Page 36 of A Keeper of Time

“I doona see him. Is this where he’s supposed to be?”

“This was the last place I saw him.”

Edna walked around the empty room. “William. Are ye in here somewhere?” She stopped at one of the dark corners and listened carefully. “William. Can ye hear me?”

Did she hear a faint meow? She could have sworn that she did.

“Meow.”

There it was again. She moved closer to the sound as it repeated over and over. She was sure he was right here, but there was nothing in front of her but darkness. She reached her hand out and discovered an old dresser covered in a black cloth. She rummaged through using her hands as her guide as she searched for him, but he wasn’t there. Edna could still hear him.

“Barnes help me move this dresser, please.”

He pushed one side away from the wall and she pushed the other.

“Oh dear,” Edna said. She’d discovered a tiny little door barely visible in the wall. It was too small for her to go through, but just the right size for a cat. If William was behind it and she could get it open, he would be free. She jiggled the wee door handle, but it was locked.

“If I may.” Barnes knelt down in front of the door and pulled something from his pocket.

“Is that a key?” she asked.

“No ma’am. It’s a lock pick,” he replied.

“A lock pick? Why would ye have something like that?”

He merely shrugged his shoulders and went to work inserting it into the keyhole lock beneath the doorknob. In no time he had it open and William sauntered out.

“Thank ye, Barnes.” Edna scooped William up from the floor. He purred happily, rubbing his head on her chin.

“You’re welcome, ma’am. I’ve been told to give you whatever ye need.”

“Really. Well, that might come in handy. Do ye ken what I need now?”

“No, ma’am.”

“I need ye to keep quiet about this. Doona tell Evanore.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Edna hurried from the room, back down the hallway and into her bedroom where she closed the door. She set William down in front of the fireplace. “Can ye get a fire started for me?”

William’s tail twitched back and forth as he stared at the hearth. A spark, then two and then a flicker of flame appeared. Soon the fireplace was filled with light and heat.

“Thank ye, William. I doona ken what I’d do without ye.”

She focused on the fire hoping it would lead her to the hearth in Zeke’s living room. Sure enough, it did. The women were all present, hugging and consoling each other.

“Ladies,” Edna said loud enough to get their attention. “Doona lose hope.”

The women all spun towards the fireplace which was now fully ablaze.

“Edna,” Ashley shouted. “It’s you!”

“Where are you?” Jenna asked as she knelt in front of the hearth.

“I’m no’ really sure. I’m in a house by the bridge. I wish I knew more that I could share with ye.”

“There’s no house by the bridge,” Sara said, joining Jenna. The others all gathered around so they could see and hear Edna more clearly.