The wind was blowing hard as Kitty descended the school bus.
"Kitty, come on! We need to shut down the bar" Catherine had to shout over the cacophony of the brewing storm. All the girl could do was nod in response as she felt her grandmeres firm and reassuring grip on her arm.
The hurried walk seemed endless as they were forced into the wind head on. Each step feeling like a battle hard won.
"Get inside my heart. I just need to secure the outside. Could you tidy inside for me quickly?"
"Oui Grandmere" And both went off to do their appointed jobs.
Two sets of hands had all the jobs done in record time. The glowing satisfaction the little one felt whenever she was of real help to her grandmere was soon quashed by the realisation that now they were done the two would have to venture back out into the growing storm. Hand in hand they straightened the shoulders and braved the elements. A new battle, this too won as they managed to dash home in near record time.
The warmth and security of the house was a welcome relief to grandmother and granddaughter as they stepped readily through its door.
"Should we call Granda? You know, just to make sure he's alright in this" Kitty asked as she removed her soaked coat. But the idea was fast shot down with a repeated clicking. She turned and watched as Catherine tried the light switch a few more time to no avail.
"Merde!"
"Caitlyn! Where did you learn such language young lady?!" Catherine was a lenient, and perhaps overly indulgent, grandmother. However cursing was a unquestionable no-no with the French matriarch. Kitty had the sense to look genuinely apologetic.
"Sorry" She mumbled, mortified at her own slip up. She didn't want to admit it was her own beloved maman who had unintentionally introduced her to the word. Thankfully Catherine let it go with a simple, yet incredibly stern look.
"Do you think maman will be alright at the station. I can't see her venturing out with all this going on. Its not safe"
Catherine bit her lip nervously. Her mind at war, she never lied to her family, but would the truth upset the clam that had finally settled over the girl. She seemed far more at peace lately, back to her old bubbly ways. Self assured and, once again, childlike. But the strength of this new found confidence had yet to be truly tested. Would the knowledge that her mother was away on Sebastian Island worry her. They had yet to deal with a situation of her maman being so separated from her. Would Kitty panic? And especially with the added threat of a growing storm.
"Grandmere? Did you hear me?"
Catherine snapped back to herself. Hell, she'd have to just dive in and deal with it.
"Actually, your maman isn't at the station" She tried to gage the childs reaction, but Kitty just stared up to her expectantly. "My sweet, Camille, in fact everyone, is on Sebastian Island. I fear they'll be stuck their until morning at least"
"Defiantly" She peered out the window "There's no way its safe to return in this"
A silence filled the gap between them, in a way Kitty's simple acceptance unnerved Catherine slightly "Are you alright with this. Camille being away I mean. We can talk about it if you have concerns"
"No, I'm fine" Kitty looked and caught the uncertain expression. "Really Grandmere. The way I see it maman is there, But so is Uncle Dwayne. I know he'll absolutely keep her safe. And Uncle Fidel will keep Uncle Dwayne safe, and legal. And maman will keep Humphry safe, although I think he's really only in danger from himself. Dey all look after one another. Dey'll be fine. I just wish we could check in on Granda and Auntie Juliet. I hope Rosie isn't afraid"
"We'll check on them all in the morning" Catherine couldn't hide the crack in her voice as pride filled her. Her sweet girl had come so far and through it all stayed strong and caring. "First thing, I promise"
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"Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, Oh. My. Gosh. Is dat her? Grandmere and maman have barely told me a ting about her. And Humphreys been acting strange...even for him. You know, I thought she'd be taller"
"Taller? Kitt, that womens sat down. You can't see how tall she is. Why do you care anyway, who is she?"
"Dat my friend, is Sally Goodman. Its the chiefs ex-wife"
"Ohh, and yet I still don't care" Benny had no interest in his best friends new fascination. "Lets go to da market, I'm board"
"No way, dis is real life drama unfoldin right before us"
"Drama? Kitty they are just sittin with some drinks"
"You have no sense of theater Ben" The boy looks unimpressed "Oh go then. I think the twins said they'd be there. I'll come find you after"
"After? After what?"
"Well, I wanna meet her. Do you think she's nice, she looks nice"
"I can't imagine the Chief being married to someone who isn't, but come on Kitt you can meet her later. I gotta be home soon"
"I jus wanna meet her" And with that she pushed herself away from the bar and headed towards the English couple.
"Humphrey!" She called out just as the women took a sip of her brightly coloured cocktail.
"Oh its a bit strong" The women announced as the girl finally got to their table.
"Err Kitty, hi" he looked to the child, as she in turn looked expectantly at his guest. "Oh yes, Sally, this is Kitty Bordey Poole. Kitty, this is my wife Sally...Ex"
"Hi" Kitty bounced excitedly "Its sooo good to meet you. Are you likin' da island? It jus wonderful here isn' it?"
Sally let out a small, almost nervous, laugh. "Do you always talk like that? Or is it just for show?"
"Wat?" Kitty didn't even try to mask her confusion
"You know? Your accent!"
Horror and shock had Humphreys eyes almost bulging from his head. Whilst Kittys smile dropped and a look of indignant outrage took its place.
"Erm, Sally, Kitty is a local, she's Camilles daughter."
"Camille? Don't be daft! She can't be Camilles daughter, she's..." Finally, with brain catching up with mouth, Sally stopped.
"I sound like dis coz dis is where I am raised, it's my home. And as for my mother, I got a few ideas where you can put that statement!"
"Kitty!" The detective inspector reprimanded.
An awkward silence followed. One that Sally chose to break by calling Catherine over.
"Excuse me, can I swap this" she offered up her rum punch "for a gin and slimline tonic?"
"Of course" Catherine didn't give her grandchild a second glance. Her being at Humphreys table side was nothing unusual.
"I guess I'll be..." Kitty didn't get to finish her sentence as a voice from behind called out
"Chief!" 'Uncle Dwayne to the rescue' Kitty couldn't help but think.
"Ahh, Dwayne, Fidel" He welcomed the two approaching men "Hello. Err Sally this is Dwayne and Fidel, we work together"
"Hi, nice to meet you" The older man offered her his hand.
"Welcome to St Marie Mrs Goodman" The younger added.
"Thank you" was all she offered in return.
"Well, we'll leave you alone" Dwayne turned him attention to his surrogate niece "Kitty could you grab us some beers? And grab yourself a juice. You can tell us about your day at school. Give these guys some privacy"
Relieved at the escape offered to her she sped off yell "Sure ting uncle D" over her shoulder.
She made quick work of grabbing the drinks as she joined the lads at a table with a clear view of the couple.
"What are you doing?!" Camille demanded, appearing seemingly out of nowhere.
"Watching" Dwayne answered honestly.
"Sit, join us" Kitty kicked out the last remaining chair.
"What do you think they're saying?" Fidel asked no one in particular.
"No idea. Why is he going through the notes in his pocket?"
"Is he reading her something? Aren't they mostly just his case notes?"
"Well she doesn't look happy, and neither does the chief"
"Ermm, is she crying?"
"I know I'm only a kid, but that can't be a good thing"
Sally looked at none of them as she fled her table and ran from the bar. Fidel looked over to his boss.
"One of us should go over there"
"Not me boy!" Dwayne was clear.
"I'm totally playing the kid card. Nu uh."
"For goodness sake!" and with that Camille left the table for her friend.
"Oh darn! Come on boys" Kitty pulled the men up "Lets go help. We ARE family after all"
