To those that knew her well, Carol Copes was known by her middle name of Edna.
“Hmm,” Aiden paused in thought. He wished he could at least text Edmond but the older man was resistant to most forms of modern technology. He felt that cell phones bred an atmosphere of constant availability which wasn’t something he believed in. Edmond Copes strongly believed in upholding designated office hours. If something couldn’t be done between nine and five on a weekday it would simply have to wait.
“I’m sure Edmond will bounce back soon,” Betty said hopefully. “I wouldn’t be surprised if Edna has sent him to a fat camp or something.”
“Yeah,” Aiden laughed.
“She was always telling him to stop with the cakes but, lord, does Edmond have a sweet tooth!”
*
As Aiden entered his office, he was met with a wall of stifling heat. The sun had been shining against the windows on the far wall since dawn, slowly raising the temperature.
Loosening his tie, Aiden quickly turned on his desktop fan and stood in front of the blades as they spun around in their cage and offered little comfort as they seemed only capable of moving hot air rather than creating anything cool. Still, it was better than nothing.
Aiden glanced forlornly at the desk where Edmond usually sat. By now the two men would have eagerly exchanged stories of their weekend. Edmond was always so excited to hear about what Aiden had been up to. He knew he’d almost burst with excitement when he heard the news that Isla was pregnant.
But it was still too early to tell people. Edmond’s delight would have to wait.
Sighing, Aiden sat down at his desk and flicked on his computer. He suddenly felt exhausted, even though he’d just started his working day. It was thinking about Isla’s pregnancy that drained him. Each time it came to the forefront of his mind he felt bowled over by the enormity of it. His unborn child had changed everything.
The computer came on and Aiden opened his emails and began scanning down his newly received messages as he did every morning. He’d open his emails filled with hope but it would soon diminish to sadness. Of course she wouldn’t contact him, why would she?
*
“Daddy?” Meegan asked hopefully, her podgy cheeks filled with porridge which she spat out as she spoke.
“Daddy’s at work today,” Isla informed her young daughter for the fourth time that morning.
Frowning, Meegan dropped her spoon into her bowl with as much force as her toddler arms could muster, causing porridge to splatter across the table.
“Hey, don’t do that!” Isla snapped, reaching for a cloth to clean up the mess.
“Jungle gym?” Meegan tried a new line of questioning since asking for her Daddy wasn’t resulting in him materializing.
“Yes,” Isla nodded. “We can go play in the park today, but only if you eat all your breakfast like a good girl.”
Running a hand through her tangle of red curls, Isla gazed out of her kitchen window at the small town beyond. The sky was leaden clear and a brilliant shade of blue offering the prospect of a glorious day. Isla felt herself wilt at the thought of the impending heat. She needed to vacuum, do the dishes, make the beds and get the groceries. On a normal day these were just tasks to tick off a list, but on a hot summer’s day, like today, they became monumental chores. In the peak of Avalon’s heat Isla would sweat just walking up the stairs.
She missed the air conditioning of Chicago. She missed the way the wind would whip along the streets, chilling her as she walked and making her skin prickle. There were so many things Isla missed about Chicago that she wondered that if she started writing them all down would she ever be able to stop? Each new day in Avalon reminded her of something she missed back in the city.
“Ice cream?” Meegan glanced down at her half-eaten porridge and then back at her mother, her young eyes wide and plaintive.
“Maybe later,” Isla playfully ruffled her daughter’s hair. “Eat your breakfast first.”
“Daddy?” the little girl asked, her small voice pitched with hope.
“This is the last time I tell you,” Isla sighed wearily, pushing her hands down into her jean pockets and leaning against the kitchen counter.
“Daddy is at work.”
“Jungle gym?” Meegan titled her head to the left as she spoke and so the cycle of questions continued throughout the day until each request had been met.
*
The prospect of a new baby had Aiden recalling the time before Meegan’s birth. She’d been an unexpected gift for the couple, providing the catalyst to cement Aiden and Isla’s commitment to one another.
Back then the thought of being a father had terrified Aiden and in many ways it still did. He often lost sleep wondering how he’d cope in certain situations as Meegan got older. Would having another child just double the burden already weighing upon him?
Aiden looked across at Edmond’s empty desk and leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair. He missed having his colleague there to talk to. Aiden had few friends in Avalon. When he’d moved there he’d imagined this close-knit community who would welcome him into the midst with open arms. Instead he’d found a close-knit community who put up high walls against outsiders, especially ones like Aiden who rocked the status quo and asked too many questions.
In Edmond Aiden had found a friend and he was truly grateful for that. Perhaps he should call Edna directly and ask if he could visit him? He was deliberating on the idea when the intercom on his desk crackled to life.
“Mr. Connelly?” Betty’s voice eerie echoed up from the device.
Aiden pressed a button and spoke.
“Yes, Betty?”
“I…case…yard.” Aiden groaned and got up from his desk. The intercom system had been malfunctioning for weeks. It was yet another thing he needed to raise with Edmond upon his return.
Aiden took the three paces necessary to reach the main office door and pulled it open, causing Betty to jump in her seat where she was sat at her own desk still speaking into the intercom.
“Oh!” the old woman cried with a fright, her glasses now perched neatly at the end of her nose as she studied the intercom with fierce intensity. Like Edmond, she wasn’t proficient with modern technology.
“The intercom isn’t working,” Aiden explained. “It’s probably easier if you just speak to me directly.”
“Oh, okay, well—”
“Not here,” Aiden instructed, glancing ahead at the waiting area which consisted of two sofas. It was rare for anyone to wander in without a prior appointment but still, he couldn’t take the risk. It was unprofessional to discuss business in earshot of potential clients.
He gestured into his office and Betty followed, straightening her long skirt as she stood up. Despite the heat she was wearing a dark-green cardigan. Betty didn’t believe in women revealing too much flesh. She considered such attire to be inappropriate. She’d much rather sweat and appear dignified whilst doing so.
“Ooh!” Betty objected as she entered the office. “It’s awful hot in here!”
“I know,” Aiden returned to his own desk and sat down. “Yet another thing that needs fixing around here. But I don’t want to do anything until Edmond is back. You know how he likes to be involved in all company decisions.”
“Yes, I know,” Betty nodded sagely, pursing her lips.
“Well, what did you need me for?” Aiden prompted her.
“Ah!”