Page 20 of My Gentleman Spy
Chapter Seven
The last thingon Hattie’s mind as she swam ashore the previous morning was to spend her time in Gibraltar as a tourist. Her parents and Peter had determined it best she remained at the guesthouse during their stay. Sightseeing was a frivolous waste of a young woman'stime.
To her surprise and utter delight, Will had other ideas. He took on the role of amusing and engaging host with thinly veiledrelish.
After purchasing supplies for the boat trip, including several books, Will hired a local guide to show them the sights. It was late afternoon when they finally reached Europa Point, the southernmost tip of the Europeancontinent.
“Our guide says be careful where you step, the donkeys don’t mind where they leave their fresh droppings” saidWill.
Before she could say otherwise, Will had placed his hands either side of her waist and was lifting her down from the small cart which had brought them along Europaroad.
On the trip up from the town, Will had given Hattie a quick lesson in the history of Gibraltar and theRock.
“Pretty much everyone in this part of the world has ruled Gibraltar at some point. The Moors took control in the eighth century, finally being thrown out in the thirteenth. Between then and when the British took control last century, the Spanish fought amongst themselves to rule. The Spanish of course would like to have it back, but I can't see that happening any timesoon.”
“What about the locals, what do they want?” Hattiereplied.
Will paused for a moment, then answered. “To be honest, I think they are happy to keep things just as they are. That way they get the best of both worlds. The British spend money here with the naval military presence and shipping, while Spain is only a short distance away for food andsupplies.”
Keeping up the pretense of being an engaged couple, Hattie slipped her hand into Will's arm and let him escort her across the short stony patch of ground from the cart to the edge of EuropaPoint.
The guide whom Will had hired in the town, stood with his hands on his hips and surveyed the view out to sea. His donkey being less interested in the view wandered over to a nearby clump of wild jasmine and began prodding the leaves with itsnose.
“Lo que es una magnifica vista,” the guideexclaimed.
Hattie and Will came and stood beside him. She nodded her agreement. It required no translation to understand what the ruddy faced man had said. The view spoke foritself.
Miles and miles of ocean stretched out before them on three sides. Far below them, the blue of the sea was broken only by the reflection of the hot sun as it shone a bright ribbon across the glass like surface of the water. Will pointed off into the distance, to where Hattie could see a line of mountains on the opposite side of thewater.
“Those are the Rif mountains of Morocco. The tall mountain is Jebel Musa, otherwise known as one of the Pillar of Hercules. This is an ancient land. We are standing on the southernmost tip of Europe and over there is Africa,” hesaid.
Africa. The massive continent that had once held her future now lay in view across the thin stretch of water that was the Strait of Gibraltar. It was so close, that she felt she could reach out her hand and touch themountains.
She looked down at her new boots. They were coated in the fine limestone dust of the Rock. Dust from the Europeancontinent.
When she looked back again across the water, she smiled. There was no pull in her heart to make the journey. The dark land did not beckon unto her to come into its embrace. And with that she let go of much of herfear.
She knew where she belonged. Home inEngland.
Will caught her smile and raised aneyebrow.
“At least you can say you have seen Africa, albeit from a distance. What do think?” hesaid.
“I think I would like to go home,” shereplied.
They stood for a little while longer silently taking in the view. The only noise to be heard was the cry of seagulls on the wind and the occasional grunt from thedonkey.
Finally, the guide spoke and Hattie turned. As she did her jaw dropped. Towering above them was the Rock of Gibraltar in all itsmagnificence.
From the town and the harbor, the pinnacle of the Rock had been hidden from view, but here at Europa Point, she had a clear view of the immense height of the limestonemonolith.
“It's amazing. I've never seen anything like it before,” shesaid.
Will gave her an encouraging grin. He was not an easy man to discern. At times he was friendly and relaxed, like he had been since they left the town earlier. But at other moments, she sensed he was not by nature a happyman.
Watching as he bent down and picked at a small clump of seaside daisies, she considered him again. There was an inherent sadness about him, but she suspected it had not always been so. Perhaps he had suffered a terrible loss in his life, one which had left deep scars. She could not explain why she felt this about him, finally forcing herself to accept that it was only ahunch.
“Yes, the Rock is a true wonder of nature. Nearly one thousand, four hundred feet high,” saidWill.
