“And even that wasn’t enough. He beat them badly, Lucy. Ally took the brunt of it. She provoked him. Sophie and I tried talking to her about it, but she was determined. She has such strength, Lucy.”
“Yes, she does. Both of your daughters are lovely. It’s a tribute to you, Iris, that they are so well adjusted despite what you all lived through.”
“I should have done more…”
And then more sobs, muffled.
Sobs Ally had heard many times before…
Alexandra awoke with a jolt.
Not a dream, but a memory of a conversation she’d heard between her mother and Auntie Lucy over a month ago. She calmed her rapid breathing as shame overwhelmed her. In the past, she’d often thought her mother weak for submitting to her father. She’d had no idea that he’d threatened…
Her mother had protected her and Sophie, just like Ally had protected her sister. Ally and her mother were more alike than Ally had ever known.
Once her heart rate returned to normal, she looked around. Darkness had descended. Something odd met her ears. She couldn’t quite put her finger on it until… Silence. The rain had finally stopped!
Her stomach gurgled. She’d gone nearly thirty-six hours without sustenance. She rose, wrapping herself in one of the discarded linens, and drank a dipper of water from the tub. What must the hour be? She had no idea. Evan breathed softly on the bed. She hated to wake him up. Where might his pocket watch be? She checked his garments. Nothing.
Well, what did it matter? When the sun rose, they could go for help. Thank goodness.
Evan was probably dying of thirst. She refilled the dipper and brought it to him. “Evan.” She nudged him.
His eyes fluttered open. “Yes, sweet?”
“I brought you some water.”
“You’re an angel.” He sat up and drained the dipper. “How are you feeling?”
“A tad achy, but fine. And I have some wonderful news. The rain has stopped.”
He smiled. “So that’s what sounds strange. Nothing.”
“I had the exact same reaction.” She returned his smile.
“I’ll leave at first light,” he said.
“We’ll leave at first light.” She punched him lightly on his upper arm.
“Very well. We will indeed.”
“I’m so very hungry, Evan. The water was refreshing, but it’s far from enough.”
“I know. We’ll be all right. Now that the rain has stopped, I can go out and look for something to eat.”
“In the dark? All I’d do is worry about you. We don’t have a lantern or torch. How would you see? Plus you said yourself you’ve nothing to kill a rabbit or bird with.”
He sighed. “That is true enough. We’ll have to wait, I guess.”
“It’s been so long since we’ve eaten anything. I feel so weak.”
“You’ll be all right. We have water. That’s the most important thing, and tomorrow we get out of here.”
“Let’s pray the rain doesn’t start up again.”
“Even if it does, we’re leaving. What stopped us was the fog, not the rain.”
She lay down next to him. “Thank you for…”