Chapter 44: Chapter 44

I supply her with texts and training videos and give her some leads on websites suitable for learners.

Like the prisoner facing the noose, she slumps into a side-room where she can work uninterrupted.

Later, when we are alone, Michael takes a seat next to me. “It’s very good of you, Richard, to put yourself out like this on Charlotte’s behalf. I appreciate that it’s in thanks for what she did for Beth, but nonetheless…”

I huff. “Don’t be fooled, Michael. Yes, it’s partly in thanks. She craves education and training. I’ll see that she gets it. But, I don’t have to bring her into my company as a thank you. It’s mainly a cold commercial decision on my part.”

His forehead knits. “Sorry, not with you?”

Toss him a curveball….

“Sooner or later, I want her on my Board.”

He rocks in his seat. “On your Board?” He looks utterly bemused.

“She’s got intelligence, looks, a driving personality, and balls of solid rock. What more could I ask?

Once she’s trained up, and actually knows what she’s doing, she’ll be a power to be reckoned with.”

And yes, I owe her….

I continue. “Let’s see the other shareholders stand in her way when she decides she wants something…”

And Christ knows I want to know what she’s doing….

“On the whole,” I finish, “I want her working with and for me, not someone else.…”

Michael, like a man picking his way through a minefield, says, “I take your point, but suppose she doesn’t want to follow that path? Wants to do something else?”

The world’s her oyster….

…. It will be by the time I’ve finished with her….

“Such as?”

“She might want to have a family, children.”

Hmmm….

Perhaps….

“Well, you’re the one marrying her…. Still, families grow up, and I suspect you may find that the adventure of family life will never be enough for that one….”

Is it for me to say this?

Shoving my oar where it doesn’t belong?

…. Not doing either of them any favours if I keep quiet….

“She’s spent her whole life living on the edge,” I say. He looks thoughtful. I press my point. “I’m not sure she’s capable of dropping to the same gear most people live in.”

He sucks at his lips.

“Michael, you said it to me yourself, and, at the time I ignored you. If you try to cage her, she won’t stay caged. You might bear that in mind.”

He heaves a sigh, folding his arms. “Mmmm… you’re giving me food for thought.”

Good…. You need to think about that one….

*****

Five Years Ago There is a knock at the door.

“Come in.”

The door opens, a face edging nervously around. “Mr Kalkowski, can I talk with you for a few minutes?”

The old man puts his book to one side. “Of course you can, Jenny. Do come in. It’s good to see you.

Please forgive me not getting up. It is not so easy for me as it once was.”

“That’s alright. Um, would you like me to make some tea?”

“Thank you. I would. And if you look in the larder, you will find a cake that Mrs Collier kindly gave me.”

Jenny makes tea, pouring it from a porcelain pot into fine china cups and saucers. She cuts two slices of cake and passes one across.”

“Thank you, Jenny. Now, what can I do for you? I’ve missed our little chats since you left school you know.”

She sips tea, but the cup clinks against the tremble of the saucer. Mr Kalkowski waits, patience itself.

He has heard the gossip. In fact, her old teacher has a very good idea of what she wants to say.

“Mr Kalkowski….” She puts the cup and saucer down, scratches at the back of her hand. “I’ve…. I’ve made the most awful mistake and…. I don’t know what to do.”

He waits, very still. “Do you want to tell me what this mistake is, Jenny?”

Her eyes gloss and she licks at dry lips. “I married Chad and….” And she can’t get any more words out.

He reaches forward, touches the back of her hand. “Jenny, I believe I know what you cannot bring yourself to say. Do not force the words.”

She bursts into tears, “I’m sorry. I’m sorry.” Head in hands, doubled over against her own lap, she sobs.

He says nothing, waits for the storm to pass. As she calms, he takes a handkerchief from his top pocket, pressing it into her hand.

“Have you decided, Jenny, what you are going to do?”

She sniffs, wiping at her red and streaming nose. “Chad says he will give me a divorce. He’s being really nice.”

“As he should be,” comments the old man drily.

She sits, clutching at the square of linen, winding it in her hands. “I think I have to leave. I don’t think I belong here. I thought I did, but I don’t.”

He sips at his tea, then, “I agree with you, Jenny. There was a time when this was the right place for you. When you first arrived, this place, these people were what you needed.”

“But…. Not now?”

“This is a good place, Jenny and these are good people. But because this is all that most of them have known, their view of the world is very limited. To them, this is all there is. This is how life is meant to be.

They see the world on the television or hear of it on the radio, but it is not real for them….” He sucks in his cheeks. “The space inside their head can be very small in some cases.” He leans forward, touches a finger to the back of her hand, “You remember the world outside, the world beyond. You know that this is not all there is.”

She blinks, looking down at the handkerchief. “I’m different.”

“It is no sin to be different, Jennifer. And sometimes, life makes us different even when we might not wish it.”

The handkerchief winds into tighter and tighter knots in her hand. “I’m scared of leaving,” she says.

“You’re right, I do remember and….”

“You were a child then. Others controlled you. Controlled your destiny. You are a young woman now. All your life lies before you. It is for you to make of it what you wish.” He sips more tea, thinking, then, “I have known what it is to go. To leave behind everything that was loved or familiar. I left my Old Country because times were bad, and I wanted to make a life for myself and Rachel. And I know what it is to be the outsider, to not belong. In this, we are alike you and I, yes, no?”

“Was it the right thing to do? To leave? Were you happy you did it?”

“Oh yes. It was the right thing to do. I have never regretted it. Nor did Rachel when she was still with me.”

“You must have had to learn a lot of new things?”

“Indeed yes. The language being the first of them.” He chuckles. “One cannot come to a new country and not expect to learn to speak with the people there.”

She laughs with him, but it’s a nervous laugh. “I suppose I’ll have to learn a lot of new things too….”

He watches her sidelong, her obvious anxiety, ponders for a moment. “How many degrees are there in a triangle, Jenny?”

She blinks, thrown by the apparent change of subject. “Sorry?”

“How many degrees in a triangle? Come, Jenny. You always had good marks for geometry. I know that you know the answer to this very basic question.”

“Um…. One hundred and eighty.”

“Of course, yes.” He holds up a forefinger. “Why?”