Page 9 of Sanctuary at MacLeod's Cove
‘Daphne,’ Kate reminded Liam.
Jen could see him test the syllables on his tongue before rejecting them with a brief nod. He hated getting things wrong — and for good reason.
‘I was picking some for the kitchen table,’ said Kate, rising and taking off her gardening gloves. ‘Would you like to pick a few more?’
Liam nodded and went running over to Kate. He took the proffered scissors and basket and walked across the dewy grass. As he crouched over the daphne bush, a gust of wind shook the tree’s branches overhead, sprinkling him with the remnants of a recent shower. He shook his head like a wet dog and turned to them with a grin. Jen grinned back.
‘I think Liam likes it here,’ said Kate, walking up to join Jen on the verandah.
‘He does.’
‘That’s good. It’ll make it easier for him to spend time with me before school starts. If you get a job, that is.’
Jen’s grin disappeared.
‘I’m going to have to get a job. My writing has completely stalled. I’m hoping my mind will miraculously unblock with our return home.’
Kate patted Jen’s hand affectionately before tossing her gardening gloves onto the table and taking a seat. ‘I like that you still think of MacLeod’s Cottage as home.’
Jen shrugged. ‘There’s nowhere else. Only here.’
‘Good. That means you’ll stay, hopefully. Anyway, whether you write — and I’m sure it won’t take a miracle for your writer’s block to disappear — or whether you work outside the home somewhere, I’ll be here to look after Liam until the end of the school holidays.’
‘I’m not sure about school for Liam. In fact, if I can get a part-time job working from home, I was thinking of homeschooling him.’
Jen could tell by the way Kate’s lips tightened that she didn’t approve. But then she knew she wouldn’t. Kate’s entire career had been in the education sector — first as a teacher and then as a policy analyst in the Ministry of Education.
‘You could,’ said Kate after a few moments. ‘Of course, that’s always an option.’
Jen nodded, relieved Kate hadn’t dismissed the idea outright. ‘It’s just I don’t want to plunge him into a new situation while things are still so raw.’
‘I understand.’ The silence lengthened, and for a moment Jen thought she’d got away with it. ‘But…’ Kate turned her expressive face full of love and understanding to her, and Jen knew it wouldn’t be so easy. ‘He’ll need to mix with other children, Jenny. Keeping him tucked away at the cottage won’t do him any favours. He’ll learn to stay afraid. He needs to understand there’s nothing to be afraid of.’
‘But what if there is?’
Kate shook her head. ‘Not here. It’s a small school, lovely teachers. At MacLeod’s Cove School he’ll learn how to figure out who he can trust, who not to trust, how to live in the world. I understand that you’re trying to protect him, but I really don’t think that’s the way. The best way he can protect himself is to learn how to live with people. Not learn how to be alone.’
‘He won’t be alone,’ said Jen.
‘You know what I mean, Jenny.’
‘I do.’ And deep down, she knew her mother was right. Truth was, it was she who was scared. ‘I’ll think about it.’
They both looked at Liam, who had brushed away some sand from the path before kneeling gingerly beside a bright daisy bush. He dipped his head to smell its flowers, and frowned, obviously confused by the lack of scent. Kate’s expression told Jen that Liam’s slightly quaint behaviour only confirmed her thoughts.
‘And it’s not only Liam who needs to get out and about,’ said Kate. ‘You do, too. Not only for money, but to find your place in the community once more. And it’ll be easier if Liam’s at school.’
‘You’re right, and I intend to. But I don’t mean to stray far. I want to be home for Liam if he needs me.’
‘So, what do you plan to do?’
Jen shrugged. ‘I’ll write — or try to — and I’ll find a local job or one I can work from home.’
‘Or take up Lucy’s offer?’ suggested Kate.
‘Do you think she meant it?’
‘Yes, of course she did.’
