I gaped at the journal in astonishment. “When did you become an expert on New Zealand?
I met quite a few Kiwis in London during the war. Did you know that New Zealanders are called Kiwis because of the kiwi, a flightless bird unique to New Zealand?
“Everyone knows about kiwis,” I said dismissively. “Did you know”—I searched my mind for a handy factoid, to prove that I wasn’t a complete ignoramus—“that Auckland was named after Lord Auckland, the Governor-General of India? ” I finished triumphantly.
I did. The soldiers I met were very proud of their homeland. They made it sound as if it had everything one could want in a small country—long stretches of unspoiled coastline, snowcapped mountains, tropical jungles . . .
“I’m afraid we won’t have much time for sightseeing,” I said firmly. “I plan to keep my promise to the Pyms, then catch the first flight back to England.”
Of course. The ghost of a sigh seemed to pass through the room, as if Aunt Dimity were already regretting our swift departure. How do you intend to get to Aubrey Pym’s place of residence? It’s unwise to drive a rental car when one’s brain is disjointed.
“I won’t have to drive,” I told her. “I have a chauffeur. His name is Cameron Mackenzie. He’s a Kiwi, but he went to school with Bill, back in the States. Bill asked him to keep an eye on me while I’m here.”
Excellent. There’s nothing quite so useful as a native guide. It’s a pity you won’t be able to utilize his services to explore the country more fully, but I understand your desire to return to your family.
“My family isn’t the only reason I want to go home.” I paused for a moment, then gave voice to a concern that had been troubling me. “What if I never see Ruth and Louise again, Dimity? What if they die while I’m here?”
Try not to worry overmuch about losing Ruth and Louise, Lori.
“Dr. Finisterre said—”
Aunt Dimity’s handwriting sped across the page before I could complete the sentence.
If you’ll recall correctly, Dr. Finisterre refused to say how much time the Pyms have left, and he was right to do so. Ruth and Louise have always been much sturdier than they seem. I believe that they will live as long as they need to live, and they need to live long enough to see their family made whole again. In my humble and thoroughly nonmedical opinion, your search for Aubrey will be the very thing that tethers them to life. It is time, therefore, for you to stop fretting and start moving. Ruth and Louise are counting on you!
A genuine smile curved my lips as the lines of royal-blue ink disappeared from the page. With a few well-chosen words, Aunt Dimity had laid to rest any lingering doubts I’d had about my unexpected journey.
“Hang in there, Ruth and Louise,” I murmured, and returned the journal to my bag.
I met Cameron Mackenzie in the lobby an hour later. A hot shower and a room-service breakfast had cleared the cobwebs from my mind, so I was able to see him clearly for the first time. I liked what I saw. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and lean, with short-cropped salt-and-pepper hair, gray eyes, and a mouth that seemed to curve readily into a smile. His weathered face suggested that he spent a lot of time in the great outdoors, but whether for work or for play it was too soon to tell. He was dressed casually, in khaki trousers and a loose-fitting white cotton shirt, but his clothes weren’t cheap. If he worked outdoors, I thought, it was by choice, not by necessity.
“Kia ora,” he said, extending his hand to shake mine.
“Excuse me?” I said blankly.
“Kia ora,” he repeated. “It’s a Maori phrase. A literal translation would be: ‘I wish you good health,’ but people use it for all sorts of things nowadays: hello, good-bye, good luck, cheers, welcome. In this instance, it means: Welcome to New Zealand, Lori! I welcomed you at the airport, but I don’t think it registered.”
“Sorry about that,” I said, ducking my head sheepishly.
“I’ve seen worse.” He pulled a shiny blue cell phone and a charger out of his pocket and handed them to me. “I meant to give these to you at the airport, but I forgot. You can use the phone to call England. My number’s already programmed into it.”
“Thanks.” I slipped his gifts into my shoulder bag and smiled up at him. “For everything, I mean. It’s lucky for me that that you and my husband are such good friends.”
“Bill’s the best,” said Cameron. “I’d walk through fire for him.”
“I hope helping me will be less painful,” I said.
“I’m sure it will,” he said, laughing. He motioned toward the lobby’s glass doors. “I had them bring the car around. If you’re ready, we can be on our way.”
“Do you know where we’re going? ” I inquired.
He nodded. “Bill gave me the address. It’s right here, in Takapuna. That’s why I booked our rooms in the Spencer.”