Belinda Murrell: Bringing Australian History To Life | Page 58

EXTRACT

THE LOCKET OF DREAMS
CHARLOTTE AND NELL LIVE IN A CASTLE IN SCOTLAND, AND SOPHIE HAS BEEN OBSERVING THEM FROM
AFAR, HER GHOSTLY FORM UNSEEN BY THE FAMILY SHE KNOWS ARE HER ANCESTORS. COULD THIS BE
THE MOMENT THAT CAUSES EVERYTHING TO CHANGE FOR THE GIRLS?

T

his time, the light was different
in Scotland when Sophie floated
above the house of Dungorm.
It was grey and flat and dreary.
Squalls of rain beat against the
windows and soaked Sophie’s nightdress.
As quickly as she could, Sophie faded
through an upstairs attic window and
into the house. She searched the house,
looking for Charlotte and Nell. On the
ground floor she checked the sitting room
and the conservatory; then she heard
the sound of low voices coming from the
drawing room.

replied patiently, patting her on the arm.
‘If I take the ship, I need only be away for
a matter of days, and then I can be back
here with you and the girls all the sooner.’
He smiled over at Charlotte and Nell,
who smiled tentatively back.
‘It will be fine, Eliza,’ continued
Alexander. ‘You know we have done this
trip dozens of times. Eliza Mackenzie is a
sturdy, safe ship and is standing by in the
harbour ready to go. My valet is packing,
so I can leave as soon as the carriage is
ready.’
Eliza sighed, admitting defeat,

The storm outside gradually intensified until it was
shaking the very foundations of the house. The wind
buffeted the windows and rattled the doors and the
shutters. The clock on the mantelpiece struck one o’clock.
Cautiously she glided through the
door and into the room. She seemed to
have come in on a family discussion of
some seriousness, judging by the sombre
expressions on Eliza’s and Alexander’s
faces. Sophie felt momentarily guilty to be
eavesdropping on a private conversation.
It’s too late for that, she thought.
I’ve been eavesdropping on private
conversations for nights now. And maybe
I’ll find out something useful.
Charlotte and Nell sat quietly on stools
near the fire, with Flossie at their feet.
Flossie noticed Sophie and sat up, her ears
pricked, but for the first time she didn’t
bark or growl.
‘But Alexander, what business could be
so urgent that you need to travel by ship
at this time of year?’ Eliza argued, jumping
up from her armchair and dropping a
small linen cloth she was embroidering.
‘Why not take a little longer and go by
road?’
‘The roads are dreadful at this time of
year too, and I need to get to Glasgow
urgently to sign some papers,’ Alexander

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and dropped back into her chair, her
embroidery forgotten.
‘I do not like it at all,’ she finished
anxiously, twisting the Star of Serendib
ring on her finger.
‘I will be fine, my love,’ Alexander
reassured her. ‘Now, what pretty trifles can
I fetch my three beautiful girls in Glasgow
– silks, lace, ribbon?’
‘Presents!’ cried Nell in glee.
‘Books,’ added Charlotte. ‘We need some
new books.’
‘I shall bring plenty,’ agreed Alexander
dotingly.
‘I should be back by Wednesday week
so tell Cook to plan a fitting dinner for the
laird of the house.’
A discreet knock sounded at the door.
‘M’ laird, the carriage is ready,’
announced the butler.
‘Thank you, Wilson. I shall be there in a
moment.’
Alexander swept each of the girls up off
the floor and into his arms for a bear hug
and a rain of kisses.
‘Be good for your mama while I’m away,

you mischievous lassies, or there will be
no presents for anyone,’ Alexander teased,
dropping Nell down gently on the floor.
Then he picked up Eliza’s hand and
kissed it gently.
‘Farewell, farewell Eliza dear, the maid
that I adore,’ he whispered. ‘I will be home
soon, my love, never fear.’
Eliza stood up to hug him wordlessly.
Alexander kissed her hard then walked
quickly through the door, keen to finish
the scene of farewell. The girls ran to the
door to watch Wilson hand Alexander
his hat and coat and hold the front door
open. Alexander blew them one more
kiss, and then he was gone.
Eliza sank back into her chair, then
smiled brightly at the girls.
‘Well, the journey should only take a
few days,’ Eliza said. ‘And I wonder what
presents Papa will choose for us. I hope
he remembers to bring the velvet for your
new dresses; you are both growing so
much.’
‘I hope he finds me a pretty blue velvet,’
said Nell.
Eliza stooped to pick up the dropped