Chapter 2
As soon as Kathrine had gone to work, Robert dressed himself, he went about with his morning duties in and around the pelony. At lunch time he hid away in his tent, writing letters to friends and family back home. once finished he quickly sent them out with the rest, and went to find his love.
He found her on the beach, she was sitting on a rock looking out over the ocean, taking a well deserved break, his heart skipped a beat when she turned around and saw him standing, staring at her. She smiled and then turned to face the ocean again. Robert walked towards her and sat on the rock next to her. He put his hand around her waist and pulled her small body into his.
'People have been taking, asking about his death' Katherine said quietly
'And what have you been saying?' Robert asked
'That we hadn't been together for a long time, obviously I'm sorry that he had killed himself but I am with you for now' she said
'I hope it will be for a lot longer than 'for now'' he said looking out to the beautiful blue ocean himself.
'What do you mean?, your going in 6 months, back home' she whispered just saying those words made her heart ache.
'Mmmmm, that may not be the case anymore...but lets not dwell on this for too much longer, walk with me?' he asked and got up from where he had been sitting, he held his hand out to Katherine who took it knowing now not to question Major Ross to much he would tell her when he was ready.
They walked hand in hand along the beach intill it was time for Katherines reading lesson. 'I'll see you tonight' he said and walked back into the pelony.
Katherine had just finished her lesson with Mrs. Johnson when Private Buckley told her she had been summoned to the Governors office, she reluctantly followed him up to the main pelony and into the Governors hut.
Inside she found she was not alone. The Governor, The Vicar and Captain Collins all staring back at her. Private Buckley stood in front of the door and pushed her forward. She stood in the middle of the room, she was scared and had no idea why she had been called. She had done nothing wrong. After moments of silence Captain Collins spoke.
'You are Katherine McVitie, charged for thief are not?' He asked her reading what looked like her file.
'Yes i am' she said quietly
'Speak up girl!' he said
'Yes Sir, I am Katherine McVitie' she said loudly
'You have had a relationship with Private now Corporal McDonald, since you have arrived?' he asked
She did't understand where they were going with this, they already knew she had, everyone did.
'Yes, I did' she replied, her eyes fixed on a clock behind the Governors head.
'You speak in past tense why?' Captain Collins asked sternly
'My relationship with Corporal McDonald ended some days ago' she said not giving any other information away.
'Do you know that Corporal McDonald is dead?' he asked
'Yes' she said plainly still not looking at the men.
'And how do you know this?'
'Major Ross told me' she replied
'And why would Major Ross do a thing like that?' he asked
Katherine hesitated
'Because we are in a relationship, together' she said
'Are the rumours true? you are a whore?'
'No!, I am not!' Katherine said sternly she now diverted her eyes from the clock to Captain Collins himself.
'Then why break a relationship with Corporal McDonald after such time and immediately start one with Major Ross?' he asked like he did't already know the reason.
'That is personal' she said
'Answer my question' he said angrly
'Because I love him' she whispered
'Did you kill Corporal McDonald so that you could start a relationship with Major Ross?' he asked after pausing for some moments.
'NO!' she shouted at him, how could they think such a thing, 'He took his own life' she mumbled
'How do you know that?' Governor Philip at last asked
'Thats what you told Major Ross' she whispered tears had started to roll down her face.
'I'm sorry Katherine but we cant take the word of a convict, you will reside in the jail intill we come to a conclusion on how Corporal McDonald died. Take her away' he said finally.
Katherine screamed, she when to run out the door only to be manhandled my Private Buckley into some hand cuffs. she was lead out of the door and down the stairs. She scramed again causing several convicts to look her way and she was lead to the holding cells.
Private Buckley pushed her into the cell and slammed the door shut, he then proceeded to stand guard at the door.
Katherine broke down into tears, she felt her limp body fall to the floor as her tears kept coming.
