Annaldra

The blaring bleeping of Ann’s alarm clock reverberated in every nerve end in her body waking her up with a start that shocked her to her core. Reaching over, she knocked the infernal device to the floor. Luckily, it put a stop to what, this morning, seemed much louder bleeping than normal. Thank god, she murmured to herself and rolled back into a foetal position. She felt low. Her mood was black, and she wanted to go back to sleep. At least when asleep she escaped the pain Finley’s hatred of her was causing. She had not slept well, tossing and turning all night, until she had woken at 2am. Her mind would not rest; she kept going over everything that had happened with Finley, and now he was leaving.

Elaine had come round the previous evening to ask for her help arranging her party. Ann was reluctant at first. It was not that she disliked Elaine, well not personally anyway. It was more who she was that bothered her, and the thought of spending time with the woman who was living what should be her life, albeit in another time, was not appealing. Worse still Finley would likely be around some of the time. It was only when Elaine explained that Finley would be leaving on Thursday for a week, she had agreed. He was going back to the parish he had trained in to cover the minister’s annual leave. This was something he normally would not do, so Elaine was at a loss to understand why he agreed, especially as she now found herself with lots to do preparing for the party and nobody to help her. Ann suspected his reason for leaving had something to do with the events of the last two days. Was he putting as much distance as he could between them? She did not have the answer; nevertheless, the thoughts remained, keeping her unconscious mind at bay.

Ann had never experienced insomnia. During the hours she lay awake she was not tired, but now the sun was up, she could sleep for days. Her dad used to call this feeling zombie tired, and she now understood why. Today though, she could not go back to sleep. It was Wednesday, and she had arranged with Donald to go into town to buy Elaine’s birthday present. Ah, she sighed to herself, if only Donald had a phone she could call and cancel, but once you made plans with Donald, you could only cancel them face to face. She had decided not to go to the party next weekend. Not only did Finley not want her there, but it was also the first night of the full moon, the night for casting the spell, so it would be impossible to stay long anyway, even if she were going. However, not attending was not a reason to neglect a gift.

As usual, Donald arrived at the hotel promptly. Ann detected a change in him, albeit subtle. Yes, he looked healthier now he was putting on weight, now his drug addiction was over, but that was not new; there was something else today—he seemed more relaxed, happier even, as though a burden had lifted from him. She suspected it might be to do with letting go of Annabelle. Opening up and talking about what had happened was what he had needed to do for a long time. Now he had, she hoped he could move on, but whatever it was, she was glad for him. She wished some of his positivity would rub off on her as today she needed it more than ever.

Stepping outside, Ann could not believe the difference in the weather; it was like being back in Greenland. The grey sky was dark and ominous, threatening snow, and their faces nipped from the biting, north wind that blew the auburn leaves from the trees. The contrast in the weather was extreme, so extreme in fact; it was as though it had gone straight from summer to winter, skipping autumn completely.

‘God, it’s dreich today!’ exclaimed Donald. ‘There’s no doubt about it, the Indian summer is well and truly over. We’ve certainly been spoilt this autumn.’

It seemed to Ann that the change in the weather mirrored her mood. ‘No kidding,’ she agreed, ‘it looks like the time for the furs is fast approaching.’

Donald smirked recognising it was a reference to her life in Greenland. ‘It’s rare for it to get that cold here, but you never know.’

‘Here it comes now,’ said Ann noticing the bus in the distance trundling along the coast road.

‘Right on time.’ Donald blew into his hands to warm them.

‘Thanks for coming with me. I mean it,’ Ann said as the bus pulled up beside them. Today was a day she needed a friend, someone to stop her dwelling on her heartache.

Donald put his arm around his friend’s back gesturing her to get on first. ‘No problem.’ He smiled. ‘What are friends for?’

‘Won’t be a minute, mate. Just getting some luggage,’ said the bus driver opening the door and pushing past them.

‘Wow, someone’s coming to stay. Two in the space of a few weeks, that must be a village record,’ remarked Donald as they watched the driver drag a large suitcase out the hold.

He was right; it was a rare occurrence. Other than the night of the Country Fair she had been the last outsider to stay in the hotel since an agricultural sales-rep had stayed for a night a fortnight before her. Something she had noticed the day she arrived when signing the guestbook.

‘Ann, Ann, oh my god, Ann,’ shouted the passenger who was disembarking.

Ann turned around, no, it can’t be, can it? ‘Norlu,’ she squealed.

There standing beside the bus was a short, plump girl with long black pigtails, wearing a white anorak with a red woolly hat that matched her scarf. She was pretty with rosy cheeks and eyes as dark as polished obsidian. Her lips were fuchsia pink, and her wide mouthed grin revealed two rows of perfectly formed, gleaming white teeth.

The sight of her friend made Ann’s troubles evaporate like steam. It was as though the gods had sent her to ease her suffering—and it was working.

Rushing over to her friend, Ann hugged her, almost knocking her over in the process. ‘I cannot believe you are here. You should have told me you were coming… Wait, is everything all right? Is Tunkeeta okay?’

‘Yes, yes, she’s fine. In fact, it was my grandmother who insisted I came, but I didn’t need much persuading. I’m so glad to see you and you look so well.’ Norlu stepped back to get a good look at Ann. ‘The last time I saw you, you didn’t look so good.’

Ann nodded in agreement recalling her mum’s funeral. The year she had spent in London caring for her mum had taken its toll on her appearance; losing her natural sparkle she became so thin and always looked tired.

‘It’s all this fresh Scottish air,’ said Donald interrupting the reunion.

Both girls turned around.

‘Oh, Norlu, this is my friend Donald.’

‘I’m delighted to meet you.’ Donald wore a broad grin as he heartily shook Norlu’s hand. ‘I’ve heard so much about you.’

‘Hi,’ smiled Norlu shyly still shaking his hand. ‘All good I hope?’

‘Of course.’

Ann detected a twinkle in Norlu’s eyes, but she was not surprised. Blonde, Nordic types were Norlu’s thing. However, she also thought Donald had a glint in his eyes, which was quite unexpected.

‘Come on… let’s get you a room.’ Ann interlocked her arm with Norlu’s, leaving Donald to pick up the case.

‘Do you want a twin room then we can share? Like the sleepovers we had when we were kids.’

‘Great idea, we’ve got so much catching up to do.’

‘Do you still want to go into town today?’ asked Donald.

Ann turned to look at Donald. ‘Eh, yes I think so.’ She turned to Norlu. ‘We were just heading into town to buy a present for someone. Do you want to come with us later? It won’t take long.’

‘No problem, that will be cool.’ Norlu grinned, her reply directed at Donald.

He looked pleased. ‘I will meet you back here later. Does the two o’clock bus suit?’

Ann nodded, ‘Two o’clock is perfect.’

‘Thank you, Donald,’ said Norlu with a coy smile.

‘For what?’

‘For bringing my case in, you’re a real gentleman.’

‘You’re welcome,’ said Donald as he left, but Ann was sure he was blushing.

’Wow, he is gorgeous,’ whispered Norlu to her friend. ‘Are you and him… well, you know?’

Ann laughed. ‘No, we are just friends.’

Norlu pulled back to scan her friend’s face, checking she was genuine.

‘No really we are.’

Norlu re-interlocked her arm with her friend’s and snuggled in. ‘Good, but is he available?’

‘Yes… maybe… I’m not actually sure.’

‘What does that mean? He either is, or he isn’t?’

‘It’s a long story. I will tell you after we get you checked in.’

Up in their room, Norlu listened poker-faced as Ann told her about Donald and his heartache, never once interrupting. When she had finished Norlu said in a nonchalant tone, ‘Well, it sounds to me like he is available then,’ and with that she stood up and started unpacking.

Smiling, Ann shook her head and rolled her eyes. Norlu saw a positive in everything, no matter how terrible something appeared; her glass was always half full, but that was one of the reasons she loved her so much.

‘So, Ann, what’s been happening? Have you found out anything about your parents?’

‘Yes, I have.’

Norlu stopped unpacking and looked over at Ann. What began as a slight smile on Ann’s face broadened into an unstoppable grin, as she recalled what she knew, not what she would actually tell her friend. She knew Norlu would believe her without question if she told her the truth. Everyone else would probably think she was crazy like her mother, but Norlu’s upbringing lent itself to believing in the unbelievable.

Norlu took a seat on the bed opposite Ann. ‘Well, spill the beans,’ she coaxed.

Ann stopped herself grinning. This geis thing was far harder than she had imagined it would be. ‘It’s not that exciting, really. Well, as you know I was born here, but I also lived here until I was two-and-a-half. The family my mother and I stayed with still live here in the same house, the same one where I was born.’

’Really?’Norlu’s eyes widened. ‘That is good news.’

‘Well, my mother was a runaway. She never told anyone who or what she was running away from, so it’s still a mystery.’

‘And your father?’

Ann shook her head. ‘No, she never said who he was.’

Norlu was twisting her bottom lip as she stared at the floor.

‘What’s wrong?’

‘Nothing… it’s just… well, my grandmother thought you would have more news. That’s all.’

‘Like what?’ asked Ann as her heart rate increased. Tunkeeta was an Angaangaq. Was there any possibility she could know about this?

‘Don’t really know,’ Norlu shrugged and raised her outstretched palms to the ceiling. ‘She just said it was important you came, something about your coming here would be a voyage of discovery and your life could now begin, but you haven’t discovered much.’

Ann smiled. She remembered the realisation that hit her the first night she had dinner with the Ranalds when asked what she planned to do with her life, and she realised she had never thought about her future, well, not beyond coming to Maidenboat. Her future had always been about her past and Maidenboat was her gateway to knowing her past. Tunkeeta must have seen that; it was clear now. She wondered why she had not realised it herself. ‘I think I know what she meant. It is just that all my life, I dreamed of coming here, nothing else. I never once considered my future beyond this point and Tunkeeta knew that. Not knowing my past was the obstacle stopping me living my life. I had to get past this point so I can move on. I can think about my future now, what I want to do with the rest of my life.’

Ann stood up and walked to the window. It was silly to think Tunkeeta could know about any of this.

‘You must be disappointed though?’ said Norlu breaking the silence.

‘I suppose. I would have liked to know more, but it was not to be. At least I have met the Ranalds, and I have seen photographs… They have taken me places my mother used to go and they tell me about her. That way they are bringing her back to life, making her real to me.’ Ann turned her gaze away from her friend’s certain she looked guilty. It was wrong lying to her oldest and dearest friend. It made her uncomfortable, but what choice did she have? The geis forced her to lie. ‘It could have been worse. I might have come here and the Ranalds had moved away and no one remembered me.’

‘Yes, I can imagine that would have been awful.’ Norlu nodded slightly.

‘Well, this stuff will not put its self away,’ said Ann as she resumed the unpacking.

On the bus into town, Norlu updated Ann on her life in Greenland. She worked in the cafe at the ferry port during the ferry months, staying with her cousin Kaali when she was working. She managed a few visits home during the season, usually for a week at a time. When the dark days came, she returned to live with her grandmother. Tunkeeta was well, but missed Ann. She was still smoking her pipe and still hated westerners. Hearing this brought a smile to Ann’s face. She also still earned her living helping those who held fast to the old ways and sought traditional healing. It was enough to support her, but only just, as she claimed western ways were poisoning more and more Inuits. An author and her husband now occupied Ann’s old house. They were natives of the region and Tunkeeta liked them, which was lucky. Had she not, Norlu would not have been able to take her job and leave Tunkeeta for eight months.

Ann was enjoying listening to her friend. Norlu’s bubbly personality and the way she enthused about everything, even dull things, had a way of captivating those around her… especially Donald it seemed. He was sitting side on, in the seat in front, and he had not taken his eyes off her since they boarded the bus. Ann smiled to herself. It was nice seeing her friends getting along so well.

The half hour bus journey into town passed quickly. ‘That’s us. We are here,’ said Donald standing up. ‘Where to first, ladies?’

‘The jewellers,’ suggested Ann. ‘I thought I’d buy Elaine a piece of jewellery. She is always admiring my pendant.’

’It is quite unusual,’ remarked Donald looking at the strange pendant on a leather thong around Ann’s neck. It was circular with a hole in the middle. It looked like carved bone or ivory, but carved with a childish quality and it had unusual symbols painted on it.

‘It certainly is,’ agreed Norlu. ‘It’s made of Tizheruk bone. My ancestors made it thousands of years ago.’

Donald shot Ann a confused look.

‘It’s a mythological sea serpent,’ said Ann before Norlu continued.

‘The symbols were painted using Kraken’s ink and have magical properties. It’s a protection amulet. That’s why my grandmother gave it to Ann… to protect her.’

Donald smirked, ‘Well, it certainly looks the part.’

‘I doubt we will find anything magical here, but you never know,’ said Ann with a chortle.

The three companions disembarked and meandered through the crowded main street. Wednesday afternoons were always busy in the town. Padraig called it ‘Country Day’: the day when the workers from surrounding villages had the day off as they worked Saturdays. It had always been the same, but now the town had caught up with modern times and opened six days a week. Back when Padraig was a boy, most of the shops in the town also closed on a Wednesday as well as Sunday. Now most choose to open at lunchtime as well. While this was a great convenience to the customers, it was not good for the shop workers who had often to eat during quiet periods while they worked. The shops had big city motivations, but did not have the staff to match. Padraig thought it wouldn’t be long until the shops and businesses in Maidenboat followed suit.

A figure ahead, crossing the road, caught Ann’s eye causing her heart to both soar and sink. It was Finley, and he was heading their way, but by chance, he had not noticed them.

‘Let’s go in here,’ said Ann gesturing to the card shop beside them. She let out a deep breath when they got inside, but her heart was still pounding.

‘How old is your friend?’ asked Norlu.

‘It’s her thirtieth,’ said Ann as they browsed the cards.

‘Donald,’ said a familiar voice from the other side of the card-stand.

Ann froze, staying perfectly quiet, hidden in the next row. She should have realised there was a possibility Finley would head to the card shop, and he did not sound happy, but then again, Donald was the other culprit in their supposed transgression.

‘Hi Finley,’ said Donald in his usual friendly manner. Finley had always been pleasant to Donald, even when most of the village had turned against him. Donald had never been entirely sure if it had been through his sense of duty as a minister or because he genuinely liked him. The previous Christmas Eve after the morning service, Finley had emptied over one hundred pounds into his empty guitar case he used for busking. There were a few notes, but mostly coins. Donald suspected it was the collection money from the congregation. Merry Christmas Donald, I hope you find peace, was all he had said and left.

‘You’re looking for a card for Elaine too, I guess,’ said Donald.

‘I am.’

‘Oh, this is Norlu by the way, Ann’s friend from Greenland. This is Finley, the village minister,’ said Donald introducing them.

‘Hi, nice to meet you,’ said Norlu with her usual grin.

‘Ah, Norlu, I’ve heard a lot about you and your grandmother,’ replied Finley, with what looked like a forced smile.

‘All good I hope?’

‘Hi.’ Ann emerged from behind a card-stand like a timid mouse. She wished she could have stayed hidden, but her friends, unbeknown to them, were forcing her out to face the music.

Finley tipped his head. ‘Annaldra,’ was all he said, and in a manner that was as cold as the Arctic wind.

‘Oh my god, I’d forgotten that was your real name. Nobody in Greenland ever called her that. How strange?’

‘It was Finley’s family that looked after Ann when she was a baby. All the Ranalds call her Annaldra.’

Norlu looked smug. ‘Ah, then I have heard about you as well.’

Ann could see the muscles in Finley’s face tensing as he merely nodded in acknowledgement. Surely, he does not think I’ve told her about us. Please god no, it will only make him despise me more.

‘I’d better get on, got lots to do. Goodbye,’ said Finley his tone remaining icy.

‘See you,’ responded Donald, followed by a ‘Bye’ from Norlu, but Ann said nothing, merely giving a tip of her head.

‘Well, it looks like someone got out the wrong side of the bed this morning,’ said Donald.

‘Why, is he not normally like that?’ asked Norlu.

‘He’s usually chattier than that, that’s all.’

‘He’s going away for a week to work in another parish. Elaine told me last night. She’s a bit stressed out about her party and asked for my help. I reckon Finley’s just busy organising things for his trip. It was short notice.’

‘Ooo, a party. I love a party,’ chirped Norlu.

‘It’s a week on Friday. Will you still be here?’ asked Donald.

‘Yes. I’ve checked in for two weeks and who knows I might even be persuaded to stay longer,’ said Norlu, her eyes fixed on Donald.

‘Great,’ Donald looked as though he was trying to suppress his smile.

The bus journey home was busy. It was teatime and all the workers were finishing. Ann opened the parcel to admire the pendant she had picked for Elaine. It was a crystal snowflake pendant on a gold chain, nothing at all like hers. In fact, it was the complete opposite, being delicate and pretty where hers was chunky and crude, but it was more in keeping with Elaine’s tastes.

‘Would you ladies like to come to mine for some lunch tomorrow?’

Norlu looked at Ann hopefully. ‘Yes, that would be nice. Donald’s a great cook, he grows all his own vegetables, everything’s organic,’ said Ann, knowing this would impress Norlu.

Norlu smiled raising her eyebrows. ‘Sounds wonderful,’ she said.

‘Great.’ Donald looked pleased.

‘Oh wait, I can’t. I promised Elaine I would help her with the party arrangements tomorrow.’

Norlu slumped, her smile vanishing. ‘Oh.’

‘You can still come if you want, Norlu.’

’Really!’Norlu blushed, but she looked more than happy. ‘Thanks, I will.’

That evening Ann and Norlu spent with the Ranalds. Padraig, welcoming as ever, had cooked them pasta bolognaise for supper. Everyone had a nice time; even Scott for the most part, was pleasant although he seemed to be flirting with Norlu a lot, though Norlu had no problem spurning his advances. This had prompted Ann to ask him about his girlfriend, Dorothy. Scott had huffed and smiled. ‘Her, I would hardly call her my girlfriend,’ was all he had said, not wanting to blow any chance he thought he might have with Norlu. The only positive Ann thought was, at least he was not flirting with her anymore.