CHAPTER FOURTEEN
The storm blew itself out by noon. A ridge of high pressure had moved down the coast, bringing bright winter sunshine. The mountains seemed higher than their four and five thousand feet on days like this. They towered over the city, dazzling white, like bright young nurses in starched caps surrounding the bed of a recovering patient.
The Stanley Park seawall was crowded with walkers, joggers, cyclists.
“All we need is daffodils and it would be just like spring,” said Emma, breathing in the sharp air. She and Casey were on their way to the Sylvia Hotel to meet Debbie Ozeroff and her partner for lunch.
They introduced themselves. All were dressed casually. Ozeroff was the happiest Casey had seen her in months. She shook Emma’s hand enthusiastically. “You’re quite the surprise, Emma. Finally, we meet you. Casey tells us nothing.”
Emma smiled at these words. “He’s a quiet one all right, Debbie.” She pulled off her wool cap and shook hands with Vera Tanaguchi.
Ozeroff asked Casey, “How’s Matty Kayle?”
Casey and Emma had arranged for Matty to stay with Emma’s cousins’ family in Port Moody.
Emma said, “Matty’s good. Dan and Maureen make sure of that. Matty isn’t used to having so many people about her, especially their noisy twins. But Maureen says she’s settled in nicely. She’s talking about things, her husband and her marriage, not locking everything inside. And that’s a good sign, I think. If they can keep her for a while, the police and the media will be out of her hair. Maureen thinks Matty should stay a month at least. They all say she’s lovely and no trouble. The twins love her. Matty seems to think rather a lot of you, too, Casey.”
“She’s a good woman, so she is.”
Ozeroff laughed. “Casey likes to charm the ladies.”
They sipped their drinks.
Later, back at her apartment, Emma closed her eyes. “I’m glad it’s all over. I don’t want to talk or think about that monster for the rest of my life.”
“Is it, Emma? Is it really over for you?”
“No, not really. I’ll probably always have a scar. I don’t like to think of Albert Kayle and what he did.”
“Yes,”
“Will you stay for supper?”
“I will. What are you cooking?”
“It’s vegetarian. You’d better like it.” She frowned. “Casey?”
“Hmm?”
“I’ve been thinking. I could be dead. I’m only alive today because of you. It makes me want to savor more than ever what’s left of my life. D’you hear what I’m saying?”
“I do. Carpe diem. Seize the day.”
Emma said, “Did you ever drive the winding road from Belfast to Galway?”
“I did.”
“Do you recall the sight of the town as you drive down from the hills?”
“Aye, I do. At night you can see the moon swimming in the Corrib.”
“Casey?”
“Hmm?”
“I miss it sometimes-home, I mean.”
“I miss Ireland too. But Canada is my home now.”
“Mine too. But I want to go back and see it with these new eyes of mine. These Canadian eyes.”
“Perhaps we could go together.”
Emma smiled. “I would like that.”
