Rafa had loved those times, alone with his father, a gruff bear of a man with the quiet, gentle nature of a hound. How he missed him.
13.
Marina hadn’t suffered nightmares for many years, not since she first settled into married life. But that night she awoke in a sweat, her heart throbbing frantically against her rib cage, her throat choked with sobs. She sat up and clutched her bosom, slowly returning to the present and her bed, where Grey lay sleeping peacefully beside her. She reached over to her bedside table and picked up the glass of water. With a trembling hand she brought it to her lips. Gradually, her pulse slowed down and her heart stopped pounding. She took a deep breath and wiped her face. Yet the sadness that dream provoked hung over her like a shroud.
She climbed out of bed and walked unsteadily to the closet where she kept her clothes. Taking care not to make a sound, she opened the door and reached into the very back of the top shelf, where a shoebox lay hidden against the wall, behind her sweaters. She hadn’t taken it out for years, even though it emanated a strange kind of magnetism whenever she opened her cupboard, to remind her of its presence.
With the box safely tucked against her chest she tiptoed into the bathroom and locked the door. She switched on the light and winced at the brightness. Slowly, she went over to the lavatory, replaced the lid, and sat down. She remained still, staring at the box with its simple white lid until her eyes stung. It looked like a little coffin, so pure and unblemished. She ran her fingers over the smooth surface, and her tears fell heavy and fast. Her heart contracted with dread until it was a little nugget, like a cold stone.
She dreaded what the box contained, although she was as familiar with its contents as she was with her own pain. Her breathing grew labored and she cried out, muffling her sob against her hand. She closed her eyes and quietly wept. It didn’t matter whether or not she opened it, for it would always be there to remind her of her error. And if she threw the box away? The memories would still be there, indelibly marked upon her soul, to resurface in night terrors to remind her of her guilt. Only God knew how much she suffered.
She remained in the bathroom until her heartbeat slowed again and her grief subsided. Then she replaced the box in the far corner of her wardrobe and went back to bed.
Grey rolled over and pulled her close. “Are you all right, darling?” he whispered sleepily.
“I am now,” she replied, snuggling into his embrace.
“Not that dream again?”
“Yes, but it’s gone now.” It had been years since that recurring nightmare had stalked her sleep. He kissed her head and she closed her eyes, knowing she could drift off safe in the knowledge that it wouldn’t come back tonight.
The following morning Harvey appeared in her kitchen with a big smile, and Marina had to restrain herself from throwing her arms around him like a child.
“Oh, Harvey, I’m so pleased you’re back. We missed you.”
Harvey looked at her, concerned. “Are you all right?”
“Yes. But Rafa arrived yesterday and my old ladies arrive today, and Grey wanted you to help him with something. He left early to go fishing, so I can’t ask him what it was. Anyway, it doesn’t matter now. Why don’t you have a cup of tea and talk to me while I have breakfast? Bertha will be arriving soon and then I’ll have to leave.”
Harvey rolled his eyes. “You mean the workaholic?”
Marina laughed. “Wonderful name for her.”
“Never seen anyone move so fast from room to room.”
“If only.”
“I bet the minute you’re gone, she settles down, makes herself a cup of tea, and reads the papers.”
“I’m sure she wouldn’t dare.”
“That’s what she wants you to think.” He pulled out a chair, and Marina poured boiling water from the kettle into a mug. She knew how he liked it: Earl Grey with a large spoonful of honey. As she handed it to him her battered heart recovered a little. She watched him take it, his big hand rough and lined like the bark of an old oak tree.
She sat down opposite and poured herself another cup of coffee. He looked at her with kind eyes. “So, what’s up, then?”
“Besides the robbery?”
“I know, I heard. He’s running rings around the police.”
“No leads. Nothing. It seems unbelievable in this day and age, with forensics and all the technology at their disposal, that they can’t find something.”
“They must have had a lot of silver in their dining room to make it worth the robber’s while to break in and steal it.”
“At least he didn’t explore further. Think of all those paintings.”