The Lazarus Quartet by Beryl Coverdale

Author:Beryl Coverdale [Coverdale, Beryl]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical Fiction, Fiction, War, Romance
ISBN: 9780987609670
Publisher: JoJo Publishing
Published: 2014-08-30T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

The petite figure alighting from the train was not what Charles Petersen had expected. From Alexander’s description of his mother’s strength and tenacity he’d pictured a bigger person but despite her obvious grief, her bearing was upright and proud. Speaking in French he offered his condolences, kissed her hand and thanked her for coming. Eloise’s eyes filled with tears but she smiled showing traces of the beauty she had once been and replied in English, “Your French is excellent but I do speak English Major.”

Charles smiled warmly, “Please call me Charles.” Taking the parcel from her he held out his arm and escorted her towards a waiting cab. Alexander followed, mildly amused at the way in which they had charmed one another so quickly.

Eloise seemed completely at ease in the luxurious Petersen house that had so overawed Alexander, but when shown the room that was to be her own, she gasped. “Look Alexander,” she exclaimed, “Such a beautiful room”. And then to Charles who stood smiling at the doorway, “But are you sure, such a large room for just one person?”

The room was a sitting room with a bedroom accessed through an archway in a dividing wall. The décor was muted shades of pink and grey and low bay windows looked down onto a wide but quiet street which divided to surround a small park with a fountain, street lamps and wooden seats set on the paved footways winding around neat, well-tended shrubs. Beyond the park a small church provided an enchanting background to the view. A vase holding yellow roses sat on the table in the window and Eloise bent to smell them.

“They’re for you Mrs Darrington,” said Charles. “Yellow roses are for friendship. The friendship I hope we shall all share. We want you to stay. We need you to stay.”

Removing her hat and coat Eloise smiled broadly at the two men. Alexander nodded his thanks to Charles and offered up silent gratitude to Michael who, through his death, had indirectly kept his promise to provide a comfortable life for their mother.

“And now I have a surprise for you both. Please come with me.” Charles looked almost mischievous. “This way,” he said ushering them along the hallway and into another room.

Alexander’s heart leapt into his throat. “Clarissa!” was all he could manage to whisper. His sister-in-law, still looking pale and weak, was propped up on pillows in a large double bed and, with the assistance of a nurse, held her son in her arms.

“Mrs Darrington,” said Charles gently, “may I present my sister Clarissa — your daughter-in-law, and your grandson.”

Alexander couldn’t move but Eloise swept passed him, across the room where the two women fell into each others arms weeping tears of grief and joy over the tiny head of the sleeping child.

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