Between Land and Sea Read Free

decided to call me first? I’m flattered.”
    “I called Kendra first.” She quickly added, “But that’s because she was listed as the first reference on my résumé.”
    “And what did Kendra have to say for herself?”
    “There was no answer.”
    “She’s chasing a man. When Kendra doesn’t answer her telephone, she’s on the hunt for a rich, handsome man.”
    “Has Kendra been alone for long?” Isabella asked. “How has she managed? I must talk to her.”
    “Hold on a minute. Why are you so interested in managing without a man?”
    “I was abandoned by Andrew and it appears that I must find a man to survive on this earth,” Isabelle explained. “That may not happen, so I need to find a way to endure before I lose my apartment and run out of money.”
    “Lose your apartment and run out of money? Where are you?”
    “I’m in Carden, Ontario.”
    “Where on earth is that?”
    “It’s a small town, forty miles west of Toronto. I’m here because Annabella decided I had to get away from England. That’s where Andrew left me.”
    “So she buried you in a small town with very few prospects.” Gillian paused. “Is there a large body of water nearby?”
    “I don’t know. Let me check.” Barbara put down the telephone and retrieved the map of Ontario that had fallen on the floor. She located Carden and sighed as she measured the distance to Lake Ontario. “It’s too far to walk.” She gasped as she realized her true predicament. “I’m landlocked. I’ll die if I can’t be near water!”
    “That may have been true in your mermaid days, but not anymore,” Gillian said. “Annabella must be very angry with you.”
    “I disappointed her when I chose Andrew over the kingdom.”
    “Or maybe she disappointed you.” Gillian’s voice softened.
    “I know it looks bleak right now. But things will get better. You must believe that, Isabella. And don’t put so much pressure on yourself.”
    “I have very few prospects for the future. I was given the identity of a mousy, middle-aged woman who lived in her husband’s shadow.”
    “That was very cruel of Annabella. But do not let that stop you from moving forward. Take matters into your own hands and reinvent this mousy woman. You were born a Bella and you will always be a Bella. Now did she leave you with any good features?”
    “I have my beautiful green eyes and alabaster skin. But I’m overweight.”
    “You can lose weight. Humans do it all the time. Do you still have that lovely, auburn hair?”
    “It was chopped off and darkened. I need to do something about that.”
    Gillian jumped in. “That’s your first step. Visit the best hair salon in that town and get a good cut and color. While you’re there, tell the stylist your story.”
    “About being a mermaid?”
    “Never tell any human that story,” Gillian said. “They won’t believe you and will question your mental health. They like to think of mermaids as fantasy creatures from fairy tales. You need to sit down tonight with all the information in that large envelope you received and make up a few stories that will resonate with other women.”
    “Why must I do that?”
    “Right now, you are not ready to attract a high-quality man into your life. You need help, and lots of it. Since you are not a threat to other women, they will sympathize with you. They can help you with your hair, appearance, weight loss, and even your career. But first they must hear your story.”
    “Make up stories about Barbara Davies? Not much excitement there.”
    “Even better. Present her as a woman who has lived in her husband’s shadow for too long. Did he leave her for someone else?”
    “Yes, a much younger woman.”
    “Lots of women will identify with your situation. But be very careful about your details. There can be no slip-ups. You must become Barbara Davies and leave Isabella behind.” Gillian added, “You don’t want anyone asking too many questions or checking out your story. Our