It was late January when they returned from St. Andrews. With St. Patrick’s Day approaching in March, Sinclair & Klein had granted a long weekend. The day Kimberly returned from St. Andrews, she caught influenza at the airport and fell ill. After receiving intravenous treatment at the hospital, she spent her days confined to bed, with Mary preparing and bringing all her meals.
On St. Patrick’s Eve, Mary delivered lunch to Kimberly’s room as usual. Kimberly coughed several times and wiped her nose with a tissue. “Mary, tomorrow’s St. Patrick’s Day. You should finish up today and have the weekend off to celebrate with your family.”
Mary looked hesitant. “But you’re still poorly, love. Who’ll look after you if I’m not here?”
“It’s just a nasty cold, nothing to fuss about.”
Mary suggested, “Perhaps I ought to take you to the Jordan estate. I’d feel much better knowing your family’s looking after you.”
Ronald had called a few days earlier asking when she would be joining them for the holiday. Kimberly had originally planned to return home as soon as Sinclair & Klein closed for St. Patrick’s weekend, but this bout of influenza had been particularly severe. With Lucy at home and Ronald having recently been discharged from hospital, Kimberly feared passing the virus to them and had postponed her return.
“I’d better not go back just yet,” Kimberly replied. “I’ll pop round once I’ve recovered.”
Mary was concerned. “Will you be on your own tomorrow for St. Patrick’s Day? Why not come and spend the holiday with my family?”
Kimberly shook her head. “Mary, don’t forget you’ve got elderly Mrs. Turner at home. What if I passed this on to her?”
Only then did Mary remember the frail elderly woman in her household. If someone like that caught influenza, it could be life-threatening. She scratched her head, “Well…”
“It’s fine, I can manage perfectly well.”
“If you’re quite sure…”
After lunch, Mary conducted a thorough cleaning, making every room at No. 1 Grosvenor Square spotless, then went shopping for holiday provisions. Having completed these tasks, Mary opened Kimberly’s bedroom door. “I’ve done a bit of shopping, love. There’s plenty of food in the fridge and I’ve left some of those fancy biscuits you like on the coffee table.”
Kimberly lay in bed, nestled under the duvet with only her head visible. “Thank you, Mary. You’ve been ever so kind.”
“I’m off now. Ring me if you need anything at all.”
“I will. Happy St. Patrick’s Day, Mary.”
“And to you, love.”
After leaving the estate, Mary still worried about Kimberly. She took out her phone and called Asher. “Mr. Blackwood, Miss Jordan has been rather poorly. She’s been bedridden for two days since returning from the hospital, with no sign of improvement. She’s insisted I take the holiday off, but I’m concerned about leaving her alone.”
Asher felt his heart tighten. “What’s wrong with her?”
Mary explained, “She seems to have caught that nasty flu that’s going round at the airport. She fell ill immediately upon returning.”
“I understand.”
After hanging up, Asher immediately called James, informing him of Kimberly’s illness and asking if Charlotte could check on her.
Upon hearing Kimberly was ill, Charlotte called her right away. “Kimberly, why on earth didn’t you tell me you were ill? Are you on your own at home now?”
Kimberly, huddled under her duvet, answered in a voice made hoarse by her cold, “Yes, it’s just a cold. I’m nearly better.”
“I’ll pop round later, is that alright?”
“There’s no need, Charlotte. I went to hospital for IV treatment a couple of days ago. The doctor prescribed medication, and after two days I’m almost recovered. I’ve just taken my medicine and plan to have a kip. I should be right as rain when I wake up.”
“Your voice sounds absolutely dreadful. You don’t sound nearly recovered to me,” Charlotte replied with concern. “I’ll bring our family doctor to examine you.”
“Really, there’s no need to trouble yourself.”
“Kimberly, don’t be daft. What are friends for?”
An hour later, Charlotte rang Kimberly’s doorbell. Soon, the faint sound of footsteps could be heard from inside. Kimberly opened the door with weak, unsteady steps. Charlotte gasped in shock at the pale, sickly face that greeted her. “Bloody hell, Kimberly, you look absolutely ghastly!”
Kimberly responded with little energy: “I’m not seriously ill.”
Charlotte quickly supported Kimberly. “I’ve brought our family doctor. Let’s have him examine you.”
“All right.”
After examining Kimberly, the doctor gave her an injection and prescribed medication. Hearing that Kimberly should be better by tomorrow, Charlotte breathed a sigh of relief. “Tomorrow’s St. Patrick’s Day, you’ll be able to properly enjoy the celebrations.”
The streets of London were awash with green, as people celebrated with parades and festivities throughout the city. Kimberly slept until she naturally awoke. Opening her phone, she found several missed calls. From Ronald, Victoria, and her friends Emma and Charlotte. They were all asking if she had recovered or wishing her a happy St. Patrick’s Day.
Kimberly returned Ronald’s call, saying she would return home for the celebration. “Kimberly, will you be joining us for lunch? We’ll hold off until you arrive.”
Kimberly checked the time on her phone – it was eleven o’clock. There was still time to make it for lunch. “Yes, I’ll be there.”
As she drove into the estate toward the Jordan residence, she spotted the familiar Cullinan in the distance. Checking the number plate, she confirmed it was Asher’s car. The Blackwood estate was adjacent to the Jordan estate, so Kimberly would inevitably pass the Blackwood property on her way home. Kimberly’s grip on the steering wheel tightened, her heart filling with bitterness.
According to tradition, the main St. Patrick’s celebration would be held in the evening. But lunch at the Jordan estate was also a lavish affair. Alongside several of Kimberly’s favorite home-cooked dishes like shepherd’s pie and roast beef with Yorkshire puddings, there was also Irish smoked salmon, Dublin Bay prawns, and freshly shucked oysters.
Kimberly presented a small gift box to Lucy. “Lucy, Happy St. Patrick’s Day. I’ve got you something special.” Lucy accepted it with delight, opening it to find a beautiful silver four-leaf clover bracelet.
Ronald gave gifts to both Kimberly and Lucy. “One for my grown-up daughter, one for my little one – presents for everyone.” He handed Kimberly a bottle of premium Jameson Irish Whiskey with a beautiful crystal glass, and Lucy received a plush leprechaun toy wearing a green hat.
Kimberly’s eyes crinkled with a smile. “Even I get a gift as an adult?”
Ronald replied with a warm smile: “In your father’s eyes, you’ll always be my little girl. As long as I’m here, Kimberly will always be spoiled on holidays.”
Kimberly was so moved her eyes moistened. “Dad, when did you become so sentimental?”
Victoria, standing nearby, laughed in agreement: “Your father’s absolutely right, Kimberly. Some traditions shouldn’t change, no matter how grown-up you get.”
The meal was filled with warmth and harmony. Afterward, Kimberly walked with Lucy in their garden, chatting. Looking up, she spotted a woman standing in the garden of the neighboring estate. It was Laurina.
Kimberly froze on the spot. Lucy, noticing her sister’s sudden halt, looked up with her bright, curious eyes and asked, “Kimberly, what’s wrong?”
Kimberly stood rigid, her lips pressed together as she stared at Laurina in the Blackwood garden. The woman had also noticed Kimberly and waved at her, smiling brilliantly. Kimberly found that smile particularly jarring. She remained motionless, not acknowledging Laurina’s greeting.
Just after Laurina waved, Asher emerged from the house. Laurina turned to say something to him, then suddenly pointed in Kimberly’s direction. Realizing what she was doing, Kimberly’s breath caught. Sure enough, Asher turned to look at her. Across the distance, their gazes met. The bitter March wind, carrying a bone-chilling coldness, crept through her collar and sleeves. Kimberly felt an icy chill spread throughout her body.
Asher looked at Kimberly only briefly before nonchalantly shifting his gaze away. He lowered his head to say something to Laurina, and they returned to the house together. He had brought Laurina home for St. Patrick’s Day to formally meet his family – were they planning to get engaged? A dense, crushing pain spread through Kimberly’s chest. She had been separated from Asher for nearly a month, and she thought she had moved on. But the moment Laurina appeared in the Blackwood garden, Kimberly realized she had never truly let go.
Chapter 148