Chapter 19 – A Sacrifice

By midday the following day, life on Sainte-Marie had more or less returned to normal. Most people had begun to catch up on lost sleep and gotten up later than usual since this day and the following day had been declared recovery holidays.

Catherine was feeling refreshed and had just arrived at the bar to work for a few hours before another staff member took over. She had just set out the tables and was setting out a selection of beverages on the outdoor bar corner when she looked up and saw her first customer, a familiar friendly face.

'Good afternoon Florence' she smiled at her young friend.

'Good afternoon Catherine. It's so good to see the sun again, isn't it?'

'It certainly is. How is your dad today?'

'Oh, he is still improving, thankfully. He and my mum send their regards and thank you for yours'

'That's good. What can I get you?'

'Just an orange juice for now. I'm not stopping long, just meeting Nikki'

'Ah, the pathologist? That's nice. Are you going to show her around while she waits for her boyfriend to get over here?'

'Yes, I guess so' she looked thoughtful. 'Ah, here she is'

'Good afternoon Nikki' said Catherine. 'How are you today?'

'I'm well, thank you Catherine. Much better for finally having had a decent sleep'

'Aren't we all!' agreed Florence. 'Did you do much last night?'

'It was a bit of a frustrating night, actually' Nikki informed them. I spoke to Matt, my boyfriend, when I got back to the hotel and he told me he can't get a flight over here until after I leave'

'Oh no, that's such a shame' said Catherine.

'Yes indeed' Nikki sighed. 'After I helped with the clean-up outside my hotel, I tried to book a flight over to Washington to be with Matt but there's nothing going the other way either. And now Matt isn't answering his phone, so I haven't even been able to tell him! So, it looks like I'm stuck here on my own. At least I had my post-mortem report to do to keep me amused until I finally fell asleep!'

'You're not on your own, you have us!' Florence assured her. 'And wow, that was quick work on the report!'

'I don't hang about' she assured them.

'Can I get you a drink?' Catherine asked Nikki. 'On the house'

'Thank you both so much. A small drink would be nice, perhaps some juice for me too, or whatever you're having?' Nikki eyed Florence's glass. 'I'm not sure what Florence's plans are?'

'I'm having orange juice' said Florence. 'There's something I wanted to speak to you about'

'OK. Well, I'll have an orange juice as well please' Nikki placed her order, and when Catherine had poured it, Florence indicated a table. Catherine was intrigued but tried her best not to listen to their conversation. She looked over to the main bar but there were only two customers there that her barman Georges could easily cope with.

'You see, I've been thinking a lot about her as well as…' she heard Florence say. Who was she talking about? Tiffany perhaps?

'Excuse me could I get a rum and coke please' a new customer took her attention away and she turned to serve them.

'…I know what I need to do now to get a small amount of funding for the project…' Catherine wondered what project Florence was referring to.

'Are you serving meals today?' the rum and coke customer posed another question.

'Not at the moment as we're waiting for our food delivery, but hopefully by this evening. Sorry'

Nikki's eyes were wide and she had covered her mouth as if in shock. 'Wow! That's big…and so bold! Are you really sure you want to do that? I'd hate you to regret it!' Catherine racked her brains trying to fathom what they were talking about now. What could be so big and bold? She supposed she must be thinking about going to Belle-Mere to visit Patrice's family and bar. Perhaps she needed a bit of closure she hadn't got before leaving the island after his death?

'Excuse me, ma'am. Could I get a bottle of your best beer please?' an older gentlemen had come in and she quickly served him.

'…Will you come with me? I could use some moral support' Florence put the question to Nikki and Catherine could not help continuing to be intrigued. If she was going to Belle-Mere she probably could use some moral support she thought.

'Sure, come here!' Nikki gave Florence a big hug. 'You're such a good and selfless person. I really admire you' Well, Catherine had always known that, but what selfless act was she going to do at Belle-Mere – if that indeed was where she was going? She supposed it was none of her business since she had not decided to share her plan with anyone except Nikki.

'Thank you for the rum' This customer called to Catherine as he left the bar.

'You're welcome. Thank you, Sir'

'We're off Catherine' said Florence, pretending nothing was going on.

'Thank you again for the drink' said Nikki.

'You're welcome. Have a good day'

After the girls had gone, Catherine pondered their conversation for a good while as she encountered a quiet period, but half an hour later her next group of customers arrived and took over her attention. It was the three amigos, a.k.a. Adam, Pete and David.

'Good afternoon…oh, it's yourself!' said Adam as he recognised Catherine from the day before.

'Good afternoon gentlemen' said Catherine. 'I hope you are enjoying the island now that you have seen it in its better-known sunshine and beauty?'

'Yes indeed, it's lovely' said Pete. 'The view from our room is stunnin'

'Very hot though!' smiled David, and Catherine could have sworn he blushed a little, although his face was a little sunburnt. 'Mayor…what is your surname again?'

'Bordey' said Catherine 'But call me Catherine, please'

'It beats the cold and rain in Manchester' said Adam.

'Oh yes, it's always hot here, except when there's a storm in progress, of course, but that's it all over now!'

'So now we can finally taste your island's beer!' said Pete, getting to the point. 'What would you recommend?'

'The most popular beer here is this one' she said, showing them a long, thin bottle containing blonde liquid.

'That looks good' said Adam and his friends nodded. 'We'll have one each'

Catherine handed them three bottles. 'Thank you' they all said as they headed over to the same table that Florence and Nikki had recently vacated.

'Well, cheers amigos!' said Pete who sat in between his two friends. They all clinked glasses. 'I am so happy you two are friends again. I've really missed me amigo time!'

'I've missed it too' said Adam. 'Being locked in that room and thinking my life was basically over really made me appreciate the people in my life'

'I'm just glad the whole murder investigation is over. I was getting worried for my freedom too' said David.

'Inspector Mooney is a genius though' said Pete. 'You know how much I disliked him during our ordeal, but hearin' him reveal what had really 'appened, an' how he'd been fooled really showed me his true colours!'

'I know. I didn't think I'd ever like him either' said Adam, 'but I don't think he'd ever really put away the wrong person'

'I thought the Detective girl, was it Castles? was too sweet to be a detective and would never condemn anyone, but she had plenty to say to Polly and her Uncle didn't she?' said David.

'Yes, she's definitely the good cop' said Pete, 'but brilliant all the same'.

'And I'll never forget the moment the officer with the big hair threw her shoe at that lift button!' laughed Adam.

'I know, an' I thought she was too silly an' all!' agreed Pete.

'The young male officer is strong and courteous, albeit a bit more conventional' said David. 'The type that will probably climb the ranks quickly'

'Yes, but I think it was the forensics woman that saved me' said Adam. 'She must have worked all hours to prove my DNA was not on the victim or his belongings'

'An' she's good lookin' an' all!' Pete looked over at David. 'wasn't that the same chick you was chattin' up on the bus the other day?'

'She sat next to me, yes' said David. 'But she made it clear she has a boyfriend'

'Aww that's a shame. Given up on the idea of a holiday romance?' Adam teased him.

'Not at all There are plenty more fish in the sea'

'Such as…' Pete got the idea David must have someone in mind.

'No-one in particular' David said defensively, but a few minutes later Adam caught him looking over at Catherine.

'You're not chasing after the Mayor are you? You can't be scared of the chase, man!'

'As if she'd look at you!' teased Pete. But moments later Catherine looked over in their direction and smiled. 'Or maybe she would?'

'Don't' be silly you two! Well, I'll probably never see her again anyway. She seems to be finishing her shift and is probably off to meet her lover' David resigned himself to the seemingly inevitable conclusion.

'Aww diddums!' Adam patted his shoulder and Pete followed suit.

Just as Catherine was gathering her things together, Pete's phone beeped. 'Ah, Brian. We're all invited to a barbecue at their villa, Plage De Sol, by the beach this evening. He's given me directions'

'That will be fun' said Adam. 'Just what you need to drown your sorrows, eh David?' Catherine had just walked past them on her way out of the bar, giving them a brief wave goodbye.

'It will be nice to spend time with friends and not think about women!' David assured them. But Adam and Pete looked knowingly at each other.

'I'll text Jen. Give the girls a chance to get ready an' maybe go over and help Tania if they're not doin' much'

'I suppose we'd better drink up and go' suggested Adam and they all did so.

Over at the shack, Jack had woken up late with a headache. He wondered why he felt so low and quickly remembered his almost embarrassing error the previous evening. He took some pain killers and poured himself some pineapple juice. Florence hadn't shown any signs of realising what he had nearly done, but he was still worried in case she had. His colleagues would be arriving for a barbecue in a few hours and would all surely notice any awkwardness between them. As he sat down on the porch and drank his juice he thought about how old and unattractive he was starting to feel, and also more guilt, this time feeling he had been disloyal to his beloved Kathleen by looking at another woman. Was this natural after three years or should he be ashamed of himself regardless of who the other woman was? And how would Kathleen feel? Would she be hurt and feel betrayed or would she want him to move on should he eventually meet someone more appropriate for him rather than be lonely? He thought about how good it would be to have someone to talk to about this. But who could that be? J P? He was the only other male he had regular contact with, apart from the Commissioner who was hardly an expert on relationships, but he was a young married man who would not be able to relate to his situation as a widower. Plus, if J P let it slip to Ruby what had happened, he would never hear the end of it at work. Catherine? She would soon work out that these thoughts had been brought on by Florence and would probably chastise him since she was a family friend she looked out for. Siobhan? She would be horrified that he had almost made a move on someone who had been like a big sister to her during her first few months on the island and would never in a million years have thought of as a potential stepmother. He realised he missed his friends back home and that it was several years since he had been 'out with the lads'.

Time ran away from Jack as he obsessed over his dilemma, and after what only seemed like a few minutes, but was in fact hours, he was startled from his reverie by the arrival of his first guests.

'Good afternoon Inspector' said J P as he climbed the porch steps followed by a beautiful young woman Jack had only met once or twice before. 'Are you alright?'

'Oh, Hi J P. Yes, I'm fine, just a little tired still. Hi Rosie, glad you could make it'

'Good to see you, Inspector Mooney' said Rosie.

'Is there anything we can do to help?' J P noticed that Jack was not even dressed and had not set up the barbecue.

'Em…why don't you get yourselves a drink from the fridge and enjoy the view while I quickly get dressed? Then I'll get the barbecue going and you could maybe help me prepare some kebabs and salad? Sorry for my disorganisation'

'Don't worry, Inspector. Everyone we have met today is still recovering too' Rosie informed him. Jack was relieved that they were assuming he was just suffering from fatigue and were not wondering what the real source of his disorganisation was.

'Hieeee' Ruby made her grand entrance at that point.

'Oh, hi Ruby. Please get yourself a drink and I'll be with you all shortly' Jack instructed her.

'Did you forget we were coming, Inspector Mooney?' Ruby asked, pretending to be offended.

'No, not at all. I was so tired I slept late, and time ran away with me. I won't be long' Jack made his escape and was relieved when Ruby's attention was quickly diverted.

'Hello, you must be Rosie. Finally, I get to meet you. I was beginning to think J P had made you up, perhaps because he was scared in case I fancied him?!' J P and Rosie laughed.

'Well, as you can see, I am quite real' said Rosie. 'And it's good to finally meet you. I've heard a lot about you'

'All good I hope?' she eyed J P suspiciously.

'All good' J P assured her. 'And by the way, I'm not scared of you, and wouldn't be even if you did fancy me!' They laughed and Ruby got herself a drink and joined J P and Rosie on the porch. Jack soon returned, fully dressed and less bedraggled looking, and in no time at all the four of them had got the barbecue going.

'Good afternoon everyone!' Catherine appeared dressed in a colourful dress as usual and carrying a big food contribution.

'Good afternoon Catherine!' they all shouted back.

'Hi Rosie, how are you? It's been a while since I last saw you!' Catherine addressed J P's wife.

'I'm well. Been doing photo shoots on other islands but thankfully home for a while now'

'Gosh, we have so much food here and such a big barbecue!' commented Jack. 'We are going to be eating the leftovers for at least a week!'

'Better than field rations though!' said Ruby.

'What could be worse than a whole week of that?!' agreed J P.

'I take it I didn't miss anything food-wise at the school then?' asked Rosie.

'You didn't miss anything at all!' Catherine assured her. 'So, who else is coming then?'

'Oh, just Florence and Nikki' Jack informed her. 'Unless your Uncle Selwyn decides to come?' he looked at Ruby.

'Oh, Uncle Selly said something about being busy with…I can't remember what!' Ruby mimicked her uncle.

'Oh well, I guess he's not coming then' Jack looked at his watch. 'I thought the girls would be here by now, though' Jack began to feel anxious in case Florence's late or non-arrival had something to do with last night.

'Here they are now!' said J P, looking round the side of the shack. 'At least I think it's them?!' Two women appeared around the corner, holding hands and wearing big scarves on their heads.

'It'll be fine' Jack heard Nikki whisper to Florence, who was looking very nervous, and this made him even more uncomfortable.

'Hey, nobody told me this was a fancy-dress barbecue!' complained Ruby, eyeing up the matching scarves.

'Or us!' Rosie pointed out.

'Is everything alright with you two?' Catherine asked, noticing how nervous the two women looked and remembering the bits of their conversation she had overheard earlier.

'Yes, we're fine' said Florence sheepishly. 'We just have… something to tell you'

'Oh my gosh, you're gay! You're coming out to us!' gasped Ruby. 'You didn't need to worry…'

'Oh no, it's nothing like that!' Nikki smiled.

'Well, what's going on with you?' J P was intrigued.

'Ah, you've been to the hairdressers, haven't you?' said Jack, noticing a lock of hair hanging out of Nikki's scarf that was not her colour.

'Um…yes we have. You're in detective mode!' Nikki acknowledged.

'Oh dear, did they mess up your hair?' Catherine went to console them.

'They did nothing wrong' said Florence.

'Well, come on, let's see then!' Ruby almost grabbed at Nikki's scarf before she voluntarily took it off to reveal dark brown hair.

'Wow, very nice!' complimented Jack.

'Gosh, you look so different, I would never have recognised you!' said Ruby, 'Suits you though'

'Yes, it goes well with your brown eyes' agreed Catherine.

'Hmm, I liked you blonde' said J P. 'But brown is nice too' he added when Rosie gave him a stern look.

'Is that all you were worried about?' Jack enquired.

'For me, yes' said Nikki, taking Florence's hand again.

'So, what did they do to you, Florence?' asked Rosie.

'You haven't gone blonde have you?' asked Ruby.

'Um…no' said Florence.

'No, it wouldn't suit you' said Catherine.

'Did you cut it?' Jack dared to address Florence. 'Nothing wrong with that if you fancied a change?'

'Come on, off with the scarf!' Ruby was jumping up and down and would have pulled if off herself, but Florence decided to bite the bullet and let go of Nikki's hand. She stood up tall, took a deep breath in and slowly lifted off the scarf. The excited looks on the faces of her friends turned to looks of utter shock as they beheld her newly shaved head. Nobody spoke for several seconds.

'Why…why did you do that to yourself!' J P gasped, almost in tears. 'You look more like a man…and your hair was so beautiful…'

'J P!' chastised Rosie. 'Don't' make her feel bad! It's her choice. People have reasons for doing radical things like this. Don't judge!'

'I wasn't judging. It's just…a shock. I'm sorry' J P bowed his head.

'I'm sorry to have scared you' Florence found her voice. 'I felt I needed to do this after meeting Jenny and seeing what her cancer treatment had done to her. It was my choice, like Rosie said, but women like Jenny don't have a choice. They have to have treatment or they have no chance of survival. They feel de-feminised and ugly, because our society values people who are attractive and have the nicest hair, but it shouldn't be this way when beauty is inside of us rather than outside. I had a desire to stand in solidarity with them and that feeling wasn't going to go away!'

'Wow!' said Ruby and all the others gasped, many of them moved to tears.

'And I donated my hair to a charity that make wigs for cancer patients' Florence continued. 'There are a lot of people here, women in particular, who get cancer and lose their hair and cannot afford a wig. They suffer more indignity that the wealthier sufferers which is not fair'

'Well…I think you are the most beautiful person I know!' declared Catherine. 'What you have done is so brave and selfless and I for one am extremely proud of you!' she gave her a big hug.

'You have a heart of gold!' said Ruby, throwing her arms around her former colleague.

'You're truly amazing!' said Jack, too caught up in emotion to worry about his own problem. 'I know Kathleen would have been touched if someone had stood in solidarity with her like that when she lost her hair!' he boldly gave his friend his biggest hug ever, which she accepted without showing any sign of realising what had happened the night before.

'Would she really?' said Florence.

'I believe so. Why do you doubt it?'

'It's just…Nikki and I were walking through the market just after doing this and this woman approached me and said 'So you think shaving your head makes you understand what it's like to have cancer, do you? I had it and I'm telling you, you don't have a clue, girl. Are you going to shave your eyebrows, lashes and nasal hair as well, and undertake surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, suffer constant fatigue, be rejected by your friends and face the possibility of death? Only then will you understand us. It's not just about losing your hair. You have just pumped up your own ego!'

'Seriously?' said Rosie.

'So, I thought I must have been naïve and made a terrible mistake' Florence continued. 'Done something that was going to offend cancer sufferers and survivors rather than helping them. That's why I bought the scarf and was afraid of showing you what I had done!'

'But your intention was not to hurt anyone, nor to inflate your ego!' Catherine assured her. 'I know you too well to think that for a minute.

'That's what I told her!' Nikki backed her up.

'I do recall that there were one or two women who Kathleen had treatment with who found some of the adverts put out by charities to encourage head shaving offensive' said Jack. 'I think it was just because it brought back unpleasant memories for them of when they lost their hair. But still, I don't remember any of them ever getting upset with anyone for actually doing this to raise funds for cancer research, or indeed to make a donation for a wig'

'I can't think who that woman you met could be' said Catherine. 'But if she was from the poorer part of the island, she might have faced more stigma for her condition than if she was wealthier, like you mentioned. It could have brought back bad memories for her like the woman Jack was talking about, but still, she doesn't know you and shouldn't have judged you like that'

'Plus, you do know all about facing the possibility of death at least' J P reminded her.

'And someone will get a wig that might not have gotten one otherwise. Whoever gets your hair is the luckiest of the unlucky people!' declared Rosie, giving Florence a big hug. Nikki hugged her too before encouraging her further.

'There is another reason for what Florence did as well. Did you tell them about your plan?'

'Oh, what plan?' asked Ruby excitedly and the others were also intrigued.

'I would like to set up an online counselling service for people who have suffered things like I have and have no access to a face to face service' Florence told them. 'And indeed, for people who are uncomfortable with face to face counselling. Survivors could come together and help each other'

'That's a lovely idea!' said Catherine. 'I don't know how much it would cost to set up, but I will put up a collection tin at the bar. You can give me some pictures to let people see what you have done and that will hopefully inspire them to donate'

'Thank you, Catherine. That would be a big help!'

'And could this service not be used by people who have faced cancer as well?' suggested Jack. 'That's what sufferers really need – the opportunity to connect with others in the same boat who can understand them in a way others can't'

'I suppose it could!' Florence began to feel better.

'So, your sacrifice could really help cancer sufferers in a practical way!' Nikki further encouraged her.

'Yes. And I'll be getting myself a wig or two so nobody will see me and suffer painful reminders'

'There you go, nothing to worry about!' said Ruby.

'I just wonder how Jenny would feel about what I have done. She inspired me, but I am now worried in case it would have upset her'

'Have you thought about speaking to her?' suggested Catherine. 'Find out how you could make the online service work for people in her situation? Surely she couldn't knock your decision then?'

'That's a good idea, although I wouldn't know what to expect. Plus, I don't know whether I'll see her again now we are out of the school and the murder investigation is over'

'I can help there' Catherine went on. 'The three men in her group were in the bar when I left. They were going to a barbecue at the Plage De Sol villa just along the beach. The girls were going to go along early and help their friends from the school hall and may well be there now'

'Shall we quickly go along and see if we can find Jenny? I'm happy to come with you' suggested Nikki.

'OK, we won't be long, Jack'

'Don't worry, I was a bit late in getting the barbecue going and we have been talking so long I haven't got any of the food cooked yet' he assured them. 'Gosh, you two brought donations too. There's enough here to feed twenty people! I suppose I'd better get started!'