One Day You'll Find Me

Chapter Twenty One

We'd been on Ana for four months when it came. I was with Indah for a lot of that time, riding her, watching her, playing with her. Making up for lost time. And she loved it. She took to following me around, pretending to eat the grass if I caught her out. I got to know her better than I had before we were separated.

Josefina and I talked a lot, properly getting to know one another. She taught me her cooking and gardening secrets, how to recognize a bird by its song; showed me the nooks and crannies around the island. She passed on her quotes and mottos, and lots of other little things like that. It was beyond imaginable, suddenly having a grandmother in my life. But I loved it. Life was rather unpredictable sometimes, and Josefina dropping into my world definitely showed that.

Lucien was like a grandfather to me. He taught me everything he could, he even let me fly the helicopter once! I loved his jokes, his fun and loving personality. He cheered me right up if I was feeling down. He and Rosina got on really well; almost too well, I thought sometimes. They had very similar personalities, and the two of them would pair up and play practical jokes on us unsuspecting victims. The best one (or the worst one, depending on which way you look at it) was when Rosina persuaded us to join her in the helicopter to pick up some items from Sonsorol. Lucien was the perfect pilot- he'd make a great actor I reckon. We were over open water, the islands dotting the sea in the distance. The helicopter dropped abruptly, making lots of beeping noises, swaying from side to side as Lucien tried to stabilize us. If you've ever been inside a washing machine, it felt a little like that. Rosina was the town crier, practically screaming in my ear 'WE'RE GOING TO DIE!'. Josefina and I were feeling ill when he finally got us flying normally. Only then did they burst out laughing. I don't recall ever having such a strong impulse to throw something.

We were outside on the veranda, Josefina and Rosina and me, drinking homemade lemonade when Lucien arrived back from collecting the mail. Ana was too far out of the way to have it delivered, so once a week, Lucien would fly in to Sonsorol and pick it up. Normally, he would have waltzed on by, singing a tune, smiling away. But not today. He paused at the bottom step leading onto the veranda, fiddling with the pile of envelopes, a serious expression on his tanned face.

"Lucien?" Josefina asked, tentatively. "What is it?"

He cleared his throat, then shook his head. And held out a blue envelope.

Four pairs of eyes zeroed in on it. If staring so intensely at something could make it catch fire, that envelope would have gone up in flames the moment Lucien exposed it.

"Is that...?"

"Yes."

"Oh my."

"What is it? Who's it from?" Rosina asked, confused.

I gave her a look.

"Oh... that blue letter. From Klara."

At the mention of her daughter's name, Josefina stifled a sob.

"Open it," I told Lucien. "Please."

He half smiled at that, but complied. Slowly, he prised the envelope open, and slid the letter out reverently. He handed the envelope to me, and began reading.

Dear Josefina,

I'm delighted to say that the war's over! Finally, I can leave. Anastasiya and Pascha have been very good to me, and I will be sad to say goodbye to them. This war's been hard on everybody, and the whole country sighed with collective relief when peace was declared. Everywhere I go, people are celebrating with their glasses of vodka held high! Already, I've walked into three places for a meal, and if a glass of their famous vodka wasn't in my hand, someone would shout me one. Despite what people may or may not think, they're good people here. Though the war has been a bit of a damper on my travels, I've quite enjoyed my time here. I've taken some amazing photos, if I do say so myself. One of my favourites is of Anastasiya sitting in her window seat, reading a book. The light is perfect. I managed to capture the atmosphere of the scene just right. She was reading Great Expectations- again, if I might add. She's read everything; you name it, and she can give you a very in-depth monologue that's far more interesting than the book itself sometimes! I wish you could meet her, and Pascha; everybody really. You'd get on so well with them all. Anyway, the most exciting thing is the planes are supposed to be flying again in the next couple of weeks! I will be on the first one out, I can assure you. I've loved my time here, but I just want to go home. I miss Maria so much. And you. And Lucien, and Alena... everybody! Being so cut off from my life so abruptly is awful. I hope it never happens again. The not knowing how you all are. Not knowing if you know where or how I am. But. That's in the past, now. If all goes well, I should 'resurface' by next week, but definitely within the month if not. Can't wait to hear and see everyone again!