The Hero by Paul Almond

Author:Paul Almond
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-55244-342-2
Publisher: Red Deer Press
Published: 2014-06-29T16:00:00+00:00

PART FOUR: 1930

C H A P T E R E I G H T E E N

On Thursday early in April, a group of well-dressed figures waited in Windsor Station, Montreal for the train from New York. In clerical garb, Canon John Alford stood beside his taller, heavy-set son, Gerald, now a well-known lawyer. Eric’s diminutive sister Jean and her dapper husband Bert had brought their car to collect the arrivals and chauffeur them back to the apartment on Sherbrooke Street. Their talk, muted, anticipatory, awaited the return of the prodigal son and the dancer about whom, so often and so glowingly, Eric had written to his sister, his brother and, as they had heard, his parents at the Old Homestead.

Before long the train with great clouds of steam screeched into this palatial station built by the Canadian Pacific Railroad in downtown Montreal. The New York passengers streamed through the wrought-iron gates and finally when it seemed as though they might not even be on the train, Eric and Rene arrived with a porter pushing his cart with their few bags.

Amid excited greetings, Eric kissed his sister and introduced her to Rene. Then he presented Jean’s husband Albert Finnie, cousin Gerald, and his brother Jack.

“Oh, Father John,” Rene shook his hand, “how wonderful to see you again after all this time!”

“And I must say, my dear, you look more flourishing than ever!”

“And your son, Gerald, the brilliant lawyer!” They talked among themselves about the train ride, snatches of the boat ride, and then started to move towards the station entrance.

“I’m dying to see your new church, Father John.”

“Well, Rene, I was even hoping you and Eric might pop along this afternoon. If you’re not too tired, that is. I might have news for Eric.”

“We’d love that!” Eric broke in. “We can get installed this morning in Jean’s apartment, and then we’ll take the tram back along Sherbrooke Street. Easily done.” And so it was arranged.

But Jack took Eric aside first, and with a serious look, told him, “Old Poppa passed away, Eric. While you were in the Holy Land. We didn’t know how to reach you. I’m sorry to spoil this happy occasion.”

Eric was silent, looking at the ground. Then, he sighed. “Jack, we all expected it, didn’t we? He was in his nineties.” He nodded, then looked up brightly. “I’ll keep his soul in my prayers, this month.”

They took their leave, Jack looking relieved that this news hadn’t shattered their pleasure at being together at last.

They arrived in the Bert’s sparkling Ford. Albert was dressed as always impeccably, with his high starched collar and neat tie setting off an immaculate dark suit. Eric had explained to Rene that Bert owned a clothing factory in some old part of the city. Jean, once a nurse, had given up her profession to marry him.

The Finnies’ apartment faced a courtyard on the ground floor, making for easy access. Rene entered and was shown around by an excited Jean, so much shorter than her guest.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.