Chapter 12
Vincent was not surprised, or overly concerned when Catherine slept through breakfast the next morning, but when she was still asleep as lunchtime approached, he decided he should wake her so she could eat to keep her strength up.
She awoke with a stretch and contented purr like a very self-satisfied kitten. Her nose rose and she sniffed the air as her tummy rumbled loudly. "Whatever you have on that tray smells like heaven!" Catherine told him, eagerly sitting up.
"It is mushroom, potato soup and more of the bread you liked with William's apple butter spread," Vincent replied.
"For breakfast?"
"I am afraid that you slept through breakfast Catherine. This is lunch."
"Oh, our walk must have tired me out more than I thought!"
"You are still recovering. It is not surprising that any activity would wear you out."
"Maybe we could try another walk after I eat? If you aren't too busy that is! But if the trip is still too much for me, I might need to postpone my return home for another day."
Oddly elated at the prospect of her staying another day, Vincent suggested that they try a longer walk, but break it up with a rest for dinner when they got where they were going. Catherine thought it was a fine idea, so they ate their lunch together discussing where they would go.
Vincent packed Great Expectations and a small chess set in his pack and told Catherine he would send Mary by with some clothing for her. She could get dressed while he had William pack a picnic dinner for them.
Not long after he left Mary came in with an arm load of clothes. "I hear you and Vincent are taking another walk today. He suggested that you might like something other than a nightgown and robe to wear."
"That would be nice, but I hate to be any trouble," Catherine protested.
"Nonsense child! It is never any trouble to help someone. That is what this place is all about. Almost all of the people living here, well accept for the ones that were born here, have come here for some kind of healing. Either mind or spirit and occasionally like you, their bodies, they all come to get well. Some go back Above after a time, but most discover that this has become 'home' to them."
"From what Vincent showed me yesterday, I can understand why. This really seems like a wonderful place to live."
"It is child. Now, why don't we see what fits you of the things I have brought along?"
Mary helped Catherine on and off with the clothing because she was still a bit stiff and sore, Mary also wanted to be sure nothing touched her stitches which they were leaving open to the air so they would heal faster.
When Vincent returned he saw the beautiful woman from the world Above dressed in tunnel garb. She looked so lovely, as if she truly belonged there. Catherine even had a pair of soft suede moccasin like shoes on her feet. Vincent knew they were Mary's because he had seen her wear them many times. It was just like her to loan something of her own to make this newcomer feel comfortable.
"Thank you for your help, Mary. Catherine looks ready for our walk and picnic."
"Where are the two of you going?" Mary asked. It wasn't that she was being nosey, rather it was a policy Below that someone always knew your whereabouts in case of an emergency.
"I am going to show her the whispering bridge and then we will have our dinner by the Mirror Pool before we return home," Vincent answered.
"That sounds lovely! You two have a good time," Mary instructed as she left them alone.
"Those places do sound intriguing Vincent. Will you tell me about them as we walk?"
"It would be my pleasure, Catherine," he told her, hefting the picnic basket in one hand and offering his other for her to take.
To be continued….