Will reaches a point level with Melody but just out of reach as another crack forms above in the ground. It's going to crumble and fall, Melody has no doubt... And it does. A large whooshing noise comes from above, bringing with it a giant chunk of earth and stone plummeting down into the caves below, but not before it smashes away at the ground between Will and Melody. This deprives Melody of any route to Will, creating a gap. It may only be a few feet in length, but to Melody it feels like eternity.
“Jump, Miss Winter!” Will shouts, his hand outstretched just a few feet away but as close as he can get.
“No! I'll fall!”
“You won't fall. I'll catch you!”
Melody shakes her head again. Then the strangest thing happens. It is as if there is a lull in the storm. Whether imagined or real, Melody is uncertain. Through the cascading water it's as though the world fades away, the danger diminishes, and all she sees is the determined expression of Will Deacon offering his hand.
It is a life-line.
An almighty crash thunders down once more towards Melody. A sheet of earth and rock has collapsed, this time directly above her, hurtling down at speed.
“Jump!”
This voice cuts through that thunder and, just as the debris is upon her, Melody leaps into the safe embrace of Will Deacon.
Chapter 4
Rebecca nestles into her Uncle Maximilian in front of the fire in a cozy sitting room at Deacon House. A warm blanket is draped around her, and the flickering flames of the wide fireplace dance across several relieved and exhausted faces. Outside in the world, beyond the plaster and brickwork of the old mansion, the howling wind and rain threaten but do not break through.
“I'm so sorry...” Melody says from an armchair, herself wrapped in a thick red blanket.
“It wasn't your fault, Miss Winter,” Maximilian offers.
“Aye, it wisnae yer fault, lassie,” Tam says from the doorway nearby.
“Like hell!” Will says sternly, standing with his hand resting against a bookcase nearby. The dim light of the fire illuminates his face, hard as rock, deep as the ocean.
“He doesn't mean that, Miss Winter,” Maximilian says softly.
“I know damned well what I mean, Max,” Will replies. “What were you thinking, Miss Winter? Taking our Rebecca out into a storm like that?”
“I... I didn't know it would turn so badly.”
“Well, now you do. I've a good mind to terminate your position here immediately!”
“No! Don't!” Rebecca runs from Maximilian's arms and then lunges into Melody's. “Miss Winter was trying to save me!”
“It was Miss Winter, little Rebecca,” Will says ominously, “who put you in danger. She might as well have thrown you down that hole!”
“No, Uncle Will! I... I wanted to play. Miss Winter said she thought the weather might get worse, but I kept on about it. Please don't blame her...”
Will's voice grows softer.
“Rebecca, Wee one, you're the most precious thing in the world to me, and I can't have you being put in danger by such a reckless individual. I'm sorry.” Will turns towards Melody. “Miss Winter. I think it's best if you go...”
“Come on, Will, that's a bit harsh,” Maximilian interjects.
“I'm in charge here, Max. Not you. And I say she goes. Now. I will pay a reasonable severance. You cannot say fairer than that.”
“Yer bein' to harsh, Mr Deacon,” Tam says. “I havnae seen weather like that her fer a decade at least.”
“I've made my decision, Tam. Please, leave us for the moment.” Will says, resolute in his desires.
“Aye, as ye wish,” Tam heads back out of the doorway, disappearing from view.
Melody feels heartbroken. She cares deeply for Rebecca, and she knows that being sent away will make finding her father almost impossible. Now, with her options limited, Melody does the only thing she can: she decides to fight back.
“You listen here, Will Deacon,” she says standing up. “I've done everything to care for Rebecca. I would never allow anything to hurt her. The weather was overcast, but I couldn't have known it would turn so quickly, nor that there would be a flash flood from the mountains. I am very grateful that you helped me down there, but I will not be walked over like this. Not now. Not ever. Punish me all you want, but don't deprive Rebecca of her tuition. Who else on the island will teach her? You've said yourself that the options are limited.”
Rebecca now steps away from Melody and towards her Uncle Will.
“Please, Uncle Will. Mummy and Daddy went away. Don't make Miss Winter leave.”
Will lets out a sigh, and on his face is written the feeling of grief. It clearly pains him to hear Rebecca speak about her parents. She's been through so much.
Will leans down and picks Rebecca up in his strong arms.
“As you wish,” he says gently. “But should there be any other trips out when the weather is bad, Miss Winter here will leave, little one, and there will be no discussion then. Shake on it?”
“Okay!” Rebecca says, shaking her uncle's hand.
Will now looks tired, he draws Melody a stern look and wipes some of the rainwater from his brow.
“I... I must attend to some things, now. If you all will excuse me...” He walks out of the room, his steps forceful, but his wide shoulders slightly dipping as though he is carrying a great weight.
Melody lets out her own sigh, one of relief.
“Good job standing up to him, Miss Winter,” Maximilian says. “I think
