Part 18 of 18
Home again, home again
The final clue is 'home' and no one is surprised when the phone call comes in from Guadeloupe that they are coming in with the evening tide under the guise of 'Mr. and Mr. and Mr. Smith'. There is a rather large contingent of women, children, and townspeople waiting none too patiently in the Ferry Arrivals Lounge. The cries of joy and relief drowns out whatever else is happening in the vicinity when three tired looking men appear. The resulting scrum shuts down the area for almost an hour.
No luggage is lost. Some things DO change for the better - it seems.
Half an hour later, 'La Kaz I' is closed for a private party. No one inside the premises notices at first but jubilant phone calls bring them outside as the whole of the island is treated to an aurora overhead for the first time ever in living memory. Celebrations can occur on many different levels of existence - it also seems.
Two hours after THAT, Johnny and Catherine and nine children sail away – but not before a little green pill is secretly divvied up between three wives. The Saba house staff are predictably afflicted.
Doris checks into a luxury resort for a week. As she sits pool-side in the peace and quiet and misses the controlled bedlam of the Poole home, she thinks, Well done, Dickon, well done.
Two households that shall remain nameless roister raucously far into the night, each knowing exactly what the other household is up to but they don't care. Much spooning occurs. Thankfully there aren't any nearby neighbours to call in noise complaints because Dwayne and Fidel are having too much fun celebrating at the all-night Honoré street party with all the islanders who now feel they can sleep safely in their own beds once more… whenever anyone manages to make it home, that is. There is some speculation on just exactly how long this celebration lasts but everyone agrees that Dwayne Myers is the last one to topple over.
The heroes are home and all is well and all manner of things are well.
The Polite Man Saga continues for several months but eventually peters out to become just another amusing anecdote to scoff at publicly but to wish privately that it were true. Scotland is one exception but no one knows about it so outside interests never gain a foothold. The other exception is Canada as The Polite Man is seen in many places all over the country and his doings are followed avidly by many neighbours to the south for, god knows, he is desperately needed in this world. Camille brings to Richard's attention (over the morning libations) the funny little news article titled 'I'm Having The Polite Man's Baby' that appears about six months later. His deprecating laugh is strangled within the instant as he is threatened for the first time with sleeping on the sofa. He believes it to be his earnest and avowed protestations against such scurrilous slander that wins the day… that and his puppy-eyes… but she knows the truth. She won't spend another night separated from him. Ever.
Epilogue
One year later 'The English Academy for the English' opens on Saba. The waiting list is five years and has Royal Warrant. There are reserved spots for any Poole and Bough children who decide to 'give it a go'. Not surprisingly, every single one of them DOES give it a go if only to try and outdo one another. This is where they all learn where their various 'gifts' truly lie.
Pegasus learns on his first official tour to avoid the forest as it is several hours before he is rescued from the man-trap by the newly appointed Admiral L. Ogilvie-Bough and Captain J. Bough who are frequent honoured visitors.
One of the Academy's main training grounds is Saint-Marie as it is the only place within several hundred miles with an adversary worthy of the student's training in certain matters. Anyone who falls to 'the Nemesis and his Minions' is jugged up good and tight for two days unless they learn to escape properly. Dwayne and Fidel are constantly surprised at the students' ingenuity.
As for the Poole and Bough households, they carry on as usual, taking into consideration the later additions…
… which is to say…
… much mayhem ensues and everyone enjoys it thoroughly into the distant future. The far, shining, happy, hectic, and eventful future.
END
**And… that's another wrap. I'm leaving this collection open in case my prayers are answered… Erzuli willing… or Bough visits.**