The next days they get their hot water in the kitchen and the practice. It is an incredible luxury, and they are all very happy to have invested in their comfort.
Paul tells them they have already started on manufacturing the parts for their bicycles, and even on new moulds to make parts for a smaller one for Adison. Convinced as he is that there will be a market for smaller bicycles, she will not have to pay extra for the unique vehicle, those moulds cost a lot of time and effort to make, but they can be used to make any number of bicycles, and Paul assures them it is an investment that will pay for itself. Another month will see their prizes completed.
And he brings Vincent's sword, where do they find the time to get so much work done?
Of course Vincent can't wait to try it, and after a bout with Victor and one with Mina, he thanks Paul so profusely for making him the perfect sword, that the poor guy is almost embarrassed.
A few days later Vincent takes leave of the theatre he has come to love so much, and of the people who are more like family to him than merely friends. Their goodbyes are tear-soaked and very emotional, and Vincent is truly affected.
But with the last preparations to leave for a week's visit to Adison's dad, Vincent is too busy to regret his loss much, and the next morning they are off, having said their goodbyes to Mina and Victor the night before.
Neil is their driver once more, and Vincent rides on the box with him, curious to know how things are in the neighbourhood where Heathcliff's house is now for sale. Having come across the site where Vincent and Mina ran into the gang out to take their revenge on Heathcliff, about half an hour after they had left it, Neil had been worried about their well-being, despite there being no sign of their bodies.
Though to Neil the wounds on some of the gang-members were clearly inflicted by a vampire, the violence had been declared a gang-related incident by the watch, no need for further investigation, just the bodies to be taken away.
'I didn't stick around of course, I heard that later through the normal channels, certain neighbours who always know everything that is going on. That reminds me, I have little present for you under the seat.'
Vincent rummages under the seat until he feels a bundle of cloth and takes it out. The shape of the bundle gives away what it hides, and removing the cloth, he indeed finds his old saber, cleaned and sharpened. Somehow the fact that Neil has found it and removed it from a crime-scene makes Vincent very glad, he has a much better blade now, but that Neil has done this for him, it is just touching.
He thanks his friend profusely, and Neil says, 'I suppose you missed it, but I didn't dare bring it over, I'd rather just meet like this, professionally. I pick up people with a carriage daily.
Once your house is sold, Heathcliff will be forgotten, Martin has spread the rumour you're deceased, and I've heard it back in several forms, one of the better ones is that you're a ghost, looking for ways to make up for the evil you did in life.'
This journey is by no means as far as the last one they undertook together, and they arrive a little past midday, Vincent's apprehension that his father-in-law may not like the looks of him rising. Adison is afraid her father has failed in the year she hasn't seen him, he wrote her he wasn't up to visiting them in London, what if he is really bad?
Well, she will not have to wait long to find out, for everything around her already looks familiar, and soon they turn up the lane towards the house.
No formal garden for her father, he has always preferred landscaping, even when her mother was still alive, and his estate matured beautifully in the time Adison grew up. Of course everything looks a bit dreary in winter, but Adison can easily picture the meadows in full bloom, and the beautiful solitary trees in leaf.
The house itself is rather old and not very stately, though very large. It is in good repair, though, and her father is standing in front of it.
He looks fine, his posture still upright, his face glad.
As Neil stops the horses, her father opens the door of the carriage quickly, and hands Adison out, embracing her firmly in his delight to see her after such a time. Adison can see tears in his eyes, he must really have missed her, it's not that far, she should visit more often. Then he releases her, and kneels in front of Catherine.
'May I kiss you, Catherine?'
The little girl is tickled he should ask, and she replies in a dignified tone.
'Of course, grandfather, I will be pleased to be kissed by you. I'm looking forward to getting to know you, and explore the house where mum grew up.'
He hugs and kisses her, saying, 'I'm glad to finally have a grandchild, and such a polite one, too.'
Then he looks around, a bit surprised, and rather disappointed.
'I was hoping to meet your husband too, Adison, couldn't he make it?'
Adison is almost shocked to see Vincent hanging back, he's still so anxious about meeting her father, fearful to be rejected by him for his looks. Silly man, how could her father not like him? She loves him, that is good enough for her dad.
'He's here, father, he rode on the box with the coachman, they're friends and hadn't seen each other for some time, they wanted to catch up.
Vincent, do come and meet my father, he doesn't bite.'
Now Vincent approaches, and the self-assured popular actor is nowhere in sight. This is the boy who sat in front of the mirror, wondering why he had such a white skin and yellow eyes, and whether his scars would fade a little more, weeks after his birth.
Amazing how much respect fathers get from their sons-in-law.
Feeling a bit sorry for her usually so strong husband, she walks up to him and puts an arm around him, leading him back to her father, who does look at him with interest, but not with judgement.
'Welcome to the family, Vincent,' her father addresses him, as he shakes his hand.
'I was so curious to meet you after all Adison has written about you. Imagine my daughter marrying a well-known actor.'
Such a warm reception puts a little heart in Vincent, and he greets Adison's father politely.
'Thank you for your kind reception, sir, I can see Catherine already adores you.'
'Please call me Thomas, my boy,' the old man says, 'no need for formality in our family.'
'Thank you, Thomas, I will.'
Vincent is relieved to see only friendly welcome in his father-in-law's eyes and stance, and he gradually relaxes a little.
When the carriage is unloaded, Vincent and Adison take leave of Neil, he is going back to London and will fetch them a week from now. Having seen him off, Adison's father invites them into the house, where he offers a guestroom instead of her old room, 'there's not enough room for three in there, Adison,' which of course they are glad to accept.
She is as eager as Catherine to explore the house, and apparently her father can see that, for he observes, 'Will you show Vincent and Catherine the house, then I'll see to your luggage and to lunch. You must be hungry.'
They heartily agree, and together they look at all the spots out of Adison's youth, inside the house. 'Dad will want to show us the garden himself, after lunch. I'm glad to see him look well, I was afraid he'd be worse because he said he couldn't come to London.'
Vincent is back to his usual steady self.
'He probably doesn't like to travel and sleep in a strange bed. Or leave this place, it's beautiful, and so large.'
The servants still know Adison, and greet her politely, and even they don't stare at Vincent when she introduces him as her husband. Catherine is stunned by the size of the library, it is impressive, and there are quite a few works of Adison's own hand in there.
Lunch is good and very enjoyable, her father is so glad to see Adison, and they have decided that Catherine can just join in the conversation, her father won't even notice, he just treats everyone the same.
They talk a lot about everything, and her father says their mutual friends are scheduled to visit tomorrow evening. That is a pleasant surprise to Adison, to find them all still alive, and able to visit. She is looking forward to a lively discussion about some subject or other, hoping Vincent will enjoy that, too. They spend the afternoon in the gardens and the stables, her father hasn't even sold her horse, it's still there for her to use.
'I still ride, Adison,' he says, 'do you all want to join me for a ride tomorrow? Your little girl can ride with me, my horse is very docile. Vincent can take the other carriage horse, mine is one, and I've had the other one schooled under the saddle as well, but he's a bit too feisty for me.
You can ride, can't you?'
Vincent now clearly shows his doubt, he has never done so in this life, but he knows he used to be an excellent rider, and he really wants to find out whether riding is like dancing, something his body will remember how to do instantly. Though it may give him another flashback.
'I haven't ridden for a long time, I don't know if I can still do it with any skill. Maybe I can try your docile horse before you put me on a feisty one?'
Strange, how he is more afraid of being judged on his appearance than of riding a horse. But that's how it is, he can even look forward to trying.
'Good idea,' Thomas says, 'why don't you do that straight away? I'll have Sparkles saddled, your boots are fine to ride with, and we'll just stay in the yard.'
Why not? Better to know, and not have the time to work up some fear after all. In his talks with Neil, Vincent has learned that the right attitude is very important when working with horses. Of course it is an advantage to be virtually indestructible, the possibility of taking a fall from a horse seems much less intimidating when one is almost certain not to break something.
It takes less than twenty minutes to saddle Sparkles, a docile bay cob of middle years. With Thomas holding the bridle, Vincent seems to fly into the saddle, much more agile than he appears at first sight. His father-in-law is impressed.
'You move very lightly, are you by any chance a swordsman? I thought I saw you wear a sword when you arrived. If so, I'd like a few rounds, I've done some fencing in my days.'
'If I survive this horse, I will be glad to.'
Sitting this high is kind of unnerving, though Sparkles is still very patient. Thomas adjusts the stirrups carefully, tells Vincent the correct way to sit, then lets go of the bridle and walks away, Sparkles following.
As the horse begins to move, something clicks in Vincent's brain, and he adjusts his seat to find an optimal balance, relaxes and stretches his legs, lets go of the reins for a second to pick them up in the correct way. He turns Sparkles with his legs and sends him to the other end of the yard in a nice, firm stride.
Sparkles feels the change in his rider, and his bearing becomes almost regal under the expert touch of a superb horseman. After striding one side of the yard, Vincent urges the horse into a trot, finding his balance in a few seconds. He rides circles, guiding the horse using only his legs, controlling the speed with his weight. The reins are in contact with the horse, but they do nothing to control him.
There is no need to tell his audience how he feels, sitting on a horse for the first time, anyone can see that Vincent knows how to ride, that he was indeed an expert horseman, and that his body remembers even if his mind doesn't.
Though the memory is returning rapidly, he knows how to change to a canter, still riding neat circles in the yard. Changing directions by cutting off the circle, he lengthens the stride of the horse, then gathers it beneath him. Remembering the gytrash, he imagines what it would have been like to ride that creature, or Heathcliff's spirited black horse from those first dreams.
'Do you want to try Blinkers as well, the other horse? This one is more suitable to an old man, that much is clear.'
Vincent is eager to accept Thomas' offer, something has awakened in him, and it wants satisfaction straight away. He brings Sparkles to a perfect standstill, all four legs squarely under his strong brown body, and dismounts in one flowing move. Removing the saddle brings back memories, stroking the smooth coat, feeling the nose investigate his scent.
Pretty soon, the stable hand brings out another horse, somewhat less docile, the same brown colour, he is part of a matched pair after all, though clearly younger and a lot more spirited. Vincent lets Blinkers take in his scent, then adjusts the stirrups from the ground, checks the bridle and the tightness of the fastenings of the saddle, and mounts as easily as earlier. Blinkers is indeed feisty, he sidles a lot, but Vincent controls him as easily as if he is just another Sparkles. They stride, trot and canter, the movement of the horse between his legs familiar and very exciting.
Then suddenly Blinker shies and moves beneath him like lightning, that partridge flying up must have startled him. The heath is gorgeous, one large stretch of purple blooms, the most beautiful time of the year. Better let the big black run a little before taking him back, Hindley will have Joseph beat him if his horse is not properly exercised, the beautiful creature is too spirited for him, he gets scared when it sidles or wants to go beyond a canter.
Turning it towards the purple clad hills, he gives it its head and it stretches in a full gallop, ignoring any further birds flying up as they flash past. Up the slope and down the slope, across another field of purple, until he can feel the tension flow out of the large body. Then he turns the large creature back towards home, the circular movement taking much of the speed, but since they are now going towards home, they are soon flying again, mane striking his face, muscles bunching and stretching under him. An exhilarating feeling, and the only thing he has ever had to thank Joseph for, teaching him how to ride practically anything in the most subtle way possible. Where the old servant ever learned that himself will always remain a mystery, but no-one will ever be able to take this from Heathcliff.
Not even death, apparently.
As the stables come back into view, Vincent sits up on the brown horse, feeling him breathe hard. He knows he cannot take Blinkers back this way, the gelding needs to be allowed to catch his breath first, so he takes the brown across another hill in a stride, circling towards the house from the other side until he comes back to the stables with a horse that breathes as it should.
That was glorious, though dangerous as well, he really didn't see where he was going, he saw heath, and even birds flying up, he smelled the different scent of the rougher country, but this time he is not distraught at the experience, but elated. He can ride!
As he approaches the stables and sees Adison, he suddenly realizes that his feelings for Cathy make him feel shaken after one of those flashbacks, so real, such frenzied love for a woman not his own, that is what disconcerts him. No Cathy, no distress, he feels very happy with his life as it is now.
'You are a natural, Vincent,' Thomas says, impressed, 'you clearly remember exactly what to do with a horse, Blinkers loved that little run. I thought he was running away with you at first, but then I noticed you were in control. I can't imagine how you managed to keep from riding for such a long time, you seem elated.
Feel free to use him as often as you want as long as you are here, I can imagine it is hard to keep a horse in London. You can saddle him yourself, Peter will show you where his stuff is kept.
Adison, I hope you still ride as good as that, Melody has missed you. So, do we ride out tomorrow, with Catherine doubling with me until she finds her seat?'
They all agree to do just that, and as they go back to the house and Thomas has his attention on his granddaughter for a few moments, Vincent tells Adison, 'I had a flashback again, an old one, of riding Cathy's brother's black horse through the heath at breakneck speed. It was very strong, the memory, very real, but I'm not put out, I think it's feeling love for Cathy that makes me out of sorts after having one of those flashbacks.'
Decent or not, Adison can't help hugging him and kissing him, she had a moment of fear when the horse shied at nothing see could see and they stormed off, though Vincent followed the movement perfectly and seemed to have him under control all the time.
'Those flashes seem to come a lot more often, Vincent, do you think you'll remember your whole past eventually?'
'If I have to relive everything,' he replies, 'I'd rather not. Who knows when I'll relive killing someone in cold blood?'
That gets him some more kisses, Adison cannot stop those flashes, they're just his memory coming back in fragments, but she can show him her love, and try to make his past a little easier to bear.
They spend a very enjoyable afternoon and evening with her father, and to Adison it feels as if she hasn't been away for more than a year at all. The only difference is the addition of her beloved and his daughter to their party. She expected her father to like Vincent, but the reality is even better, since he has ridden Blinkers, Vincent cannot do wrong in her father's eyes.
Without asking for an explanation, he also treats Catherine like a person, not like a toddler. Of course Adison was precocious too as child, and serious, but not at such an early age already. Still, her father seems to take it all in stride.
Catherine still has the body of a two year old, though, and since she has skipped her nap in the excitement of exploring house and garden, and seeing her dad ride a rather spirited horse, the little girl starts to droop just after dinner, and wants to go to bed. Vincent offers to take her right after dessert, and they go upstairs together, having obtained a book from the enormous library earlier for Vincent to read to her.
'That was one of Adison's favourites,' her father comments as the girl shows him her choice.
When Catherine has kissed her mum and grandfather, Vincent lifts her high above his head and carries her off to their guest chamber. Same as at home, she has her own bed in their bedroom.
When they have left, Adison's dad invites her along to the sitting-room, where they take two comfortable chairs, sipping the last of their excellent wine.
'Adison, let me take this moment together to tell you how glad I am to see you so happy with the man of your choice.'
He takes her hand and continues.
'When you first wrote you were marrying an actor, I was a bit afraid for you, and when I first laid eyes on him I must admit I was shocked, for he does look more than a little dangerous, even with his soft voice and gentle manners.'
'I'm glad you didn't show that, dad, Vincent is really very sensitive, and very afraid to be judged on his appearance, he was more than a little afraid of this first meeting. He was so fearful of your rejecting him because of how he looks, and his humble origins.'
Her father smiles benignly and observes, 'I hope you knew better than that, even if he couldn't. You know I have always trusted you to make your own choices, and I am certain you chose well. The love between you is obvious, he practically worships you, and his daughter really sees you as her own mother. Congratulations, my dear, you will be a very happy woman, and you will make your husband and child very happy as well.'
Adison is touched, and she kisses her father and says, 'Thank you, dad, that means a lot to me, and it will mean a lot to Vincent as well.
He nods.
'I will surely tell him I approve of him, he looks like he has been through a lot, but it seems he has come out a stronger man, the way he handled Blinkers, I'm still a bit overwhelmed. Your daughter is adorable, she reminds me so much of you, I totally forget she's not your natural child. Will you please come visit more often, or she'll be grown up before we meet again.'
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