by Ruth Hay
Anna almost jumped for joy. She grabbed Philip by the shoulders and hugged him to her.
“Do you mean it? Are you sure? I can pay for it from my book earnings. Would you be willing to take this project on?”
“Oh, I would do the initial plans but I am sure we could find a competent firm around here to do the actual work. The main benefit of my plan is that the house can continue to be occupied while the extension is built. We would partition off the larder to separate it from the construction and the crews can approach the back garden from the driveway at the side of the house and store their equipment and materials in the garage.”
“Better and better! I won’t say anything to Ashley yet but once the project is underway I will break the news and see what she and Edmund think about it all.”
“Anna! It’s a wonderful idea! I will be very surprised if this does not bring forward their wedding plans.
Just think! If Ashley continues to write, she would be working out of the private lounge office where she had such great success with yours and Lawren’s stories.”
Anna nodded in agreement. Philip was off to search his luggage for a pad of paper to begin sketching the extension. She took Alina’s hand and squeezed it hard in gratitude for her acceptance of the plan. Although it was not the prime purpose of her extension idea it was in her mind that Philip’s version did not involve changing her bedroom upstairs; the room most associated with her beloved Lawren.
The time would come to relinquish that special place but the time was not yet. If Ashley chose to sleep there with Edmund while Anna was in Canada, she would be at peace with the idea in the knowledge that it was a special place for Ashley also, as she had proved during the months of caring for Anna and writing the book. Lawren’s portrait of the three women would remain in its position above the fireplace for the remainder of Anna’s lifetime. What happened after that was not a matter of her concern. Ashley could be trusted to do what was right.
The rain lashed down outside and the clouds descended from the mountaintops but within the McCaig Estate House all was excitement and activity.
Philip quizzed Anna about the possible transference of Gordon and Fiona’s solar power heating and water conservation to the new extension.
“I will need to inspect their Net Zero house as soon as possible.”
“I am sure you will be as impressed as I am, Philip. It is the way of the future and there’s no reason why some of their energy-saving features can’t be incorporated into the McCaig house.”
Alina made copious pots of tea and supervised the joint of beef roasting in the Aga between smiling happily at the sight of her husband’s and her best friend’s heads bent over the plans that were rapidly spreading from one end of the kitchen table to the other.
Sylvia who was not entirely pleased at the arrival of this large male person who was disrupting her usual sleepy afternoons, finally closed her ears to all the chatter and curled her large tail around her eyes and ignored them all completely.
Fiona got the call from Anna first thing on Monday. The world was still dripping from the heavy rain but the clouds were beginning to shred apart leaving spaces for a rain-washed blue sky to reappear.
Fiona knew of Philip’s history as an innovative architect so she was not surprised at the request.
Anna, however, was not forthcoming as to the urgency of the matter. As far as Fiona knew, Philip had just arrived from Egypt and inspecting the operation of the Net Zero house could hardly be his first priority, but she agreed to meet him, and caught Gordon before he went out on his rounds to look for storm damage on the estate.
“I’ll be glad to give him a tour of the facilities here. It will be practise for the Summer Festival which, if the weather is like yesterday’s, will require some re-thinking, Fiona, my love.”
The same thought had occurred to Fiona. She wondered if hiring a large tent might be advisable. It could be added to the expenses; quite a long list by now, and a list that made her more and more aware of the necessity to make the festival a success in financial terms.
“I will take Neil into town with me and leave the field clear for man talk. I will pick up some supplies and have a bite of lunch with Anna and Alina. You two should have plenty time to discuss business and if you get the chance, Gordon, ask Philip if the flashing on the castle roof is in good enough condition to withstand another couple of winters.”
Fiona popped Neil into his car seat and gave him his current favourite soft toy to mangle while she summoned his siblings to hustle in time for the ride to school. Shona had an early choir practise and Fergus had a major art project to finish. The school bus would bring them home later in the day, by which time Fiona meant to know a lot more about what was going on with Anna and Alina.
She passed Philip in his rented vehicle on the road to the McCaig Estate House and gave him a wave. She was taking a brief detour to Bev’s to go over the catering plan for the Summer Festival. Uncertainty about the number of people who might turn up on the day was bothering her. Bev should not be out of pocket with regard to food supplies but it was better to be over-prepared than under.
Bev was delighted to see Neil and took him out to see the late lambs in the enclosed area. Their conversation was conducted in the fresh air while Neil toddled around chasing frisky little lambs and chortling with glee whenever he got close to one.
“Don’t you worry, lass! Anything not sold on the day will come right back here for the tearoom. Summer is high season for tourists and we have the new Lawren Drake art display to draw the customers. I have co-opted one of the village girls to stand by here on the day, in case any tourists have missed the announcements about the Summer Festival at the castle. Alan will drive extra supplies back and forth as required.”
“I should have known you would be well prepared, Bev. The weather yesterday made me start to re-think things and I got a bit worried.”
“Dinna fash! as they say. It will all work out fine, Fiona. Now let’s get this wee laddie inside before he falls over in the wet grass and soaks his nice clothes.”
Before Fiona left, Bev gave her a bit of news to pass on to Anna and Alina. James had called to tell his parents that the London flat had sold for a good price and he and Caroline were on a house search but not restricting themselves to any one area. Caroline was considering an offer to teach at the London School of Economics on a term basis but, as it was an online course it would not affect their living plans.
“Oh, that’s good news, Bev! Fingers crossed that James and Caroline will find the right place for them before long.”
Bev waved the pair away up the short distance to Anna’s house and Fiona was glad she had news to convey as an excuse for a visit that was based purely on curiosity.
In the end, the excuse was not necessary. Anna and Alina were thrilled to see Neil and could hardly wait to tell Fiona how her suggestion to add an extension was sparking all this action.
“I can’t believe how fast Philip jumped on the idea. I had no clue that he had been thinking about it for ages.”
“Well, if he needs a good builder to supervise the work, Gordon will introduce him to the local firm that did our Eco house. The Rankins’ were amazingly good about the schedule and, of course, they already have experience in conservation work.”
Anna turned to Alina and raised her hands. This was a sign everything was falling into place remarkably fast. It was meant to be.
Alina did not disagree, but she brought the excitement down to ground level by reminding Anna and Fiona that all this planning was for the benefit of someone who did not yet know anything about the project.
It was time to bring Ashley and Edmund into the picture and Anna was the one to do it.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Ashley was astonished to find Christine on her doorstep early in the morning.
“Edmund has left already. He will be sorry to have missed you.”
“Oh, I caught him on his way to work as he was walking past the
hotel. I told him the news.”
“News? Come in, Christine. There’s coffee left in the pot.”
“I won’t stay long. I have to pack and get the noon train.”
“You are leaving? I hope everything at home is all right?”
It felt like pulling teeth to get information from Christine. She was making a meal out of whatever information she had, but Ashley contained her annoyance. The bottom line of this news was that Edmund’s mother was heading home to the east coast…. today! Her heart took up a wildly thumping beat that she hoped was invisible to her guest.
The coffee was poured and comments about the weather exchanged before Christine Jansen got to the point.
“You see, I have always had a great love of musical theatre. The local Repertory Group at home is planning a big production in the autumn and they have asked me to take the leading role of Reverend Mother in The Sound of Music.”
Ashley almost collapsed in laughter at the thought of Christine Jansen portraying the wise and warm nun with the glorious voice, on stage, but she controlled herself just in time and responded with appropriate enthusiasm.
“Why, that’s wonderful, Christine, and you will do a marvellous job.”
“Thank you, my dear! I must start rehearsals immediately. You must know nothing else would drag me away from you, Ashley, just when we are getting to know one another.”
Ashley felt an unusual pang of emotion at this tribute and responded in kind.
“Well, we have had some good days out and you know now how lovely Oban and its people are.”
“Yes, you are blessed with good friends, Ashley, and I can see how well respected my Edmund is in this community. Perhaps I may come again when you have decided on a more suitable home for a man in his position?”
Always a sting in the tail!
“Absolutely! We will look forward to that. Now don’t worry about the hotel bill. I will come over and settle it later today.”
“Good! I had better be going. Please inform your friends how much I have enjoyed meeting them and do take good care of my Edmund, Ashley.”
“I will! Indeed, I will!”
There was a tentative hug at the door and Ashley stood watching and waving as Christine made her way marching back to the hotel, with her handbag swinging from her arm.
Her first thought was for Edmund. Today she would take him a lunch and they could discuss the news on the tiny back patio. If they decided to cheer out loud, no one would be likely to hear.
Her second thought was for Anna. She made a quick call intending to leave a message if Anna and Alina were out somewhere with Philip enjoying the day. To her surprise, Anna picked up the phone after three rings.
“Anna! I have some marvellous news to tell you but if you are busy I can call back later.”
“Not at all, Ashley! Philip has just collapsed on the couch in the lounge after racing round here every hour since he arrived. Alina and I were enjoying the relative calm. Good news is always welcome here. Why don’t you get a cab and deliver the news in person. We’ll be waiting.”
“I will do that, but I have a date at lunchtime to share this with Edmund, so I won’t linger too long.”
“No problem, my dear. I am sure Philip will drive you to Edmund’s surgery. I have something important to share with you also, so your call is well timed.”
Now Ashley was curious as well as excited and she ran all the way to the Tesco parking lot where she was sure to find a cab that had just dropped off a passenger.
The short journey to the McCaig Estate House seemed to take much longer than usual. The distance was the same as always, but her inner excitement made every mile pass more slowly. By the time she saw Bev and Alan’s farm, she was jumping with anticipation.
Anna and Alina were waiting at the red door for her.
“Come in! Come in! We have tea or coffee and scones or cake; whichever suits your news or your taste.
Sit down and take a breath. You look as if you ran all the way here.”
“Oh, Anna! I feel as if I have been running a race ever since Christine arrived so unexpectedly in Oban! She certainly understands the art of surprise. This morning she announced she is leaving immediately to take up the role of Mother Superior in an amateur production of The Sound of Music in her home town.”
There was a sudden shocked silence following this statement. Then Anna and Alina burst out into fits of laughter. Ashley could not resist. She joined in until there were tears flowing and a box of Kleenex tissues was handed round to mop up the hilarity.
“Sorry, I just couldn’t come to grips with the picture you painted; Christine Jansen in a nun’s habit and folded hands, raising her voice to heaven in prayer. I simply could not make sense of it.”
“Anna, I am relieved you felt exactly as I did at the news. I had the worst time trying to hold back my laughter.”
“All right you two. Don’t set us off again! I have not met this person, but from what Anna tells me she is something of a dragon. For her son’s sake, please try to look less delighted at her sudden departure.”
“You are right, of course, Alina, but excuse us for this lapse of manners. I just had to share it with Anna who has a good idea of how annoying and overbearing Christine Jansen can be.”
“Hey! What’s going on in here? It sounds like a bunch of hysterical children have taken over the place.”
Philip’s arrival in the kitchen calmed the women down. Alina fetched another cup and patted the seat beside her. She knew the surprising announcements were not over and Philip was a part of the one that was heading to Ashley.
Anna took over.
“Ashley, will you come into the lounge with me for just a minute?”
Anna did not wait to see if Ashley complied. She went ahead into the lounge and shut the door behind them. By now, Ashley was becoming worried. Had she stepped over a line and upset her great-aunt?
“Sit with me, dear, and don’t look so worried. This should be very good news.
You know how I love and respect you. We grew very close that winter when you nursed me back to health and gave me the chance to open my heart about my life with Lawren.
Now that you and Edmund have declared your intentions to live here in Oban, I want you to know that this house will be yours when I die. Stop, Ashley! Don’t say anything until I finish!”
Ashley obeyed but she grasped Anna’s hands in hers as if to force her to feel the emotion that was coursing through her veins. This was a totally unexpected and totally generous bequest; typical of Anna to think of her great-niece who did not possess any property of her own in Canada because of a career that kept her moving from place to place. To one day own this house, this amazing house, was more than she could ever have dreamed.
“Now, I do not want you to be waiting anxiously for my eventual departure from this life, Ashley.”
“Anna! That thought would never, ever occur to me!”
“I know, dear. This intended inheritance has recently been transformed into a more useful package that will suit not just you and Edmund but also Alina and I. Philip is the one who will accomplish that for all of us.”
Ashley was confused. “I don’t understand.”
“I did not explain it very well, dear girl. I will start again.
The revised plan is for you and Edmund to take possession of the house when you marry.”
Anna ignored the gasp that came from Ashley.
“Philip will mastermind the design of a new wing of the house for your use. The original floor plan stays as is. The new part extends on this level out into the rear garden. Of course, you and Edmund will have input but I feel sure you will approve of Philip’s ideas. You can see his initial sketches on the kitchen table already.
Alina, Philp and I will go home to Canada eventually, but we hope you will agree that we can stay here with you, occasionally, using the present bedrooms, without disrupting your lives too much. We are most likely to want to travel to Scotland in the better weat
her so for most of the year the house will be yours alone, other than with the occasional addition of Christine, of course!
How does that sound to you?”
“Anna, I am speechless! I do not want to cry because I would not stop for hours. This is just such an incredible gift.”
“Ah, I just had another thought. Let’s go and tell Philip to make sure there’s enough room in the new wing for future children.”
Philip drove Ashley to the surgery and this time the miles vanished in the discussion about windows and energy conservation ideas Philip had admired in Fiona and Gordon’s Net Zero house in the forest.
“I can’t reproduce their system entirely, but I hope to incorporate some of the best features. When you two take over, you will be paying the bills for the whole place and the cost will be substantially more than in Fiona’s wee cottage.”
It was another item to be considered. Ashley thought it likely a new book project would be required to defray the costs.
She thanked Philip profusely and ran into the office in a state of great excitement. If Edmund was out on a call she thought she might explode with all she had to tell him bubbling inside unsaid.
Edmund was sitting in the tiny garden space with the sandwiches she had prepared for him and a dish of her favourite pasta, a bottle of red wine and two plastic glasses and a bouquet of flowers in a glass vase. The small table was overflowing.
“I knew you would come, Ashley! This is to thank you for putting up with my mother for so long. You have been marvellous, my darling girl. We have the cottage to ourselves again and I have more news that will make a huge difference in our lives. I received word this morning that a young doctor has been assigned to this practice to help me. Isn’t that grand? What a day this is! I owe Steve Collins a big vote of thanks for this.”