Yesterday

Chapter Six

Gaia rummaged through the boxes under the tables in the local secondhand store. The sign out front said Finnigan's Antiquities, but the entire town knew he sold the cast offs he collected each week. His cart was still horse drawn, even though it was considered a hindrance to traffic and dangerous for the horses.

The war was long since over, and Finnigin could use an open lorry to collect the discarded furniture and boxes of old nick-knacks if he cared to spend the coin. Clothing hung on musty racks across the store. Dusty sunbeams poked through dirty windowpanes, and Gaia was in heaven. There was nothing better than an hour at Finnigan's. You never knew what treasure might be buried in a crate or box.

She knew she'd been through this one before.

"Hey, Finnigan, where's the new stuff?"

Gaia was tall for her fourteen years. She towered over the round owner, looking down into his slate gray eyes. The deep purple amethyst spear she wore on the silver chain around her neck gleamed in the dim light of the back of his shop.

"Through the door, girl. You can have first crack at it. You should come work for me. You're wasted in the pub." Finnigan made the offer out of habit.

Gaia's heart jumped. Finally, she would get in ahead of Cousin Cardamon. The competition for treasure was strong between them. He usually helped the short round collector unload the cart. She wondered where he'd been and then remembered. Uncle Tommy and Aunt Ceili had a new baby. Aiden they'd named him. A big surprise and a welcome one as her older cousin was a healer and helped in the kitchen only when he had no other choice. Baby Aiden would be the one to continue the family business.

"I'd love to, Finnigan, but family first. Ceili won't be back to work for a while yet," Gaia sad.

"Too true. A new little one at her age? It will take her some time to recover."

In the back room, Gaia discovered three crates and an old trunk. A leather bound trunk with scrapes and bruises which had traveled the world from the look of it. She patted the shillings in her pocket and prepared to bargain with Finnigan. She wanted it and whatever was inside. She knew she would travel, Ireland first, and then Europe. She wouldn't stay in the village. The world called.

"Hey, Finnigan!" She shouted, knowing he could be deliberately deaf if he was busy rearranging his treasures.

"I've got ears girl," he said.

"Oh, you're here. I want the trunk."

"Ten schillings."

"It's ancient. I'll have to repair the hinge." She point to the rusty cracked hasp as well and began to bargain. "Two and you're the one taking advantage."

"Five, I haven't opened it yet." Finnigan countered, rubbing his palms together.

"Three, it smells of dust and mold," Gaia made her offer and crossed her fingers behind her back hoping he would agree. She didn't want Cardamon to come in when he heard she'd lost out. He would rub it in her face.

"Aye, it's filthy. I got it from the castle. They're cleaning it out and making ready for the tourists. The village reeve and his crew think it will be a grand attraction."

"I agree, it's a grand place to explore. We have a deal? Three shillings?"

Gaia held her breath as she watched Finnigan consider her offer.

"Aye, three it is. I've a feeling about this trunk. I think it's meant to be yours." Finnigan held his hand out palm up.

Gaia pulled the coins out of her pocket and dropped them into his palm one at a time.

"Now I have to figure out how to get it home," Gaia said ruefully.

"Take the hand cart."

"I'm glad I don't live too far away."

"Or you can leave it here and get your Papa to help you take it home."

"As long as you don't let Cardamon talk you out of it for more," Gaia teased him.

Finnigan slapped a sold sign on it, securing it with a piece of tape.

"I never go back on a sale. It's yours girl."

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

"What's in this thing?" Liam Murphy exclaimed.

"I have no idea, but I'll find out. The hasp is broken, so the lock is worthless." Gaia told her father as they pushed and pulled the trunk up the stairs to her room.

"Make sure your mother is here as well. We'll do it together. I think there must be a treasure in it."

"I don't care what is in it. It's the trunk I want. It will travel well once I get the repairs done." Gaia insisted.

"I know you will wander, your home is somewhere far from here, my darling girl."

Her father's words were a comfort. At least she wasn't in for a fight.

"Aine!" Liam's call for his wife brought her up the stairs.

Gaia reached out for the bucket of soapy water, and the bar of leather conditioner her mother carried.

"I'll clean it up, Mama. You can go help Cardamon at the pub. He's running it alone again."

"We'll leave you to yourself then," Liam Murphy agreed. Murphy's pub wouldn't pass to his daughter. His newborn nephew would be the one to take it into the next generation.

"Promise me you won't dig into it until morning?" Aine looked directly into her daughter's deep blue eyes.

"Promise Mama. I need to clean it up first. The smell of it, comes from the castle where it's been hidden for who knows how long."

"There's metal polish in the cupboard downstairs by the silver chest," Aine told her.

"I know where it is. You won't recognize this trunk by the time you see it again." Gaia vowed she'd have it shining once more.