world. We must remember that there was once love, and family, and righteousness. Your heritage is a rich one, chérie .’
That day passed into nothingness. How time wasted under spent contemplation. I was not used to it. I filled minutes with dozens of tasks usually, but the eve of my treasured aunt’s funeral had descended into tears, disbelief and on my part, a weakening of spirit.
‘What now Camille? What do I do?’
‘We say goodbye and hope that more answers are forthcoming.’
I knew Camille was holding on to the hope that she wouldn’t be forced to do Eve ’s dirty work. Meanwhile I secretly wished there was nothing else to face. Yet I knew there had been a web of secrecy surrounding my relative that needed unraveling. It would have to be picked apart and the fact that Eve’s resistance force were embroiled in this made the reality all the more clear. There were lives in danger and I was facing a crossroad.
Camille kissed my forehead and told me she slept in the flat next door and to call on her if I needed anything during the night.
I retrieved a flash meal from the kitchen and was thankful I couldn’t taste a thing, I was too numb. I feebly hoped it would all look better in the morning. So I crawled into Eve’s bed fully clothed, wrapping the covers around me, trying to absorb some of my aunt’s presence. I needed to feel a connection to someone, or something, which might give me comfort. Closing my eyes, I pictured Eve and Tom so happy on their wedding day, and fell into an instant deep sleep.
C HAPTER 11
I slept so deeply that when I woke, I shot up with a start, having entirely forgotten I had crawled into bed there the previous night. Everything looked different that morning and I was comforted seeing Eve’s surroundings staring back at me. As if telepathically, Camille knocked on the door holding coffee and toast in her hands.
‘Morning. Feel better today?’
‘Much, much better, thanks.’ I even managed a smile.
Camille had dressed in a pink, fitted dress that showcased an impressive figure for a woman of her age. After she sat down at Eve’s dressing table in the corner, Camille produced her xGen and appeared to be engrossed with something. Her sleeveless dress revealed extremely defined muscles in her arms – and she wore full make-up, her hair loose and straightened – and I kind of saw her appeal. I mean… I’d heard noises from the flat next door all night and had thought them a part of my dreams, but evidently as she sat there, she had enjoyed a good time.
‘ I guess you were more careful when Eve was around? You know? Thin walls and all?’ I teased her.
She didn’t respond but raised an eyebrow and continued to be ensconced in her messages, or whatever.
She was stunning, quite simply. It was a waste of good Parisian breeding that she was stuck in York.
‘I don’t have to make an effort too, do I? I think I could just about manage jeans and a t-shirt today.’
Camille shot me a look of unacceptability. ‘You are the niece of Eve Maddon. Plus, we need to show the world what we are made of, remember?’
‘Fine. I’ll throw something on then.’
‘We’d better leave soon Seraph, it starts in an hour. Hop in the shower and I’ll get some items from the wardrobe for you that should fit. I’ll leave them out and you can meet me downstairs when you’re ready.’
‘Yes, ma’am,’ I saluted , before heading off to the bathroom.
An hour later, we clung to each other as we made our way into the Minster – a gargantuan Gothic, medieval marvel that looked unreal against the background of the ruined city. Some of the shop staff trailed behind, but a lot of them had been forced to stay on back at the complex.
Camille had thrown on a little matching jack et to go with her dress and I noticed many of the other guests also wearing similar, sophisticated clothing.
S o this is more like a gathering of UNITY , I thought.
‘I’m giving the eulogy.
That day passed into nothingness. How time wasted under spent contemplation. I was not used to it. I filled minutes with dozens of tasks usually, but the eve of my treasured aunt’s funeral had descended into tears, disbelief and on my part, a weakening of spirit.
‘What now Camille? What do I do?’
‘We say goodbye and hope that more answers are forthcoming.’
I knew Camille was holding on to the hope that she wouldn’t be forced to do Eve ’s dirty work. Meanwhile I secretly wished there was nothing else to face. Yet I knew there had been a web of secrecy surrounding my relative that needed unraveling. It would have to be picked apart and the fact that Eve’s resistance force were embroiled in this made the reality all the more clear. There were lives in danger and I was facing a crossroad.
Camille kissed my forehead and told me she slept in the flat next door and to call on her if I needed anything during the night.
I retrieved a flash meal from the kitchen and was thankful I couldn’t taste a thing, I was too numb. I feebly hoped it would all look better in the morning. So I crawled into Eve’s bed fully clothed, wrapping the covers around me, trying to absorb some of my aunt’s presence. I needed to feel a connection to someone, or something, which might give me comfort. Closing my eyes, I pictured Eve and Tom so happy on their wedding day, and fell into an instant deep sleep.
C HAPTER 11
I slept so deeply that when I woke, I shot up with a start, having entirely forgotten I had crawled into bed there the previous night. Everything looked different that morning and I was comforted seeing Eve’s surroundings staring back at me. As if telepathically, Camille knocked on the door holding coffee and toast in her hands.
‘Morning. Feel better today?’
‘Much, much better, thanks.’ I even managed a smile.
Camille had dressed in a pink, fitted dress that showcased an impressive figure for a woman of her age. After she sat down at Eve’s dressing table in the corner, Camille produced her xGen and appeared to be engrossed with something. Her sleeveless dress revealed extremely defined muscles in her arms – and she wore full make-up, her hair loose and straightened – and I kind of saw her appeal. I mean… I’d heard noises from the flat next door all night and had thought them a part of my dreams, but evidently as she sat there, she had enjoyed a good time.
‘ I guess you were more careful when Eve was around? You know? Thin walls and all?’ I teased her.
She didn’t respond but raised an eyebrow and continued to be ensconced in her messages, or whatever.
She was stunning, quite simply. It was a waste of good Parisian breeding that she was stuck in York.
‘I don’t have to make an effort too, do I? I think I could just about manage jeans and a t-shirt today.’
Camille shot me a look of unacceptability. ‘You are the niece of Eve Maddon. Plus, we need to show the world what we are made of, remember?’
‘Fine. I’ll throw something on then.’
‘We’d better leave soon Seraph, it starts in an hour. Hop in the shower and I’ll get some items from the wardrobe for you that should fit. I’ll leave them out and you can meet me downstairs when you’re ready.’
‘Yes, ma’am,’ I saluted , before heading off to the bathroom.
An hour later, we clung to each other as we made our way into the Minster – a gargantuan Gothic, medieval marvel that looked unreal against the background of the ruined city. Some of the shop staff trailed behind, but a lot of them had been forced to stay on back at the complex.
Camille had thrown on a little matching jack et to go with her dress and I noticed many of the other guests also wearing similar, sophisticated clothing.
S o this is more like a gathering of UNITY , I thought.
‘I’m giving the eulogy.
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