Castle In The Clouds, Chapters 29 & 30 (standard:drama, 2407 words) [15/21] show all parts
Author: Brian Cross	Added: Jun 12 2010	Views/Reads: 2203/1556	Part vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
Veronica and Gibbings' attempt to leave the island falters amidst a cruel twist of fate.

Chapter Twenty Nine 

Veronica braced herself for the conditions. At the top of the slope the
wind blew so hard she struggled for breath. She wore only a light coat 
to protect her from the rain, Dawson having removed her rain-wear. But 
she was fit and strong, and even the bag she carried, containing her 
hastily scrambled possessions, wouldn't hinder her to any large degree. 


But she was relieved to be leaving the castle; since Dawson's arrival
there had been mounting trepidation, testing even her nerves, 
compounded by the transformation in Thomas' personality. Far from being 
a home the place had become a place of restriction and confinement, 
rendered that way by the personalities of those who resided there. She 
fully believed that Dorothea possessed no real interest in helping her 
escape, other than to confound her brother - without that desire they 
would have been at each other's throat, almost were. It was ironic that 
Dorothea should assist her departure. 

And did she feel any sense of betrayal towards Thomas Llewellyn, the man
who'd offered her a home there - whom she'd agreed to marry? Perhaps at 
a later stage there might be some, but the single entity governing her 
thinking was her desire to assist Gibbings with troubles that he 
wouldn't divulge - hadn't until that very morning. 

Almost too late, she still didn't fully understand the nature of her
escape, though it seemed Hambleton had had a hand - but now all that 
concerned her was leaving the island, with Gibbings - to chart a course 
for him that would create a sense of purpose, as well as ensuring the 
continuation of his daughter's education, and then to return to London 
in time to resume her musical commitments. 

Somehow as she battled her way towards the village against the storm,
the enthusiasm for doing that had waned. Why precisely, she wasn't sure 
- her stay on the island had turned as turbulent as the weather, she 
should be grateful it was over. Glad to be returning to the civility of 
the concert hall. 

But she wasn't, not completely. 

Ahead, just passing between the terraced houses which marked the end of
the village street, Veronica caught sight of a figure running towards 
her and experienced an unaccountable surge of adrenalin as she 
recognised Gibbings. The head of his anorak flopping back and forth he 
came running up, taking both her free hand and the bag she carried in 
her right. 

'You managed to get out - I thought you weren't coming - I didn't know
what to do-' 

'I think it had something to do with Mr. Hambleton,' Veronica said, her
hands on his shoulders, 'and Dorothea of all people -' 

'Aye, I know - I went to him, not knowing what else to do -' 

'Thank you John.' Veronica kissed him softly on the cheek, thought she
saw him blush, but with his dark tan she couldn't be sure. 'We must 
leave now before that awful butler realises -' 

'There's Mr. Hambleton -' Gibbings pointed back along the track, from
where the tall figure of Hambleton came, leaning into the wind, 
clutching his hat. 

'I should thank him too, say goodbye.' 

'Mr. Hambleton won't stay here now,' Gibbings stated. 'He only stayed
over worry for you.' 

Veronica nodded, bit her lip. 'I can't see him wanting to make the trek
across the causeway though - not in these conditions. How long will it 
take us?' 

'Half an hour should do it, think you can manage in this weather?' he
asked, suddenly concerned. 



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