With Christmas just 5 days away, the TB Committee had another tough decision to make.
Traditionally, the people of the Bay would go into the forest surrounding the Bay and cut their own Christmas trees. Bill and Matty decide that this tradition had to stop, as the destruction of the young trees was a setback to the village. If they were to become a destination for vacationers, they needed to keep the forest in tact.
Hiking and riding trails were proposed for the non winter months and cross-country and snowmobile trails were proposed for the long winter months.
Begrudgingly, the Committee, with a TT vote, agreed to stop the tradition, but the people still wanted their real Christmas trees, so it was decided that TB Transport would drive to White's Tree Farm and purchase one hundred fir trees for the village. The trees would cost the village $40 dollars each, which Bill agreed he would pay for.
The trees would be delivered ASAP, so the village could prepare for Christmas.
Already, the village was alive with outdoor decorations and the quaint little village became alive with a kaleidoscope of lights.
After the meeting, Bill and Matty went to Dove's Pub, where they had gathered all the people from the Harris' crews for a final drink and thank-you for helping the Bay out.
As a bonus, TB Limited agreed to pay the crews a one week salary bonus, to get them through until the New Year. All crews were to be back in the Bay, to start work again on the 4th of January. Housing would be onsite for the crews.
After the last of the crew had left, Bill and Matty had a drink with Perry and Cathy Harris.
"I want to thank you both for all the help you have given us, through what I can only imagine must be a most trying time for you."
"It certainly has been unusual," Perry agreed.
"I just hope we can get beyond all of this and continue to have a good working relationship."
Perry nodded.
"So do I, Bill. And I don't really see any reason why we can't."
"Have you talked to your sister?"
"I have, Matty."
Perry shook his head.
"I don't know what the fuck got into her head. This is so out of character for her.
I guess it was the lottery syndrome. She thought that this guy Jackson was her winning ticket."
He let out a long breath.
"Now, her career is done. The college has fired her and she is in fear of losing her house and of course there is no telling what will come of the charges against her."
"I have already talked to the RCMP," Matty informed Perry.
"We are not going to press charges against Angie or Noel."
Perry's eyes opened wide.
"Really? Why would you do that? I mean I am relieved that you are not, but still, why?"
"The Bay is very forgiving," Matty smiled.
"They will both get probation and community service. Noel will get abuse counselling and Angie will also have to get counselling.
If they both agree, then, they will see no time in jail.
And if Tanya agrees, Angie can still work with her."
"You would do that?"
"You guys pulled our asses out of the fire, so we are returning the favor."
Perry reached across the table and shook Bill's hand.
"Thank you Bill."
He smiled at Matty.
"Thank you too."
"And," Bill continued, "that business that your buddy sold to Jackson Lamont. The one with the housing unites."
Perry nodded.
"A stupid move on my buddy's part. Those units are now just sitting there."
Bill shook his head.
"They are on their way here. Gail Hirst sold us the units and we will see that they are set up, as we first talked about. We want all your men and women to have their own personal space. We think that is important for their physical and mental health.
There are enough of them to allow each member of your crew their own room."
"They will love that," Cathy smiled.
"Thank you."
"And," Matty smirked, "we have bought a fifth wheel for you guys to stay in. We heard that you and Cat were planning to get one, so we decided to thank you, by getting it for you.
We have made arrangements with Marble RV for you to go in after Christmas, or before and pick out the one that you want."
The two were shaking their heads.
"We can't do that," Cathy argued.
"That is far too much."
Bill sat back in his chair, arms folded.
"Too late," Bill smiled.
"All done and paid for, so, Merry Christmas. Besides, there is a lot of work to be done in the future and we are hoping that you will accept this as a bribe or maybe a retainer."
"Retainer hun," Matty reminded him.
"Bribe is so cloak and dagger."
Cathy got up and walked to Bill.
Bill stood and hugged her.
She then hugged Matty as well.
"Okay, enough of this huggy, hugging shit," Matty cried, wiping a tear from her eye.
"My fucking hormones are all over the place and see, the tears are already falling."
She took Cathy's hands in hers.
"You have a wonderful Christmas and we will see you in January."
The four said goodbye, once again, and the Harris' left.
Moments later, Lindsay and Carl joined Bill and Matty, at their table.
"Just wanted to let youse know thats Ronnie will bes back in a couple 'ours with the Christmas trees. Everyone is anxious to get in the 'oliday spirit."
Matty shook her head.
"I am just looking forward, to what I hope will be, a quiet and peaceful Christmas and New Years."
Lindsay raised her beer.
"Heres to dat, girlfriend."
"So," Matty sighed.
"We were thinking that the two of you look pretty stressed."
Lindsay laughed.
"Well tank youse, tubby. Youse really knows how to make a girl feel good about 'erself."
"Bite me," Matty snarled, jokingly.
"Anyway, after New Years, we want you both to pack your bags. We have booked you both on a two week cruise to the Caribbean. In a five star suite, of course."
"We can't do that," Lindsay argued.
"Really? And why is that?"
"We have work to do and you two will be all alone and there is work to do and ..."
Matty stared at Lindsay.
"What have you been smoking, girl?"
Lindsay laughed.
"Not enough, obviously."
Lindsay wiped a tear from her eye.
"Thank youse, guys, so much."
"Our pleasure," Bill smiled.
"You both deserve it."
Lindsay turned to Carl.
"Well?"
"Well what?"
She slapped him in the arm.
"Aren't youse gonna say something? Youse can at least thank them."
Carl shrugged.
"Ise thanked them couple days ago, when dey told me."
Lindsay stared at Bill and Matty.
"You told 'im first. 'e can't keep a secret."
"Looks like he did pretty well, as far as I can see," Matty laughed.
"Anyway, you guys fly out on the 3rd and leave on the 5th from Tampa Bay. And we order you to have a good time. No cell phones on while you are there."
"Thank you guys," Lindsay sighed.
"Wese could use this."
Matty stood up.
"Okay, hubby. Hormones kicking in again. Take this soppy lump of a woman home."
She looked through the window, to see a TB Transport truck stop in front of the lighthouse.
"Good timing. Ronnie is here with our tree."
The four said goodbye and Bill and Matty walked across the cobblestone road and up to the lighthouse, just as Randi and Valerie were taking their tree in the house.
Ronnie helped Bill carry his tree to the veranda and bid him farewell, as he left to deliver the rest of the trees.
Bill and Matty spent the rest of the afternoon, with Christmas music in the background, while they decorated their tree.
Jarge and Mable sat near the fireplace, watching the two and occasionally squawking at them, while chasing an occasional Christmas ball, that fell to the floor.
Later in the evening, Randi and Valerie knocked on their hallway door, with gifts in hand.
"We wanted to be the first to put gifts under your tree," Randi explained, as she put the decorated pieces under the tree.
She hugged Bill and Matty.
"We just both wanted to thank you for all you have done for us."
Valerie nodded.
"Wese knows wese been a bit of a pain, 'avin' us in yer 'ouse, but wese promises dat come da spring, wese will get out, fast as wese can."
Matty walked to Valerie and pushed her long hair over her shoulder.
"I have known you since you were born. You are welcome here, as long as it takes. Don't you or Randi ever think you are a burden of any kind."
She kissed Valerie on the cheek.
"Merry Christmas love."
All four hugged and Randi grabbed Matty's hand.
"You got to come and see our tree. It is amazing."
Bill and Matty, Jarge and Mable went next door to see the beautiful tree and shared a quick mug of alcohol free mulled wine.
~~~~~
Nanny Dove appeared in the small cave.
"Paddy Webster."
Paddy Webster appeared in the cave.
"Mrs. Dove. To what do I owe this visit."
"Ise 'as to talks to you."
Nanny Dove stared at the pirate.
"Ise don't likes you, Paddy Webster. Youse bes a scoundrel and a liar and a thief and Ise don't wants to tink 'bout all da shit dat youse done in yer life."
"I has done me best to make amends fer dat, Mrs. Dove."
Nanny Dove rolled her eyes.
"Call me Tilly, Paddy."
Paddy smiled.
"Okay, Tilly."
"Don't bes gettin' too comfortable wit dat. Ise still tinks youse a piece of shit, but youse 'as showed to bes a man of yer word."
"Being alone fer two hundred years does dat to a man," Paddy laughed.
"You has a lot of time to think."
"Tomorrow, yer bones will bes on da way to Glengariff."
Paddy smiled.
"It warms me dead heart to knows that. Even if I be stuck here. at least me bones will be home."
"And youse will bes goin' with dem," Nanny Dove informed him.
Paddy looked confused.
"'ow be that possible. I died here. Me soul must stay here."
Nanny Dove shook her head.
"No. Ise will let your spirit goes wit yer bones."
"You can do that?"
"No, Paddy. Youse can. Your bones leaves dis place and youse can goes wit it, ifin Ise lets youse."
"Will you let me?"
Nanny Dove nodded.
"Youse lets go of dat Lamont spirit and youse can go. Release 'im and Ise will releases youse."
"It be done," Paddy sighed.
Jackson Lamont appeared in the cave.
"What is happening now?"
"I has released you," Paddy informed him.
"You be now free."
"Yes," Nanny Dove continued, "now gits out of me sight. Ise will deals wit youse later."
Jackson disappeared.
Nanny Dove walked closer to Paddy.
"What youse did, all dem years ago, could 'ave been a tragedy. A brief moment in 'istory, where yet another attempt at settlement ended in nothin' but death and destruction.
But, da peoples of da Bay bes one tough bunch of sons of bitches.
And, ifin not fer youse, dere would be no Tuckamore Bay.
Even though youse were a fucker, in da long run, it turned out pretty good."
Nanny Dove took a long breath.
"So, Paddy Webster, go. Be wit yer body, so dat body and soul can go home."
Paddy smiled, as he faded.
"Thank you Nanny Dove."
"Fuckin' pirate," Nanny Dove smiled.
"Now youse bes da problem of dem poor souls in Glengariff."
She laughed.
"Never liked da Irish anyways."
Another spirit appeared in the cave.
"Aw shit. Now Ise bes in trouble."
"Matilda Dove. It bes a good thing I has no switch on me. I would be beating that foul language out of you."
"Sorry, Mother."
The spirit walked to her daughter and they hugged.
"It has been a long time daughter."
Nanny Dove nodded.
"It has, Mother."
The spirit stepped back.
"Do you knows why I bes here?"
"I has an idea. Youse be here to talk yo me about Lizzie."
Mother Dove nodded.
"It is time."
"I knows."
"You has kept your sister alone, all these years."
"I knows, Mother. I have made me peace wit 'enry Tucker."
"You knows it were not his fault. It were just the will of God and we are not ones to question the will of da Almighty.
You needs to let go."
"I have Mother. It now will bes up to Lizzie."
Mother Dove nodded.
"You know what you has to do?"
"I do. I will talk to Henry again."
Mother Dove smiled.
"You are a good woman, Matilda. The world has not been kind to you, but you has done well, by Matty and I sees that she is a happy woman."
Nanny Dove smiled.
"She be. Willam bes a good man and they bes 'appy together."
"He is a good man. The Williams family were good people. Not bes a mean bone in their bodies."
Mother Dove laughed.
"After all these years, there not bes many bones left in der bodies at all."
"Good one, Mother."
Mother Dove walked to her daughter.
"I wants my family together again. Do the right thing, Tilly."
She kissed her daughter's cheek and disappeared.
Moments later, Nanny Dove appeared in Henry Tucker's bedroom.
Henry jumped slightly.
"Matilda. Youse startled me."
"Ise come to talks to youse, 'enry. Ise 'as come to a decision."
"A decision 'bout what?"
"Lets us 'as a talk, 'enry."
~~~~~
Ronnie Johnstone loaded the small wooden crate onto the back of his truck, with the help of Michael Simpson.
"Dis bes da strangest stuff Ise 'as ever moved," Ronnie laughed.
Michael nodded.
"It bes kinda spooky. It bes like a child's coffin."
He shook slightly.
"Kinda freaks me out."
"Well, Mike, jest remember, it bes da old bones of a pirate."
Michael jumped from the back of the truck, pulling down the door, as he did.
"Well lets just be gettin' this to da airport and on its way to Ireland."
"Ise with youse on dat, big guy. And then off to Corner Brook for dem snowblowers."
The two men got into the cab of the truck and drove away from the Village Hall, where Paddy Webster's bones had been kept.
Nanny Dove appeared in the road, staring at the truck, as it drove off down the cobblestone road and disappeared.
"Bye Paddy Webster, youse pirate youse."
A horn blared behind her.
"Fuck," Nanny Dove swore, as she jumped slightly.
She turned to see Clayton Rideout sitting in the cab of his truck, laughing.
Nanny Dove flicked him the finger, laughed and disappeared.