Again, this chapter, and this whole work of fiction, is dedicated to Bernadette. She is my nonpareil beta reader and my mind reader extraordinaire!

Slainté mhaith, mo chara! Go raibh maith agat. I'gcónaí inár gcroithe…

Also, to Susan and Sue, for keeping me on the straight and narrow path of getting things right. It is truly appreciated.

Together we make one whole Fan Fiction follower!

Chapter Thirty-Four

Kat Confesses All

Unseen by any of the humans in the room, the two spirits who haunted Gull Cottage, materialised beneath the Captain's portrait. They both smiled at Kat, knowing she was about to reveal the last of the story of their enduring love.

"She looks very beautiful, tonight," Emma commented.

"And look at Edward's when he thinks he is unobserved," her husband replied. "He is desperate to know who this new man Kat is in such a rush to see this evening. Jealousy is a powerful motivator. He may yet confess his feelings before the year is out."

"I hope so. But for now, how do you think Devon and Carolyn will take the news?" Emma asked as she tangled her fingers within her husband's strong grasp. "I mean, it's not every day humans get told that the house they have come to love is inhabited by the spirits of its former owners."

"Look at Carolyn. She has already accepted the idea of our presence. She wishes and asks for more information." Daniel moved his shoulders. "It is Devon who must be convinced we have no intention of ever leaving this house and he had better get used to the idea and quickly." He chuckled drily.

"Oh, I adore you when you get so autocratic and commanding." Emma smiled as she laid her head briefly against his shoulder. "It makes me feel as if we're still alive, together…"

"My love…" The Captain took her small hand and raised it to his lips. "It is your burning need to meddle in the lives of these humans that makes you feel that way. I am here to make sure you do not overstep all the boundaries." He smiled down at her.

"I know…" Emma watched him caressing the backs of her fingers with his lips and sighed. "My Kat deserves the very best of everything we may conjure for her. She has been alone for too long and has become settled in that feeling. Tonight, there is still a chance she may take the first step along her new path. Even if she does not know it yet. I wish—"

"Shhhh…" Her husband quickly placed a silencing forefinger across her lips. "Listen now, my love. Kat is about to begin telling the end of our story. I don't want to miss this."

※※※※※

I waited patiently until they had all read my copy of the will and discussed it at length. Edward was very focused and to the point with his questions and comments. I answered everything before I finally took the papers back from Carolyn's outstretched hand and returned them to my tote.

I looked at each of them in turn. "You can now see the valid reasons why I could not keep this house. The property taxes would have been too crippling. But I honoured the debt I owed to Emma by carefully choosing who shall be allowed to live in her house after she died."

I smiled as I turned to look up at the Captain's portrait. "The people who bought this house needed to have open minds because Emma never truly left the place, she loved the most. And nor did the Captain, once he returned."

"So, you're saying the place is haunted, then?" Devon sat down hard in the chair beside the fireplace. "I've never believed in spirits or things that go bump in the night."

An ironic smile curved his mouth. "But the Irish in me is shouting it could be true. There are a few too many unexplained things that now I look back on them…" He shook his head in wonderment.

"Go on and tell us everything," Edward urged me quietly.

"Yes…" Carolyn urged, taking hold of my hand. "Please, tell us the rest."

I glanced at the mantle clock. I was fast running out of time to meet my newest and most important client at one of the exclusive beachside restaurants. He'd insisted on taking me out to dinner as a 'getting to know you' introduction.

I was more than a little wary of the evening ahead, but I agreed to meet him. Patrick Thorn could put a great deal of new business my way from among his many rich and powerful clients both here and in LA. I had always wanted to move into landscaping and garden design. I'd studied hard for my recent degree, which I'd framed and hung on my living room wall.

I knew Thorn had quite a reputation as a womaniser, but I had no intention of being on his personal menu tonight. It would be purely business between us.

I lifted my shoulders when I saw they were all watching me and waiting for me to go on. "Sorry…" I shook my head in apology. "They lived here for thirty years and loved every minute of their lives together. Emma said that time seemed to mean nothing as long as they had each other. That still holds true."

I bit my lower lip. "They unfortunately couldn't have children. So, when… the Captain was reported lost at sea, with all hands, aboard the Mary Anne, Emma was completely devastated and disbelieving. She felt so alone and said no one could comfort her. She decided to withdraw from the world."

I swallowed tightly. I had always found that part of their story hard to talk about. I had seen how distraught my lovely friend had been, even after all the intervening years. "Of course, she kept hoping against hope, that he would return somehow. But two years passed without a single word."

"She was devastated…" Carolyn said slowly. She glanced at her husband. "I would have been, as well."

"Yes…" I nodded slowly. "As I told you before, Mrs Greig never went up into the attic after the Captain disappeared. It had been his private sanctuary. He kept all his nautical things stored there and she couldn't bear to look at any of them again. She missed him too much."

I sighed. "Then came the day when that awful Harriet DeLacey drove herself all the way out here to try to take over everything. She said she was only doing her family duty and that her poor cousin needed her to look after her."

Carolyn shook her head. "And Mrs Greig had to put up a very big fight to finally get rid of her. It was only after the woman had gone that she noticed the Captain's portrait was also missing. Emma didn't go into the sitting room because it hurt too much to look at him."

"Yes…" I looked back to the painting above the mantle. "When the Captain's spirit was finally strong enough for him to make his way back home from where his ship had sunk in the Atlantic, the painting was already gone and Emma had to assume Harriet had taken it and she'd either burned it or sold it. They had no idea it was still here in this house."

I turned to Carolyn. "It was your looking around the attic where no one had been for years that finally alerted the Captain to the whereabouts of his portrait."

She smiled. "I just knew someone had directed me about where to find it. I really could feel him there, with me."

"But how does all of that get us to this house being actually haunted by them?" Devon sat forward impatiently. "How do you know? Have you seen them?"

I smiled as I pulled in a long breath and expelled it slowly. "Seen them, no. Felt them, most certainly. Have you not thought there is more going on around here than your five senses are telling you? I'm sure they're here right now…"

"Ah, now you're trying to appeal to my Irish roots again…" Devon laughed ruefully as he glanced around the room. "I have to confess I took a few random shots the other day, with my best camera, and when I developed them there were some odd things on a few of them. I wouldn't call them ghosts, but there was something there that wasn't and shouldn't have been." He raised his shoulders.

"You never told me," Carolyn accused.

"I didn't want to believe it myself," Devon grumbled, as he ran a hand up and around the back of his neck. "But I'm fast coming around to it." He glanced around the room again.

I noticed Edward had been silent for some time. But he was watching me closely as if trying to gauge the veracity of my story.

"It's all true…" I held his gaze and lifted my chin at him. "Every word. They are here and they have no intention of leaving."

"I do not doubt you believe every word of it," he replied in a thoughtful tone as he walked across the room to stand and stare up at the portrait. "But the law I practice relies on verified proof beyond all reasonable doubt. Facts are important and necessary to any case."

He touched the bottom of the heavy wooden frame. "You're asking us to believe in what we cannot see or verify." He shook his head slowly.

I stood up and walked to stand next to him. "No, I am asking you to believe in what I am telling you. The Captain and Emma are here, and they will always be here. It's all a matter of simple acceptance." I looked up at the Captain's painted image and I could have sworn right then that he winked at me.

I smiled at him, knowing he was watching. And Emma, as well. Standing there, I could feel her all around me, holding me close. I badly wanted to be able to hug her once more.

"Well, we believe you," Carolyn said, watching us. "We will simply have to adjust and make accommodation for them. I'm certainly going back up into that attic. Who knows what treasures are up there just waiting to be found. I'm sure there's going to be another book in it."

"You'll have to tell me sometime how that will work," Devon added in honest confusion. "How does one make room for a pair of ghosts?"

Edward turned to look down at me with doubt in his gaze. "You believe?" he asked quietly, and I could see the doubt in his steady gaze.

"Yes, of course, I do," I replied simply. "I know they are here, and they want to stay. This is their home, too."

"If I cannot see something, touch it, taste it or measure it…" He sighed roughly. "I have lived all my life in black and white. There was never any room for shades of grey. And then you and your ghost stories came along…"

A wry smile suddenly curved his sternly set mouth. "I guess I'm going to have to learn to live my life in colour from now on. And make room in it for those ghosts…"

"Yes, you will…" I nodded quickly, trying not to cry.

My practical mind said it was time to leave before I got in too deep with this man. But my heart, oh, it hurt more than a little to leave him standing there looking utterly lost and confused.

"I should go…" I said, turning away quickly.

I walked back to the couch and picked up my tote bag. "I'm sure the Captain and Emma will show themselves to you in time. I know they're here with us, tonight."

"It's getting so a man cannot have any privacy in his own house," Devon grumbled good-naturedly as he stood up to kiss my cheek. "If you see them first, do tell them we mean them no harm. But I'll be wanting to set some boundaries."

"All right…" I smiled mistily as I hesitated for a moment.

I had told Kelvin Graves I was planning on leaving Montecito in the near future. I could not stay here now that the house was settled. My meeting with Patrick Thorn was to be the first step to my new life. I hoped it would all work out.

I looked sideways to where Edward was still standing beneath the Captain's portrait. With his neatly trimmed, close-cropped beard, there was a resemblance between them I had not seen until then.

'Pirate'… the word whispered in the back of my mind. 'He'll steal away with your heart if you let him…'

'Blast…' I shook my head. I had no room in my life for romance. Not anymore.

I kissed Devon's cheek. "Look, I really have to go, or I'll be late." I stopped. "Of course, we cannot say a word of any of this to anyone. It has to remain within these four walls. Otherwise, you will have every ghost hunter and physic medium haunting your doorstep day and night looking for answers."

Devon rubbed a hand over his chin. "That's a sobering thought."

Carolyn stood up. "We will tell no one. It will be our secret. Goodnight, dear, and thank you for telling us. It has been an interesting and very informative evening. I'll look forward to seeing you again soon."

"You're very welcome…" I smiled at her as I turned to leave. "I knew I chose well when I sold you Gull Cottage. I love the name by the way. It's very fitting."

"I'll show you out," Edward offered quietly, walking toward me.

"No, thanks..." I raised a detaining hand. "You're forgetting that I already know the way. And you have a lot to discuss. Good night, everyone. And thank you, for everything. I have enjoyed every minute."

I walked out of the room and the house with determined steps. I did not look back and I would not be returning. This part of my life was now firmly in my past, despite the deep and abiding pain in my chest that made it very difficult to breathe as I got into the red sports car and drove away from the house I loved...

※※※※※

Three weeks later:

"I wanted to say again, well done on passing your bar exams, son," Devon congratulated me with a firm hand on my shoulder. "Your mother and I are proud of you. I know Michael is very keen for you to take over immediately. The work has been piling up."

"Thank you…" I nodded, as I finished my second cup of morning coffee. "Now the real work can begin. Nancy has settled in and found a condo that suits her needs. I can see I'll be chained to a desk for some time to come."

My father smiled ruefully as he raised his eyebrows at me. "So, you haven't had the time to go on any more ride-alongs with Michael and Kitt?"

I shook my head as I raised a denying hand. "Ah, no. Thankfully he hasn't asked. I'm happy to pilot that desk from now on and leave the more dangerous side of the work strictly alone."

"Wise choice…" My father chuckled as he turned to leave the kitchen. "You'll get a lot fewer grey hairs, that way…"

I frowned as I washed up my mug and inverted it to dry on the draining board. Kitt's hesitant questioning about the possible link between us concerning my father still hung in the back of my mind. I had yet to get back to asking him what he had been talking about.

"But I don't have any time right now." I needed to drive into town to deliver the documents that would enable me to start my new life as a practising attorney on the West Coast.

But, instead of feeling happy and light-hearted, I was feeling more and more despondent. Nancy and I had worked hard over the last few weeks, getting everything in order. The retiring attorney had left a lot of things in a mess. I kept out of Nancy's way as much as possible as she grumbled her way through everything and restored it all to the strict order, we were both used to working in.

We were now well-settled components of Knight Investigations. All I needed to do was file the documents I picked up from the kitchen bench.

I was still at a loss about how to undo what I'd done to Kat. She had not come back to the house since that night she had told us about our ghostly inhabitants. The gardening work had been left to one of her new workers. A competent man, but he made me even more concerned for Kat every time I saw him tackling the fall pruning and tidying up the grounds before winter.

I was about to leave the house for my busy day ahead when the front doorbell rang. "I'll get it…" I called over my shoulder as I opened the front door.

The postman stood on the doorstep, holding a recorded delivery padded envelope addressed to my mother. "I'll take it to her…" I said as I signed for the heavy parcel and headed into the living room with it.

When I handed it to her, my mother put aside her work and frowned at the padded envelope. "I wasn't expecting anything. I wonder who it's from…"

I shrugged. "I have no idea. It's addressed to you."

She turned it over and peered at the address on the back of the padded envelope. "I'll need my reading glasses to make it out. I left them in the bedroom. Open this for me please, dear, while I go up and find them." She handed the padded envelope to me as she left the room.

Putting my own correspondence to one side, I glanced at the address on the back of the envelope. I was surprised to see it was Kat's home address. My heart sank.

"Kat…" I closed my eyes momentarily, shaking my head.

The remorseful ache that had settled deep within me refused to go away at the memory of how I'd treated her. With a sigh, I carefully slit one end of the envelope open. I drew out a large, leather-bound photograph album with the names of Daniel and Emma Greig embossed on the cover in gold lettering. It looked very old and fragile.

I handled it with care as I turned the album over. Despite my concern, a small, loose photograph fluttered out and fell to the floor.

"Blast…" Bending down, I picked it up and immediately saw Kat's laughing face full of joy.

It had obviously been taken some time ago and she looked so young and happy. Beside her, stood a smiling elderly lady. I guessed her identity immediately as Emma Greig. They stood with their arms around each other outside the front door of a small and very pretty seaside cottage. A realtor's FOR SALE sign stood behind them, swinging from its crossbar, and there was a large SOLD sticker plastered across the middle of it.

On impulse, when I heard my mother's footsteps coming back down the stairs, I pushed the photograph out of sight among my business correspondence. I turned as Mum came into the room.

I held out the gift. "It's a photo album from Kat. I think it's about the Captain and his wife. I have to guess she would like you to include the photos in your upcoming book."

"It's our book," she reminded me as she frowned in puzzlement. "But I wonder why Kat mailed it to me instead of bringing it around herself. She said she would be coming by soon to read the final draft of the manuscript before I send it away to Sean Cornell. I hope she's all right."

She shook her head as she opened the album carefully and began to turn the pages of the album. "Oh, look how lovely this all is. Emma Greig was beautiful and the Captain looks like a handsome and powerful man. Theirs was an amazing story."

I didn't resist the desire to look for myself. I walked over to stand next to her. The Captain and his lady were obviously deeply in love with each other. There were many photographs documenting their extensive travels around the world. There were some wonderful photographs of them in this house and they were perfect for the upcoming book.

"I have no idea why she mailed it," I finally said, watching Mum close the album with a worried frown. "Perhaps she's got delayed somewhere. I'm sure she'll be here when she can."

Mum sighed. "I hope you're right. I miss seeing her." She looked at me. "Are you going out?"

"Yes, I have the bar documents to deliver downtown and then I must get to work before I get fired on my first official day." I leaned down to kiss her cheek. "I'll see you both tonight. I doubt I'll be early."

Mum returned my kiss. "I'll ask Maria to keep some dinner for you then. You'll need all your strength if you're going to keep up with Michael's pace of doing things." She shook her head ruefully.

"Thanks, Mum." I left the house and walked to the new car that I had recently purchased.

As soon as I was alone, I removed the small photograph from among my documents and tucked it carefully into the back of my wallet before I drove into downtown Montecito. I had an idea about what I was going to do with the photo. I just needed something very special to go with it.

※※※※※

After a full day of working hard through the stacks of files on my desk, I needed to unwind. Nancy and the rest of the team had left for the day. I was alone in the office.

The early evening beyond the windows looked cool and inviting. Grabbing my jacket from the rack beside the office door, I walked outside into the fresh sea air. On impulse, I decided to go for a walk along the busy main street to stretch my legs.

I had no particular place to be immediately. For some odd reason, I didn't want to go back to Gull Cottage just yet. Suddenly, there was an odd sensation in the small of my back as if someone was pushing me along the pavement. I shook my head even as I turned to see there was no one behind me.

"Foolish…" I kept walking.

I'd already guessed why Kat had mailed the photograph album to my mother instead of hand-delivering it. She would not be returning to work in the garden because Kelvin Graves had said she was leaving town. I hadn't told my mother. I couldn't bring myself to do so, not yet. I knew it would make her sad.

"But it will have to be soon…" My heart was heavy as I looked through the various shop windows, looking for something – anything - to take my mind off the unforeseen consequences of my own ill-considered actions.

"A bunch of flowers and an apology isn't the answer…" I shook my head as I finally came to a halt before an antique shop.

For some time, I had been looking for a special housewarming gift for my parents in their new forever home and so far I had come up empty. The shop appeared to be a high-end, expensive antique shop. Fortunately, money wasn't a problem for me. The sudden drift of air I felt curling around the back of my neck, I put down to the cool evening as I decided to go inside and look around.

"I'll know what to buy when I see it," I muttered as I pushed open the door. A bell above the door tinkled my arrival into the shop.

I was immediately enveloped in the many smells of the past, both recent and more distant. There was a corner filled with Persian rugs. Paintings hung everywhere. The tables were loaded full of beautiful china and glassware. It was a cornucopia of visual delights.

"I'm bound to find something in here…"

The proprietor was working at a nearby table. He looked up and smiled. "Good evening, Sir. Is there anything I may help you with? Are you looking for something special?"

"I honestly don't know what I'm looking for. I'm just browsing for now." I shrugged apologetically, feeling again that odd sensation of being pushed from behind.

"Then please feel free to browse away. I'll be on hand if you find what you're looking for. I'll be closing in half an hour." The man nodded as he went back to the task at hand.

"Thank you. I won't be that long…" I walked around and finally stopped before some small silver photo frames on a side table.

They had been carefully arranged. One in particular caught my eye. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up and a strange sensation prickled down my arms. I could almost feel an unseen presence standing behind me as I walked closer to the table.

"Ghosts…" I shook my head in disbelief as I stared down at a small delicate, intricately detailed, filigree silver photo frame. "I don't believe in them…" I picked the frame up carefully and my breath caught in my throat.

Delicately entwined, tiny, blue, enamelled forget-me-not flowers decorated the edges of the frame. At the top, in dainty filigree letters were the words, 'Forget Me Not.'

Without thinking, I took out my wallet. I withdrew the photograph of Kat and Mrs Greig. When I measured them together, the frame was a perfect fit for the photo.

"This can't be real…" I said as I stared at the photo and the frame. "Maybe. Just maybe she will forgive me..."

I had been looking for Kat's forgiveness. I needed to find something unique and special. I began to wonder if I'd just found it.

I measured the photograph against the dimensions of the frame again and they still fitted together as if they had been made for each other. I gave in to the odd voices whispering in the back of my mind and decided to buy it. I hadn't even looked at the price and I didn't care.

"Thanks…" I commented to the empty air around me and felt foolish for doing so.

I thought I caught the whisper of a man's laughter. "Working too hard…" I complained, wiping a hand over my eyes. I turned and walked up to the counter.

"If I may say so, this is an excellent choice, Sir," the proprietor remarked as I laid the frame on the counter along with my credit card. "It has only recently come in from an estate sale. It's mid-Victorian and well worth the price."

He noticed the photograph I still held in my hand. "If you can wait a few moments, Sir, I will clean the frame and insert the photograph for you. All part of the service."

"Thank you…" I nodded my assent, feeling restless to be gone.

I began to walk through the shop again. In a locked glass case, I saw a pretty perfectly cut sapphire pendant surrounded by tiny diamonds. It too would have been a perfect gift for Kat. If only...

※※※※※

I spent the late afternoon working around inside my small cottage, tidying and dusting. It kept my mind from dwelling on a man I should not be thinking about at all. I had not seen Edward again and had no intention of doing so.

My evening with Patrick Thorn had not gone well. Any hopes of greatly expanding my business under his guidance went out the window the moment I was shown to his table and sat down across from him. He had been suave and cool, calculating I knew now.

"You come very highly recommended," he said smoothly. "I can now see why. Very nice… Very nice indeed." His approving eyes on my face and body were the first sign the evening would not be going the way he had obviously planned.

It was when he began to play his feet through and around mine beneath the table, all the while smiling at me with obvious intent, that I knew I had reached the limits of my patience. I didn't return his smile.

"And we'd only just ordered our entrées!" I shook my head in disgust as I vigorously polished one of my crystal vases.

I was sure the man would have quickly become like an octopus, crawling with arms, if I had shown his tactless advances the slightest encouragement. He seemed so sure of his charms and ability to sweet talk me into leaving with him after dinner and going back to his penthouse. Even though I was seething inside, I kept my cool as I signalled to the hovering waiter to come and refill my wine glass.

Then, I politely thanked Mr Thorn for his time and the dinner that he would be paying for before I tipped my full glass of very expensive red wine all down his white shirtfront and left the restaurant. Needless to say, I would not be working for Thorn Enterprises in any capacity and I never heard from him again.

But it felt good. I had scrimped and saved for the deposit for my home and I was dreading having to leave it behind. I was able to get a mortgage for it with Mrs Greig as my guarantor. Emma had willed to me the last of her life savings. This generous gift enabled me to clear the mortgage so I would have the security of owning my own home.

"That's enough for now…" I stopped working and stood back, wiping the back of my hand across my forehead. Though the evening was cool, I had worked up a thirst with my diligent cleaning.

"I could certainly do with a cold glass of wine. I'll think about food later…" I smiled at the large, framed photograph hanging on the living room wall above me, right next to my newly minted degree.

My eyes had been shining that day when the photo had been taken by the obliging realtor. I had been standing with Emma outside my newly purchased cottage with its hanging SOLD sign behind us. I felt as if I owned the world.

Mrs Greig had been my first visitor to my new home. The sad, lonely old lady and the forlorn, unwanted young girl I was back then, had been drawn to each other. The bond between us had become stronger than death could overcome.

My cottage was too small for most of the larger pieces of furniture in Gull Cottage. But I had been given a few things by Mrs Greig, including a beautiful French-style bed and a comfortable small antique chair. I had placed the chair by my bedroom window so I could sit there in the evening with a book and my glass of wine to watch the ever-changing Pacific Ocean.

Emma has also bequeathed me a collection of scrimshaws, and her beautiful Victorian silver hair brush and mirror set, amongst other things. Each had been personal and perfect.

She'd also given me a gorgeous, patterned fringed silk shawl her husband had brought back from one of his voyages. It still carried a whisper of Mrs Greig's signature perfume, Shalimar.

Whenever I was upset I would make a cup of hot tea and wrap myself in the shawl. Wearing it always comforted me. I had wrapped myself in it the evening after I left Patrick Thorn swearing in that expensive restaurant as the wait staff did their best to get him cleaned up.

Sitting down in the chair now, I smiled as I sipped my wine and tried to get the image of Edward Bridges out of my mind. Over the last three weeks, I'd been trying to convince myself I'd had enough of him. I had not gone back to the house. I prayed that when I did return to visit Carolyn for the final time, her son would be out at work.

I leaned my head back against the chair and watched the constant ebb and flow of the Pacific Ocean's timeless tide. It usually soothed me, but tonight I could feel tears burning behind my eyes. I had every intention of leaving all of this behind now that all matters concerning Gull Cottage were finally settled. But, I knew I didn't want to leave. There was too much here, calling me to stay and I had finally listened.

"Blast…" I sighed, wiping the back of one hand across my eyes as my tears of regret threatened to fall. I watched the fiery ball of the sun slowly sinking into the ocean.

A sudden knock on my front door distracted my fractured attention and made me jump. "Who on earth…" I breathed as I put my glass of wine aside and stood up.

Dressed in a well-worn pair of my oldest jeans and a baggy T-shirt, I wasn't in any fit state for company. But after a moment's hesitation, they knocked again, more insistently this time. Whoever it was, knew I was home because my truck was parked in the driveway.

"Damn…" I was still wiping my eyes when I unlocked and opened the front door. I took a step backwards in shock when I saw exactly who my unexpected visitor was. "Why are you here?" I demanded tersely.

Edward Bridges was standing on my doorstep. "May I come in?" he asked. "I… have something for you."

"All right…" I remembered my manners and stood aside for him to enter my home.

Of course, his height and size immediately reduced its dimensions. I sighed as I shut the door and turned to frown at him. He seemed almost overwhelming in my small hallway. 'I didn't want him in my mind and now he's in my house!'

Right then, I heard the whisper of masculine laughter and a woman's soft chuckle of glee. I exhaled roughly as I shook my head. It seemed the Captain and Emma were now having a great deal of fun at my expense.

'Stop meddling…'Of course, there was no answer. But I could feel them watching and enjoying the situation.

"What do you want?" I asked Edward quickly, shoving my hands behind my back. "I'm kind of… busy doing stuff…"

He turned to look at me and I could see he was as uneasy as myself. "I'm truly sorry for what I did and said to you…" His blue eyes were pleading as he held out the small carrier bag he was holding. "I bought this today, to try and make some kind of amends."

"I thought we'd both realised it's too late for that…" I hesitated to take his offering. I felt a slight nudge in the small of my back, impelling me a single step toward him.

'Stop it, right now!' Again, I heard the soft whispers of laughter.

"All right…" Guessing that my verbally remonstrating with someone invisible would only heighten Edward's confusion, I reached out and took the bag from him and opened it.

I looked inside to see a tissue-wrapped object. Its size and shape gave me a clue, but I still frowned in puzzlement.

"What is it?" I asked as I unwrapped the gift and stared in shock at the smaller photograph of myself and Emma that was now in an elegant antique silver frame. It matched the framed picture on my living room wall.

"It's something I thought you might like," he replied quickly, shoving his hands into the pockets of his dress chinos.

"It is something I like. Thank you," I replied cautiously as I touched the filigree design gently. Tears began to well up in my eyes again. "Where did you find it?" I asked raggedly.

"An antique shop in town. The photo came with the album you mailed to my mother…" He tapped one forefinger gently on the picture. "It fell out and I picked it up. I… kept it until I could decide what to do with it." He hesitated, as if he wanted to say more, but changed his mind. "I wanted to return it to you."

"I forgot it was in the album. I put it there for safe keeping…" I shook my head with disbelief as I looked up into his tired eyes. "Please… Stay here. I've got something I need to show you."

I didn't wait for his reply as I hurried upstairs. I returned holding the beautiful silver Victorian brush and mirror Emma Greig had bequeathed to me. On the intricately worked backs of the hairbrush and mirror were tiny, chased forget-me-not flowers. The Captain had bought the set for his much-loved wife so that when she brushed her long russet hair, she would think of him.

Edward stared at the set and then at me. "Please forgive me... Give me another chance. Give us a chance. We both need to start again."

His anguished words held me spellbound as he stood completely still. I knew he would not force my compliance. He was leaving it up to me what happened next.

I had been startled by the lovely gift of the framed photograph and the thought behind it. It was obvious Edward had chosen the gift with care. I couldn't help wondering if he'd had a little ghostly help along the way. But I wasn't about to ask.

I stared down at the three beautiful gifts in my hands. I began to shake with suppressed emotions. I put them all aside on my small hall table beside the front door. I didn't want to drop any of them.

"I…" I tried to speak. To say thank you for his very thoughtful gift, but the words dried in my throat. "I wish…"

I couldn't prevent the hot tears from welling up in my eyes. Even though I tried, I couldn't stop them from falling. My final task had been completed. I had done as Emma Greig had asked me to do. Now I could cry for the loss of the only person who had ever cared about me. My heart ached for my beloved friend and mentor.

"Sorry…" I tried to hide my tears, but Edward reached out and gently pulled me into his arms.

After a breathless moment, I didn't try to get away. I couldn't help leaning into him as I cried out my pent-up grief in the strength of his shoulder. I cried a storm as Edward held me close against him until my crying finally passed into hiccupping sobs.

"It's all right…" He kissed her hair. "It will be all right, I can promise you that. You're not alone anymore. I won't allow it."

"You won't?" I shook my head even as I whispered, "Blast. I've soaked your shirt."

Edward laughed softly. "It's not important. It'll soon dry. You needed to cry and I'm glad I was here."

A silence settled between us. But it was a peaceful silence. He had apologised to me, and I had accepted his word. It was as simple as that.

Finally, I started to pull away. "I'm sorry. I rarely cry. I must look a wreck," I said in a wobbly voice.

"Not to me…" Edward pressed another kiss against my hair as he finally let me go.

I backed away and shook my head. "I need to go back upstairs and repair the ravages. Please, stay here. I won't be long, and we have to talk…"

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