Cora put her hand on Robert’s, when she heard him taking a deep breath. “She will not eat you.”
Robert turned his head towards Cora. “I am not so sure and definitely not about your brother.”
“Darling.” Cora stopped for a second, she surprised herself with that word. She gave Robert a smile. “You don’t have to worry, I told them only good stories about you.” She leaned against his shoulder. They were sitting in a cab from the airport to her mother’s house. Martha had offered her chauffeur, but Cora was afraid Robert would already be overwhelmed by her mother’s richness.
She looked out the window and saw the familiar landscape. Her heart filled with love she felt for this country. She was truly at her place in London, but this was where she had her roots. The smells were different, but even the colours. The driver stopped at the gate.
“Can you drive up to the house?” Cora asked.
“Only when you pay more.” The driver said, staring in front of him.
Robert huffed. “Just drive, we will pay.” He said annoyed.
Now it was Cora who was starting to feel nervous. It had been 5 years since she had seen her mother and brother. She felt Robert’s hand on her knee. She smiled softly, he was so in tune with her. It was mind-boggling, they knew each other, a little over 2 months, but it felt like years. She had never been at ease with someone this quickly.
Her hand moved to her neck, this morning Robert gave her a thin necklace with a small key on it. ‘This is the key to my heart.’ He had said, kissing her softly.
The car stopped, Robert rushed out to open her side. He was such a gentleman, she thought. The driver had taken their suitcases out.
Cora saw Robert looking up at the mansion. She would love to know what he was thinking. She tangled her fingers in his. “This is where I grew up.”
“Beautiful place.” He said. The house was a three story building, it felt like a small castle. The big windows let in a lot of light.
Martha came out the front door. “Cora!”
“Mother.” Cora rushed towards her mother. “How lovely to see you.” She wrapped both arms around her
“As long as it is.” Martha replied, she pushed Cora back. “So this is your knight?”
Cora blushed, she had called Robert her knight in shining armor. She turned towards Robert and held out her hand. “Mama, meet Robert Crawley. Chef and owner of a two Michelin star restaurant.”
Robert kissed Martha on her cheek. “Thank you for welcoming me.”
“Now, come inside. There is a fresh apple pie and coffee.”
Cora saw Robert’s face when her mother mentioned coffee. He didn’t drink a lot of coffee and especially after a long day of travel, he longed for a cup of tea. “Do you have tea? Mama?”
Martha stopped and turned around. “Oh my, you have turned into an English woman, with your tea.” She smiled. “We will boil the water on the stoof and not put it in the microwave.”
Cora chuckled when she heard Robert’s sigh of relief. They walked inside, and sat down in the living room. Although it was a very big room, it felt cozy.
“Where is Harold?” Cora asked, when Martha sat down.
“Oh you know your brother. Late as always.” Martha said, annoyed. “But never mind that son of mine. Nice to meet you Mr. Crawley, tell me about your work.”
Cora knew when Robert started about his work, he would keep going for a while. She didn’t mind, the long travel day had worn her out. The chair she was sitting in was very comfortable. Robert had sat down in one of the chairs, so Cora also picked one.
+++
Cora opened her eyes, she was confused. Slowly she remembered where she was. She was curled up in a comfy chair, with a blanket draped over her. She was in her mother’s living room.
She got up and started looking for Robert. Soon she heard voices coming from downstairs. She went down, she recognised her brother’s voice.
In the doorway she stopped and looked at the scene in front of her. Robert and Harold were playing pool. Harold was explaining something to Robert. She scraped her throat and both men looked up.
“I see you met my brother Harold.” Cora said while stepping towards Harold and kissing him on the cheek. “It’s so wonderful seeing you again.”
“We should go for a walk.” Harold said.
“Is it alright, if I shut my eyes for a couple of minutes?” Robert looked at Cora.
Cora smiled at him, he was feeling the same jetlag she was having. “I will show you our room.”
“The butler can do that.” Harold said and rang for the butler. “Mr. Crawley would love to know where his room is, can you show him?” He said to the butler when he arrived.
“Let’s walk and talk.” Harold took Cora’s arm and walked outside.
“I miss our little chats.” Cora said, hanging on Harold’s arm, being very content.
“I do too, sis. I do too.” Harold tapped Cora’s hand which was resting on his arm. “Now tell me about Anthony. What happened.”
Cora told him everything, from the moment he started to change and being rough until his physical and mental abuse. She heard Harold gasping several times during her story and she couldn’t blame him. It was difficult to hear.
“I am happy you got rid of that man.” Harold said. “If I had lived closer, he would not be able to get away with this so easily. And he would have had a black and blue face.”
“Good thing you don’t. I don’t want a brother in jail.
After a long time, Harold and Cora were back at the house. “Is Robert still sleeping?” She asked the hall boy.
She got upstairs to the room he was sleeping in. He was laying on top of the sheets, in a deep sleep. Cora crawled next to him, wrapping her arm around him. He woke up a little and turned his face, kissed her lips and closed his eyes again.
Verhalen van Traan 