped for was that the mute woman would let her speak with her for a short time.

SG had been her rock, as usual, and she knew she didn’t deserve such a friend but, she was lucky enough to have one. This time around she was going to make sure she didn’t screw it up. Her first task towards redemption with her friend had been to agree to three talk shows and ten book signings in the next month. One proviso: no parties afterwards or any social gatherings. Having learned her lesson, she wasn’t going to have temptation put in her way ever again. Not that she had been tempted really but, circumstances had prevailed, which had given her a reason for taking the action she had, however wrong it had been.

Walking towards the balcony she was stopped before she could venture out and see if the vision in her dreams was there, as she usually was. Please, please let her be!

“Ms. Sterling?”

Turning quickly at the cold tone from Mrs. D, who was a homely looking woman and rarely spoke in such a manner, it surprised Di. “Yes?”

“You should leave well enough alone.” The housekeeper had her hands folded across her chest and it reminded Di of one of those old British school movies and the reproving heads that the boisterous girls always ended up being brought in front of for misdeeds.

“I’m sorry, Mrs. D. Run that one by me again?”

“I’m talking about Rachael, she’s not one of your types.” There it was again, the admonishing tone. Yikes, she was in trouble here for sure!

“Exactly how has Rachael come into the conversation? Unless I’m mistaken, she’s not in the room with us, is she?” Oh, I know exactly what you’re saying Mrs. D.  Disapproval is painted all over your face.

“No, she isn’t, she’s on the beach and you are going to try and talk with her after abandoning her for some rich widow for over six months. If I was her, I wouldn’t want to see you again!”

Di was flabbergasted at the comment. Okay, she knew that they might know about her leaving without a proper goodbye, but what the hell was this about a rich widow? “Not that it’s any of your business, but why do you say that?”

Mrs. D remained in her rigid stance and gave the younger woman a snort of disapproval. “It was common knowledge in all the papers. I must say I don’t like your choice. Our Rachael was far superior in every way.”

Di didn’t know if she should laugh or cry at the comment. At first she had assumed that the woman hadn’t approved of her lifestyle but it wasn’t that at all. She was disapproving because she had left Rachael in the lurch to go off with a stranger…hell, how complicated could it get in this small town?

“Okay, I’m confused here. In one breath you say Rachael isn’t my type, in the next you say I was better off with her. Kind of a contradiction in terms, Mrs. D?”

Walking closer to the writer, the housekeeper jabbed a finger right into her chest, “Hey, that hurt!”

“I’d give your hide a tanning if I thought it would do any good. Let me tell you one thing, Ms. Famous writer Sterling…OUR Rachael is far superior in all ways to you and those strange people you end up with and she was a married woman too!“

“Hold it, hold it. This is a stupid conversation, you’ve been listening to gossip.”

“No ,it isn’t and if I wasn’t such a gossip myself, I’d let you tell me all the juicy details.”

Di laughed, She couldn’t help it. Not even in her drunken writing times in the early days could she have ever imagined having this kind of dialogue with anyone. Not even her characters, and here she was in real life doing just that.  It’s weird!

“A gossip huh? Can we get the story straight from now on. I’m gay, proud to be and happy with my lifestyle choice. I’m human too and that means I make mistakes like everyone else and I have had relationships that didn’t work out just like anyone! What I’ve found out is that if I’m lucky, I might still retain my friends and that’s exactly who Rachael is, my friend, nothing more.”

There. It was said. No way did she want anyone in this small town wondering about Rachael. She didn’t deserve it. They were friends or had been, nothing more. A thought niggled at her though…why did Mrs. D think differently?

It was comical, the blustering, that came next. “Well, I knew that…I did! Our Rachael is a God fearing person brought up by nuns.”

Shaking her head slightly Di had to wonder at the other woman’s intelligence level, she was a great cook and housekeeper but she wouldn’t have made an intellectual, not this century anyway.

“Absolutely, Mrs. D. Now is it okay if I see if she’s there? I wanted a quick word with her. It’s been a while.”

“Oh, she left the beach Ms. Sterling. She was walking away as I came into the room.”

If Di was capable of murder she would have done it right there and then but, she wasn’t thank goodness.

“Thanks for that!” Nevertheless, Di walked over to the balcony and looked out.  Maybe Rachael hadn’t left just moved position…yeah right!

She looked at the familiar view that had been her only hold onto the life she craved in the previous six months. Except one thing was missing, the most important ingredient…Rachael!

* * *

Sam was watching the arrival of the sleek black vehicle that arrived up the long drive to the orphanage and wondered.

“Are you going to see who it is, Sam?” Sadie asked him as she pushed the boy towards the verge, closer to the drive. They had been hiding behind the hedge waiting for the lawyer that Sister Angela had said was very important and that they had to behave. Now that was like a red rag to a bull, not just Sam but, Sadie too.

“I will. I will. No pressure.” The boy said and hung back.

“Want me to do it?” The small girl with pigtails and a brace over her teeth asked with determination.

“You can’t do it you’re a girl!”

Sadie was angry as she squared up against the boy, Sadie was angry. He had never learned anything in his time here at the orphanage…women ruled…it was a fact…they lived with nuns!

“I might be a girl but, I’ll do it cowardly custard, cowardly custard, Sam Proctor.” Sadie chanted and was given a scowl by the boy as he saw the car pull up outside the doors of the orphanage.

“I’m not a coward, so there!”

“Prove it!”

Sam scrunched up his face at the challenge. He would! He would do it! He would!

“I will!” Puffing out his chest he moved from behind the hedge and walked towards the stationary car.

Sadie smiled in satisfaction, that’s Sam!

Sam ran towards the car before Harry could get there. He growled at him. The elder, sensitive boy moved away for he didn’t want any confrontation with Proctor. He was bad news.

The door opened and a large man in a black suit got out of the driver’s position.

“Are you the lawyer?” Sam piped up awestruck by the size of the man as he ran fearlessly towards him.

A gruff deep voice answered No! The large man who looked like a giant to Sam, walked around the vehicle and opened the door to the passenger section.

He followed.

* * *

Rachael eventually walked back towards the orphanage by the secret route all the orphans knew about. Diverting from the main roadside and through the town via a side track that took you through Pool field and along the stream creek bordering the two acres that the nunnery and its associated buildings stood in. Not many used the old path these days except for her and she suspected Sam and Sadie. Those two reminded her of when she was a teenager growing up here. She would sneak off without the nuns’ knowledge and end up on the beach. The two youngsters hadn’t ever made it to the beach that she knew of, but they did love to tease old man Pool’s prize bull in the adjoining field to the one they crossed. One of these days the bull would catch up with the two tykes.  Though, how could you repress the adventuresome spirit in a child with so little in their lives. She suspected that was why the nuns turned the odd blind eye to their activities.

As she climbed over the stile that was in a giant, slight exaggeration, though it was ten foot tall, thicket hedge surrounding the place she called home. She heard activity behind the smaller hedge leading to the drive and she knew those voices very well…Sadie and Sam!

Smiling, she wondered what they could possibly be up to now. She glanced at her wristwatch and realized that the lawyer was probably here or arriving at this moment, causing extreme interest in the children. Having left the beach she had then sat by the creek for over an hour before deciding to venture back. Now, here she was and just in time to see whom the lawyer was.

Increasing her pace she came upon the drive and saw a large black car standing on the hardcore of the drive as a well dressed man held the passenger door open waiting for someone to alight. From her position she could see what was going on but they couldn’t see her and that was also a useful tactic of knowing the secrets of the orphanage grounds…you never knew when you might need them.

Her smile widened as she noticed Sadie hanging back in the hedge to her left and Sam standing very close to the personal driver lawyer whom she thought he must be, a personal driver. Who else were they expecting and when did anyone ever drive up in a limousine?

She watched a small man who was no taller than herself climbed out. He was dressed in a pin striped charcoal suit which suited him, giving him a grandeur stature than his height ever would. A black leather briefcase and his manner from her discreet distance told of professional competence and confidence in what he was doing.

Expecting the door of the vehicle to be closed behind him she was surprised to see another person climb out and this time her jaw dropped to the floor as she recognized the other passenger.

Dilana Sterling!

Rachael watched rooted to the spot as the woman stood beside the lawyer and was approached by the boy who looked tiny in comparison to the three adults standing on the hard drive. She strained her hearing towards the voices of Sam and Dilana.

“Hi, Sam, are you the welcoming committee?” The writer asked amused at the large saucers eyes that stared at her in disbelief.

“You came back?” Sam finally managed to push down his surprise as he was confronted by someone he had never expected to see again. She had left without saying goodbye to them, especially Rachael.

Di gave the boy a long look. He was angry for some reason. She heard the accusation in his tone. Well, she deserved it but from this quarter she hadn’t expected it and it not only disturbed her but upset her too. She hadn’t wanted to bring any upset to any of the children.

“I came back, Sam, how are you?” Her reply was friendly and with a tinge of respect that he would associate with adults. It worked too as he puffed out his chest and smiled at her.

“I’m okay, Dilana, how are you?” A twinkle she couldn’t suppress glowed from her eyes. He was a cutie, there was no doubt about that, and she knew why Rachael had found him to be one of her favorites along with his pal Sadie.

“All the better for coming home, Sam, where is Sadie?” The boy grinned wickedly as he pointed towards the hedge where Sadie was crouched cussing him for telling them where she was hiding…well, it wasn’t hiding, it was observing like every good spy.

Turning in the direction of the finger Di was about to shout for the girl to come out and say hello when she noticed the figure at the end of the drive. Her heart began to beat rapidly in her chest, her breath shallow as she realized who it was. Rachael!

Taking a tentative step towards the woman she had been aching to see again for months and now, was within reach…

“Dilana, we have an appointment.” The small man reminded her as he laid a hand on her arm to prevent her from going in the wrong direction.

Momentarily taken by surprise she swung around and flashed him an angry look. He recoiled slightly removing his hand from her arm, eyes quizzical wondering what was happening. “We have an appointment, Dilana.” He reiterated and watched as she cleared her head and gave him a reassuring nod.

“I’m sorry, Malcolm, you are right, we have an appointment.” Her eyes strayed to the place where her heart had leapt and she felt bitter disappointment as Rachael had now gone. Had it been a figment of her imagination?

“Let’s go, shall we?” the small man walked towards the doorway of the orphanage speaking a few words to the driver on his way.

“Okay, be right with you.” Bending down she came on level with the boy and his mischievous features.

“Sam, I need you to do something for me if you would?”

“Yeah, sure I will, Dilana, what?” Sam was going to rub it in with Sadie. He was going to do an important job here, he knew it.

“Will you ask Rachael if she will meet me after the meeting with Sister Angela, in the garden?”

Sam gave the comment serious thought, or as serious as a boy of that age can, making Di hold a silent breath waiting for the boy’s answer.

“Okay, can we have another BBQ at the beach soon?” The mercenary thought processes of a child wasn’t lost on Di as she laughed outright at his request.

“I’ll see what I can do. I need to go please ask Rachael for me.” Leaving the boy to watch her back as she strode off after the lawyer and entered the building.

* * *

Sister Angela’s eyes glowered with pent up frustration as she had to greet Dilana Sterling. This was most unexpected and why hadn’t the Bishop told her that there would be more than a lawyer visiting?

“I’m sorry, I was only told that we were being visited by a lawyer, Ms. Sterling’s appearance is most…unexpected.” She held out her hand and shook each one.  Her eyes held a closed look now and Di was sure the woman didn’t like the idea of her being on the premises.

“Oh, Bishop Clarence didn’t know. When I made the arrangements I hadn’t talked with Ms. Sterling, she’s been out of town for a time.” The lawyer smiled in a friendly professional manner and sat down in the chair indicated.

“Yes, I heard that myself.” The nun commented and this time she glanced directly at Dilana and gave her a glare that indicated disapproval. What Di had to figure out was exactly what she disapproved of, her lifestyle, her trip abroad, her writing about the orphanage, albeit in a veiled way, her departure without having explained why to Rachael or all of them?

Di wasn’t sure what to do. She was still standing and once more Malcolm her lawyer gave her a quizzical glance. Deciding it was prudent to sit rather than engage in any small talk with the nun she settled herself next to the man.

A silence filled the room for a few minutes as neither party attempted to talk, reminding Di of the silence which prevailed when she was with Rachael. Except, with her mute friend it was peace and tranquility that surrounded them, not so here in this room, tension was paramount.

Sister Angela decided to get straight to the point. Though now she was totally confused as to why this lawyer was here and with the author. Did she think they were going to sue her?

“Perhaps you could clarify why you are here. As I mentioned before, the Bishop was rather sketchy with the facts.”

Pulling open his briefcase, Malcolm Randal removed a sheaf of papers from inside and handed over a copy of them to the nun who was seated opposite them behind a large antique oak desk. It was beautifully made and probably now, on the market, would cost a fortune. Di envied the woman the furniture and wondered if she could get one anyplace.

“The reason we are here under such an element of secrecy, Sister, I am sure you will understand once you read the details of the papers in your hand. One which, under the circumstances, you may well approve.”

“Thank you Mr. Randal. I will do so. Would you care for coffee, tea or any other type of beverage?”

The Nun picked up the receiver of her phone and pressed the internal button, which was answered immediately.

“Thank you. I’ll have coffee black. Di, do you want anything?” He had watched the preoccupation of his client and friend since she had arrived here at the orphanage. He had known her for years, having worked with her father in the last ten years of his life. He had been a young rookie hotshot lawyer and Randolph Sterling had been a dedicated thorough senior partner of the practice. Strangely enough, they had become friends and Randolph had taken him under his wing and helped him out on more than one occasion during the years they worked together. He’d also watched Randolph struggle at times to bring up a teenage daughter who was willful and spoiled but, bristling with talent. The closeness of the relationship defied the total opposite natures of father and daughter. When Di had landed her first publishing contract he had been given the task of personal lawyer to her and though she had her own views, it was clear that Randolph’s influence in making sure everything was set out on paper, which she did in practically everything or had. When her father died part of her died with him.  When SG contacted him to take over a house deal in a rather obscure small town he had been pleased that she was finally coming back to life. Her current books proved that in spades and his wife said her newest was a sweet, feel good volume that anyone, young and old alike could read.

“Di?” He prodded the young woman gently whose mind obviously was somewhere else.

“I’m sorry…water…iced water please.” Pulling herself out of her thoughts of Rachael. She was praying, and where better than here, that her friend would still want to speak with her. If she didn’t, what would she do then?

Making the required request the nun placed spectacles on her nose and began reading, excusing herself as she did so.

Malcolm passed over a copy to Di. Though she had been instrumental in the contents she hadn’t as yet read the full brief. She took time to read, and for a few minutes, she was displaced by the uneasy feeling she had in the pit of her stomach.

As she read, the nun looked up. Her facial expressions went from interest, puzzlement, and surprise. Finally, as she took the specs from her nose, clasped her hands together over the document in what looked like quiet contemplation and gave the two people her full attention.

“Is there anything you don’t understand, Sister?”

“Nothing! Everything! Why have you done this, Dilana?” An incredulous tone filled the nun’s voice as she stared at the writer. This was like the answer to her and the other nuns prayers.

“Why not? You deserve it.” Di answered quickly feeling embarrassed at the close scrutiny and the question, though she knew that would have been also her first question under the circumstances.

“That isn’t a proper answer, Dilana. Please tell me…why have you done this?”

Unable to stand the scrutiny of not only the nun but also the lawyer, who had been very surprised at her reason when she initially approached him to prepare the documents, Dilana walked over to the window overlooking the garden. That was a bad move…what if Rachel did not show up…she would be gutted!

“I owed it…to you…simple as that.” As the words stumbled from her lips she knew why she had made such a generous contribution. At least she hoped it would be generous. She owed Rachael her new lease of writing life and renewed hope in life and people itself.

“You owe us nothing, Dilana. What was given was given freely. I do believe you have equally been generous when you lived here, isn’t that so?” the nun replied quietly watching as the woman fought an inner battle that only she was privy to.

“I…I gave the odd BBQ, Sister, not quite the same.”

“You brought happiness and joy to many with your gesture Dilana. We have all reaped the reward including many who would have otherwise been poorer for the experience. If this is about payment, you had no debt to fulfill and never would have to anyone’s eyes.”

“Are you sure you speak for everyone?” Turning back with a bleak expression on her face, as she asked the question.

It would have been easy to misunderstand the question and answer yes.  However they both knew that this wasn’t about the orphans, only about one orphan, at least. And, she was a mature adult able to answer for herself. “I think you should ask that question to the party involved, Dilana.”

Clearing his throat, knowing he was missing something here, but unable to decipher exactly what, Malcolm brought the attention back to the matter at hand. “Ladies, I hope you don’t mind but, I wondered if there was anything I can do to clarify the situation here?”

For the first time since she’d entered the building Di smiled and she saw that the nun did too. How like a lawyer to think this was all about a piece of paper. “Maybe, Malcolm. Sister do you accept this gift?”

Sister Angela stared at the papers in front of her. Dilana had generously gifted eighty percent of her profits from the book ‘When Dreams Need The Hand of Faith’ to the orphanage. However, there was one string attached and it broke her heart as she read the stipulation again, especially with all the jumbled thoughts she had about the author.

The Diocese will allow Sister Angela and the current members of the order to remain as custodian’s of the orphanage until they chose to move onto other projects.

* * *

“Rachael, Rachael, will you let me in please? I have a message” Sam bounced up and down outside the teacher’s room. Sadie had followed wanting to help if she could.

No sound came from inside and he knew she was there. He’d been only a minute behind her, where else would she go?

“Come on, Rach, its important!” the boy pleaded. It was important if they could have their BBQ’s and stuff back again on the beach. Everyone had been sad when it ended abruptly. It wasn’t enough that they were orphans but someone had been kind and then removed it as quickly as it came. They’d all been angry with the writer but more so because it had upset Rachael who was her friend. He didn’t want to think what it would be like if Sadie moved away and he lost her as a friend. So he was going to make sure that Rachael knew the writer was back.

“Maybe she’s still mad with her for leaving?” Sadie piped up.

“Don’t be silly Sadie. It was months ago and people forget, look at us. I lost my tooth trying to protect you from those bullies at school and what happened, you were bullying them!”

“I was not! They were pulling my pigtails. I didn’t like it and let them know it.”

“Yeah well, you could have told me first that you had it under control before I ended up with this!” He pointed to the gap to the left side of his mouth. Sister Angela had been annoyed but it never lasted much longer than a couple of minutes and she was making the appointment for him to see the dentist.

“I think it’s a good war wound anyway. Maybe Rachael will do the same to Dilana. Hey wouldn’t that be fun to see?”

“No! No, she can’t do that. We might not get our trips to her beach again! You are silly, Sadie.”

Turning back his attention to the closed door, he hammered on the panel and shouted for her again.

This time the door cracked open and Rachael looked out at him. He could see that she had been crying as there were streaks down her cheeks. “Why are you crying, Rachael? Has someone been bullying you? I’ll take care of it if they have.” The boy puffed out his small chest trying to look bigger than he was.

How could anyone resist such chivalry especially from one so young? Rachael signed to him that no she wasn’t being bullied and thanked him for his concern.

“Rach, she’s here, she’s come back to us. Will you meet her in the garden after her meeting with Sister Angela? She asked nicely?”

She sucked in a sharp breath as her heart beat ten to the dozen. How could you ask Dilana, how? After all this time has lapsed and writing the book as you have, how could you ask that of me?

“But Rach, she asked real nice and it won’t take a minute.” The boy was distressed. If Rach didn’t go perhaps they wouldn’t get back the beach BBQ’s and stuff.

Sam’s head hung dejectedly as he scuffed his toe against the polished wooden floor, “Okay.” He mumbled as he turned away and Sadie tugged on his arm.

“Tell her. Tell her?”

Rachael looked at the sorry state of the boy and then at the girl who stared at her unhappily.

The girl blushed and then taking hold of Sam’s hand, she spoke clearly.

“Sam asked Dilana if we could have another BBQ. She said she would see what she could do. We know if you don’t go she probably will leave again!”

The last few words, defiant, as the girl stood hand in hand with Sam. To Rachael this was what friendship was all about, supporting the other regardless of the situation that presented itself.

“She might not! She likes you, Rachael, maybe she even loves you like we do!”

Her eyes closed she heard the innocence of a child hit the nail on the head. That was her problem, she did love Dilana and her leaving had hurt so much that she didn’t think she could face it all over again. She had nothing to offer Dilana except for her friendship. Apparently that hadn’t been enough for the writer to stay behind the first time, why would anything change?

Her smile bright and warm for them their expressions suddenly changed and whopping with joy they bounced down the corridor after giving her a brief hug.

Oh, if only life was as simple as it had been as a child.

She would go see Dilana for the children, as soon as she thought that, her heart screamed at her that it was for her too, most definitely for her!

* * *

“I…I need this point clarified, if you would?” Sister Angela pointed to the only clause that existed.

Malcolm Randal inspected the item in question and sat back. Oh, that was easy, a piece of cake, in fact.

“Sister, my client stipulated this was the only requirement she wanted regarding such a generous offer. Although its hardly fair to say how generous at this moment. Some works simply don’t make the grade but, as you may know, Ms. Sterling’s reputation is reasonably solid in producing a highly saleable product. Suffice to say, we expect a reasonable return and that being the case it would, of course bring a reasonable gift to the orphanage.”

Di had to turn back to the window to stop herself from laughing at the man waffling away. So typical of a lawyer who gave out ten words instead of one to describe a situation. To cap it all, he never answered her question either, would the nun ask again or be intimidated by the lawyer aura.

“I’m aware of Dilana’s reputation, Mr. Randal. We have several of her books here in the library, however, that doesn’t really answer my question. Did the Bishop agree to this stipulation?”

Good for her! Had the sister read her work also?

“I, of course, talked with the Bishop. He believes that the book is a potential top seller and could prove very lucrative for the orphanage and has agreed, in principle.”

“What does that mean exactly?”

“He decided that you would be the one to agree or not to the stipulation. After all, it is bound to you and the rest of the Sisters here in the building. Perhaps you need time to talk with them and get back to us?”

“I thought, when someone chose to give in this way, there was no contract or agreement or disagreement the situation was clear. If I chose not to agree to the stipulation will you remove the offer, Dilana?” The nun was speculative. Why was Dilana insisting that a contract be signed before she would give this generous slice of any profit she made from the book.

Malcolm paused a moment as he saw his client’s shoulders stiffen.

“I believe the contract to be a fair one and really…”

“Leave it, Malcolm, I’ll explain. Sister, I wanted you to have as much share in my success with the book as possible. Nevertheless, I feel that this establishment would be the poorer if you…or any of the current nuns are removed to other areas and the place is either closed or passed over to less understanding individuals. That was my only reason for this contract Sister. If you say to me that I’m wrong to do such a thing and that you do not want this cushion against dramatic change, then I will abide by that and the gift would be there for the taking anyway.”

A silence invaded the room once more but this time it was of deliberation not animosity.

A quietly spoken voice appeared to echo around the room, “Thank you, Dilana, the gift is most welcome and though your clause is acknowledged may I ask that you remove it. It is God’s will that keeps us here and it will be his will that moves our lives along another path, if he sees fit. We cannot be bound by a stipulation in a contract, however well meaning that clause may be.”

Di turned back to face the nun. Her book was number one, the reviews were staggering and SG said she had already been approached by a producer of a prominent studio who wanted to buy the rights to the book for a movie. The book had only been on the market several weeks! She had great hopes that the money that came in, and she had a generous contract with SG, would eliminate the most immediate financial stresses of the establishment and also enable the nuns to stay here for as long as the book made sufficient funds. She resigned herself to the fact that the nun wouldn’t be moved on the subject, she had seen that stubborn stance before from the woman and Rachael had said she was an immovable object. “Thank you for reminding me, Sister, that I can’t manipulate everyone, no matter how well meaning I intend to be. Do you think God will forgive me?”

Sister Angela heard the tentative question and it held a question of forgiveness for more than the contract, “I will pray for you, Dilana, I’m sure he knows your heart was in the right place.”

For a final time she turned back to gaze at the place she was hoping to see Rachael. Maybe God was on her side. The mute woman sat on the bench under the arch they had shared once before. “Yes, my heart is in the right place.” the words barely audible to the others in the room.

“What was that, Ms. Sterling?” Malcolm Randal asked quickly.

“How about you clear up this little matter, Randal, and I’ll meet you at the car when it’s done. Sister Angela, would you excuse me for a short time, there’s someone I need to see, I think you understand?”

To  Malcolm’s surprise and Sister Angela’s nod of discernment she quickly crossed the room. The nun’s eyes strayed to the window and the mute teacher sitting quietly in the garden.

“Yes, we can do that. Would you care for a tour of our little home here?”

He smiled at the woman as he picked up his pen to make notes for the contract corrections, “Yes, sounds like a good idea to me.”

The door to the room opened and shut swiftly as the younger woman sped towards another meeting. One she didn’t think would go as easily as this one had but, she had to try and try she would.

* * *

Having spent the last ten minutes wondering how long she had to wait for Dilana the same thought continued to replay in her mind. Why hadn’t her friend told her she was not going to come back for months, perhaps ever! Had they really been friends at all?

“Hi.” A voice, she recognized, hailed her quietly, dragging her out of her chaotic thoughts.

Rachael gazed up into the features of the woman who had caused her to rethink her whole life and undergo a wealth of emotions both wonderful and painful that still didn’t entirely make sense to her.

Mouthing a hello back, Rachael pointed to the seat beside her which Di gratefully took, thankful the woman was at least cordial with her.

“Thank you for allowing me some of your time, I know how busy you are, Rachael.” As she settled down next to the mute woman she was reminded again of why she loved her. It was more about the spirit of the soul that reached out to her than any physical attraction though, she had to admit came a close second, needing constantly to be damped down.

The ever-faithful notebook was produced and Rachael began scribbling. As Di watched, a feeling of great tenderness overcame her and the tears she held at her own stupidity that her life had taken this route began to well up.

Scooting around the seat so she could at least see a partial view of Rachael’s features, Di wondered where she should begin. The start would help she supposed.

“I owe you an explanation for not coming back sooner.”

For the second time in the space of an hour she had been told that. Had generosity of nature been given out in spades in this town? She had to admit she herself had succumbed to the giving spirit, even now!

“I do, Rachael we both know that. It was unforgivable of me to treat a friend in such a way.”

Startled grey eyes tried, but failed, to cohere the woman to turn fully in her direction to see if she really meant what she wrote. “Why do you say that? Of course we were! Are…I want us to be friends, Rachael, it is important to me.”

Hearing the panic and pain in the writer’s tone she switched around to face the woman. She did not want to inflict hurt on anyone, this woman in particular, no matter how aggrieved she felt.

Thinking she had to explain about the gift to the orphanage, wow news travels fast in this place. “Yes, in a way that’s true, the book did prompt my return here but not to the beach house, Rachael, I have bought the place, it belongs to me now, I was always coming back here, I told you so.”

The sarcasm wasn’t lost on Di and she deserved that. She wiped her brow in frustration. Now to explain that particular episode in her life. Dare she be truthful or should she be frugal with the honesty bit. “I can explain, if you really want to know?”

Sparkling azure eyes captured hers and the answer didn’t need to be written down it was clear and there was no room for mistake. “You might not like what you hear but, you deserve that. Please, will you listen to the whole story first, before you make a judgment on me?

Although she mouthed an affirmative, her features were schooled much like someone who had already made their minds up about something. Damn, media had probably already colored the situation for her.

“Before I went away, we had a meal at the café near the beach, remember?” Rachael nodded her head yes. She remembered it all. Every minute of each day she spent with the writer. She will cherish them all. Those memories alone made her face soften slightly and gave Di the courage to continue, perhaps it was all going to be okay after all.

“I lied to you about the second thing I wanted to talk to you about. I said it was about a gift for you, it wasn’t.” she said glancing down at her tightly clasped hands. This was harder than she expected. Hell, where was her backbone!

Speculative eyes urged her to go on with the story.

“I’m a lesbian, Rachael. I didn’t know if you knew that about me then and I was afraid if you did you wouldn’t want us to be friends. When we, well you were hit on by the women in the bar area, I was ashamed of them and how they made the majority of us look. I was a coward and decided not to say anything. Now, I wish I’d told you.”

Rachael listened intently. She had known about Dilana’s preferences in physical relationships. That had never worried her or stopped the intensity of the feeling she had for the writer. On reflection, she wasn’t sure if the love she felt for the author was of the physical kind or that of a very good friend without the need to have a physical rapport. However, that didn’t detract from the fact that Dilana had lied about more than that in her life, hadn’t she?

Realizing that was all the comment she was going to receive, Di continued as asked.

“I had all good intentions of coming home in two weeks, it was all worked out that way, and SG had even allowed me to duck some of the publicity events she’d organized. There was one party that I went to that caused the problem I met someone there who was a little hard to resist.”

There was no shock mirrored in Rachael’s features she was impassive, listening intently. Perhaps she was doing what Di had asked and would make up her mind after she had told her everything.

“As you now know, I went abroad with her for six months. When the new book came out, I came back and now I’m here to stay. I never intended to hurt you, Rachael, but I do want us to be friend’s if you can see your way clear to forgive me for not telling you the truth.” Her heart hammered in her chest as she spoke. Okay she hadn’t told the whole truth. The real reason behind her going off with Celina. Did it matter why? The end result was the same, she’d had an affair for six months and now it was over.

Closing her eyes as she realized why her friend would think that, why not it, was a perfectly valid question. “No. Celina and I went our separate ways when I came back to the States. She’s no longer a part of my life or ever will be again, I wanted you to be clear about that, Rachael, its important to me.”

There she had said the words but as she saw the pain and disbelief cross the writer’s face, she felt a sword pierce her heart. Why had she said that? There wasn’t anyone alive more important to her except perhaps, Sister Angela!

“I accept that. I’m not quite the person that perhaps you thought I was but I do care for you very much, Rachael. Can you find it in your heart to let me be your friend again? I promise not to screw up this time around.”

She reached over to touch the hands of the mute woman. This was not how it was supposed to be. She wasn’t like that, really she wasn’t, Rachael had to see that, she had to!

“Rachael, please, please, don’t shut me out. Allow me to prove myself to you as a friend. I guarantee you will never see me falter again. Please?”

Di couldn’t remember a time she had pleaded…no, begged, someone for anything in her life. Couldn’t she hear her pleas? Would Rachael answer?

I did care about you once Dilana, but not now. You have proved yourself a very poor friend to me and the people who brought you into their lives here. Now I’m going, please don’t contact me again!

Di read the words and couldn’t move. Her legs were lead weights, immovable as the mute woman stood up and strode off disappearing behind a small wooden door into one of the many annexes of the building.

Finally her body allowed her to stand. She needed to make sense of her world as it spiraled out of control. Had she really been a poor friend to everyone? Everyone?

The notebook dropped lifelessly from her fingers as she walked unsteadily towards the archway that would lead her back to the car. Inside she would take refuge with her pain and wait for Malcolm. Once home, she would cry for all that she had thrown away, because of her own misguided and pig-headed notions that only she could save the day!

Three months later...

“Go for it, Mrs. D!” Di laughed softly as she watched Dora Drummond enter her first computer poker session on her own. Over the months she found out that her housekeeper was an avid slot player and tried to convince the woman that using the net games would be a cheaper option for her.

At first the older woman had been adamant that the computer was for the young not her old bones and wouldn’t go near it. However, tactically Di played a few sessions of online poker as well as and other casino games and the sound alone had the woman glancing over her shoulder when she said she was cleaning. Eventually she had succumbed and was now going onto her first session alone.

“I’ll be back in an hour, Mrs. D, good luck and don’t get into any trouble while I’m gone.”

“Humph!  You young people. How can I get into any trouble; I’m only playing poker!”.  As she spoke the computer chimed and Dora became embroiled in a chat with another poker player about mischievous people who came to interrupt other’s enjoyment of the game.

Yeah right Mrs. D, no trouble. She smiled as she walked towards the balcony steps for her running session on the beach. It was a beautiful sunny afternoon.  Being spring the heat was tolerable and she enjoyed stretching her muscles; it made her feel alive.

Life wasn’t the best, how could it be, Rachael wasn’t part of it any more. The mute woman had really meant what she said and they hadn’t seen each other since that day in the garden at the orphanage. Fortunately she was in contact with Sister Angela and she had her news of the woman on a regular basis. It at least made her feel better to know that her friend was well in the world, though physical contact was now out of the question.

The book had been an added bonus all around. The orphanage had a good income from the sales that still staggered not only her but SG who had now rescheduled her wedding for two weeks hence. Things looked okay for the future too, as a movie was now a possibility. SG had been haggling along with Malcolm Randal over terms with the producer and eventually she was sure they would work something out. Although she had indicated that she might never write again, the muse had bugged her constantly and no amount of battling it down had been any use. Now she was writing a children’s story something she never in the world would have thought possible.

Generally the town had accepted her back into the fold. They had congratulated her on the book and when they had found out what she had given to the orphanage they had been more than impressed. Any sour grapes over her use of the area in the book was now in the past. Even to the point where she had even arranged to fund a summer vacation at a camp in Texas for the orphans and she was thinking of going too. She’d never ridden a horse in her life and this was a working ranch designed for children. Hey, she could be a kid again, it didn’t take much. She chuckled at the thought as she increased the tempo of her run along the beach.

At this time of day there weren’t many people around. She did several circuits on her private stretch and then proceeded along to the public beach where she ran to the two mile point and then turned back. The exercise was great for her and she had never felt fitter but, her heart still ached and she guessed always would. It wasn’t everyday you found the love of your life and discarded it without too much thought. Nowadays she spent her time writing, running and more writing.  On the weekends she sometimes went along to the beach café to spend a few hours playing pool with the owner and generally drink a few beers along with a meal. It was her concession to SG that she didn’t wall herself up in the beach house as she had her apartment after her father’s death.

The weather was getting warmer and soon she would reinstate the monthly BBQ’s for the orphanage and the nun’s too! Bob Drummond and his merry band had willingly agreed to help out as they had the summer before, so all was well on that front. She didn’t quite know how she would feel when Rachael didn’t show on those Saturday’s but, as with everything, time and getting on with things would help. She wasn’t going to deprive the children of this treat because she had screwed up so badly and lost a dear friend in its wake.

Maybe her writing success had its payment terms in the shape of her relationships? Somehow she doubted that. She would ever find out and no amount of teasing by Sister Angela would persuade her to go back to church, though she had made an exception at the Christmas carol singing shortly after she’d arrived back. It was a wonderful feeling to be part of that event and she was sure it had been the nail that sealed the coffin lid on her staying here permanently when she had been wavering about going back to the city.

As she settled into a jog a few hundred yards from her beach area she saw a figure standing looking out over the sea to the horizon and her heart rate tripled. She tried and failed to see who it was, damn she should have put her contacts in!

Increasing the pace of her run she swiftly came up to the person standing silently and although they would have heard her feet pounding on the sands, hadn’t turned to look in her direction.

As Di came to a distance she could see her face drop dramatically. It wasn’t who she had hoped it would be.  The woman was taller and her hair, though of a similar shade, wasn’t the glossy nature look of her mute friend’s.

“Hi, can I help you?”

At the words, the person in question turned around and Di gasped as she recognized the figure. How could she have forgotten so easily?

“Hi, Di, are you pleased to see me?” Celina Ratford smiled warmly and her eyes appreciatively roamed over the writer’s sleek body, albeit covered in sweat, but that didn’t matter to her. She felt like devouring the woman right there and then on the beach. The urge was so strong to feel the passion this woman evoked in her.

“I’m surprised to see you, Celina. What brings you here?”

Di knew she was being formal but no way did she want Celina in her life and that meant even as a nodding acquaintance. It would be way too complicated.

“I figured that as you hadn’t returned to town for any of the parties that SG has given on your behalf, I would come this way and seek you out. And, to find out what’s so special about this place that you've abandoned your friends in the city.”

“Other than SG, I haven’t any friends in the city. I thought you knew that.” A look, reminiscent of a sharp short pain, crossed the older woman’s features at the remark.

“I’m your friend, Dilana. I thought we had at least established that in our relationship?”

“You may have, Celina. I, on the other hand haven’t come to that conclusion. What we had together is over. It was an interlude in both our lives that is best forgotten.”

Celina moved closer. The sweat making a heady combination with the musky scent that she always associated with the writer. Damn! Doesn’t she know how sexy she is?

“Forgotten, Di? I’ll never forget you and I, don’t think you can forget me either. It wasn’t all one-sided. The sex we shared together, was it? I recall you were equally turned on and receptive to my advances and the toys we experimented with or was that all an act too?

She closed her eyes briefly. She couldn’t blame the woman wanting to bring up the fact that when she and Celina had sex, it had been mutually gratifying. However, at no time had she loved Celina, how could she, her heart already belonged to another even if they probably would never know it.

“Why are you really here, Celina, to bring up old times? I don’t want to go down memory lanes with you. As far as I’m concerned, it’s over. We both had a good time but it had run its course. I think you need to leave and this time, please don’t come back.”

“Are you throwing me out?”

“I’m asking you nicely to leave. If you want me to throw you out, I will. Trust me, I’m capable.” Glittering eyes told the older woman that she would too, given the opportunity.

“Would you have one coffee with me for old times? Then I promise to go and never come back here again?” Celina knew now in her heart that she was never going to have the writer back in her life. The shutters had gone down when she’d left her over four months ago and they were never going back up again, she could see that now.

“I’d rather not, Celina. I’m running and I don’t want to break my pattern.” Di knew that it was rude of her to continue this antagonistic approach but she didn’t want the hassle of trying to explain herself to anyone if the news got around that this was the woman she had spent six months with last year.

“Your housekeeper said you were due back. Did you know she uses your computer to play games when you are out?” The writer shook her head at the petty remark, how like the woman to point that out.

“Absolutely, I set her up before I came out for the run.” Di remarked sarcastically.

A look of peevishness settled on Celina’s face as she watched Di. “Is she here with you?”

Astonished at the question and wondering what she meant, Di looked at her quizzically, one eyebrow going up in reaction. “She? Who is she?”

“Don’t give me that innocent I don’t know what your talking about, Di.  She, as in Rachael! That’s why you want me out of here, isn’t it? The new lover wouldn’t approve of the old, eh?”

Bristling anger overcame Di as Celina talked about Rachael and the small space between them became minute as Di shot a hand out and painfully held onto the woman’s bony shoulder. “Never, ever, speak of Rachael in that way again, Celina, or next time I’ll do more than bruise your skinny collarbone, I’ll break your neck!”

For the first time in her life Celina felt the dark cold touch of fear as the writer held her in a vice like grip and the words ringing menacingly in her ear.

“Does she know you use violence to make a point?”

“You know nothing about her or me, Celina, you never did! Get off my property now!”

Unable to help herself as the grip relaxed and the author moved away from her, she spoke again, “You wrote your last book for her didn’t you? I’ve read the inscription. All the time you were with me you were in love with her! How does she feel about you now, Dilana? You left her for me, slept in my bed for months and for what? So that your precious book would sell in the right places to make you money! Did she understand and forgive you and as her payment, being stuck here in this back water?”

Di closed her eyes trying to rein in her temper. She wanted to strangle the woman. However, most of what she said was true, wasn’t it. How can you fight the truth by trying to bury it. No matter what, it would come back to haunt you!

“I wrote the book for the orphanage run by the nuns and I stay here because I love it here. Why would I want to go back to the city if predators and users of people like you, infest the streets!” Spitting out her anger with words, other than physically doing so, the only way she knew.

Both women now infused with their own level of anger, one fueled by jealousy, the other by hate, gazed at each other as bitterness leapt out of their eyes.

Then, Celina laughed a brittle laugh that Di remembered so well because it used to irritate her, “what are you laughing at, can’t you just leave?”

“I think it is so ironic, the situation…why, I do believe you may have fallen for a nun Dilana and knowing you can’t have her, you’ve decided that no one can have you! I did wonder when you wrote that dedication, it was so…so spiritual!”

What was she doing here sparring with this woman? She hadn’t liked her from the first moment she’d met her and circumstances of close familiarity had only dulled the feeling. Now, it came flooding back, like the lock gates being opened, and she wanted nothing more than to see the woman out of her life and torn out of her memories!

“I think you’ve said enough, Celina. Now this really is your exit stage right or in this case, out of the side entrance under the house. I’ll see you out personally, how’s that for hospitality.”

Leaving the woman standing at the spot, she turned towards the house and the place she’d indicated. Slowly, Celina made her way to where Di was standing and gave her a mixed look of anger and hopelessness. After all, she had gambled when coming here and the gamble hadn’t paid off.

“I know you might not believe me, Dilana, but all I want is your happiness.” Her shoulders slumped as she was shown the exit in silence, a grim expression on Di’s face.

Closing and locking the side door behind the woman, Di leaned against it and shut her eyes. Had she finally laid to rest the ghost of Celina or was that a flavor of the haunting yet to come. A heavy sigh escaped her as she trudged back up the stairs to the house and tried to put on a smile for her housekeeper. If she allowed Mrs. D to see her looking glum she would want to know everything and if she didn’t get to know, she’d make it up and that wouldn’t help her life here at all!

* * *

Earlier that day...

“Are you ready Sadie?”

The young girl flipped her pigtails bouncing at the back of her neck she nodded her head and picked up her small sack. “Yep, did you bring your food too?”

“Yeah of course, we need our lunch. Its part of the adventure silly!”

The boy grinned and waited for the girl to catch up to him. They had been planning this adventure for some time now and today the weather was just dandy and everything should be okay. No one would miss them. It was Sister Josie’s turn to watch out for them and she was almost blind. Anyway, they would be home by dinner full of daring deeds to tell the others, especially that Frankie who thought they constantly told lies. Still, he had no sense of adventure and anyway he was getting too old or so they both thought of the eleven year old.

“I think it’s a great adventure don’t you, Sam, We might get famous like those boys and girls in the book sister Christina reads to us at bedtime.” The girl was thinking about the many adventures the children of the books got into. They sometimes headed for danger but they always managed to get out of trouble.

“Oh, Sadie, you're silly. They aren’t famous. The books are called the Famous Five!” he chuckled at the girl’s remark. What they could do with was a dog though like the famous Five but they would have to do with taking Ben. He was a dog but a toy and well loved as his scruffy appearance suggested.

“Well, I think they’re famous!” The small girl pouted and strode by him down the flight of stairs and out into the early morning sunshine. Yep, today was a good day for an adventure!

* * *

“Rachael, may I talk with you?” Sister Angela asked the silent young woman. The reason she was silent these days had nothing to do with the fact that she was mute.

Looking up into the gentle compassionate face of the woman she considered a second mother, she nodded her head and moved to the left of the sofa to allow the older woman to sit with her in the small sitting area, which was currently quiet except for the two of them.

Using sign language as the medium, they conversed in the nun started the conversation.

“I don’t want to pry Rachael and I know you have your reasons but will you reconsider seeing Dilana Sterling. She asks about you every time we speak and I know she really was sorry for any pain she caused you.”

“No? That’s it, end of conversation?” The nun was stunned at the response. Rachael wasn’t one to bear a grudge but she appeared to have against the writer. If only the child would confide in her.

“I see. You once told me that you loved her, Rachael, has that love died too?” A look of pain flashed into the expressive azure eyes and she didn’t need to say anything the nun knew the answer.

“Want to tell me what the problem is, Rachael. Sometimes a burden shared is a burden halved.”

Fighting her own need for privacy over this situation and  turbulent feelings yet wanting badly to tell someone how she felt. They might be able to help her understand what to do.

Sister Angela felt the raw emotion that Rachael was feeling from her expressions and the speed of her hand signals. The child was in a torment that she didn’t understand and although she was glad that nothing had happened between the writer and Rachael, it was clear that this was the crux of the problem. “Is that all?”

Sister Angela smiled gently at the young woman and tenderly placed a hand on hers to stop the agitation. “There is a solution to all this, Rachael, and its very simple.”

Large eyes peered at the nun, how could it be simple?

“You can confront Dilana with your feelings and discuss the matter. Even shout and get angry if that will make you feel better. I know she doesn’t realize the extent of your pain and if she did then perhaps you can come to some agreement.”

“Yes, at the moment it is but, what about the other orphans. They won’t understand when you refuse to go to her monthly BBQ’s and she refuses to come here for dinner as she used to do because she’s promised not to see you. Sam and Sadie have already commented that they don’t understand why you never see her now like you did. They say you are always sad.”

“Sometimes my dear, and we all want to help but I don’t think anyone can. Only you and perhaps Dilana. Maybe the solution is for her to go away again but this time for good.”

“If she makes you miserable all the time I think she will want to do that and then you might be happier. Unless you want her to suffer too for your pain and keep her at arms length for the rest of your lives.”

Encasing the child in a tender hug she kissed the top of the chestnut hair and smiled as she answered. “I think she will gladly try again child. It’s getting close to dinner, why not go over and invite her. Call it the ice breaker and then see from there.”

Grinning, Rachael hugged the nun and then, with a skip in her step that hadn’t been seen since last year, she left the room vowing she would do that and not give up until the writer came.

Sister Angela watched the woman leave her heart feeling that much lighter. Perhaps the road for the two of them might be rocky and they might never achieve the level of happiness they once had in each other’s company but, in the end you took the rough with the smooth. Love had a way of handling that in its own way.

She frowned as she realized that she could have sent Rachael off down a path that the bishop wouldn’t approve. Standing and breathing in deeply she went towards the door on her way to check on Sister Christina and her charges. Her last thought on that subject…what the bishop doesn’t know can’t hurt anyone.

* * *

Sam placed a hand on his chin and Sadie watched him. She thought he looked quite grown up as he looked over the raft that they had built over the winter and was ready to take them to journeys they could only dream about. They had first decided on the idea when Rachael had told them a story about pirates and treasure islands then someone called Robinson Caruso. It all sounded like the ultimate adventure. Both of them agreeing that the sea was the place for them when they were older and they would do it too. See if they didn’t!

Sam had come across the twigs and sticks that represented the vast majority of the raft they had built when the old farmer had cut down some of the old trees. They had acquired twine and thread from various sources but generally the nun’s sewing baskets when they weren’t looking. And, Sister Agatha’s garden shed had been a mine of useful items to help them with their project.

Proudly puffing out his chest Sam exclaimed, “I think we are ready, Sadie, it looks great!”

Glancing at Sam and then at the object that he enthused about she had to agree. The raft was a work of art and they had built it together. It might look a little wonky but, it was going to be great! Just like in the books.

“Yeah, it is, Sam. What do we do now?”

“We push it into that inlet over there!” He pointed to a small inlet that was hidden from view of the Villa’s on the beach.

“Will it take us out to sea?”

“Yeah, of course it will, I’ve been watching it for months.”

“When? You never told me?” the girl pouted her disapproval at being left out of the appraisal.

“Every time we had a BBQ here! You were too busy eating the food.”

Affronted the girl pouted even longer this time and stamped her foot, “I was not! How can you say that, Sam Proctor?”

Sam grinned it was so easy to rile her but he liked her. She was his best friend and they had their differences but, at the end of the day, she was better than all the boys in the orphanage!

“Okay, I got it wrong! Now come on, Sadie, we need to launch. Don’t the adults usually have a celebration like smashing a bottle of wine or something?”

“We haven’t any wine, Sam…hey maybe this will do.” She rummaged in her bag and found a plastic bottle that held her soda.

“You are wonderful, Sadie, just the ticket!” The praise made the girl blush slightly as she reveled in getting something right. Sam Proctor could be a hard act to follow when he was on a roll.

The boy grasped the bottle from the girl and grinned at her, “Now you need to say something, Sadie, as I swing the bottle.”

“I do…oh okay. I name this raft, what shall I name her, Sam?”

“Anything you want silly”

“Oh okay, I name this raft, Rachael.” She glowed as she was given a beaming smile from the boy.

“Now let’s get her in the water and set off on our journey. You never know we might discover something like when Rachael tells us about Columbus.” Gleefully the boy stepped aboard the raft and it sank into the water but then floated upwards as he held out a hand for his friend.

Once Sadie was aboard they paddled with both hands towards the mouth of the inlet. This was going to be one fantastic adventure!

* * *

“Okay, how many millions of points have you accumulated, Mrs. D?” Di asked as she wearily sank down into the sofa opposite the computer where her housekeeper was happily playing net poker.

“Not as many as I would have liked. That piggy certainly doesn’t like me. It makes me wait for over an hour before it fills up. How can I seriously get to a million?” The older woman slowly typed a message and then the screen changed, she had obviously logged out of the game.

“Addictive though, don’t you think and the only thing it costs you is your time.” Di smiled as she removed her shoes and decided that a shower was more appropriate.

“Yes it is. What will my Bob say when I ask him for a computer for my next birthday? He’ll think I’ve gone mad.”

“Nah, he’ll think he’s married to a groovy chick.” Laughing at the comical expression on the woman’s face.

“Really, Dilana! You will be taking me back to my youth with expressions like that.” Dora Drummond chuckled as she wondered what her Bob would really say.

“Good, it doesn’t do any harm to be reminded of our memories from time to time.”

“How about a nice cup of coffee when you’ve had a shower?” Grinning, yep she was probably ripe her normal hour of running had extended to over two and she was ready for the relaxing spray.

“I’d love that, thank you. Did you ask Bob about next Saturday and a BBQ for the orphanage?”

“Heck, he was pestering me so much how could I forget!” Dora Drummond bustled around the room and then went into the kitchen.

“Pleased to hear it.” Di said softly as she sank back into her sofa. It would be so easy to let the world go by and relax into a nap until she had to write later.

Her life was getting into a pretty good routine and one she enjoyed too! Okay she knew that the biggest enjoyment in her life would be for Rachael to forgive her and accept her as part of her life. However, that wasn’t going to happen anytime soon the way she saw it. Nonetheless, if she worked towards that goal that knew fate might be watching out for her and maybe, just maybe, they might take pity on her. Yeah, who was she kidding. The chances were they would mock her and take away the one she loved the most in this world as they had her father. Damn, why couldn’t you pick out a path in life with certain known facts and live with that! ? Instead of all these variables that tapped you on your head and you don’t stand a chance of understanding why or what to do.

She’d better have that shower or the coffee would tempt her to stay put and time disappears so fast she was finding these days. “I’m going for a shower, Mrs. D.”

She shouted out her destination as she opened the door to the hall that led to the bathroom when she heard a terrible scream!

* * *

Rachael had spent over an hour in her room trying to pen an appropriate message for Dilana. She had destroyed that many and her wastebasket was over flowing! How could she just go over without at least explaining why she was there and what she wanted? It was probably better for her to make the effort now as maybe Dilana wasn’t in and she could leave the note then wait to see if the writer arrived for dinner later that day.

Picking up her pen she tried again…

Would you like to come to dinner this evening?

Regards Rachael

The note hit the wastebasket again.

Yeah, that was going to work, wouldn’t it! What a fool she was. Her friend would want to know that she wasn’t going to be subjected to another cold shoulder. That was the farthest thing from her mind at the moment.

I’m sorry for my attitude can we start again please? I want to be friends again. Can you come to dinner this evening at the orphanage… please?

Best regards,
Your friend Rachael

Okay that was closer to what she wanted to say but would it be enough to kick start the friendship? Would the writer want to start again?  She could easily make other friendships there were plenty out there she thought, who would want to be associated with her. After all, wasn’t that the real problem in why she had chosen to severe the friendship her other friend?

I know I’ve been particularly cold to you lately and maybe I was hasty and didn’t give you a chance to explain the situation properly. Would you accept this olive branch in the form of dinner at the orphanage this evening for us to try again?

Yours,
Rachael

That was more like it she thought but it still lacked something, though what it was she didn’t know.

Scrunching up another note she tossed it at the basket and this time it was one too many as it rocked over with the weight of the paper.

Walking over to pick up her debris she contemplated the numerous effort’s to make peace with the writer. Why didn’t she just tell her the truth, surely that was the simplest way?

Selecting another sheet of paper she attempted to place her heart on the note and it would be up to Dilana to decide what the next step would be.

An hour later she left the building and took the short cut towards the beach. It would be so good to see her friend again even if they didn’t make it back to the place they had when they had originally met. With a bounce in her step that had been missing for far too long, she felt that it would all come out right. She was sure Dilana would accept the effort she was making and all that she hoped now was that the writer hadn’t forgotten her and moved on with her life. Sister Angela’s admission that Dilana still asked after her made her smile. Everything was going to be okay she knew it. Just as she had known that her friend was going to be an important part of her life until she took her last breath.

It was a beautiful day except for a cooling breeze that whipped her hair around her shoulders and had her tying it back from becoming tangled up and giving her the wild look. As she neared the beach she could smell the freshness of the ocean and all it meant to her, however tragic her experiences of this natural wonder. Now, it was becoming a far happier experience for her. Having met Dilana Sterling, as they had both wandered aimlessly looking for someone or something to give their lives that extra meaning, that made you want to celebrate every morning you woke up because it was in your life.

As she slipped her shoes off and felt the coolness of the sand under foot she made her way leisurely towards the beach house of her friend;  her heart thumping away inside her chest in an erratic way. She was filled with excitement and trepidation all at the same moment and the only important thing was she loved Dilana Sterling. They would work out what that love meant and how it would affect their relationship. Smiling as she looked down at the note clutched in her left hand it explained everything. Why she had been so hurt and wanting to lash out at the writer for her inability to see how important she had become in her life and how she thought her friend had felt the connection as well.

As she neared the stretch of beach she called her own she heard faint cries and was unable to see where they came from at first. It might just be the gulls acknowledging she was back home. She always felt an affinity with the wild birds as she did the ocean itself.

As she turned her gaze out towards the horizon she saw something unfamiliar bobbing up and down. She squinted her eyes at the object, which was being buffeted viciously on waves that looked innocuous from this distance, innocuous but probably not up close. What was it?

Straining to see more she heard the cries again and this time she realized that there must be someone in trouble out on the waves. Didn’t they know that at this time of the year it was dangerous to go out any further than wading distance? The waves in this area could be cruel and she would know, wouldn’t she.

As she neared the edge of the shore she felt the lapping of the ocean at her feet tickling her toes and tempting her to follow it’s lapping in and out of the beach. How could she communicate with the people on the object which she knew wasn’t a boat. It didn’t look more than a few pieces of wood hardly serviceable for taking it out to sea.

Turning, she realized that her only choice was to run to Dilana’s beach house and hope that someone was home and they could help. As she did so she heard a frightened voice shout her name. She was sure it was her name but how did they know it was her? Glancing back, her resolve to help wavered with her need to help the unfortunate victims of this potential tragedy.

"Rachael! Rachael! Please help?"

There it was again and this time she had no hesitation. She dropped her shoes and note onto the sandy beach and stripped off her jacket and dress allowing her the freedom to swim out without incumbents.

God help her, she prayed as she dove into the sea and swam as fast as she could towards the object and its frightened occupants.

* * *

“Mrs. D? What’s the matter? Has something happened?” Di ran towards the kitchen area where she had heard the housekeeper’s scream. It was probably another of those large spiders the woman hated.

As she neared, the large woman was trembling and pointing out of the window that faced the ocean.

“What are you looking…what the hell?”

“She just stripped off her clothes and jumped in Dilana. I can’t see why?” The woman remarked. All she could see was Rachael and a few pieces of driftwood in the distance.

Di stared hard as the woman she loved swam out towards what appeared to be driftwood but…no..there was something else. “Mrs. D, call the police or whoever, we have a situation. There are people out there in trouble.”

Rushing towards the door she was thankful she wasn’t wearing her sneakers so she wouldn’t have to waste time kicking those off, “where are you going?”

“To help of course, Rachael needs me!” the words merely an echo as the writer could be heard clumping down the stairs at the side of the house down to the beach.

Mrs. D watched helpless as she saw the writer sprinting as fast as she could towards the spot where the mute woman had gone into the ocean. Finally wasting no more time as she called the emergency authorities.

* * *

Rachael swam as fast as she had ever done in her life. One thing she had been taught from an early age was to swim. Her parents had been keen sailors and her swimming lessons had been a natural progression. They had even said she was stronger then either of them by the time she was ten years old. A fact that was to prove true when the accident happened as a freak wave washed over their small vessel which threatened to break apart in a sudden wild weather front out of nowhere. The waves had become dangerously aggressive. It had taken her parents expertise to keep them afloat but one wave too many had finally washed them all overboard. When the calm came Rachael had been the only one left afloat in the tranquility of the ocean that had preceded the storm.

Was she now going to experience the same thing again and have to watch as others fought ‘Poseidon’ himself for their lives? It being up to her,  she would make sure that the same fate was not metered out to these unfortunates, however foolish they had been.

As she swam closer she tried to see who was calling her name but the crashing of the waves and the wind which was increasing in power, only made it difficult while the sea spray hit her full on the face as she battled against each oncoming wave.

She grasped a piece of the wood that floated close to her almost knocking her out which wouldn’t have helped as it came perilously close to her head.

When she hauled herself up to see who the victims were she opened her mouth in shock and horror. Sam Proctor and Sadie Thompson stared at her terrified. Their normally cheerful countenances filled with fear as they gripped the wood that was taking a severe beating and barely able to support them.

Damn it, how was she going to communicate with them? She wasn’t able to sign since she needed both hands to keep them afloat. Another wave crashed over them and the children wailed in fright. Tears of helplessness ran down their cheeks mingling in with the salt water that covered them as each wave descended.

Opening her mouth to speak she mouthed for them to hold on tight and it would all be okay. She was going to make it okay, they had to trust her.

She puzzled out how to get them both back to shore, this wasn’t going to be easy. Could they even swim? Her mind drew a blank as the terror of the situation hit her. She wondered if she was going to see another tragedy happen before her eyes, unable to do anything but watch in horror.

Then she saw Sam pointing in the direction of the beach. Had her prayers been answered, had someone else seem them?

“Dilana! Its Dilana, she’s coming to help us too, Rachael.” The boy spluttered out before being engulfed under another wave. She heard the crack of wood as it split in half carrying the two children in opposite directions. Grabbing hold of the firmest piece with lightening reflexes she reached out and caught Sadie before she was swallowed up by the wave. The child was crying profusely now and thrashing out unable to stop the panic that had overtaken her. Rachael felt the blows and needed the girl to relax. They still had to get Sam who was clinging to a smaller piece of wood and floating further from her reach. There was no time to battle with the child and the ocean.

As she struggled with the girl, she felt, rather than heard, Dilana at her shoulder. It was that feeling of peace and calm that settled within her whenever she was in the company of the writer. Even now, with all this happening, it still managed to work its magic and fortunately for her weaved into the child who stopped thrashing around when the writer grinned at her.

“I’ll take her, Rachael.” Unaware that Sam was floating further away and in more need than Sadie who was in safe hands.

Rachael gave the comment a split second thought and handed over the child; Dilana turned expecting them to swim back to the shore together. She was then pulled out of her focus when Sadie shouted.

“What about Sam?”

Is the boy here too! Why haven't I seen him? Turning her head and coughing out salt water, as a wave crashed over her head, she was shocked but now not surprised, to see Rachael battling another ferocious wave to head off in the supposed direction of the boy.

“Rachael will get him, Sadie. She’s a good swimmer, I promise.”

Rachael was a good swimmer. They had found that out when she had foolishly challenged the mute woman to a swim last summer and been well and truly beaten. It had been a fun day and had not been foolish to challenge the mute woman again. You better still be in shape Rachael. Unable to do more, she swam slowly back to the beach with her precious cargo.

Rachael saw her target and swam like a bat out of hell, when she saw what must be the largest wave so far coming towards her. Sam would be the first hit and increased her pace, grasping  Sam’s collar seconds before the wave crashed over them. She held on and hoped and prayed she didn’t let go. The wood splintered into many pieces this time and there was nothing to use to keep afloat for the boy, it was her or nothing.

As she pulled the boy closer she saw his terrified face, was he breathing? God she hoped so. It wasn’t going to end this way, it wasn’t!

Her mouth opened to shout out to the sea that it couldn’t have the boy! Her eyes bulged as she heard a vaguely familiar voice resonate in her ears. Was that her voice?

“Sam? Come on Sam, wake up!” It was her voice. She had finally broken through the silent barrier that tragedy had created all those years ago when her parents had died.

“Sam, I need you awake, come on please, for me?” She coughed as she gulped in an unwelcome mouthful of water.

The boy blearily opened his eyes to the unfamiliar voice and although his chin wobbled as the tears drifted down his cheeks he managed a weak smile far too tired to say anything. “We’re going home, Sam, hold on to me tight.”

Turning with the boy held close to her she headed back to shore constantly dredging into her reserves of energy. She had realized that Sam was little more than dead weight holding on to her like a limpet. Each stroke was getting harder and harder and she felt like she had been in the water for hours when it could hardly have been more than ten minutes.

Just as she felt her energy levels sagging, the weight of the boy was taken from her. She looked up from her concentrated view of her destination to smile into the grey warm eyes of Dilana Sterling. Now the term, a sight for sore eyes, fit the bill here.

“I’ll take him, Rachael, we’re nearly there.” Pointing towards the shore where Sadie was being huddled in a blanket by Mrs. D.

“Okay, thanks.” Rachael would have laughed if she could at the shock and surprise that crossed the writer’s face.

“You spoke?” her voice a pitch higher in astonishment.

“Yes.” An exhausted word that painted its own picture for the writer. As she swam with Sam back to the beach area she knew everything would be okay from now on.

Sam blinked at them both and pointed towards a very small object bobbing a few feet away. As a wave which would carry it away and out to sea came towards them. “Ben! We’ve left Ben.”

Rachael heard the boy’s cry but she didn’t remember seeing anyone else. Was there someone else in danger? Turning back she saw the object. Her mind deliberated over the situation for just a few seconds before she made her decision….

Conclusion

Six months later...

“It’s a wonderful sight isn’t it, Mother?” SG whispered to the nun who was watching the festivities the odd tear never far away as she realised that things might have been so different.

“Yes it is my child, yes it is.”

They both watched the youngsters running about on the beach laughing and playing as many games on the beach as they could. The usual contingent of locals helping to provide the BBQ feast that had become a tradition for the last Saturday of every month and surprisingly enough more and more people were joining in and bringing their own kids along a very community spirited event these days.

SG spotted her friend alone at the edge of the beach the gentle waves lapping her feet as she stood there simply gazing at the horizon, a favourite pastime of hers and a ritual as she had found out having spent the last few days discussing the new book project and her new contract.

“Penny for them?”

Spinning around with a faraway expression on her face Di faced her friend and smiled slowly. “Oh I think their worth more than that, SG, memories, very precious memories.”

“Care to share any?” Knowing exactly who those memories were of a certain mute woman or at least she was when those memories were being created she suspected.

“No! Do I ask you about your memories?”

“Nope, however you can if you like we could always call this evening a slumber party and share our girly secrets what do you say?” Laughing at the expression that crossed the writer’s face she was so gullible but lovable.

“Don’t be silly, SG.” The writer glanced over to the giggling children who were enjoying their day out on the beach. Especially two in particular who had been quiet for a few weeks after their ordeal at the hands of the Ocean right here in this spot, fate had been kind to them that day and forgiven the two youngsters their innocent misunderstanding with Poseidon.

“I wonder if when they grow up they’ll venture out again to the sea?” Her voice softly voiced her thoughts and SG glanced in the direction of her friend’s eyes.

Sam and Sadie the two children who had almost drowned on a foolish adventure they had undertaken on their own six months ago, were running about without a care in the world. Fortunately kids had resilient characteristics that prevented them from dealing with what might have been had Di and Rachael not been around to save their lives.

At what cost though, that was a question many had asked in the ensuing months?

“Well, if they don’t go on the actual sea I know for certain they will end up challenging the sea of life they are full of questions wanting answers, I wonder how the orphanage copes with them sometimes.”

“They have wonderful caring people who love them as their own, makes quite a difference.”

“Why do you look out there, it never changes anything?” SG linked her arm with her friend’s as she too stared out towards the horizon it was a calm ocean scene showing none of it’s ability to quickly change it’s mind like a jealous lover.

“Fate, SG, fate. It has brought me great joy and sorrow and I wonder at the unpredictability of it all. I guess at the end of the day nature is telling us never to forget that life generally can be unpredictable, and that you must take your chances when you have the opportunity and never regret anything because you can’t go back and change it.”

SG squeezed the writer’s arm, as in her recent works she was becoming quite the mature author, even the recent children’s book held a message in a very subtle way.

“Darryl has a month off in December, we were going to take a trip to the Far East, want to come along?”

“You’re going?”

“Yeah why not?” Grinning at the astonishment on her friend’s face. Knowing exactly why she was asking the question but waiting to see what she said.

“Well I thought maybe…that is you know?”

Grinning at her friend she winked, “I do but, the last time I checked being six months pregnant wasn’t a valid reason for not travelling.”

“Will they allow you to fly? I know I wouldn’t and what does Darrel say?”

“Oh Ms. Worry Wart, I’m healthy the Doc says and Darrel has these wonderful places lined up and he will look after me. All I can say is I’m glad I’m not married to you!”

This time Di laughed at the ridiculous notion, “no chance.”

“Come on, let’s join the others or we will be called anti-social.”

“Yeah, let’s.” Taking one last glance out to sea today it was rather calm and peaceful just like her mood.

* * *

Di smiled at her reflection in the mirror having showered and changed she looked relaxed. The day had gone well, it was late in the year now for BBQ’s but, no one seemed to want to stop the event and they had all agreed that until the weather changed dramatically they would continue.

As she pondered that thought, she recalled SG’s invitation to join her and Daryl on their trip to the Far East. A place she hadn’t been and she thought might be good for her but…

Hands placed around her waist stopped her train of thought as she was engaged in rather more pleasurable activities. “I love you.”

“I love you too, want to know how much?”

A giggle, that always sent the blood running through her veins up another level, made her grin as she turned in the hold and reversed the role holding the woman who had sneaked up on her from the shower into her arms dipping down to kiss the lips that now could speak.

“I know you show me constantly.” Rachael breathed finally the air unable to escape not because of the kiss but because she loved this woman so much.

“Ah, I think you deserve more.” As she bent down and captured those luscious lips once more. Life couldn’t get better in her view she had a woman at her side that she loved to distraction and who had miraculously loved her with the same depth. They had a wonderful life here on the beach and her work was acclaimed and in demand, providing an income that allowed them to indulge their other passion the orphanage.

As she stared down into the azure eyes she was reminded of how close it had been that day six months ago when things might have been so different.

“I could save Ben, Dilana, trust me.” Rachael said hoarsely as she turned in the direction of the small object and the oncoming wave.

“Don’t, please, you are too tired. What would I do without you?”

It was those words that provided the magic as Rachael looked at the bobbing object and turned back towards the shore allowing the wave to take Ben and push her closer to shore.

Minutes later they were on the shore and Mrs. D fussed over the boy as Dilana left him in her charge as she helped Rachael out of the water, unable to stop herself she hugged the woman close and whispered in her salt water soaked hair. “I would be beyond help if anything had happened to you Rachael, God knows I love you!”

Rachael heard the admission and her weary body responded like a battery to an electric charge, her azure eyes sparkled as she turned her head up towards the writer. How dear she was and it wasn’t one-sided they did love each other, how fantastic and marvellous.

“I love you too, Dilana. Do you think we can start again?” Her voice from the salt water and lack of use was rasping badly as she felt her energy finally sap and relaxed into the arms of the writer.

“Oh ,yes, my love try and stop me!”

As they gathered up the children Di bent down to pick up Rachael’s discarded clothes and the note that lay there in the sand. Rachael watched her as she heard the sirens of the emergency personal making their way towards them.

“Dilana.”

“Yeah?”

“The note you have in your hand will you throw it in the sea?”

Puzzled but too tired to argue she did exactly that and they both watched it bounce around in the waves until it disappeared for good as a large wave swallowed it and its contents never to be seen again.

“Come on, let’s go home.” Leading the woman to the beach house.

“Yes, let’s.”

* * *

“SG asked if we wanted to go travelling the Far East with her and Darryl in the autumn, what do you think?”

“The Far East? Wow, I’ve never been out of the States, it would be wonderful…what about my work at the school?”

Di decided there and then that they would go she had been debating the issue herself and wasn’t that keen on going out of the country ever again after her months in Europe but, this wasn’t Europe and it certainly wasn’t the same company, no far from it. “We can arrange a replacement, its time the school had another teacher and we did talk about this when you came to live with me.”

“We did didn’t we but with everything that’s gone on these past few months I guess it slipped our minds. Shall we go talk with Sister Angela?”

Di chuckled as she hugged the woman to her lovingly, “you’ll never get used to calling her Mother Superior will you?”

“Oh no, I did it again, didn’t I? I guess she will always be Sister Angela to me. I think she did the right thing in taking the post though heck, she’s quite celebrated at the Bishop’s dinner when she goes up to the city once a month.”

“Why?” Never having heard that before.

Laughing at the interested look that crossed her lover’s face Rachael grinned, “Because of you!”

“Me?”

“Yep the Bishop was asking her only last month if there was a chance that she might bring you along with her, they are all dying to meet you!” Chuckling at the astonishment that mirrored in the writer’s eyes.

“Don’t be silly I’m not a suitable guest for a Bishop’s monthly dinner party! Whatever would they think of me?” Di self-consciously shrugged off the possibility.

“Why, Di, I do believe that you are embarrassed?” Rachael trailed a finger down the cheek that was tinged a dull red over the cheekbones.

Capturing the errant finger she kissed the digit gently and pulled the woman deeper into her arms, “I don’t get embarrassed I leave that to others.”

“Really? Well then I’ll tell Sis…Mother Superior that you would gladly attend.”

Shrieking at the teasing she was being subjected to, “Yeah, if I go so do you.”

“I’m not going, they don’t want me around.”

“They might not. However I do, anywhere I go you do too! Simple really and anyway they get a bargain two for the price of one.”

A silence stretched out for a couple of minutes, Rachael knew Dilana meant every word it wouldn’t work though not with the Bishop.

“You know we can’t go together.” The softly spoken words a reminder to Di of the pact they had made with Sister Angela several months ago…

“Allow it? I’m a grown woman I make my own decisions and this one isn’t up for bartering. I want to spend my life with Dilana and she with me. We love each, other how much better can that be?”

Dilana watched the two women face each other off, neither wanting to give in and both believing they were right. Rachael had insisted that before they could take their relationship to the final level she had to inform Sister Angela; it was the right thing to do, after all she thought of the nun has a surrogate mother and had never lied to her.

“You know what this will mean? If you love her how can you ask her to do this?” The nun turned to the writer her eyes sparkling challenging Dilana to refute her meaning.

Helplessly holding up her hands to the nun, Di wiped a hand over her face trying to come up with a convincing suggestion that would keep both women happy. This stalemate would have only one conclusion, that a split would happen in one or other of the relationships and she didn’t want to see that. They had decided that their lives were here in this town, Rachael continuing to work at the orphanage school and she would write from the beach house and hopefully carry on her commitment to the orphanage in any way she could.

“Can we find a solution that isn’t so black and white from both points of view?”

“Dilana, there shouldn’t have to be a middle road. I’m an adult not a child!”

“You’re acting like a spoiled child at this moment, Rachael!” Sister Angela retorted, the child had literally walked into her office and broken the news that she was going to live with Dilana Sterling as lovers and that was the end of story. She had never expected this woman to be so brutal in getting the message over.

“I am not! Where is the compassion for our situation rather than bringing up the pitfalls? Is it because we are two women wanting to have a relationship the church only acknowledges a man and woman should?”

The defeated look on the nun’s face and the hurt in Rachael’s tore at Di, she was the reason for this. Coming here wasn’t such a good idea but, at least now they knew the extent of prejudice they would face from all area’s. She had hoped though, that as this was to Rachael her family, they might have more compassion for the situation.

“Did you think this situation might occur, Sister?” Di asked quietly and watched the nun’s face as several expressions crossed them the most telling though to the writer was the look of guilt.

“Don’t answer that, Sister, I already know.”

The nun stood up and turned away from them both. Di looked at Rachael and wondered what to do next then they heard the nun speak so quietly they had to strain to hear her words.

“I’ve expected this, yes, from the first day Rachael spoke of you, she was so animated. When we found out who you were it was easy to assume that you might influence Rachael.” Rachael was about to jump in with a comment Di stopped her placing her finger on the woman’s lips and shaking her head allowing the nun to continue uninterrupted.

“I didn’t say anything, I wanted Rachael to make up her own mind in this as any concerned parent would, however, my faith was being sorely torn in this and it was difficult for me. When you left, Dilana, I considered that an end to the matter. I was wrong! So very wrong! The child pined for you and we could do nothing but watch even when you came back and tried to make amends for your absence she was very upset. Now, of course, it is clear why but then, I thought you and she were friends only and that she cared for you as she had no other; as a good friend only.”

“We were…no still are only friend’s, Sister, though the depth of the friendship goes much deeper. Neither Rachael nor I would ever want to inflict any undue hurt on you or the orphanage and the other nuns who help run the establishment.”

Turning the nun stared at them both; clearly her thoughts were thundering through her mind as she did so. Di wondered, not for the first time, what went through a nun’s head when confronted with something that went against their ordered lives and religious beliefs.

Rachael’s thoughts were vying between hurt and anger, admittedly she could have done this with more subtlety. But, she knew it was going to be difficult and had simply taken the bull by the horns and blurted out that she was going to live with Dilana as her lover. Not that they had become lovers, being brought up in a place where religion ruled the lives of the people that were to all intents and purposes parents, made it hard to do so without complete commitment.

“Thank you for the consideration.”

“I wanted your blessing, Sister, you are the most important person in my life barring Dilana. I want you to approve and wish us well. I know it won’t be easy but, if we know that we have the support of the ones who love us the most at least we have a fighting chance.”

Rachael implored the nun with a brilliant gaze from her azure eyes. Di observing the sudden relaxed stance from the two women heaved a sigh of relief knowing that she wouldn’t have been able to resist the begging that oozed from the younger woman’s eyes.

“My child, in my heart you have always had my blessing how can I deny the depth of affection you have shown and now are willing to sacrifice what you love and know the most for her. However….”

A break through!

“However?” Di asked quickly not wanting to sound pushy but any break in the deadlock was worth exploring they might yet find their middle ground.

“The Bishop would not approve, especially if he found that I had known all along and did nothing to try and convince you that it is wrong.”

“Does the Bishop have to know?”

“If Rachael leaves here he will be interested in her whereabouts and her well-being. When he finds out, I don’t know what he might do.”

“What he might do? How can he do anything? Rachael is free to choose her own life, right?”

“Yes, Sister, Bishop Brown can’t do anything to me except…”

Staring into space for a few precious seconds Di wondered if she would ever get used to people who never finished a sentence properly especially an important one. “Except?”

“He will probably take steps to remove me from the school and my contact with the nuns...my family.” Her voice broke slightly as she considered that and for the first time it came home to her the enormity of the step she was taking.

“Can he do that?”

Sister Angela nodded her head, “Yes, he can at the moment anyway, as we don’t have a Mother Superior. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have need to see the structure of our personnel or have a hand in the school running.”

“I see. Are they going to appoint another one?”

Rachael stared at the nun she knew the answer to this but would the Sister admit it.

“He wants me to take over.”

A goofy grin settled on Di’s face as she heard this, wow what a middle ground. “There’s an answer to both your prayers then, Sister, you take over as Mother Superior and Rachael doesn’t have to be ostracised from her position or the church generally.”

The simplicity of the situation glared out at them.

“Dilana, Sister doesn’t want to be Mother Superior. I can’t expect her to do something she doesn’t want because of my selfish needs.”

“You don’t?” Di was astounded she always thought moving up the ladder was a goal even for nuns.

“I have been considering the situation carefully for sometime, perhaps if you will leave me I’ll reflect on it some more with my family here and give my final answer to the Bishop?”

“Sure, I need to go back to the city for a couple of days, maybe when I get back we can talk again?” Di looked at the nun who nodded her head and then turned back to her contemplation of the garden area outside her window.

Surprisingly, when she had arrived back from the city, the nun had already made her announcement she was going to take over as Mother Superior. When they had had their talk with her again she had wished them well and they had never looked back.

“Yeah, I remember, maybe I should go with the Mother to enlighten the Bishop. Who knows, he might come round as well.” Laughing as she saw the twinkle in her lover’s eyes.

“I love you, Dilana, so very much and I’m glad that it worked out for us.” A faraway look settled in the face she loved.

“Want to tell me what made you suddenly so pensive?” Di asked gently as she tilted Rachael’s head so she could plant a soft kiss at the corner of her mouth.

“I was wondering what our life would be like if we had to go it alone without everyone who’s been so supportive?”

Di didn’t answer immediately, then sucked in a deep breath and smiled as she hugged the woman she loved closer, as close as she could without preventing her breathing.

“Sometimes, Rachael, it’s best not to dwell on what might have been and just thank our lucky stars that all the good things we are experiencing last a lifetime.”

Looking up she saw the love that brimmed from those often-serious grey orbs. Yes, Dilana was right; why worry about something that never was and now never would be. She had been indeed blessed in many ways and none more so than Dilana’s surprise the weekend after Sister Angela became Mother Superior….

“I still don’t know where she’s taking me exactly except she said I had to dress up and that we would meet at the beach house and go from there.”

Rachael was staring at herself in the long mirror the clothes had been specially sent from a store in the city and by the price tags she would have had to save for ten years to buy them herself. Dilana had insisted that this was important and only the best was good enough for her girl.

“Perhaps it’s something to do with her book, you know she’s due to pick up a literary award maybe it’s that?”

“Hmmm, I don’t think so, it’s next month in New York or so SG said at her last visit.”

“Well, you will know soon enough now come along, Rachael; I promised to drive you there and not to be late she said Noon and Noon it will be.”

Ten minutes later she was being waved off by the two oldest nun’s who had tears in their eyes as she climbed aboard the vehicle. Anyone would think she wasn’t coming back!

As they drove up the small circular drive to the house Rachael gasped at the bunting that adorned every available space, what was going on?

“Sister, is it someone’s birthday and I’ve forgotten …oh no not Dilana’s, it can’t be, can it?” Her wits scattered as she tried to recall the writer’s birthday surely she had said it was March she was certain of it?

The nun didn’t respond and she braked slowly and got out of the car quickly as Dilana resplendent in a sky blue silk tuxedo her short blonde hair in a becoming style that not only complimented her face but the outfit too. Rachael could only stare at the woman she loved totally unable to take her eyes off her.

Sister Angela spoke with Dilana and then headed off towards the house as Di headed to the car and opened the front passenger door smiling nervously.

“What’s going on, Dilana?” Rachael whispered wondering why the butterflies were mounting an attack in her stomach as she stared shamelessly at the writer.

Holding out her hand Di gently helped her out of the car and her own eyes refused to focus beyond the stunning appearance Rachael made, her heart was beating so hard she thought that everyone could hear it.

“Dilana?”

Taking a heady breath breathing in the fresh perfume the woman wore and her essence if that were possible. “You look beautiful.”

Glancing down at her clothes she had to admit she washed up pretty good. “Thank you, and you look magnificent.”

“I’m glad you approve. Rachael, I have something to ask you?”

“Yes?”

“Will you be my life partner and come live with me here in the beach house?” Holding her breath as she waited for her answer. It was the most important thing she wanted Rachael to say other than that she loved her.

“Life partner? Is that similar to a proposal?” Her heart in her mouth knowing that was a ridiculous question of course it was a proposal how dumb could she be!

“Yes it is, will you accept?”

Heaven came to both women as Rachael gave her a stunning smile and flew into her arms kissing the writer’s face as she shouted YES, YES, YES.

Several minutes later Di put her love back on the ground and grinned infectiously. “In that case if you would be so good as to step this way.” Leading the woman gently towards the side of the house and through the gate what greeted them was loud applause as the private beach area had been made into an open air sitting area with a small archway full to brim with people from the town, SG and her husband not to mention the Mother Superior.

“I can’t believe you arranged this without me knowing?” Rachael gasped as she felt herself shaking with nerves as they proceeded towards the arch.

“It wasn’t easy but we have some very special friends.”

A city vicar friend of SG’s, who had no problem with the religious connotations, carried out the ceremony.  After all the congratulations and the food that reminded them of there monthly BBQ’s except the food was much richer and alcohol showed up in copious quantities.

As the day came to a close they were left alone finally in the house, covered in confetti and so happy with how everything went that they both had permanent grins etched on their faces.

“I love you, Dilana, but you didn’t need to do this.”

“Oh, I did darling, because I want you now and for always. It was important to you the commitment and I couldn’t think of anything more committed than having a joining ceremony with all our friends there to support us, well almost all of our friends. I thought maybe we could have a special BBQ for some of the other nuns and the kids in a couple of weeks.”

A tear splashed down her cheek as she realized that life couldn’t get any more wonderful or could it as she saw the passion flaring in the grey eyes of her soon to be lover.

“I will never forget today, Dilana, you have made me so happy.”

Crushing the woman to her chest Di wondered how she had got to be so lucky but now she didn’t care this was right for her and nothing short of a miracle in her eyes. “You have made me happy too Rachael and I want to spend the rest of my life doing just that if you will let me?”

“I’ll let you as long as you allow me to do the same.”

“Absolutely my love.” The passion that had been smouldering ignited into a giant flame that consumed them both as they finally allowed their love to be released into a wave, which saw them making love for hours.

“I think you are right and I’d rather dwell on pleasanter thoughts.”

“You would now how can I make that happen?” Wriggling her eyebrows in an exaggerated way making Rachael giggle at the faces Dilana pulled.

Tender arms held her close and she revelled in how it was to be loved like this and that she had found someone special enough to look beyond her faults and see into her heart and for this woman it was solid gold love. “How about I tell SG that we will travel with them we can always give them the slip from time to time?”

“Oh, Dilana, that sounds as if we don’t want to spend time with them.” Laughing softly it was a rather wonderful idea.

“Yeah well I don’t not all the time and anyway it can be our honeymoon we never did get away did we?”

“No we didn’t and I think that’s a wonderful idea. Let’s go for a walk on the beach before bed and we can tell SG in the morning.”

“Marvellous idea, darling.” They released each other but walked as close as possible out of the house eventually entwining arms as they walked along the moonlit beach a while later they ended up at the one spot they could both find if they were blind.

“I will never forget the first time I saw you standing here.” Di breathed into Rachael’s hair drinking in the woman’s perfume and the sea air.

“I’ll never forget the first time I saw you too!”

“Really, care to share?”

Rachael laughed and snuggled into the arms that held her tightly. “You told me that I was the small silent type. When I looked at you I think I fell in love that single minute you looked so cute and out of control.”

“You remembered the words I said to you that day?”

“Oh yeah, it was the best chat up line ever after you failed with beautiful day.” Giggling as she saw the astonishment in her lover’s eyes.

“I can’t believe you remember the exact words my god darling you are amazing.” Di bent her head to snatch a kiss, which ended up a rather longer exploration.

“Okay, I’ve told you mine now it’s your turn.”

“Well…would you believe the first time I saw you convinced me that this was the place to be? You were the deciding factor in me taking this house when I saw you alone standing watching the sea. You were part of nature, my love, or so I thought at the time and still do sometimes when you go all quiet on me as you stare out to sea. It’s about the only time you leave me and I miss you but I also know you will be back.”

Rachael felt the arms around her pull her close to prevent her leaving physically, they’d discussed that aspect of her mental state. She might have recaptured her voice but the memories and heartache still remained when her parents were killed by the cruelty of the sea. Her own memories recalling a very tender moment on the day of their joining...

“Rachael, there’s one more thing I’d like to do if it’s okay with you?” Di spoke quietly into her newly joined partner’s ear as the revellers finally left them alone.

“Anything for you, Dilana, you know that.” Smiling in joy this had been one wonderful day and it kept getting better.

Picking up the large spray of flowers that had been presented to Rachael as they stood under the arch with the vicar, she had managed to stop Rachael from throwing it to some of the single people there because she had what she hoped would be a fitting place for the spray.

Walking over together hand in hand to the place where they had met for the first time.

“I’d like us to throw the spray into the sea in memory of your parents and I hope that if they are looking over us they will approve of what we pledged today.” Di was tentative she knew how much Rachael still mourned her parents passing and probably always would have that small niggling doubt that perhaps she could have done more to help them.

There was no sound for a few moments then Di heard a small sob and bent her head to look at the face of the woman she adored, had it been a bad choice? Damn what a way to end a beautiful day was she so dense that…

“I think it’s a beautiful idea, Dilana, thank you.”

Holding out her hand for the spray Rachael quietly spoke a few words and tossed it into the ocean.

“They know I love you, Dilana, and you love me, how can they not be happy for us?” Smiling through her emotional tears Rachael pulled down her partner’s head and passion quickly overcame every other thought.

“I’ll always come back to you, Dilana, you are my life now and always.”

Dilana sighed happily; how her life had changed in two short years and she knew that someplace her Dad was watching with her Mom and they would approve of how her life had turned around, she certainly did.

“I know you will come back love. Even in silence I feel your love for me and I know it always will be, my special daughter of Poseidon.”

Laughing at the thought they walked back towards the house and the rest of their lives. ”Did you really get the idea of your book ‘In Search Of Poseidon’s Daughter’ from me?”

“Who else my love?”

As the sea gently lapped the shore, two very happy women turned their backs for the evening but, they would be back they always came back! Poseidon never turned his back on his daughter, now he’d gained another, and there was always room for one more child of the sea!

The End