‘Hello.’
‘Hi.’ Isabel smiled back waiting for Kristen to elaborate.
‘Jill, this is—sorry I didn’t get your name?’
‘Isabel, Isabel Stark.’
‘Isabel’s nana passed away recently and asked her to find her sister, Constance whom Isabel has never met due to a family feud to pass on her nana’s regrets over it all.’ Kristen looked to Isabel for approval.
Isabel nodded. She’d worded it well, much better than her rambling tale at the reception desk.
‘Her mother’s maiden name was Downer, so she is pretty sure, our Constance is the great-aunt she’s looking for.’
Jill nodded. ‘Thanks, Kristen.’ It was said in a, I can handle this from here, tone.
‘I’ll leave you to it then.’
‘Thank you,’ Isabel said to the younger girl who looked reluctant to leave them but who finally marched off with a flick of her hair. Isabel had the distinct impression her showing up asking for Constance with hints at family feuds was the most exciting thing that had happened to her so far that morning.
‘Isabel, why don’t you have a seat over there and I’ll be with you in a jiffy?’ Jill gestured across the room.
‘Oh okay, thanks.’ She took herself off in the direction she’d been pointed in.
She smiled as she passed a group of silver tops playing cards wondering if Constance was in their midst. The Oceania Lounge was true to its name following a coastal theme with its palette of blue, light grey and cream. The furnishings were new obviously but were still sympathetic to the era of the house, she thought, sitting down and feeling at home on the squishy settee. A coffee table with a newspaper open to the sports pages was in front of her, and she flicked through a couple of pages, feigning interest in the local news until Jill came and sat down across from her.
‘So you think you might be related to Constance.’ She smoothed the creases in her pants.
Isabel tried not to squirm in her seat at the fib. There was no going back on her story now though not when she was so close. She nodded. ‘I wondered if it would be possible to meet her.’
‘It will be all over Ryde, you know. Constance’s long lost great-niece having come to make peace.’
Isabel looked at Jill surprised.
‘Kristen.’
‘Ah, I see.’
‘Our Constance is a well–known personality in these parts. Some would call her an eccentric who has led a colourful life.’
‘My landlord told me a little about her. She ran a herbal shop, didn’t she?’
‘She did yes, and it was before its time, but that’s Constance all over, and she was successful nonetheless. That was in part I think to her family name. The Downers, you see, were related to Molly Downer, the last witch on Wight. But then you’d know that, wouldn’t you.’
Isabel had not known that, but she played along. ‘Of course, yes. Erm, nan only mentioned the connection in passing and she never told me what happened to Molly. She wasn’t burnt at the stake or anything like that, was she?’
‘No, those days had long since passed when Molly was around, but she was viewed with superstition and a little bit of fear by the locals nonetheless. Her cottage was burned to the ground after she died, you know.’
‘Oh.’ Images of flaming torch-wielding locals marching up to an empty stone cottage flashed before Isabel’s eyes.
‘So, when Constance opened her own herbal remedies shop you can imagine how the stories swirled amongst the islanders as to her link with Molly.’
‘Oh yes, I can see they would.’ Isabel was intrigued.
‘She played her part well too, she was very flamboyant in her day our Constance. Was your nan?’
‘Um, I suppose so, yes.’
‘I’m not surprised.’ Jill said eyeing Isabel’s hair. ‘You take after her, do you?’
‘A little.’ Isabel was vague.
‘She’s a lovely lady our Constance, but she’s also lonely. She’s no family left here now, and I would hate for her to be—’
Isabel twigged as to the purpose of this conversation. The nurse was protective of her charge and didn’t want her hurt. She was unsure as to whether Isabel was telling the truth or not.
‘Nurse Jill—’
‘Just Jill’s fine dear.’
‘I just want to relay that my nan was sorry about the way things transpired between them that’s all. Make peace between them.’ It was a rather big white lie.
Jill eyed Isabel for a moment and then nodded before getting to her feet. ‘Come on then; I’ll take you upstairs to her room. Constance likes to have her morning cuppa in the armchair by her window so she can smell the sea air.’
͠
‘Knock, knock, Mrs D.’ Jill opened the door a crack and turned to Isabel. ‘Just give me half a tick while I tell her she has a visitor.’
Isabel nodded, and as she stood outside in the corridor, she was reminded of a cruise ship with its rows of cabins. A geriatric apparition in a blue quilted dressing gown and matching slippers appeared from one of the rooms a few doors down, and as she spied Isabel her eyes lit up. ‘Psst,’ she said, beckoning to her. Isabel was unsure as to what she should do, but the woman was not going away. ‘Psst. Have you got the macaroons?’
Jill reappeared and pulled the door to before waving to the woman. ‘No, Phyllis. She’s not here for a midnight feast, she’s here to see Constance.’ She turned her attention to Isabel. ‘You go on in; I’ll leave
