CHAPTER ELEVEN
Rain had been falling for hours. I wanted to join Cadbury, who was gently snoring by the fire, but I answered Duty's call and cleaned the cottage instead. Not only did I hoover and dust, but I did all the laundry, including most of my new purchases, plus mending and ironing. I deserved a break. While the kettle heated up, I ransacked the pantry. Crisp, chocolate biscuits, a ripe, juicy pear, and a junk of aged cheddar were soon arranged prettily on a Spode English Willow plate. It sometimes startled me that I used real silver, crystal and china on an everyday basis just like the generations of Collins' before me. The kettle was soon singing its siren song, and I poured the boiling water over the loose-leaf Earl Grey tea. The scent of Bergamot filled the kitchen. While the tea steeped, I threw another log on the fire, and a sticky handful of resinous pine cones. The smell was divine. Cadbury swished his bushy tail at the noise of the poker pushing at the logs, but his eyes remained closed.
Soon I was settled on the couch, sipping the hot tea and delicately munching on my dainties while I flipped through a fashion magazine. Soon, a large paw was placed on my hand. I ignored it. Then I felt the tiny pinpricks of sharp claws entering my flesh. This was my cue to hand over some food – now. I broke off a tiny morsel of cheese and offered it. A loud purr and the rasp of a rough tongue on the back of my hand was my reward for the treat, which the kitten gingerly took from my fingers. He wanted some of my pear, too. Good thing I had eaten the biscuits first. After tea, Cadbury returned to his nap, and I finished putting away all the clean clothes. Wiping down the kitchen, I realized that instead of feeling tired after all my labors, I was rather restless. The rain had tapered off, so I decided to freshen up and go to town to finish up my shopping. The squishy weather was perfect for my wellies, slim dark jeans, a buffalo checked flannel shirt in white and black and a jean jacket. I made a mental note to purchase a sturdier rain coat of some sort. Living on the coast was milder in the winter, but there was also more rainfall.
Honey called while I was coming down the stairs. Allison finally had the baby after a long, arduous labor and delivery early that morning. Mother and child were doing well, but Allison requested no visitors at the present time; she was worn out and needed rest. I could hear the disappointment in Honey's voice. We hung up. I grabbed my keys, checked on the fire and kissed the top of Cadbury's head before heading out the door. I was very grateful to Elliott for Cadbury. Cadbury was my friend, flatmate and companion rolled into one. He was my pet, and my child. It was so wonderful not to be totally alone. I remembered the days in London when sometimes coming home to an empty flat would be rather depressing. True, sometimes I now came home to find a decapitated woodland creature on my front step, but as long as it didn't show up inside the cottage, I could deal with it. I was amazed at the depth of love I felt for this not so little kitten. I couldn't imagine my life without him.
I jumped and side stepped the larger puddles on the way to the garage. Punching in the code, I climbed into the Range Rover and backed out into the squelching mud. When the ground froze, it wouldn't be so bad. I was hoping to avoid having to put in a driveway. The Range Rover handled great, but I was still unused to driving a much larger vehicle. I found myself going slower instead of my customary quick zip with the Mini Cooper. The sky was a dull, dirty white which hid every hint that sunshine actually existed. I still felt invigorated due to the chilly weather and hummed along with the radio as I made the turn into Brewster's parking lot. Soon, my oversized cart was filled with goose down comforters, snow flake themed flannel sheets, flannel jammies and bathrobes, soft shearling lined slippers and a sturdy hooded waterproof raincoat the color of beech bark. Then I stopped at the hardware store. It was one of those very old wooden structures that still kept bulk nails and screws in barrels that probably dated from the Civil War. I wandered up and down the narrow aisles, stocking up on useful tools that would come in handy as a home owner, including a rake and snow shovel. My final purchase was a sturdy axe for woodchopping. My lessons with Elliott had to be delayed since he was currently in Rockport gathering information for a new case the firm was handling. Randall had okayed my obtaining a firearm from Collinwood and had also reminded me to pick up the keys to all the locked bedrooms as well. I had been so busy, that I kept forgetting to get them at my weekly meetings. I was curious, but also not keen about going back unless someone was with me.
After piling my last acquisitions into the boot of the car, I decided to stop by the library and pick up some fresh reading material. I had been guilty of not making time for any research, but now was not the time to begin. Something fictional was all I wanted this evening. I was pleased to see Toby leaning against the circulation desk in sweet conversation with Honey. The library was practically deserted this time of day and closing was still at least another hour. I cleared my throat, and the startled lovers quickly drew apart. Toby grinned sheepishly, as Honey asked if she could help me in her most professional voice.
"I'm in need of something not too heavy, but something I have never read before. I enjoyed Rascal immensely," I said.
Honey thought for a moment and then responded.
"Nothing too heavy…how about Lousia May Alcott? It may seem juvenile, but her books are well written, and I think you will enjoy them. She is my favorite author and the inspiration for my becoming a librarian; I am such a bookworm! When I was in elementary school, there was a full set of Alcott's novels bound in dark, blue leather in the library. The school librarian, Mrs. Peebles, recommended them to me, and I enjoyed them so much, I knew right then that I wanted to be like her - encouraging others to read. Let me pull a copy of Little Women for you."
I thanked her and then Toby spoke up.
"Constance, it is most fortuitous that you are here. I have been thinking much about the structure for The Old House, and when you have the time, would like to go back over with you so I may put some points to rest."
I thought for a moment and then replied.
"How about right now? There's plenty of daylight left. Afterwards, if you two don't have any plans, how about dinner at The Blue Whale? My treat."
"Free food?" said Honey as she walked over and handed me the book. "Count me in!"
Toby gave her a peck on the cheek, and we headed out.
The rain had completely stopped while we had been inside the library. As we went over the spot where the proposed addition would be built, Toby moaned that his shoes were soaked through and through. I was glad I had worn my wellies. By the time he was satisfied that the location was in fact the best possible choice, the sky had darkened considerably, but the moon was shining like liquid silver and we easily made our way back to the car. We were passing Widow's Hill, when Toby asked me to slow down.
"That's strange! I could swear that that is Allison's vehicle parked behind those bushes. Would you mind terribly going back? I can't imagine that it is hers, but…" he said.
"Not at all," I replied, as I deftly made a U-turn and pulled off the road to where he pointed.
Parking behind the car, Toby was convinced it was Allison's. Going over, we saw that there was an infant car seat latched in the back. Both of us were alarmed. Why would Allison be at Widow's Hill with her brand-new baby? Toby started for the edge of the cliff, and I ran after him.
"Toby…surely you don't think…" I called the words out, afraid to finish my thought.
"We don't know her state of mind, Constance. She may be completely overwhelmed," he panted, as he peered over the side.
The moon was still shining brightly, but though we strained our eyes, nothing came to sight. As we hurried back to the car, the wind picked up, and with it came the thin cry of a baby! We stopped abruptly and looked at each other. The cry sounded again, but now seemed further away. Running towards it, our feet were silent over the sodden dead leaves and withered grasses. Soon our path became more difficult as clouds began to obscure the moon. My mind was racing, keeping time with our pace and I wondered if it had occurred to Toby what could possibly be our destination…
As soon as I came to this conclusion the slim birches came into view. I put a cautionary arm out to Toby. He bent over with his hands on his thighs, clearly out of breath. I squinted and realized that someone or something was moving in the circle. Leaving Toby, I cautiously moved closer and peered from behind an ancient oak.
Allison, clothed in white and seemingly like a birch tree herself, was bent over something laying on the ground. I saw a glint of something metallic and then a tiny wail rent the night air. I almost jumped out my skin when at that moment Toby touched me on the shoulder. Together we crouched by the tree trying to make sense of what we were seeing. Allison straightened and turned from the still crying infant and went from tree to tree in the grove, doing what, we could not tell. Seconds passed, and then she picked up the baby and passing through the trees they headed to the rocky beach further on.
Quickly, but stealthily, I entered the circle. Perhaps it was masked by my own mounting fear, but no oppressive presence could be sensed, as I felt at the base of each tree. My mind and body recoiled as my hands touched a slippery substance and stepping back my foot caught on something that caused me to fall heavily to the ground. It was a small earthenware vessel. Suddenly, I had a terrible stroke of realization of what was occurring that nearly had me retching.
"What is it? What is it?" Toby frantically whispered.
"Toby! Toby! Go back to the car. Get the axe from the boot – from the trunk of the car and cut down these trees!" I replied, as I extracted myself from that circle of abomination.
"Constance…" he began –
"Cut down the trees! Every, single one of them! I can't do it - I've got to find Allison!" I said as I began running towards the sounds of the surf.
Silently I prayed that Toby would do as I asked, and that I would be able to stop Allison from whatever other horror she had planned. I came to the boulders and scanned all around for a sign of the others. The moonbeams were still fitful, and how I longed for a flashlight. Where were they? How was it possible for her to scramble over these massive rocks with a baby in her arms? If only the baby would cry again! I closed my eyes. When I opened them, I carefully looked again around me. Was that a lighter shadow to the right? I made my way to the looming crag – yes! There was a thin opening that now appeared to my searching eyes. I would never have noticed it, even in daylight. Feeling along the damp sides, I was surprised that the passageway became wider and even more surprised when I almost tumbled down steps that had been cut deep into the rock. My footfalls were muted by the fine sand that lay deep upon each step. I realized with a jolt that I could definitely now see more clearly. Firelight played along the walls but I was still unsure of where these steps were leading. The sound and heat of a large fire became apparent. And what was that smell mingled with the woodsmoke? I stopped and breathed deeply. It was thick and cloying, as of too many fragrances competing with one another; sweet, yet with the unmistakable scent of decay which could not be covered up.
The steps ended and I carefully looked around the wall. What I saw was incomprehensible. It was a cave - natural or man-made, I could not tell – but it definitely had been used for centuries. The ceiling was shrouded in shadow, but the walls had been painted originally, perhaps in white, which had mellowed to an ivory patina. Running along the circumference, at least ten feet from the floor were painted a series of cameos. These were at least three feet tall and were of a mixed variety. Some were crudely painted and others were done by gifted artists. Many of the colors and cameos had faded over time, but some were still bright – perhaps they were not as old. I easily recognized some classical representations I was familiar with: Isis with her falcon headed son Horus, Aphrodite and Eros, Hera and Ares the God of War, Violence and Destruction, Hathor, Kali – but many were unknown to me. How many civilizations were represented from all around the globe? How many were so ancient that their names have been forgotten by the majority of mankind? Some were incredibly beautiful, but others were grotesque and monstrous; some not even human– but they all had one thing in common – it was a mother cult.
The overwhelming scent came from dozens and dozens of lilies, roses, lilacs, peonies, and orchids in every hue that were piled in heaps and heaps upon ledges which also ran along the room. Bowls which I assumed held incense filled the air with cinnamon, sandalwood, vanilla, lavender, mint, and countless others – it was bewildering and my senses were overloaded. Where room could be found, there were white candles which blazed like stars while the smoke from the incense and the smoke from the very large fire in the middle of the floor mixed and mingled and rose upward into the darkness.
Yes, a fire raged from where I stood almost the entire width of the cave. The flames were unnaturally high, and in the middle of those flames I thought I discerned a shape moving restlessly…my mind could not process what I was seeing. How had Allison accomplished all of this? She had just given birth perhaps twelve hours earlier. What superhuman strength had she appropriated for such a display? What was this place? Why was she here? For that matter, where was she? I crept further out from the shelter of the wall and again my steps were silent because of the sand and the roar of the fire. I could see Allison who had her back to me. She was kneeling at a small, black altar with her hands raised. The baby lay bundled on the altar.
(This writing has nothing to do with Dan Curtis or Dan Curtis Productions. This is just the vivid imagination of a small town girl.)