Author's Note: As promised, joy is coming... in the next chapter, so please stay on the journey. I believe you will be happy for Nathan and Elizabeth as they come through a misunderstanding, stronger for it! Thanks for reading and I hope this is realistic and that you enjoy! Eilie
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Chapter Eighty-seven
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A Day in Town
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Having shared about Canada Drug and Bookstore as well as the Department store she had seen downtown, Elizabeth, Grace and Carol decided on an outing to window shop and have lunch in a local Café. Grace and Carol had enjoyed each other's company, as well as their mutual appreciation for Nathan Grant and hopes for a future for Nathan and Elizabeth. Carol was grateful for the companionship and happy to show off her small city, though she was familiar with the elite and elegant New York and European specialty shops available in the larger cities in the east since she had lived in Montreal, Hamilton and Toronto over the years.
"I'm afraid you have experienced more exclusive International shops in the larger cities, Grace, but I still enjoy the smaller scale of stores here. I confess I find the service is much more friendly and less judgmental which makes for a more pleasant shopping excursion!" Carol confessed. "I have not lived in Ottawa yet, so don't yet know what to expect there."
"I can't believe I am saying this, Carol, but I do understand and agree. When I want to shop, I want to take in what is available and not always be judged and need to be sure my hat is on straight!" Grace laughed, joined by Carol and an amazed Elizabeth.
Elizabeth was still astounded by the changes she had been seeing in her parents since they had arrived in Hope Valley. She listened distractedly as her mother and Carol chatted, allowing her mind to wander and wonder what Nathan was doing and thinking today. She was glad she hadn't given him a letter last night. Re-reading the next one she had for him, she realized the tone of this one would be different and she might even want to have them read it together after dinner tonight.
"Now that I have met sweet Allie, I want to purchase something for her for Christmas and for Nathan as well." Confessed Grace, requesting, "Will you ladies advise me on what they could use or enjoy?"
"Because I was considering purchasing clothing for Allie for Christmas, I can give you her sizes if you are interested. Peter and I decided on something else for this year, but whatever you plan to get her, I can at least help with that!"
"Wonderful, Carol." Grace said gratefully. "That will be helpful. Maybe you can advise on her needs? I know that her uniform takes care of her weekday needs, so maybe a new Sunday dress or one for Friday's concert? She hasn't modeled what she has yet, but, there are probably many events coming before the end of the year."
Interrupting Elizabeth's reverie, Grace addressed her daughter. "I know you haven't visited Hamilton for a while, but I hope you can advise on youthful styles, Elizabeth!"
Allie was waiting on the steps of St. Anne's Academy for Girls when Carol and Grace dropped off Elizabeth for her tour. Allie welcomed her teacher with a warm hug although Elizabeth sensed she seemed worried.
"Are you okay, Allie?"
"Me? I am. I'm just worried about my dad. He looked terrible this morning and said he hadn't slept well last night." Allie explained. "Did anything happen after I went to bed?"
"No. We had a good evening together and he was fine when I last saw him." Immediately worried, Elizabeth questioned Allie. "Do you think he is sick?"
"I don't think so, but with men it is sometimes hard to tell." Allie smirked.
"Allie Grant. Whatever gave you that idea?"
"I've seen my friends' fathers when they were sick. Dad is never sick, but I don't know about today. Well, we'll see him soon, so let's enjoy the tour. Miss Hills asked me to bring you to the office first." Allie threaded her arm through Elizabeth's and they walked down the hallway.
"Good afternoon, Allison. Is this your teacher?"
"Yes! Miss Hills please meet Mrs. Elizabeth Thornton." Always polite, Allie made the introductions." Mrs. Thornton, meet my Headmistress, Miss Hills."
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Thornton. Welcome to St. Anne's." Miss Hills held out her hand. "I believe Allison has spoken of you often."
"Thank you, Miss Hills. I am thrilled to be here and see all that St. Anne's has to offer our Allie."
"Are you familiar with city schools?" Queried Miss Hills. "I understand the school in Hope Valley was a one-room schoolhouse?"
Laughing, Elizabeth explained. "Yes, it was. I am originally from Hamilton, Miss Hills, so attended a private girl's school myself in my youth. My student teaching was in various public schools in the city as well, so I am familiar with the contrast! I confess that I am thrilled for this opportunity for Allie though. She was a delight to teach but it was often a challenge to stay a step ahead of her!" Elizabeth grinned at Allie and placed her arm around her shoulders. "I cannot admit this in Hope Valley, but Allie was my best student in my entire career!"
Blushing, Allie looked adoringly at her teacher.
"Sorry, Allie. I don't mean to embarrass you. " Elizabeth drew Allie close. "You are just so bright!"
"We are finding that as well, Allison, so keep up the good work. Thank you for your guidance in the past, Mrs. Thornton. Shall we begin our tour?" Turning she made a gesture to encompass the room. "This is our school administrative office. Mrs. Ashley here is our school secretary. Please meet Mrs. Thornton, Allison's teacher from Hope Valley. Mrs. Thornton, this is Mrs. Ashley."
"A pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Ashley." Elizabeth smiled brightly.
"And mine to meet you. So you are visiting the Grants? How long will you stay?" Ever inquisitive, Mrs. Ashley questioned.
Elizabeth happily responded to the question. "I am here with my mother visiting Nathan and Allie, while staying at the Commissioner's home. We are here until next Tuesday."
"Oh? A nice long visit then?"
Before Mrs. Ashley could engage in further conversation, Miss Hills interrupted and motioned to the door. As she turned, Elizabeth waved to the secretary.
Outside the door, Miss Hills stopped, pointing to the classroom across the hall she then opened the door. "This is Allison's homeroom and literature classroom. Oh! Miss Collins, please meet Allison's former teacher, Mrs. Thornton. Mrs. Thornton, Miss Claire Collins."
Smiling, Elizabeth admitted. "We've met. Hello again, Miss Collins."
"Good afternoon, Mrs. Thornton. How lovely that you can get a tour of Allie's school. I hope we meet your approval!"
"Oh, you already have and we have just begun!" Elizabeth spoke warmly. "I hope we'll meet again at the concert?"
"Oh yes! I'll look for you there. Have a lovely afternoon." Claire lifted her hand in a small wave as Elizabeth nodded.
Back in the hallway once more, Miss Hills commented as she led the way. "I thought we would begin up this stairwell to the second floor. Please let me know if there are certain classes you especially wish to visit?"
"Oh, I can tell you that right away. The Library, the Art Room and Home Economics! Right, Allie?" Elizabeth laughed. "We have similar interests, except Allie is an exceptional artist, far surpassing me!"
As they climbed the stairs, Miss Hill explained a short history of St. Anne's until they stood before double glass doors through which you could see the book-stacks. "Here we are. On occasion students remain after classes to work in the Library so let me explain before we enter." Miss Hills winked at Allie. "We don't want to disturb the quiet inside! When you enter the reference section is on the right, the card catalogue is to the left and please take note of the beautiful murals above the book-stacks. They depict scenes from around the area within the last fifty years…."
At the other end of the hallway, Mrs. Evens was busy sewing a sample skirt when Elizabeth, Allie and Miss Hills entered. "You have visitors, Mrs. Evens!"
"Oh! Hello! Allie told me you would be getting a tour this afternoon." Mrs. Evans stood. "Welcome!"
After introductions and a tour of the various stations around the large room, Mrs. Evans asked Allie. "Would you like to show Mrs. Thornton any of your projects in the works, Allie? Maybe the waistcoat?"
"As long as you don't tell, Dad, Mrs. Thornton. I'm making a waistcoat and necktie for him for Christmas." She waved Elizabeth to a rack of hanging clothing and pulled out a hanger draped with a silk waistcoat and matching necktie.
"Oh! Allie. This is as good as Aunt Rosemary's work. Those bound buttonholes and those pockets set-in like that. The tailoring is so professional. Wow! I am extremely impressed and your Dad is going to love this."
"I had to sneak one of his other waistcoats in so Mrs. Evens could help me make a pattern and get the size right for Dad. Don't you think the greens and blues will look good on him?"
"Oh, absolutely. He'll be even more handsome, right, Allie-girl?" Elizabeth winked at Allie who wholeheartedly agreed.
Miss Hills and Mrs. Evans exchanged glances thoroughly enjoying the dynamic they were witnessing and agreeing silently that Sergeant Grant would look extremely handsome… in anything!
"Allie is very creative and artistic and is flourishing in class." Mrs. Evans commented.
"Oh, I am sure she is. This is such a wonderful opportunity for her. I only wish I had had the same! I confess my sewing skills are severely limited! But my best friend co-owns a dress shop in town and is a talented seamstress and designer. I guess that means I don't need to learn!"
Returning to the first floor after visiting the history and mathematics classrooms on the third floor, the three ladies' next stop was the Art Room.
"Oh good! Miss Ross is still here. Let me introduce you." Allie took Elizabeth's hand and brought her to Ardis's desk. "Hello Miss Ross. I want you to meet my teacher, Mrs. Thornton. Mrs. Thornton please meet my art teacher, Miss Ross!"
Shaking hands, the women smiled warmly in greeting. "How lovely to meet you, Mrs. Thornton. Come over here and see a couple things Allie has done this semester." From an open square cupboard, Miss Ross pulled out a stack of paintings and a clay sculpture. "These are some of her recent projects. Please go ahead and explain them, Allie?"
"Well, the sculpture isn't very good. I just couldn't get it to look like what was in my mind. I am much better with drawing, highlighting and shading to replicate a form." Allie pulled a paper from the stack and handed it to Elizabeth.
"Oh, Allie! Your vocabulary is incredible and, yes, this is quite advanced. I confess I must have really held you back, although not on purpose. I am so happy you are getting instruction from an expert!" Elizabeth grinned. "Just wonderful, Miss Ross."
"Oh I believe most of Allie's talent is God's gifting and maybe artistry inherited from her mother. Maybe even some from Nathan too? They are artsy in many ways, right, Allie?"
"In our family we have art, music, writing, poetry, wood crafting, and now sewing covered." Allie giggled. "With Dad's woodworking I don't need to worry about sculpture. I am looking forward to ceramics next semester though. Did you ever use a potter's wheel, Mrs. Thornton?"
"I'm afraid not, Allie. My nose was always in a book! Literature is more my area of expertise." Elizabeth gradually lifted the papers to admire Allie's work. "Lovely, Allie. We all have our place though and the fact that you can explore all these opportunities means you may find a lot more subjects you enjoy!"
"I know!" Allie fit her artwork back into her cubbyhole. "Next year we get to try jewelry making and interior design!"
"Wonderful, Allie. It was lovely to meet you, Miss Ross. Thank you for all you are teaching Allie."
"Allie is my pleasure, as I imagine you understand?"
"Oh, I do. I really do." Elizabeth responded, looking lovingly at Allie as she took her hand.
Their next stop on their tour was Page Hall auditorium, then through a glass enclosed corridor to the next wing where they visited language studies, the science department and finally the music department. Strains of Christmas music could be heard through the door as they passed the Little Theater.
Miss Hills explained that final rehearsals for Friday's concert were in session throughout this week. "Our concert is extremely important to the students, parents and the Academy. In addition, many from the city attend even though they don't have any student connections. You will be attending Mrs. Thornton?"
"Oh yes. Nathan invited me and we will bring my mother as well. We are looking forward to hearing our girl sing again. Last year she sang "O Come, All Ye Faithful" in our school concert, but I understand this year Allie will be singing in Latin! I can't wait."
Having expressed their gratitude for the tour and said farewell, Elizabeth and Allie exited the school to see Nathan draped over the steering wheel, his head resting on his folded arms. Allie took off at a run, while Elizabeth hurried behind her.
"Dad? Dad? Are you alright?" Allie knocked on the window and quickly opened the door. "Dad?"
Startled awake, Nathan glanced over to his very worried daughter and Elizabeth peering at him through the open door. "Oh! Sorry. I guess I fell asleep!" He ran his hand over his face and opened his eyes wide trying to wake up.
Closing the door behind them, Elizabeth turned to face Nathan, placing her wrist against his forehead then resting her hand on his forearm. "Are you okay, Nathan? Allie said she wondered if you are sick. You don't seem feverish, but would you like me to drive home?"
"No. No, I'm fine, just tired. It wasn't a good night, but I can drive." Nathan moved his arm as he started the automobile, causing Elizabeth's hand to fall. He didn't look at her and she could tell something was wrong.
Thankful that Mrs. Thornton was taking care of her father, Allie chatted about their tour on the way home which meant that neither Nathan nor Elizabeth had to interact.
After holding the car door for Elizabeth and Allie to exit, Nathan excused himself saying, "I need to go change so you ladies go ahead. I'll be up shortly." He turned abruptly and headed to the Cottage.