by Ruth Hay
But, here and now, she saw that was an illusion created by close contact which ignored the inevitable tiny changes.
Anna was, indeed, older and more frail.
Fiona felt a jolt of pure fear and reacted to dispel it.
“Oh, my dears, dinna make me weep too! I’ll be a wee puddle on the ground if I do.
Here’s the car. Settle yourselves inside and we’ll be soon home.”
* * *
Anna was recovering nicely as the familiar roads zoomed by on the way to her McCaig Estate House.
It was several minutes before it occurred to her to ask about James and Caroline.
Fiona turned around from the front seat to answer.
“James left a note for you. They moved into Bev and Alan’s for a few days to give you space. I think they are planning big changes soon but they wanted to see you both before they left Scotland.”
Anna sighed contentedly. She would be sleeping in her own bedroom tonight; the place where Lawren’s spirit lingered and where she felt most at peace in the whole of the wide world.
There would be time to see everyone, to catch up on growing families and local events but for now, she was incredibly pleased that Fiona was the one to bring her home.
Fiona Campbell, Lady of the Castle and Estate of Glenmorie was still the same feisty, ambitious, determined wee girl who first drove Anna around Oban and soon became invaluable to her, not only as a source of local information but as an ally and friend. The auburn ponytail was gone in favour of a shorter style but Fiona’s heart was pure Highlands: independent, courageous and constant as the mountains around her. If Anna had ever been blessed with the choice of a daughter, she would have chosen Fiona in a heartbeat.
* * *
Fiona opened the red door with the big key and stood back. Anna entered and went immediately to the kitchen, closely followed by Alina. The first thing she noticed was Sylvia on her cushion in the bay window. If it were possible, the part-wildcat had grown larger and her coat was gleaming with health from the burnished hair on her long back to the resplendent black brush of her tail. She proceeded to lick her huge paws, unconcerned about the intrusion. This place in which she lived, was forever an open door allowing people to come and go at will. A sensible cat ignored it all. As long as regular food arrived, she thought her own thoughts, and submitted to the occasional careful caress.
Alina detected the kettle steaming on the Aga and the table set with a teapot and familiar cups and saucers, the pattern of which she had been unable to decipher for years now.
The women removed their coats and slung them over the kitchen chairs. All they wanted was to sit at the table, looking out at the view and finally to relax again.
There was a background murmur of conversation between Fiona and Cameron but neither voice disturbed the friends. They did not speak until after Fiona brought the brown betty teapot filled to the brim, to the table, and poured the first three cups. She also brought from the larder, a large plate of sandwiches and cakes, courtesy of Bev’s kitchen. There was no need to speak as they drank and ate their fill.
“You know,” said Alina. “I believe the tea tastes better here than anywhere else in the world. It must be the water. They say the same about whisky, of course.”
“Is that a not-so-subtle hint?” asked Anna. “I am not averse to a dram myself. On special occasions only,” she hastened to add.
Fiona chuckled, and quickly fetched the bottle and glasses.
The amber liquid glowed in the late afternoon sun and the three women raised their glasses in a salute to the sun, to Scotland, and to each other.
“Slainte Mhath!” offered Fiona. “And welcome home!”
Chapter Nineteen
“What do you two want to do first? I have a host of anxious people awaiting my summons, but you need to be thinking of your strength.”
Fiona was on the phone after driving home in her own car, leaving Anna and Alina the evening before, to rest and recover from their travels.
Anna saw it was almost noon. They had slept like babies, bathed like water nymphs, eaten like labourers and toured the entire house like excited first-time buyers. Alina wanted to see where Lawren’s hidden sketches were found by Ashley and, also, the office where the writing of the biography had been accomplished. Anna needed to inspect her property for any needed repairs or replacements but found it in its usual immaculate condition, thanks to Jeanette’s regular care.
The letter from James was still unread, however. It awaited her attention, propped up against the vase of flowers on the kitchen table.
“I think, Bev first, as she is the closest, then Ashley, of course. Tomorrow we could go into town and see Jeanette and George and the children, not forgetting Jean! I want to reserve a whole day on the weekend for you and Glenmorie, Fiona. From the hints you have dropped, I believe an entire day will be required to catch up with your clan.”
There was laughter on the other end of the line.
“Sounds like a good plan. I’ll alert the others but you can call Bev when you are ready. Did I mention that Edmund’s mother is here for a visit?”
“Ashley told me. She wants some help with that particular lady, as I understand it. I will talk to Ashley first, before I tackle Christine.”
“Fine! But remember to conserve your energy, Anna. Everyone here will want a piece of you. You need to save your strength. It’s been a very trying time for you both down south. Now you are home you must take time to recover.”
“I know it, Fiona, but I already feel reinvigorated and Alina feels the same.”
“Right then! I will inform the McLennans. The rest is in your capable hands.”
“Thank you again, Fiona. I could not have had a better welcome home than the one you planned.”
“Och, now! Away with you, Anna! It was all my pleasure, believe me!
Bye for now.”
As Alina was off exploring the rear garden, Anna sat down to read James’ letter.
Dearest Anna,
Caroline and I have had the most wonderful time in your amazing house.
I swear there is some magical kind of healing here. I could hear your advice in my mind whenever I had a choice to make.
It must have affected Caroline also, as she has agreed to extract herself from the lunacy of Brussels at long, long last. This is a major change for us, as you can imagine. I am beyond delighted, but it means many big decisions are coming at us with incredible speed.
I need to talk to both you and Alina about this whenever you are ready.
Caroline is responsible for the good condition of your house, and also for re-stocking the cupboards.
She joins me in wishing you a hearty welcome home.
Love,
James.
Anna laid down the letter. She was pleased for James. Bev had reported how unsettled he felt while living in London in their tiny apartment. James’ future was one of the topics she wanted to discuss with Bev this afternoon, but first, there was a necessary conversation with Alina.
She made another pot of tea and waited for her friend to arrive from the garden.
Bev Matthews was in seventh heaven with James and Caroline living in the farmhouse. It was a great chance to get to know Caroline better as she showed her around the place including James’ old bedroom where they were now sleeping.
Caroline was suitably impressed.
“When we were here with the others a few weeks ago, I thought what a wonderful life it must have been for James and Eric to grow up here among the hills. A big contrast to London, Ontario, I imagine.”
“So true! I had never known anything like this, but Alan was the best possible interpreter and his mother was my guide to how Scottish womenfolk behaved.”
“You really took on a lot in becoming a shepherd’s wife, Bev.”
“No more than Alan did in suddenly becoming father to two city boys, but we all managed to rub along together and Oban became our home very quickly.”
“So
, going back to Canada was not an option?”
Bev suspected there was more than mere curiosity behind the question but she replied in her usual forthright manner.
“No. The boys were young. Their lives were here and, of course, I was surrounded by Anna’s circle of friends before long. The new Samba group soon included Fiona and Jeanette. Only Susan and Maria were left behind in Canada and they stayed for good, solid, family reasons.
I take it you and James are considering a change?”
“Yes. It’s time to settle down. He is anxious to talk to Anna and Alina this afternoon.”
Bev had to bite back the words that sprang from her heart. She longed to say, ‘Tell him to stay here in Scotland. My other son is so far away in the States. Persuade him, Caroline! Please.’
The words never left her lips. She knew better than to interfere in her adult son’s affairs but this relationship with Caroline had lingered on in uncertainty for too long.
“Caroline, let’s walk along the road towards Anna’s house. She said they wanted to walk to us and enjoy the fine day. We’ll escort them back here and then we’ll both go into Oban and leave them for their private talk with James. There’s a lovely shop I want to show you. They have the nicest knitwear including many A Plus items made by the local women’s cooperative.”
* * *
Alina was enjoying the walk. She looked to left and right and also high above them to where the line of hills gradually merged into the fields on the slopes above the Matthews’ farm.
“Such a wonderful day! Do you think we could climb up Helen’s Hill on a day like this? Only if we were very careful, I hasten to add.”
Anna thought it would be a challenge but well worth it as long as she could enlist the help of Ashley or another of the young people.
“I will definitely plan for that, Alina. There’s nothing like the views from on high on a clear day to help a person’s perspective, but we won’t rush it. Slow and steady wins the race.”
“I hope you are not suggesting we are the tortoises? I feel like my life is just beginning. I see so much more now. So much that I had almost forgotten. The beauty of the world has been restored to me and I do not want to waste one second of the time I have left.”
Anna squeezed Alina’s arm and saw Bev and Caroline approaching on the road ahead.
“Right, then! No tortoises! Let’s show these two a quick march!”
* * *
James kissed Caroline and his mother goodbye, then joined Anna and Alina at his mother’s kitchen table, still covered with the plastic cloth that had saved the wood from the destructive habits of two brothers during their abbreviated carpentry phase.
Bev had left all ready for a light lunch and it was not long before the conversation turned to serious matters.
“What’s on your mind, James?”
He finished swallowing one of his mother’s delicious fairy cakes and wiped his mouth before replying.
“It’s not about my mind, Anna. It’s, what’s on the minds of you two that counts. What’s your plan for the future of A Plus Knitwear?”
This was a subject of much discussion during the months spent in London’s hospital waiting rooms.
Alina declared she was still capable of supervising the Canadian side of the business now that her sight was restored, but she also expressed some concern about using valuable time in this way.
“The women we employ as managers and internet supervisors have done a very good job. Our profits are on an upward trend. My question is about whether or not I should interfere with their progress at this late date?
What do you think Anna?”
Much the same questions had been in Anna’s mind. Alina had always borne the major responsibility since their main warehouses were in London, Ontario, and Anna was frequently absent during her Scottish holidays. She suspected Philip would now prefer to have his wife by his side more often, either at home or on his infrequent travels. The couple had to make up for much lost time.
“I believe it’s time for us to leave the company in younger hands, Alina. We have done enough. It is an enormous accomplishment and we can always be proud of our achievement. We started small and our brand has grown exponentially, thanks to good quality materials and high class workers.”
Alina nodded her head in agreement.
“Who do we trust to take over now?”
There was only one answer and here, in Bev’s kitchen, was the time and place to make the change a reality.
Anna began.
“Since the start of A Plus, you, James, have been instrumental in bringing the company into the twenty-first century with respect to internet sales. We know you have been working in aspects of international affairs while in England with Caroline, but Alina and I have decided to offer the job of Chief Executive Officer to you, if you wish it.”
James was hoping to hear this offer. He would never have asked for it. The decision was a difficult one and his respect for these two was so great that he could not even have hinted. As far as he knew, others had taken over the duties he relinquished when he cast his lot in with Caroline. He received a dividend every year from his shares, but that was all the contact he currently had with A Plus.
He bowed his head and pressed his fingers against his mouth to conceal his emotion.
“I can’t tell you both how immensely proud I am to have the confidence you bestow on me with this offer. I do not truthfully know what my future holds right now, but I gladly accept this position with one proviso. If I cannot match or surpass the profits of A Plus in the last several years, I will resign the CEO position to a better man, or woman.”
Anna and Alina clapped their hands together in sheer delight. A joyous high five was shared around the kitchen table and James submitted to kisses on each cheek. There was no doubt in his mind that this was a joint and mutual decision. Now he had a position, a focus, and something concrete to offer Caroline.
It remained to be seen what she would choose to do with her life. He decided to take her out for dinner at the Highland Hotel this very night and plan out their future together before darkness fell.
When Bev and Caroline returned from Oban bearing carrier bags full of A Plus knitwear, Anna and Alina insisted on being shown the purchases in order to inspect the quality. This led quite naturally to the conclusion of their talk with James. The celebration that ensued was crowned with more whisky toasts.
“I could get used to this,” whispered Alina, amidst laughter and clinking glasses.
Alan arrived and once he understood the cause of the hilarity he, too, imbibed.
“I don’t say much about your business James, as you know, but Caroline here is a fine, upstanding woman and you need to pin her down fast before she goes off again!”
This was more than Alan Matthews had ever said to anyone in the way of advice, and shocked expressions around the table confirmed it.
James greatly appreciated the support, however, and raised his glass to Alan.
“You are a wise man and your words are always worth hearing. I intend to do as you have recommended before this night is over.”
The women around the table now looked at Caroline to see her response and saw a flush on her cheeks denoting her delight in this new and masterful version of her James. Jay, the young boy she first met, was now gone and the new James had fulfilled all of that early promise.
With much to discuss, the evening continued until Caroline and James left for their dinner date in town.
As their car pulled out of the driveway, another took its place and Ashley and Edmund joined the party.
“I couldn’t wait a minute longer!” she exclaimed, as she held Anna at arm’s length to look into her face and then clutched her hard in her arms.
“This one rushed me out of the office as if there was an emergency, and now I see why!
May I look at your eyes Alina, while these two are catching up? I hear great things about this operation.”
Bev went o
ff to see to the chicken she had roasting in the oven, while Alan set the table for six and Alina, standing with Edmund, close to the back door for added light, gave a blow by blow of her treatment and recovery. Ashley and Anna were locked in their own private conversation which included devising an urgent plan for Christine.
There was no lack of interesting conversation over the impromptu supper meal but the highlight of the evening was a long-distance call to Alina’s cell phone from her husband.
She walked the few steps into Bev’s former milking parlor, now tourist tearoom, for privacy, and to hear Philip’s words more clearly over the line.
“I am heading home, my dearest. I can’t wait to see you again and for you to see me! Don’t be too shocked if I look older. I certainly feel older. The heat in Egypt no longer suits me like it used to do, and I am longing for fresh Scottish breezes. Give Anna my love. I owe her a lot for looking after you so well in England. This is the last goodbye for a long time, my love, God Wiling!”
It was a tearful Alina who returned to the kitchen and shared her good news.
“Well! This is a day of days, for sure! I could not stand this level of pure excitement every day. I suggest Ashley and Edmund drive Anna and Alina home while Alan and I clear up the dishes.”
“Will you not wait up for James?” Anna’s eyes were twinkling as she teased Bev.
“Get away with you! He will tell us all about it tomorrow, I do not doubt.
Goodnight, everyone!
Safe home!”
Chapter Twenty
Ashley was humming happily under her breath as she tidied the cottage in anticipation of Anna and Alina arriving with Christine. Their plan, derived at Bev’s the previous night, was to employ Cameron to drive the four women to Glencoe in his large vehicle for a morning of touring the sites, during which Anna and Alina would impress upon Christine that it was time for her to go home again.