Page 226 of Feathers in the Wind
The immigration official closed her folder with a snap and stood. ‘Hmmm,’ she said in a tone that indicated that she was not entirely convince. ‘It seems I have no alternative. You are free to go, Mr. Preston.’
‘An apology wouldn’t be too much to ask?’ the lawyer inquired with a smile. Ms. Smith cast him a disparaging look, and with her assistant trailing behind her, swept from the room.
‘You don’t need me anymore.’ Our lawyer shuffled his papers, stuffing them into his briefcase as he stood up. He looked at Nat and held out his hand.
‘Good luck, Mr. Preston.’
As the door shut behind the man, Nat looked from the Colonel to me. ‘What fanciful story have you concocted? I’m not your son,’ he said.
‘Of course not. I know exactly who you are,’ the Colonel said. ‘I knew from the minute I saw you in the woods near the chapel. You are my...let me see...great grandfather by six generations.’ He waved his hand at the door. ‘The DNA test will prove the familial link.’
Nat looked up at me. ‘What is a—’
I didn’t let him finish. An explanation on genetics would take more time than we had.
‘But the birth certificate?’ I asked. ‘That is surely genuine?’
The Colonel stiffened. His face did not betray a whisker of emotion as he said, ‘Quite genuine. My son and my wife were killed in a car accident in Namibia, when young Nathaniel was only three years old. His death is not recorded in England and record keeping in Bechuanaland was never the best. Of course, the truth can be found out by someone determined enough, but I hope that won’t happen. I’m sure Ms. Smith has better things to do with her time.’
‘I’m sorry about your wife and son,’ Nathaniel laid a hand on the Colonel’s shoulder.
The Colonel stiffened beneath the unfamiliar touch of another human being.
‘I am the last of the line, Nathaniel. So, you see, there are no awkward relatives who are likely to turn up and dispute your claim.’
‘My claim to what?’ Nat asked.
‘If you are officially my son, then you are now officially my heir.’
Nat ran a hand over his eyes. ‘I’m not sure I understand.’
‘Who does? It is an incredible story. I can scarcely believe it myself, but here we are so it must be true,’ the Colonel said
Nat looked up at his savior. ‘But you believe it? How--’
The Colonel shook his head but his eyes glinted with amusement. ‘It is a good story but it can wait. You need to go home, have a bath and some sleep and see to your son. When you are ready, come and see me and I will explain why it is I know who you are.’
Chapter 13 - LEONARDO FLIES
I watch my son sleeping. It is a miracle to see color in his face and, when he is awake, his eyes bright with life and mischief. I wish I could take him back to be with his brother and grow up at Heatherhill, strong and happy, but that door is closed to us now. We must make our way in this new world.
Jessica the Witch and I take one day at a time. We do not speak about tomorrow or what the future holds. There will be time enough for talk.
* * *
We stood on the doorstep to the gatehouse of Heatherhill Hall. Nat’s fingers brushed mine but he didn’t take my hand. I gave him a reassuring smile and he raised the door knocker on the neat, green painted door.
The Colonel himself answered our knock, wearing an apron incongruously emblazoned “Kiss the Cook”.
‘Come in, come in.’ He waved a hand in the direction of the living room. ‘Make yourselves comfortable and I’ll just throw the vegetables on. Then we can talk.’
Nat followed me, still limping from his wound. Every inch of wall space and the available surfaces were covered with books, paintings and knickknacks, probably salvaged from the house before it went to the National Trust. The effect should have made it look like an antique shop but it just seemed homely and pleasant.
I chose a comfortable Victorian armchair but Nat remained standing at the window, looking over the driveway toward the house that had once been his home.
The Colonel reappeared, without his apron. He poured us both gin and tonics.
‘Do take a seat.’ The Colonel gestured to Nat. ‘You may need it.’
