CHAPTER 9

She had lain awake most of the night, what was it about this place, why did she feel the need to go there. She had tossed and turned that much; sleep wasn't coming. It was still dark when she got up and slipped on her robe. Opening the curtains, she was greeted by the most wonderful full moon and the starry night sky. She perched herself on the window ledge.

"What am I to do?" she asked, "if anyone up there can hear me please help me?"

As she sat there debating with herself the memory came flooding back. It was of her dad, Bea had been a child of about 8 or 9 at the time, she had always been a "why, who, what, when" child, needing answers to everything. The question she had asked she couldn't remember, but the answer was clear as day, her dad had said to her "Little one there are some things in this world that just can't be explained, they just are what they are."

This was one of those situations, she did not know why the feeling to travel across an ocean and continent was so strong, what she would find when she got there, who knew. What she did know was that if she didn't go and try to find the answer then it would remain an unanswered question for the rest of her life. If she didn't go in years to come, she would wish she had. For some unknown reason, against all the odds, her life had been spared, was this why? She had vowed to live for the day, life could be snatched away in seconds. Hope Valley was calling her, and she was going to answer that calling.

The planning began the following morning, no one was happy about it, but they all knew Bea. It would be better to help her than argue with her. If her mind was made up with or without help, she would go. The only thing she gave way on was that she would do nothing definite until her hospital check-up at the end of January. That however would not stop the planning from going ahead.

Charles, who was such a seasoned traveller, did most of the actual planning, with her input of course. He insisted she sailed on RMS Celtic one of the White Star Line's best ships. She sailed out of Liverpool, the captain was a good friend, Charles knew that Bea would be looked after all the journey. Her passage was booked. She would depart in early May on a first-class open return ticket. This meant that although she was booked to return on Celtic's last sailing of the season in early October she could always return earlier if she wanted or needed to. Uncle Charles had insisted on that. The crossing would take between 7 and 10 days, depending upon conditions and she would arrive in New York in mid-May. After a couple of day's rest, she would start her train journey up into and across Canada. Various stops had been factored in, most staying with friends of her uncle, Bea didn't mind that as it would give her a chance to explore the country a bit. If she was going to make this epic journey, then she was going to enjoy it. The train journey would take her into Union City which she understood was just a few hours from Hope Valley. That final step of the journey was the only one not planned but that didn't bother her at all, she would sort that once she got there. Fingers crossed she would be in Hope Valley by the beginning of June.

Her uncle had insisted on accompanying her to the hospital appointment. He needed to confirm with Dr. Wilson that Bea was fit enough to undertake this journey. Unbeknownst to Bea he also wanted to ask the doctor to write a letter or report of some kind that detailed the injuries and treatments Bea had undergone. He explained to Dr. Wilson that on the day Bea would leave he was going to give her some paperwork to take with her. Contact names, addresses, useful things she may never need but would be handy to have if she did. This was the thinking behind the medical report, if anything should happen to Bea, heaven forbid, then knowing about the accident and injuries would surely be of great benefit to any doctor looking to treat her. Hopefully, it would never be needed but just in case. Dr. Wilson agreed wholeheartedly, he would get the report to Charles as soon as he could along with the names of some doctors he knew in a couple of the big hospitals in Canada and the USA. This was a bonus. Charles thanked the doctor again.

"Mr. Ferguson," he said "I will do anything I can to help keep this amazing young woman safe and well, she truly is a walking miracle. How she ever survived the injury itself is a mystery to me, then the fever, one of the worst I have seen in a long time. She is an extraordinarily strong woman, but it is a type of strength that comes from within, you do not encounter it very often. The body may be shattered, it is ready to give in but something deep within seems to take over and say NO it's not time yet, and whatever that something is it fights like hell to bring you back from the brink."

Charles thought back to what Bea had told him at Christmas, what she had seen, heard, and knew exactly what Dr. Wilson meant. Something had indeed fought back, something had known it was not Bea's time, he only hoped she could find some sort of answer at the end of this trip. She did not like unanswered questions and this one would stay with her until an answer was found, he knew that, or at least he knew Bea.

The other piece of great news as far as Bea was concerned, Dr. Wilson had agreed she could ride again. Short rides at first, nothing too strenuous but building up slowly. However, at the first sign of discomfort, she must rest the leg. Internal muscle damage was a big worry, that and weakness caused by the fever. The news there was not so good. Whilst Bea had passed all the tests they had taken there might be things that may occur later, things that could be attributed back to the damage left by the fever. It had ravaged her body for days. Dr. Wilson explained that in the event of anything unusual happening this would be a factor to mention to any doctor treating her if it wasn't himself.

"One thing I must tell you I am afraid Bea, the likelihood of you ever having children is very slim. I know at this moment in time that may not concern you, but you needed to know. If or when it does then we can investigate further and help if we can."

Charles was quite taken aback but Bea seemed to take it in her stride. She never saw herself having children, in fact, she never saw herself married, an old spinster she would be. She often laughed at that thought, so the news that she may have problems that way was neither here nor there she thought."

The next few weeks were spent sorting stuff for the trip. Bea had bought lots of new clothes, something she needed to do anyway. Many were her take on current fashions, some just her own style, she knew what suited her and what she liked. The dressmaker loved her outlook and flair, Bohemian she called it, and was soon busy creating everything for her.

Limiting the amount of luggage she was taking was a problem, but Bea could travel lighter than most if she had to.

So it was that on May 4th Charles saw her onboard the Celtic and settled in her cabin, which had to be said was most impressive. Under promise to telegram him at least once a week, twice if she could, to use any of the contacts he had given her if needed, he was about to take his leave when he remembered the collection of papers he had slipped into her luggage.

"Bea you will find a folder in your smaller suitcase. It has all manor or documents in it, stuff I want you to keep with you. Have a look at them, they are there as a safeguard. I hope you don't need them but better to have them and not need them than the other way."

"Thank you, with all my heart for helping me do this, I promise to do as you have asked and follow all your guidelines. If I find out why Hope Valley is calling me you will be the first to know Uncle Charles, I promise."

She kissed his cheek

"Just you stay safe young lady, do you hear me, and I will see you back here in a few months, it will be your turn to tell me travel tales then."

He closed the cabin door behind himself and prayed to whoever to watch over this precious girl of his, to keep her safe and bring her home to everyone in one piece.