Sand in the Wind: Prime Time, #4

By Ruth Hay

If I had had the wits to see through his charm, I would have run like the scared rabbit life had made of me.

Sand in the Wind is the fourth story in the Prime Time series.

In this story, we see the depth of the friendship between Anna and Alina.
Anna uncovers more about Helen Dunlop and settles an issue arising from Helen's past.
Anna and Alina travel from Canada to Egypt on holiday. They meet up with Philip in Luxor and have several startling encounters amid exciting and exotic locations.

A future romance blossoms in this novel!

Prime Time Series
Book I  -   Auld Acquaintance
Book II -   Time Out of Mind
Book III -   Now or Never
Book IV -   Sand in the Wind 
Book V  - With This Ring
Book VI - The Seas Between Us

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ruth Hay
• Release date: May 27, 2015
• ISBN: 9781513049809

Book preview

Chapter One

C an you recognize all the faces, Alina?

The tension in Anna's voice was evident as she turned the photograph to catch more light from the patio window.

I'm not blind yet! asserted her companion, then she immediately apologized as she saw the effect her statement had on Anna. I'm so sorry my dear. You know I didn't mean to snap at you like that. I'm not quite adjusted to the idea of my failing eyesight and more than a little sensitive about the subject, as you just discovered.

"Oh, that's alright. It's an adjustment period for both of us and I need to know how to help you without taking away any part of your independence. Now, what can you see in the photograph?"

Well, you were right of course, Anna, the faces are a bit blurred but I can tell from other clues who is who and if I don't focus too hard on the faces and use my peripheral vision, I can manage quite well.

The two heads, one bronze capped and the other fairer than ever, now that some silvery white had arrived there, bent over the enlarged photograph of their friend Bev's wedding which had happened the previous November in Scotland. Alina had been unable to attend the event since her macular degeneration was recently diagnosed and she had been fortunate to be included in a new research study at the University Medical Centre in London.

Anna had been disappointed that Alina missed the special occasion but it would have been foolish to interrupt the trial at such an early stage and risk losing the opportunity to prevent serious loss of vision. For the moment, prevention was the best that medical science could offer. There was no cure.

As they looked at the figures smiling into the camera, Anna could not help a burst of pleasure at the memory of that moment when the newly married couple had joined the Canadian party and gathered for a first champagne toast and family photographs. The bride and groom were incandescent with happiness.

What do you think of Bev's dress?

Alina sighed with pleasure. I like the simple style. It looks like Bev, only more polished. The lace work shows beautifully even in the photo and the sky blue was the right choice for the underdress. I can catch just a glimpse of the crystal drops around the neckline and the simple bouquet adds a final touch without being too ornate. The drape of the sleeve is perfect when Bev holds the flowers. I like the whole effect.

Anna was pleased that Alina's work satisfied her artistic senses. She did not seem to be too disappointed to have missed the whole event now that the enlarged, framed photograph had arrived and was ready to be displayed in their home in London.

Now tell me again who the other guests are?

Anna was drawn back to the realization that Alina's sight was compromised when it came to close focus. She could not help worrying about how her partner at A Plus would adjust to this disadvantage when careful design work on a small scale was one of the major reasons why the company had achieved such a high profile in internet sales.

She answered swiftly so Alina would not suspect her concerns.

Well, you know everyone there other than Philip, my half-brother, of course.

Alina could not resist a smile at the pride in Anna's voice as she made this statement. She had not yet met the newly-discovered member of Anna's family and looked forward to seeing if he shared any of the exceptional characteristics of her friend. She could just make out a tall figure with a shock of white hair and an upright stance beside Anna, but the detail of his face was indistinct. She knew by now that trying to make the blurry effect clearer by concentrating was futile, so she scanned the other guests quickly and identified one or two she knew well by their shape and colouring.

Maria and Lucy look smart as usual and Susan's new haircut suits her face. She and Jake seem relaxed and happy after their stay in Italy. Is Angela in the picture?

"No. Angela wanted to complete her notes on Jake's treatments, as she was about to return to Italy the next day. You are right about the difference though. Jake has continued to benefit from the massage and exercise regime that Angela introduced to him. Susan found a therapist in London who is continuing the program and consulting with Angela via the internet. Angela submitted her results to a medical research facility and they are giving her a grant to pursue the therapy with more patients.

There's still hope of a breakthrough in MS treatment but for now Jake is content to wait and pray. At least the huge publicity the whole liberation therapy idea received has meant much more emphasis on the issues. The expedition to Dr. Zamboni's clinic was not time wasted in the end."

Alina sighed, thinking of how upset Susan had been on the phone before Anna had insisted they travel to Maria's family villa near Bologna. The entire Italian episode had ended better than it began by all accounts. Maria and Lucy were working together at the store, now renamed Style Source, and Maria was delegating far more work to her manager, Nova, and taking more time for her family. Theresa was part of the business as she now worked on ordering and accounting, relieving her mother of a lot of headaches and permitting Maria to concentrate on the fashion side of the business at which she excelled.

Well, I can see how happy everyone looks, Alina continued. It was a lovely occasion and I am so glad the rest of the Sambas were there for Bev. Alan certainly looks spectacular in his kilt and jacket.

She turned to Anna with a slightly doubtful look on her face. What's your real feeling about the marriage, Anna? I know your first impressions of him were not so positive.

Anna leaned back in the chair and remembered the time Alan and his dog Prince had arrived unexpectedly at her farm house door and proceeded to educate her about the vagaries of sheep herding in spring weather in Scotland.

Hmm! I admit I was taken aback by his abrupt manner but I soon found out how kind and helpful he could be when I was in difficulty. There's a strong streak of pure manliness in him and it's not about the strength of his arms but rather the strength of his feelings. I think that was what Bev saw in him when he met Eric and James and immediately took over the role of the adult male they had been missing for so long. I think their marriage has better-than-average chances of success despite the obvious differences between their lives.

Both women thought about Bev's courage in making a commitment to a new life that was certain to present a series of challenges.

Could you ever consider marrying again, Anna? Alina sounded slightly worried as she asked this question.

"Would you ever consider marriage at this time in our lives, Alina?" countered Anna.

If you put it that way, it would take some exceptional man to suit either one of us, I think! Alina chuckled.

That goes twice for me! I am so used to making my own decisions these days. I don't want a man telling me what to do again. Now that I have taken control of my life, I would not relinquish that freedom for just anyone, and I don't think we have done too badly in the decision-making business lately, have we?

Alina nodded and looked around the new condo they had bought together with proceeds from their A Plus internet venture. She thought back to the days after Anna's divorce from Richard and the devastated condition of her friend who was incapable of deciding when or whether to eat, not to mention how she was going to continue her life without her husband.

Anna had come a long way since those dark days.

Alina still harboured guilt about the benefits she had gained from Richard's loss. The two inseparable school friends had not been nearly so close during the marriage. Anna was working hard to establish herself in her teaching career and most of her spare time was devoted to her husband. All that changed when Richard insisted on a divorce and Anna fell back on the comfort and support of her best friend who had been her confidant whenever she felt uncertain about her relationship with Richard.

Alina had not relished the occasional desperate phone call when Anna poured out her heart about Richard's neglect. The position she found herself in was difficult, to say the least. She had to bite her tongue and sympathize with Anna, making soothing sounds and promises that all would be well in her relationship, given time, when in reality she wanted to tell her friend to run fast in the opposite direction from Richard.

It was always easier for the observer to see clearly the problems in the marriage. Alina knew Anna well, and right from the start she had concerns about Richard, but she hesitated to express her feelings since she was afraid it might sound like jealousy.

In fact, she realized now, it was partly jealousy. Anna had moved on in life while Alina was stuck in the fear that an early bad experience had created. The need to keep Anna in her life, even in a diminished role, assured her silence, but the pain this decision eventually caused her friend, was guilt Alina would always carry.

Anna's voice broke into these reflections with a comment. Hasn't Liam grown since you last saw his pictures? He was a darling page boy at the wedding, scattering white heather bunches from his mother's arms just in front of the bride and James.

Alina had deduced that the smallest member of the wedding party must be George and Jeanette's son. He's a lovely little fellow in his kilt, she responded. Jeanette has become a good friend, hasn't she? It must be comforting for you to have a Canadian on the scene when the inevitable clashes occur between North American and Scottish culture.

Both women could recall situations when a certain reluctance to hurry repairs or make deliveries or complete knitwear orders on time, had caused frustration. Jeanette had managed to bridge the culture gap, as her understanding of both sets of requirements could translate into better results than Anna had managed to achieve on her own.

Jeanette's interior design business is doing well now, I guess, added Alina.

She knew Anna had helped by employing Jeanette’s talents to decorate the McCaig Estate Farm House outside Oban. It was Jeanette’s task to check on the property after each client had rented it and ensure everything was in immaculate condition for Anna or the next holiday visitors.

Anna had helped others in the town by using some of the money Helen Dunlop had left her to boost community projects in Oban. Helen's last letter had indicated this should be done if Anna had decided to turn down the bequest of the estate house.

George, Helen’s lawyer, insisted that Anna was under no obligation to fulfill Helen's final request, but Anna insisted she had money left from the house renovations and she wanted to return the kindness she had received by donating anonymously to a number of deserving initiatives in the town.

George's protests were ignored and the library received new books, the tourist bureau had a redecoration budget and Jeanette found she was enrolled in an online course for small businesses.

Fiona would have suspected immediately, and vehemently refused, if Anna had tried to provide something anonymously for her taxi business. It was a source of secret delight to Anna that Fiona was the recipient of a scholarship at her college which ensured her study materials and travel expenses were covered for the duration of her courses. Fiona never suspected who her benefactor really was.

The last donation also helped Fiona. Anna gifted a sum of money for outings for the residents at the Osborne Residential Home where Helen had spent her final days. The manageress knew the donation was in Helen's name and she was open to the suggestion that Fiona's taxi service should be employed to hire a mini-van for expeditions to local events.

In return, Anna had asked that copies of any photographs of residents during Helen's years there, be collected and given to her so that she could at last see the face of the woman who had caused Anna's life to change so completely.

A search of all Helen's remaining possessions stored in crates in the barn at the estate house, had not revealed any photographs. The books found there were restored to the new bookcases in the lounge and a few with notations were now in Anna's reconstructed office awaiting an opportunity for her to search through them for any hints about their owner’s life.

Anna had related to Alina, Kirsty's story of how Helen had sold her paintings and pictures before she moved to the Osborne home. Any hope of finding a family portrait or painting of Helen had disappeared with those sales. Anna possessed only one photograph from her parents' era and although she and Simon had many holiday snaps from their childhood and beyond, there were gaps in the family story that Anna now wanted to fill.

Helen's face was becoming an obsession with Anna. She longed to know if there was any resemblance to her mother or to herself. She had composed a mental image of Helen from the little she was able to glean about her. As a private person who did not seek friendships in the Oban area, Helen was hard to describe. George, who as her lawyer had seen more of Helen than most people, suffered from the male disability of being unable to provide the details that would have given Anna a clearer picture. Such inadequate phrases as a smallish woman with white hair and her face was mostly serious and her voice very quiet as if she did not want anyone to overhear her business, did not help in the least. Even Jeanette could not get more from interrogating her husband and gave up in despair.

In due time, the collection of photographs arrived from the nursing home. Anna and Alina pored over them looking for any clues. The manager had helpfully circled what she thought was Helen but Anna found the quality of the photos so bad that she was not much further ahead.

There were many white heads among the residents and it almost seemed as if Helen had turned away from the camera each time there was an event. If dress-up was required, Helen would be wearing a hat or a mask or possibly hiding her face behind a fan.

After some reflection on this, Anna decided that Helen was still sensitive about her escape from her husband's family in Stirling and did not wish to be found or recognized.

Anna thought this was exceedingly sad and it made her even more determined to track down a true photograph of her benefactor.

Alina had been waiting patiently while Anna was immersed in her thoughts. She knew the expression on Anna's face meant she was making some sort of decision and she did not want to interrupt the process before it had come to a natural conclusion.

Are you planning a wall of family photographs? she asked.

Anna emerged from her reverie in amazement. She had often noticed that Alina had an uncanny ability to read her friend's mind but this was beyond strange. How did you know.......? she stuttered.

Ah, your face has always been an open book to me, Anna, she declared with a laugh, and no eye deficiencies will ever change that!

Now, how could any man replace you? And with that final question the two women collapsed in laughter and the wedding picture was returned to its favoured position on the wall of the dining room.

Chapter Two

"A nna, it’s Philip here."

Anna had to smile when her half-brother introduced himself in this way. She always knew when he called, as his English voice, with more than a touch of Manchester, was easily identified.

Great to hear from you, Philip! Don’t tell me you are calling from Egypt?

No, no. I have been home for a month or so now. The spring and summer are no time to work there. The heat is oppressive.

Does that mean the hotel project is on hold until the weather cools down again?

Well, there are site managers there, of course, but the truth is that nothing more will happen until I return in November.

Will you get some time off, now, Philip? I know you have been working very hard lately.

That’s what I am calling about, Anna. Is there any chance you will be in Scotland in the next few weeks? It’s really time we had a decent visit together and I missed seeing you when I met Simon’s family in Canada last year.

Oh, Philip! That’s what I want too! We have a lot of catching up to do and we’ve only spent minutes together so far. We need a good spell of time to get to know each other.

Agreed! What about it? Will you be in Oban at all?

Anna groaned inside. The timing was bad for her. She had stuck close to Alina all winter while they worked out how their A Plus business could be adapted to Alina’s new circumstances and now that summer had arrived, it was their first chance to relax and enjoy the sunshine with Susan and Maria.

I really wish I could travel Philip, but I need to be with Alina at the moment and I really wasn’t planning to go to Scotland until late fall, at the earliest.

Ah, I remember your friend has eyesight difficulties, Anna. I understand your concern. The fall is too late for me to meet up with you as I will be heavily into plans for the next stage of the hotel development. Philip paused for a moment.

Unfortunately, the summer is out of the question for me also. I have a number of UK-based projects I must attend to.

Silence fell over the line as both Anna and Philip absorbed this information. Anna recovered first.

Philip, I am increasingly conscious of time passing as I get older and I don’t want to miss the opportunity to meet with you. Both our lives are busy and complicated but there must be a way to solve this problem.

I am sure you are right! Let’s give it some thought and talk again when either of us can see a way.

Before Anna could say goodbye, the line went dead. She was not surprised. Philip’s social skills were not the most advanced she had ever encountered. He seemed more comfortable when talking about architecture. Suddenly discovering a new Canadian family when he had been estranged for years from his own sister, Lynn, and her family in Sussex, was probably a bit too much for him.

Simon had reported to Anna that his visit with Philip had been cut short. Simon thought his children and grandchildren were more than Philip could take all at once and he had fled the scene before he was overwhelmed.

Although she wondered what would happen on an extended visit with Philip, Anna was determined to see for herself if Philip’s attitude was based on his nature or just the fact that he had spent many years estranged from his parents and sister and removed from normal family life.

She remembered James and Caroline’s account of their first meeting with Caroline’s great-uncle Philip in the Lake District hotel. Neither one of the teenagers was impressed by his attitude to them. He seemed to have some strange and negative ideas about young people and it wasn’t until Caroline stood up to him and attempted to correct his behaviour to James that things had settled down and he had agreed to accompany them to Anna’s house in Scotland.

Well, I’ll let the situation rest for now, Anna concluded. Perhaps something will occur when I sleep on it. She was a believer in the power of the unconscious mind to continue to work on problems during the night. More than once she had awakened with part of