A Different Reflection (20 page)

“I am glad to hear it!” George replied happily.

“You are both like family to me; I have not felt that in such a long time,” I stated again. George simply grabbed the hand that wrapped around his arm and squeezed it. It was reassuring.

As we walked and talked, it was soothing. Although James could not be there, I felt his presence somehow. We sat and watched the birds fight for food, as the autumnal weather made the lawn come alive with the worms they flocked for. As we returned, I noticed the most beautiful purple flower with definite markings against a high wall.

“How beautiful… iris?” I asked George.

“Indeed,
iris unguicularis var
– very distinctive, and Margaret's favourite flower during the autumnal and winter months. It seemed appropriate to keep it!” George replied.

“May I?” I asked, looking to him to give me permission to break a stem.

“Please do,” he gestured.

I thought that if James could not join us outside, I would bring the outside in for him. If this was his mother's favourite flower, he should enjoy it too. After all, he had been more than compassionate toward me and my dilemma. I carried it carefully back to the house. As we entered, James sat patiently reading in the hallway. As we took off our coats, he enquired:

“Did we enjoy our walk?”

“Indeed, it was most refreshing!” George replied.

“I enjoyed the air more than I expected to!” I smiled as I walked to the table in front of James' mirror. “I did not wish for you to miss out so I brought you this!” I then stated as I laid the iris on the table, knowing that James would be able to receive the same on his side of the mirror.

He looked at the flower and then at George, who I could not see as he was behind me. James simply looked back to the table where it lay and then at me. “My mother's favourite!” he simply said. I smiled.

“Yes, I know. One of mine also!” I replied and then I took off my coat and walked toward George's apartment.

It did not take long for them to join me, and as quickly as I had put on the kettle and placed three mugs on the island, they were busy trying to keep me happy.

“So, tea and cards then?” George asked.

“That sounds like a good idea!” James replied.

I looked at them both and then admitted that I did not know a lot of card games. They both seemed to agree that this was a good advantage for them, as they were tired of cheating each other, and with that thought we retired to the large day room in the main house and the games and teaching began!

James and George made every effort to teach me poker, euchre, gleek and quadrille for most of Saturday and Sunday. Of all of them, poker was the easiest for me to understand, and it was quick. George had the funniest poker face, which was so easy to read; James played along, but all the while it was obvious that he could read him like a book. They moved onto backgammon, chess and snakes and ladders, which of the three was my childhood favourite. I was even happier when I won that game.

Before we knew it, the grand clock in the hallway chimed one and my tummy growled. I placed my hand upon it and smiled at them both.

“Never one to lose my appetite!” I remarked.

“Glad to hear it!” George replied. “Why don't you two sit and talk while I get some sandwiches and tea?”

“Are you sure, George?” I enquired; I did not expect him to chase around after me.

“Of course, you can think about your party!” he smiled as he exited the room.

I stood and stretched, then moved toward the window and looked out across the garden.

“I do not suspect you would ever get tired of looking at this view!” I stated.

“Indeed; we are very lucky. It would be nicer, however, to be able to experience the outdoors and the fresh air; I do so miss them!” James replied. I returned to the chair opposite him.

“Of course; goodness, I did not think of that. You cannot and have not experienced being outdoors since your confinement. I am sorry, I did not think!” I replied with sadness for him.

“George brings flowers and other things indoors to satisfy my irritation – as you did yesterday – so I get some benefit at least. It is amazing how one takes things for granted though, particularly once you realise you cannot have them anymore!” he informed me.

“I cannot imagine how difficult it must have been for you both. It is very cruel and I wish it would end!” I replied.

“Well, enough of feeling sorry for us. We have a party to organise and look forward to; what theme would you like to choose?” he then changed the subject. I sat more upright.

“Well, I would love to say something from your era, but knowing most of my friends I think that black tie and ball dresses would be more appropriate. It is very exciting, though, don't you think, me having a party here with two very much older gentlemen?” I teased.

“Hey, less of the old – I am only thirty! How old will you be on your birthday anyway?” he then enquired.

“I am catching you up – it is my thirtieth birthday also!” I raised my eyebrows at him in anticipation of some sarcasm.

“Really, you are not jesting? Not only is it your birthday, but it is a special one?” He seemed more enthused than I had thought.

“I am not joking, I am to be thirty – and, it seems, single and without a chaperone!” I then laughed.

“You will have me!” George then suddenly said as he returned with a tray full of sandwiches and tea.

“George, give the poor girl a chance. I do not think she would want to be linked arm in arm with an older person such as yourself all night!” James laughed.

“Well I am available should she need me! Did I hear that it is a special birthday?” he then asked.

“Yes, she shall reach the same age as I!” James then noted.

“What is the actual date of your birthday?” George then asked.

“September twenty-third!” I answered.

“That is only some three weeks away,” George replied and then as I took a bite of my sandwich it dawned on me; “It has just occurred to me that your birthday is tomorrow is it not?” I asked James.

“Yes, but I do not choose to celebrate them these days,” he replied.

“Rubbish, we will and you are! I have a meeting tomorrow until five but I will organise dinner and we will have a meal in honour of your birthday, when you officially will be 294 years old – I don't think there is a cake big enough for that many candles!” I joked.

“Yes alright, very funny!” he laughed. “On the plus side for me, though, you are going to keep ageing whilst I remain thirty until freed from this prison!” he then confirmed. I stopped eating and grimaced; that had not occurred to me either.

“That is not funny in the slightest! That's no good – we must make sure we have you out of there before this time next year!” I remarked. “I better get my thinking cap back on!”

“At least you are both not as old as me!” George then said, with disappointment.

“I don't think anyone could be as old as you George!” James laughed, and George jokily threw his linen napkin at the mirror. We all laughed. “Cheeky bloody imp! I could still get you across my knee and give you a good hiding if I had to!” he laughed with us.

“That's a worrying thought George – let us leave it at that!” James then replied.

We all laughed for a while; in the grand scheme of things, it was very much needed. John was unbelievably far from my thoughts; it was probably a protective measure of my own mind, but nevertheless it made things easier to deal with.

We discussed my party for some time and at length. They agreed with the dress code and asked what band I would like – which was exciting, as I had never had a real band before – but an amazing group that played a wide variety of songs immediately sprang to mind; I had seen them play at a friend's wedding. We discussed food, and I insisted that I would arrange a caterer I knew from many functions at work – and it was my party, so I could not allow them to pay.

The day finished better than expected, and as we sat and ate dinner I worked out the timings for getting to work the next morning. It was certainly going to be a different journey from here, so to be on the safe side I allowed an hour. George offered to drive me to the nearest train station, which would take me into King's Cross; this seemed the easiest option with the rush-hour traffic, not to mention saving the cab fare. As I bid them goodnight and walked to my room, again with James for company, I felt like I was meant to be here; was meant to have met George and James. One thing was for sure; I loved being here. We laughed a little as we climbed the stairs and I carefully tried to pry an idea of something I could get James for a gift, but he refused to divulge anything he liked; I suppose because he missed the reality of everything. I stopped at my door and thanked him again.

“It has been a great day despite the circumstances, and that is because of George and yourself, so thank you!” I kindly said.

“It has been a most enjoyable day for us to just spend time with you. Not to mention letting someone else see the humour of George's poker face!” he then laughed as he placed his hands in his pockets.

“Yes, that certainly was worth seeing!” I remarked.

“I am sorry that you had to experience such sadness and anger this weekend. I assure you that things will get better… they must. I need you…
we
need you!” he then said sincerely.

“I am not going anywhere, James,” I replied as I touched the mirror. “I can think of nowhere on earth that I would rather be than here with both of you, and I am sure that you are correct – things will get better!” I replied honestly. I blushed as he stared directly at me, saying nothing for a moment.

“Right, I will let you get some sleep!” he then suddenly said, as if trying to remember why he was there. I nodded and smiled.

“Good night James, sleep well!” I replied as I opened my door.

“Likewise; I guarantee it will be a brighter day tomorrow!” he concluded, and then I closed my door.

I walked into my room and took off my knitted top. At some point during the evening, George had lit the fire in my room; it was a little cooler this evening, and the house was old, so it was well received after the cold day. I finally walked across and picked up the pieces of my phone, which had landed everywhere across the floor. I placed them on the dressing table and managed to retrieve my sim card and put it in my purse. That would have to be on my list of priorities tomorrow… how can you live in this day and age without a mobile phone?

It had been a long, tiring day, but I had been able to spend time with friends in a place that was now my home. I snuggled down into my bed and as I reached across to switch off my lamp I looked around the room once more. I congratulated myself once more on the best thing I had ever bought, and then happily drifted off to sleep.

Remarkably, on waking I felt very calm and content, which I was not expecting. It was as though a great weight had been lifted off me. I had not thought much about John – although if I did it still hurt deeply – and I had slept incredibly well.
There has to be something in that!
I thought to myself. I showered, dressed, went downstairs and felt a significant bounce in my step. As I entered George's kitchen, I found that I was the first one up and ready. It was only 7.30am, so I made scrambled eggs on toast for all of us and a large pot of coffee.

George came in yawning and fastening his cardigan buttons. He seemed a little startled to find that I had cooked breakfast.

“I thought that I could smell something delicious!” he announced as he sat at the island ready to eat.

“I feel remarkably well this morning, George, and I thought it would be a nice change for me to make you breakfast!” I replied with a smile.

“Well it is well received, and I am truly glad that you feel much better,” he finished saying as James appeared in the mirror, seemingly in a hurry and still fastening his jeans buttons. I raised my eyebrows.

“Good morning James!” I spoke calmly as he ran his fingers through his hair to straighten it up.

“Good morning, I am sorry that I am late for breakfast!” he then said.

“You are not late James, I am merely early!” I then informed him with a smile, as I placed our plates on the island with a mug of coffee each.

“You made breakfast?” he then asked.

“I did!” I replied happily as he sat down. Then I smiled some more. After all the clothing that I had seen James in, simple jeans and a t-shirt had not been the first thing that I would have expected him to feel comfortable in. “New clothes?” I asked as I looked across at George. James looked down at himself.

“They are quite new; I felt it may make it a little easier for you if I looked like I belonged in this era!” he remarked.

“That is very considerate!” I smiled.

“I bought those for him ages ago – I was trying to bring him up to date, but he never wanted to wear them until now!” George then replied as he looked across and winked at me. I had to bite my lip to stop myself from laughing. James ignored our remarks and sat to eat.

“So this evening, would you like me to collect you from the station that I shall be dropping you at this morning?” George asked me. I finished the sip of my coffee.

“Are you sure, George? I don't want to put you out in any way!”

“It would be my pleasure. I like to drive whenever I get the opportunity!” he then said.

“In that case, that will be lovely. Shall I text you my ETA once I know?” I replied.

“That will be difficult without a telephone!” James then reminded me. I grimaced.

“Oh yes – good point, I will have to rectify that straight away.” I took another sip of coffee. “First thing on my list when I get to work. I am sure that I can get one delivered to me this morning,” I finished as I placed another forkful of food into my mouth. I was remarkably hungry this morning.

We all sat, ate and chatted, then George suddenly appeared with a small wrapped gift and a card. It had completely slipped my mind this morning that it was James' birthday. George placed them on the end of the island and stepped back as James looked at him.

“I thought that we agreed not to do presents anymore, George, particularly since I cannot reciprocate!” he simply stated.

“I know, but it was something that I thought you would appreciate, and having Katharina here recently just confirmed it,” George replied.

James turned to the reflected duplicate on his side of the mirror and slowly unwrapped the present. It was a picture of some sort, and he sat and stared at it for quite some time before speaking.

“I don't know what to say, George – it's very thoughtful!” he then said. “Did you do this?” he asked.

“Yes, well… after all this time I like to keep trying my hand at different things. Something that Katharina said about bringing the outside in made me think that it would be nice for you to see this place from the outside for a change. I am glad that you like it!” George happily announced.

“Indeed I do. Now I know what you were doing in the summer when you spent so many days outside! I thought that you had taken up walking!” James replied.

“May I?” I asked George, as I pointed to the still intact present on our island.

“Please do,” James then quickly said. “It is very good!”

I slowly unwrapped the paper and turned the framed picture over to see that George had painted a small watercolour of Northfield. It had been done in the height of summer. The flowers were colourful, the grass lush and green, the trees and shrubs well pruned. Northfield's rich cream old stone glowed warmly in the sunlight. It was in its entirety a true likeness, and very good for a beginner. I could tell that George was secretly pleased to have this acknowledged.

“Wow George, I'm impressed. This really is a beautiful watercolour – well done!” I replied honestly. James smiled.

“Well, a good start to the day, and it is my birthday. I am here in my home – in a manner of speaking – and with my two best friends. What could be better?” he then declared.

“Hold that thought until after dinner tonight, James – I'm not the best cook, and the day may not end as well as it started!” I joked.

“I think that you underestimate your talents, Katharina!” he replied. I blushed.

“Right, let me get my things George. I do not want to be late on my first morning of being a single, strong woman in control of her life!” I said as I jumped to my feet.