There was a carved stone stairway that led down to her own beach and, as she walked through the large lounge, Samina opened some shutters and Adele looked down at a stunning mosaic pool below that was hers to enjoy.
‘It is very private,’ Samina explained. ‘You can swim and if you want refreshments brought out to you, just pull the bell on the wall there.’ She pointed down to it. ‘Would you like supper here in your suite or down by the pool?’
Adele chose the pool.
It was so tranquil.
Even here tiny hummingbirds hovered and sipped nectar from the flowers, yet despite the gorgeous surroundings Leila couldn’t quite relax.
She had seen the look Fatiq had given his son. He blamed Zahir for his wife having surgery.
Adele was starting to understand just how resistant the King was to change.
And that left her and Zahir nowhere.
She called the nursing home and was told that her mother appeared comfortable and that there was no change.
There never was.
Later, Leila paged her and said that the palace healer would like to meet with her.
Samina took Adele through to the King and Queen’s wing and showed her to Leila’s room.
Outside was a robed man, who followed Leila inside.
He was introduced to her as the palace healer. Adele gave him the letter that Mr Oman had written and he read it and then spoke a little with Leila.
After he had gone she and Leila enjoyed a gentle stroll around the gardens. The sun was starting to set and there was the lovely sweet fragrance of jasmine.
‘Is it good to be home?’ Adele asked.
‘So good,’ Leila said. ‘I will enjoy the peace for now. Things are going to get very busy soon now that Zahir is back. My husband wants to move ahead with a selection ceremony so that Zahir can choose his bride, but I have said I am too weak for that just now. In a month’s time perhaps.’
And, yes, as much as it had hurt to hear it from Zahir, she was glad he had warned her so that she did not hear it first from his mother.
* * *
In the first few days, while Adele had worried she might be unnecessary, blissful as it was to mainly relax, she realised that Leila had been right to request a nurse to care for her in her home.
The Queen had some minor post-operative problems, which Adele was pleased to reassure her often happened.
‘I shall call Mr Oman and see if you need antibiotics.’
‘I want to speak with the palace healer also.’
Leila had seen him on the day she had arrived home but it had been a brief visit.
This was a more comprehensive consultation. He came to the Queen’s chambers and they spoke at length. Leila translated what was said.
‘He suggests that, starting tomorrow, I walk barefoot on the sand and that shall help my genitals and get me grounded.’
Adele blinked.
‘He wants me to take a course in the healing baths. I have to have another woman come with me. That will be you. He is also going to speak with the attar and have him prepare a remedy.’ Leila spoke with him again but they both were looking at Adele. ‘He says you carry too much tension in your solar plexus.’ Leila gave her a smile. ‘I agree.’
Adele nodded yet she was troubled, especially when a maid came to her room the following morning with a muslin bathing dress that she was to wear under her robe and also a slender vial from the attar.
‘This is for the Queen?’ Adele checked, deciding that she would call Mr Oman before she administered it.
‘No,’ the maid said. ‘The Queen already has her remedy. This has been prepared for you. You are to keep it at body temperature and carry it in your robe, and take a sip morning and night.’
‘For me? But what’s in it?’
The maid didn’t answer and, troubled about what the Queen had been given, Adele decided to call Mr Oman. She was surprised to find he had already had a long conversation with the healer.
‘Yes, he discussed it with me,’ Mr Oman said. ‘I agree that Leila should be out in the sun and the herbs he recommends are an excellent choice. Make sure she completes the antibiotics.’
They had a gorgeous morning, walking barefoot on the beach, and then Adele helped Leila down some stones steps. The healing baths were cut into rocks and filled by the ocean, and they took off their robes and got in.
It was bliss.
Unlike the ocean, here the water was calm and there was just the occasional gentle lulling wave.
‘I needed this.’ Leila closed her eyes and lay on her back and Adele found she was soon doing the same. ‘The nurse at the hospital put salt in my bath, but of course it cannot match the magic of the ocean.’
Colour was returning to Leila’s face and as the days passed, Adele realised just how tense she herself had been because she was starting to unwind.
Maybe she should try the remedy.
Adele didn’t know why, all she knew was that she felt relaxed here.
That afternoon, when Leila had gone for a rest, instead of walking towards the beach, as she did most afternoons, Adele headed to the desert-facing side of the palace.
And it was there, for the first time since arriving, that she saw him.
Zahir was driving out through his own private exit when he saw Adele.
* * *
Her hair was blonder from swimming in the ocean and her cheeks were pinker. She looked very beautiful in a lilac robe and silver scarf.
He slowed the car to a stop and got out and she walked towards him.
‘Am I not supposed to be here?’ Adele checked.
‘You can walk anywhere,’ he said, ‘unless it is gated. Don’t worry, you cannot accidentally access the royal beach or gardens, they are all guarded. Just wander as you please.’
‘I shall, then.’
He looked amazing in his robes and the keffiyeh brought out the silver in his eyes. He no longer had stubble on his jaw, it was way more than that, and he was simply beautiful.
‘How has your time here been?’ he asked her.
‘Amazing,’ Adele said. ‘I can’t say I’ve really been working...’
‘My mother is very pleased that you are here. She said you have been liaising with Mr Oman.’
Adele nodded.
