The Tale Of Asterham

Chapter 2(iv)

2009-06-10T08:18:00.000-07:00

The pleasant aroma of the morning coffee filled his room indicating that Mrs. Smith was around, waiting for her boy to get up.

He pushed himself hard to get out of the bed, it seemed like eternity since he slept at home.

“Good morning.” Mrs. Smith always happened to brighten up the room with her enthusiastic voice.

“Hope the sleep has lessened your fatigue or has it?”

“To some extent.”

His dreary expression gave up.

“Something’s bothering you. Won’t you tell your mama?”

“Mom, I hope you’ll pardon me after hearing to what I have to confess.”

His remorseful voice brought her closer to him.

“It was me who’s to be held responsible for Jesse’s accident but I never meant any harm to her. Believe me. All of that was just too unfortunate.”

Seeing the atonement in his dark black eyes, that reminded him always of Jacob, she could feel that he was no more guilty than the circumstances showed him to be.

“Sam, I know you wouldn’t harm a foe.” She caressed him with sympathy in her eyes.

“Whatever’s happened, stop thinking about it as a mistake. What’s the deal in murmuring about a past blunder? Move on and correct it. Look ahead for what will happen from hereon. But make sure you are straight with her, in a better way and you’ll be fine.”

“I will mom, I will.” He kissed her placid and motherly cheeks and after finishing the coffee…

“where’s Suz, definitely not at home!”

“God knows how you and Suz go about making such wild guesses. But yes, she’s in the backyard with Jessica. You finish off with your morning chores, while Clara and I set the breakfast table.”

Just then the phone-bell rang. Jumping from his bed, he picked up the earpiece.

“Great, it’s you.”

“Everything’s fine.”

“You mean now. I’ll see if it’s possible.”

Mom was waiting for a reply when he turned after placing the receiver back in its place. When he didn’t…

“Some urgent business?”

“Me and business? Nah! Tom’s in Asterham and wants to meet me. Infact, Mayor has called for me.”

“Long time it’s been since you’ve both had some serious lecture from him. At least this time try to pay heed to it. Ask him what you should do next regarding your future. Its time you thought seriously about it. If Jacob were here….”

“Mom, I would.” He cut her short as he walked into the bathroom for a quick shower.

CHAPTER 2(iii)

2009-02-04T04:47:00.000-08:00

The girl had bent down to pick up her books which now lay scattered on the floor. He watched her pick up her things with a charm and elegance he had never seen before.

What was so appealing about her?

His mind couldn’t decide; all it was doing right now was to watch her with a childish innocence. She kept her books inside the bag and then turned to him, welcoming him with her cold stare.

“Never do this.”

He watched her lips move with a poise.
“When you hit against a lady and throw her things to the floor, have the courtesy to pick them up and ask for forgiveness.”
This was all she said before turning her back towards him and moving away.

Could this have lasted longer?

He watched her until she was out of sight.
“Sam! What are you doing sitting on the floor?” Tom patted on his shoulder. Roggie stood behind him.
“I met him before I could leave the station but tell me something what were you doing all this while?”
He had nothing to reply but turn to see in the direction in which she left.
“I wish I could meet her again.” he thought.
“Sam!“
He opened his eyes to find himself in his library again with Suz staring at him wide eyed.
That was our first meet
he spoke to himself and then turned to Suz.
“Suz… I didn’t mean to hurt her. I had no intentions whatsoever to hurt her, believe me.”
“I do,bro” She felt the warmth his naive heart radiated. “I know my Sam and therefore I caught the irked expression on your face. I just wonder if she has got you.”
“Even if she has got me and is ready to forgive me I’ll never be able to pull myself up against my conscience. Never.”

CHAPTER 2(ii)

2009-01-09T10:50:00.000-08:00

Just as Suz had concluded, he turned towards Jesse.

“May I have the pleasure to drop you girls at the villa? Just get into my black beauty.” He opened the door for them.

There was no refusing the offer for their day’s adventures had drained them and they both got in as they badly needed a lift.
The car raced down the road; there was no speaking for a while but somebody had to break the silence and it happened to be Sam.
“Think you both had a great day at the beach.”

Seeing the almost cave look both gave him, he continued, “I guessed it from your sand filled slippers. That’s it. So Suz, how did you spend your days without me?”
His voice echoed in the background as Jesse was thinking. She couldn’t believe that the man she did not want to see again was her Suz’s brother. She felt stupefied in this strange situation.

“Should I tell Suz or should I not?” was the question raging a war in her mind.

Then she saw the delight on her friend’s face and then the man responsible for it. After all, this gentleman with a charismatic attitude and a pious smile wasn’t as bad as she had previsioned.

It was beginning to get dark when the car passed the tall gates enclosed between the pillars, a characteristic of the villa, as Jesse enjoyed its beauty in the moon lit night. The old mansion; rebuilt of granite stones; mammoth sized granite stones; about a century old, was a typical epitome of Asterhamese architecture.
“Though old fashioned, Smiths villa has enough charm to win the admiration of almost anyone who sees it in moon light. Don’t you agree Jes?”
Jesse couldn’t refuse but agree.
Mrs. Smith had been waiting for the girls to return, but she had a sweet surprise waiting for her when she saw Sam’s car.

“Sam, when did you come? Where had you been all these days? Everything’s right? Didn’t you care to remember your mom even once all these days?”

Resting his back against the cushion on the sofa, he demanded a glass of water from Clara and then turned to his mom.

“Should I answer them on a conveyer belt system? Ok!” he continued “tom and I spent the good part of our days in rovers and everything’s is as good as it can be.”
“So what was my boy up to all these days?”

“I think Sam was busy making the blue print of Rovers and submitting it to the mayor. What else do you expect him to do roaming around the streets in rovers?” Suz was up to her usual work of pulling his legs.

“Suz don’t under estimate me. I’m a potential employment seeker and who knows when fortune will knock my door!”
“I hope it does…”
“Was that a joke Suzzane? You both won’t find peace until you’ve had a fight.” Mom interfered “now Sam why don’t you and Tom start a business of your own?”
That was one question Mrs. Smith never got tired of asking and everytime got the same old reply with slight modifications here and there.

“Mom, that requires a huge capital and we are almost bankrupt. And who will invest so much time and money as to help two idlers start their own venture. Can’t we discuss it some other day? My tummy’s craving for food.”

Jesse had all this while been quiet, listening to all the conversation.

After dinner was over and Clara had cleared the table, Mrs. Smith accompanied her to her bedroom. Opening the large window beyond the bed, she let the fresh air get in. Meanwhile Jesse took to the bed and watched Mrs. Smith smile at her.
“The breeze is quite refreshing, isn’t it Mrs. Smith?”
“Reminds me of the old times when I was your age… everything was so different then! So tell me did you enjoy at the beach today?”
“To my fullest, infact I don’t have words to describe my experience today. I don’t have any such good memory of having enjoyed so much before. My life had so far been a lone journey and finally I get the feeling that I’ve got my destination. Suz told me about how you reached your destination!” she smiled tenderly.
“You mean Jacob?”
She paused for a while bringing back those old and sweet memories of her late husband.
“He was the nicest thing to happen in my life. When I was you, I felt life could not be more miserable.
“How did you meet him? Suz was telling me that it is an interesting story and I must ask you”
She could see Mrs. Smith blush a little, reliving all those loving moments.
“Yes indeed. It is interesting”, she smiled.

“I worked as a governess to a rich family in Rovers. And everyday on my way to Rovers, I would meet him. Though at first, I thought he was just another gentle breeze who would pass by, but he proved me wrong. He stood by my side whenever I was depressed with this pitiful life. And Robert, he was the one who let me know how special I was and what difference I was capable of making in Jacob’s life. I owe my marriage to both of them… one was my destination and the other who showed me the way to reach there.”

“Suz did tell me a little bit about both of them. She said they had been good friends.”
“Robert and Jacob were more than good friends. Right from their childhood till their death they were the best soul mates. They understood each other perfectly. Infact Robert Vincent knew more about Jacob than I ever did in my entire lifetime.”
“Wait a minute” Jesse shot up a brow.
“Did you just say Robert Vincent?” she stressed on the latter part of the name.
“Yeah he was a Vincent!”
“If Mr. Vincent had been so closely associated with your family, then why did you give a startled look when I told you I was a Vincent too? I felt for an instant as if you had abhorred me for centuries.”
“That’s not coz of Robert… but don’t worry, try to get used to this coz you will face many such startled looks in Asterham if you told anyone you were a Vincent anyways I think its too much for today. Its getting late and I think you should get a good sleep after a tiring day. Good night dear.”

She kissed her forehead and watched her close her eyes and then putting off the lights, she headed to her room.

In another corner of the villa the lights in the library were still on when Suz opened the door looking for someone and found that some one completely engrossed in a book.
“Sam, we need to talk!”
“And so do I” he beckoned her.
“Now tell me, what’s that secret you are holding back?”
“Which one?” he seemed puzzled but then he corrected, “I mean I don’t get you.”
“Look… when I introduced you to Jesse, I got the strange feeling that you knew her. Your eyes… they looked at her with acquaintance. She isn’t a stranger to you, is she?”
“It isn’t as you think but let’s make a thing clear, how Ms. Vincent is here?”
“That’s exactly what I wanted to talk about. Well, two weeks back, the day you came back from Rovers and left us again, Jesse was brought here by the Mayor after she narrowly escaped a big tragedy.
“You mean an accident?”
“Yeah, two almost idiotic guys, who in my opinion need to be hanged, made her taxi dash against the roadside-railing; thanks to their rash driving.”
“You mean she had an accident after that …” he stopped.
“After what?”
“After…I drove past her.”

There was a deafening silence in the library for a while, waiting to be broken by the shrill voice of Suzzane.

“You mean it was you who was driving the second car?” she looked at him in bewilderment.
“Well, the thing is Tom and I were having a kinda race, I was just trying to overtake Tom but believe me I never had the faintest idea that things would go so wrong. I thought she would control her taxi after I rushed past her.”
“But that would have been just for a second, then how did you recognize it to be Jesse?”
He evaded her question with a smile and sank back on his chair.

He could still hear the voices over the announcement; the Rovers station was crowded that day. He had been waiting for Tom’s friend, Rodriguez at the Rover’s station.
“Samie” he turned back hearing Tom’s voice.
“I’m sorry for making you wait but he said he would be here.”
He was trying to explain.
“Doesn’t matter. He would be here any time and I don’t think we have any more important business to attend to than wait for him. So what were you saying?”
“Dad said he’ll come to rovers tomorrow and I have to go and inform the councilor to keep the files ready. I have to collect them from him and deliver it to dad.”
“You go to the town council. If I see Rodriguez I’ll bring him to council hall and we’ll leave.”

He then watched Tom disappear into the crowd. The Rovers station was more crowded than normal. Within seconds Tom was out of his sight. And Sam relaxed on the bench waiting for his other friend. Minutes passed like hours, he was watching the teeming crowd and was wondering how many different types of people are there in this little city. And there…, he saw Rodriguez frantically making his way through the crowd.

“Hey Roggie.”

He waved his hand but to no avail. Roggie kept moving in the opposite direction.
“Roggie” he shouted again and dashed in his direction but before he could catch hold of him, there was a collision… and he found himself falling towards the tiled floor. In a quick movement of the hand, he saved himself from hitting hard on the floor and turned back, in one of his sulking moods, to see what had obstructed his way and when he did…

CHAPTER 2 (i)

2009-01-09T10:25:00.000-08:00

humorous are the ways of Cupid;

when eyes beckon in silence

the hearts murmuring words of love

longingly He makes them wait.

- Lores of Love

It was quarter past eight in the morning when she got up. The cold breeze refreshed her soul, which had been rusted by days of inactivity. She left her bed and opened the window. Cotton clouds floated serenely in the sky. Wherever she turned her eyes, it was green all around; green hills and pastures on one side and rocky and bare mountainous cliffs facing the beach on the other side. The beauty of this country was more than she had imagined. Had it not been Suz’s knocking at the door, she would not have taken her eyes of the sandy sea shore.

“Seems like my Jesse is feeling great!”
“Hmmm. I was right in making a decision to come to this place… It’s awesome, much better than any other place I’ve ever been to.”
“If you say this just by sitting in your bedroom, then what you would say when you explore its beauty? Oops! I forgot mom’s waiting for you at the breakfast table. Be there as fast as you can.”

An hour later, Jesse was down the hall just to find both Mrs. Smith and Suz waiting for her. “Sorry,” she apologized, “I made you all wait. Mrs. Smith I need to talk to you. Can I?”

After getting an affirmative from her, she proceeded “I can’t express how much I’m obliged to you and therefore…” she hesitated.
“And therefore?”
“I think I must move on.”
“And where would you go?”
“I’ve heard that there’s a big cottage inn somewhere near.”
“You mean Robbie’s nest?”
“Yeah the guide told me…”
“But why do you want to go there? Can’t you stay with us here?”

She paused and then replied “Infact, when I asked the guide for some accommodation and he showed me the advertisement you had given in the paper for tenants, I was coming all the way to your house when that unfortunate episode happened. But now I don’t want
to trouble you any more.”

“If that were the case, instead of a stranger as a tenant, we would love to have you.” she smiled and then continued “Jesse, if you feel fine then why don’t you go to the beach today with Suz. That would do a lot of good to you.”
Jesse couldn’t be happier than this- a new home to live in, new friends to talk to and a visit to the beach. The beach had always kindled her imagination.
And soon a plan was set up and both of them left for the beach. The road they took was a long one and the journey tiring, but once they came in contact with the cold oceanic breeze, it brought life back from a stand still.

“I feel great.” Jesse exclaimed, looking at the vast expanse of sea in front of her. The overcast sky meant they could enjoy being on the beach for a longer time, not caring the least about the scorching sun. And they weren’t the only ones to bask in nature’s beauty, there were loads of others as well; people of all ages; dotted over the long beach, enjoying the August sun.

“I couldn’t have asked for anything more refreshing; the water trickling down my feet; the overcast sky; the colored empty shells scattered on the beach, everything’s new to add to my experience, more of a dream, you see.”

Jesse, who had never seen a beach before save the movies and pictures, was as excited as Suz who was visiting the Asterhamese beach for the umpteenth time!

Living in Asterham had helped Suz develop her poetic self. Every time she visited the beach, the fresh air blowing over her face becharmed her. As they both watched the waves play with the shore, she couldn’t resist humming out a florilegium written long ago.

where dost thou go scurrying across ?

what game dost thou play ?

visiting caves of the darkened deep,

carrying home treasures long lost,

dost thou swallow it up with a mingy mouthed glee.

This watching game continued for a long time, but as the sun slowly began to collect its amber rays, both knew it was time they returned to their domicile. While walking back the same old deserted road, Jessica stopped her.

“Suz, I’ve begun to like this place a lot and to top it all, the love I get from Mrs. Smith, it’s a home away from home for a wanderer like me. Though I never had the privilege to see my mom, I see her everyday in Mrs. Smith. Know what? I can sense her genuine affection for me but at the same time there’s this strange pain she’s trying hard to hide, but somehow I can just feel it when she looks into my eyes."

“She knows how you feel without both your parents’… coz she was an orphan too.” She failed trying to bring on a fake smile on her face.
“Life to her was more of a nightmare right from a very young age. Nobody but her aunt Celina gave her the love and care she really deserved. Life was nothing but a struggle to survive until she met two gentlemen; one of them adopted her as his sister and the other married her. The day she met Mr. Robert and my dad, her life took a turn.
“Your dad?”
“Jacob Smith, my dad. An ill-fated incident cost him his life. But let’s not talk about it. You’ll know it sooner or later. Ah! I can see you want to get something clarified!” she chuckled, “Is it about the startled look I gave you when you said you were a Vincent? Half the people in Asterham would do the same if you had told them that. Anything that goes with Margaret is loathed here, including the name.”
“Why is it so?”
“You would have known had you been living here. There was a time when this beautiful city was on the verge of extinction; economy was at its all time low, and the master mind behind all this was said to be Margaret, you will hear different versions of the story while you are here. But… what’s that??”

All of a sudden Suz stopped talking and turned to the opposite side.

“Watch out...” She said, trying to listen more intently to the sound.

Jess tried too, but her sensory powers wouldn’t help her more than to recognize the occasional crashing and rolling of waves and distant chirping of birds. By this time Suz knew where the sound was coming from and recognizing it jumped with enthusiasm. A little later, Jesse could hear the distant purring of an engine and within the span of a few seconds; a large black car emerged from the west end of the road.

Jesse felt something strange about the whole thing. It was something of a déjà vu. She was still thinking when the car, a Black Cadillac Eldorado model from the 60s crossed her and stopped in front of Suz, as an acknowledgement of Suz waving her hand at it. The door flung open and stepped out a man in his middle twenties, elder to both Suz and Jesse and when he came out, he hugged Suzzane and smiled sheepishly.

“So what’s my baby doing here?” he asked with a shrewd smile.

“Sam, for god’s sake stop calling me a baby now, I’m already 18.” She insisted childishly but suddenly she remembered the presence of Jesse and turned back to formally introduce both.
“Hey Jesse, meet my brother Sam… Samuel Smith.”

He turned to face her and she looked up with a smile on her lips, expecting a total stranger, which the very next instant she knew he wasn’t, for he was the man who had bumped onto her twice in this unfamiliar city. She recognized this impish smile immediately; the facial features she had seen exactly before the instant her car crashed and escaped falling into the ditch; How could she so easily forget the man who was driving the second car?

“I wonder if he hasn’t recognized me?” she thought.

Though the smile died lamely on her lips, something within her guided her to keep the secret back, atleast for a while. Her thoughts were disturbed by Suz’s voice
“…and brother this is our new tenant at the villa and exactly how she happens to be here is a long story.”

CHAPTER 1

2009-01-09T09:54:00.000-08:00

“With the shining sun beneath me,

under the elm didst i sit

dreaming of life unblessed;

of missed out girly delight

of indulgence, comfort and solace.

Bored with my solitary humdrum,

muttered i a silent prayer

wishing for companionship,

the joy of sharing with a sibling alike ...”

- from Suz's Contemplations

Sitting on her easy chair, she looked out of the full-size window in front of her; the atmosphere was hot and humid, the sky dull and overcast.

" It’s gonna rain”, she thought.

The twilight gave a soothing comfort to her tired body and little did she realize when sleep took over her....Those loud cheers...she could hear them very clearly and why it should not be? After all it was the grand opening of the big dairy factory Jacob was in-charge of.... He was very glad, it was his dream come true and so was she and her small family of three. Her son clung to her bosom. She heard him say...“Mom, now we won’t have to sell our manor, do we?” She felt equally proud as Jacob felt, to nod her head. But all of a sudden some thing happened...the atmosphere turned eerie. Those cheers gave way to loud screams... Jacob was no where to be seen. She perspired as her instincts warned her of the impending disaster. She got up with a shudder … the same old dream…she was still clammy. Rain was pouring heavily as she could see from her room’s window...

Before she could think of Jacob once again she heard a tap at the door and Clara appeared with a stranger. The old man... his large hat and the wet raincoat covering the grave face beneath…
For a minute she couldn’t recognize if it was indeed him. The room was poorly lit… but the sudden streak of lightening across the sky brightened it up for a fraction of a second.
“Oh Mr. Lender!”

she got up from her chair to greet him, “what a pleasant surprise…” she paused “Why? What happened? You look so pale?
“Mrs. Smith, there’s an emergency and I need your help. Would you mind sparing Clara for a while? Hurry up and follow me”And without waiting for her okay, he rushed out of the room...as fast as he had entered.

Mrs. Smith and the maid followed the old man in his way out towards his car. It was pouring heavily, no one cared. The man stopped in front of his car. There… he opened the door of the back seat and bent to scoop up someone in his arms. Mrs. Smith gave a little cry of astonishment when she saw stains of fresh blood sneered all over the body..It was a girl as she could make out from the features.

The man was sweating as profusely as the girl bled still he gathered the courage to carry her.

“Pray Mr. Lender, whatever happened?” She exclaimed “...and this girl?”
“Just an accident, but details, not now. I need some help.” and he rushed picking up the girl in his hands into Smith’s villa.

“Take her to the first room upstairs”, Mrs. Smith directed him, in a confused state. “Be swift,” the doctor dictated “get my first aid kit from the car”, saying this he disappeared upstairs… Mrs. Smith waited outside edgily to hear an account of what had happened.

She watched Clara move up and down fetching him the essentials… bottles of antiseptic, cotton swab, bandages. She wished to see Mr. Lender soon but her tolerance was tested and it was not before another hour and a half that he showed up. Finally seeing the doctor coming out with the smile of a contented man, she felt at ease. The doctor washed his hands and thanked Mrs. Smith for her co- operation.

“I hope things are all right, Mr. Lender.”
“So far I don’t see a reason why she shouldn’t be fine. But…” he paused “There’s always the risk factor. Clara’s a good assistant and I found no difficulty in controlling the bleeding. Her head is slightly concussed from hitting but the injections will make her feel better. Want to see her?”
“Why not?”
Opening the door before her, he led her inside. “Now take a look!”

Screens were drawn and what Angela saw had a soothing effect on her heart. For behind the blood stain was an innocent face; gentle yet subtle. She did not know what was there in it which kept her eyes glued onto her. Was it the pain and agony she could sense in the face, that reminded her of herself? She had no clue.

“She’s elder to Suz, I believe!”

“Quite so Mr. Lender”

Angela caressed those gentle cheeks with a fondness typical to all mothers.There was a brief silence.The Doctor knew that the lady was waiting for an explanation.
Asking her to take a seat, he began.
“It all happened this evening when I was leaving for Rovers. You know about the roads there. While I was negotiating the first hair pin turn, I heard a loud thud… and then the muffled sound of an engine and then a big ‘bang’, there was this crash. I slowed down to reach the spot where I saw a car hanging partially from the roadside railing. There wasn’t anyone inside but then I saw her thrown meters away from her hired taxi. Hmmm... quite lucky to be here with us, God saved the 1000 m fall. And there she lied in a pool of blood, a horrible sight it was. I waited to see if I could get some help from passers by…unfortunately it started to rain and help…there was none. Also there was this fear that the up-hill journey to Rovers might aggravate the situation…"

He paused to take a sip of freshly brewed coffee that Clara had brought especially for him.
"...To make matters worse, today’s Sunday.",he continued.

" So I was sure I wouldn't get any help from the local nursing home and I was left with no other alternative than to bring her to a place where she would be taken good care…a place I trust, can I?”
“Of course, Mr. Lender, you can. You can always rely on us.”
“In fact I feel guilty of troubling you with all this”
“Not at all. It’s a pleasure to have another member in the villa. As for now are there any precautions I need to take?”, the concern was genuine.
“Don’t let her move for the next few days. Things would go on well with the medicines I’ve prescribed” He scribbled something on his little notepad, tore it and handed it over to Clara.
“It’s getting too late, Mrs. Smith. I think I must move on.”

Just when he was about to leave, there was a knock at the door and Suz popped in.
“Hey Mayor!”,she was surprised to see him at the villa at this late hour.
“It’s been long since I’ve seen you. How’s everything and how’s Tom?”
“He’s doing great as usual. But sorry young lady, I’ve no time to spare. I’ve got to reach Rovers before it is too late. Excuse me ladies…”
Suz walked up to the door where the old man turned, “Good night dearie.”
“Good night Mayor.”

She watched him leave the front door and heard him start his car. With curiosity killing her, she ran upstairs to the room where Mom was sitting and discussing with Clara.“What brings him here Mom?"
“That’s coz, he brought a guest tonight to the villa, and though I’m afraid I don’t even know who she is”
“I don’t get you.”
Mrs. Smith had no difficulty in repeating the whole narrative and after she had done so, she took suz to see the new arrival.
“She looks so peaceful, doesn’t she? Reminds me of one of your childhood portraits”
Mrs. Smith smiled.
“Her name?”
“Only she knows. Will have to wait till she regains consciousness”
“Can I stay with her, mom?” for which she replied with a stern look.
“She needn’t be disturbed. Its 9 already and I want you to be in your bed within 10 minutes.”
With a half heart, Suz retired to her room, hoping all the way that she might get to talk to her quite soon.

(ii)

The gay august sun shone brightly over the coastal city of Asterham. Suz was returning from the market with a bagful of groceries which Clara had asked her to. As she opened the gate of the villa, she saw mom standing on the balcony of the new arrivals room.
“Suz!” she heard her mom “Come in soon.”
“What’s it? You look happy, something special?”
“You got it right. I’ve got good news; she was up a few minutes ago."
“That’s great. Wait I’m coming.” Handing over the groceries to Clara, she rushed upstairs.
Opening the door, she saw her… wide awake; welcoming Suz with a gentle smile. She tried to get up but the wound in her left leg wouldn’t let her.
“Ah!”
“Don’t” Mrs. Smith stopped her “Rest your leg with this cushion and help yourself with a hot cup of coffee.”

She took a sip or two and then for the first time, took a look around the place where she was right now. Mrs. Smith probably understood and took the initiative “I’m Angela Smith and this is my daughter Suzzane."
She smiled and took the lady’s hand in hers.
“Mrs. Smith, I’m…I’m at complete loss of words to express my gratitude. I’m sorry for this inconvenience.”

“You say inconvenience? Nah my dear! Feel at home.”

“May I know which place is this?”
“Asterham, of course. The one next to Rovers. You new here?”
She was silent for another minute, staring blankly at the land lady till Suz disturbed her.

“How do you feel now?”
The girl gazed monotonously at Mrs. Smith for a while.
“Are you Angela Smith of the Smiths Villa?”

“Yeah! But how …?”

“I…I…”

She couldn’t speak another word; her weakness overtook her and once again she collapsed.
“But hey!” Suz shook her.
“you haven’t told us your name yet.”
“Suz,” Mrs. Smith interfered “I think we shouldn’t have disturbed her in the first place. May be this little talk was too much for her… I should have paid heed to Mr. Lender. You take charge of the kitchen and I’ll ask Clara to look after her.”

After the lunch was over, Clara reported at Mrs. Smith’s room. “Mrs. Smith, the girl wants to see you.”
“She feels fine now?”
“Hmm… seems quite well to me.”
Within a minute, both Mrs. Smith and Suz found themselves in her room. She had been waiting for them and as soon as they sat beside her, she began
“Mrs. Smith, I’m Jessica, an authoress… more by passion than profession." she gave a weak smile.
"My friends and I are working for a renowned research institute, whose name I can’t reveal. We travel to different parts of the world and collect details about the people, their culture, their faiths,beliefs,customs, behaviors... basically to learn about human psychology and how culture moulds it, so that we can help the institute in its research program."
She took the soup Suz had made for her and continued.
"Somehow this less known island fascinated me a lot and I decided to explore this part of the world for the next 6 months. So I landed in at Holborn Airport and ended up at Rovers."
"And how did you reach here?" Suz was curious.
"A local guide helped me out.I learnt that there was a beautiful city called Asterham downhill.”
“So you hired a taxi from the station and traveled here.”
“Exactly!" she was surprised, "but I never told you that?”
“Mr. Lender had enquired about your accident last week.” Suz replied.
“Last week?”
“You were brought here last week by a very kind man. All this time you had been unconscious.”
Jessica couldn’t believe.“And that accident? How did it happen?”

Suz couldn't hold on her excitement.
“Well, I had no idea that the downhill road will be full of hairpin turns. There I saw a car racing towards mine from the opposite side and then there was another following the first. The first car got past quite smoothly but the second driver… he was too rash. The car came like hitting me and in defence; I quickly swerved to the opposite side, not realizing that there was a sharp turn ahead but to my good luck, there was a rock supporting the railing and my taxi dashed against it. Such rash driving of his made me loose my balance.”
“Poor thing”, Mrs. Smith soothed her hands.
“Those people must be crazy,” groaned Suz.
“But you said a man was driving the second car?”
“How can I ever forget that face?”
“Just forget it now.” Suz interrupted “What would you have for lunch, Ms. Jessica…?”
“Vincent, Jessica Vincent is my name.”
“What?” the pupils in Suzzane’s eyes dilated.
Jessica could not understand the reason for Suzzane’s stern look.
“You mean to say… you are a Vincent ! Do you know what it means?”
“Suz, calm down” Mrs. Smith interposed and then she turned to Jessica
“Have you ever been to Paris?”Jessica smiled
“If I could afford I would definitely go there.”
“I mean, have you ever heard of Margaret”
Jessica gave a blank look which made Mrs. Smith turn towards Suz, “It’s all right.”
She replied.“your family?”
“I have none.”

There was a deep silence, followed by a choky voice.
“I was brought up in an orphanage in Dehradun. There they told me that both my parents had died after I was born. I never saw them.”
Mrs. Smith could feel the pain in her eyes and related it with herself. The very thought of her orphaned childhood brought tears to her eyes and she hugged Jessica.
“I’m sorry. But don’t feel the same, hereon. Suz and I are always there for you.”
“Want another cup of coffee, Ms. Jessica”
“Thanks, Suzzane.”
“Don’t be so formal. Call me what everyone here calls, Suz.”
“Only if you exchange it for a Jesse.”

There was a little laughter which lightened the atmosphere. Mrs. Smith left the girls in each others company. Jesse then had a close look at the room she was staying in… it was big with beautifully decorated antiques and old paintings on either side of the room. There was a huge glass window next to her bed, which was partially opened to allow the cool breeze squeeze into the room.

The ice broke between them soon and they began to chat like old friends. They found out that they had many things in common, which brought them more close to each other. Suz liked this girl, not much elder to her, around 20 yrs of age; a perfect girl with blue eyes; lustrous black hair, fairly pink cheeks, amiable nature and to crown it all an exuberant smile which throbbed her heart.