Her Silence

Chapter Fourteen

"Life is partly what we make it, and partly what is made by the friends we choose." Tennessee Williams

After a near half an hour of begging, I had persuaded James to let me go to Tidy to visit Jacob and everyone else who I was missing dearly. He dropped me off on his way to work, making me promise to call him if anything happened, which of course I agreed to. Having greeted everyone, I was now sat in Jacob's office snacking on some biscuits whilst waiting for him to start his break, spinning around on his chair. My heart was hammering, thinking about everything that I needed to tell him, and it just about jumps out of my mouth when he walks through the door. He has a beaming smile on his face, and I leap up to give him a massive hug.

"My how I've missed you!" He dramatically exclaims, squeezing me hard. He lets go of me and holds me at arm's length, checking me over. "No damage seems to have been done; you look good Rosie. Really good." I smile bashfully.

"James has been taking good care of me." I sign, which makes him wiggle his eyebrows suggestively.

"Oh yeah? Is that so? Well you better tell me everything." He emphasises the 'everything' which makes me cringe and roll my eyes.

"There is actually a lot I need to tell you Jacob." And he looks at me sincerely, nodding at me to continue. I explain everything to him, from me telling James about my past and him appearing in my kitchen the following morning to tell me about my Mothers appearance here at Tidy, to her following us to the beach, and everything in between. He watches me with pure concentration, covering his mouth in shock at the most unbelievable parts and looking at me solemnly when I bite back the tears that threaten to fall throughout my story telling. If I had been an onlooker, I would have found his reactions rather comical, but to me it only reinforces how absurd the past few weeks have been. The quiet life that I keep on wishing for still has not be granted, and I'm beginning to doubt my chances of ever receiving it. Jacob takes a sip of his water, and I decide that I want to hear about how it has been at Tidy and whether anyone has come forward owning up to taking the money.

"I'd say it's been quiet without you, but..."

"Oh, shut up Jacob!" I laugh.

"No but seriously, we have all missed you. No one believes the rumours Rosie, that I can promise you. And to answer your question, no one has come forward yet, but I have my suspicions." He says, avoiding my eye contact. Knowing him, he still feels mortified that such a thing has happened to him right under his nose. I lean over and take hold of his hand, squeezing it. He gives me a sad smile. "Anyway, I guess you better get going! Can't keep James waiting." He winks.

"Jacob, it's not... oh never mind. I have no idea what it is that we have going on, but I like it. He makes me feel safe, something I haven't felt for a long time."

"I understand my love. It's what you deserve." With that I stand up to give him a hug goodbye and leave Tidy. I can't help myself but divert into the bookstore in hope of finding another good book. As I'm intently searching one of the shelves, I see a pair of green eyes staring between the books. I look closer and they belong to a little boy, likely no older than seven, from the next aisle.

"Hello." I sign. The eyes close within a frown, and he suddenly vanishes. I shrug my shoulders and carry on my search, however moments later they return, this time with another person who has a bundle of grey curls on top of their head. I then see the boy's hands moving.

"Nana she's in there. She's in the books, and she's just like you." My eyes widen in surprise at the little boy, and I feel myself smiling. It's very adorable to hear him say that I am in the books – I'm so obsessed that I suppose, in a way, I am. The old lady brings her eyes to mine and she smiles. The Nana and grandson make their way around the bookshelf and into the aisle that I'm standing in.

"Are you deaf or are you mute?" The boy asks, and just as I'm about to answer the lady replies glaringly.

"Harry don't be so flippant! You must be sensitive!" The lady signs, looking at me apologetically.

"It's quite alright!" I stress, "my hearing is fine, I simply can't talk." I scoff at myself: simply? There is nothing remotely simple about it.

"Oh well that's great." Said the boy in apparent relief. "My Nana is deaf. My signing isn't that bad, but I'd much rather speak if I can." I nod to show that I understand. I'd much prefer to speak too, if I could.

"What is he saying?" Asks the lady. I begin to laugh at the conversation that was being laid out in front of me, but immediately stop out of guilt. "Oh, don't feel bad, he does it to wind me up I swear." The boy looks hurt at this remark.

"I do not Nana!"

"I'm just messing with you Harry." The woman bluntly states. "I'm Joan by the way." She holds out a hand and I shake it.

"Rosie." I tell her, and she beams.

"What a beautiful name!" I laugh again.

"Oh, it's nothing special, it's only short for Rosanna."

"Every name has something special behind it. Well we must get along now, I need to feed Harry before I return him home."

"Can't she come with us Nana? She's really pretty." Harry smiles boldly. He's a peculiar little boy and seems very smart for his age.

"How many times must I tell you to think before you speak?" Harry ignores the question from his Nana and proceeds to ask again.

"But can she?" I shake my head smiling.

"I myself must be on my way. Thank you for considering it though Harry, it's very kind of you. Maybe another time." He looks disappointed and I can't help but feel bad.

"Perhaps you'd like to go out for a coffee one day?" Asks Joan. My heart swells, and seemingly so does Harry's.

"Oh, I would love to Joan. How about next Tuesday?" Joan nods earnestly and digs around in her bag to pull out a small diary and pen. She turns the pages to the following Tuesday and jots down our agreed meeting and then hands me the book and pen.

"Would you mind writing down your address?" I look at her in confusion. "I don't believe in technology, so I shall simply write to you if anything changes." This makes me smile impossibly harder, I've never heard of something so sweet. I write down my... James's address in her diary, closing it for her and handing it back. "Goodbye Rosie, it was an absolute pleasure meeting you." I wave goodbye to Joan and Harry and clutch the book I forgot I was holding to my chest. I believe I have just made dear friends out of the both of them and look forward to spending time with people who I do not work with nor live with. I make my way out of the bookstore and stand on the pavement waiting for James to pick me up, pondering over how I was so lucky to be surrounded by the most caring of strangers.

*****

There is a lot of dialogue in this chapter, which I hope you enjoyed!

I figured it was time for Rosie to visit Tidy again and see Jacob, their reunion was short but sweet...

I believe it is time to introduce some new characters to the story, and what better than a sweet old lady and her grandson?

Don't forget to vote! Comment on your favourite parts and add Her Silence to your library if you want to find out more and read on!