by Joan Fleming
But before he had the opportunity to respond, she hissed, ‘Anyway, it’s none of your business.’
‘Anna, calm down. Please.’ He stood up and reached her in one step in the small room. Putting his arms round her, he pulled her to him. ‘Calm down. I’m sorry, I don’t mean to interfere, but I’m just worried about you, Anna. Why do you think I’ve come here? I could have arranged a courier to bring your things, but I wanted to see you for myself.’
Anna relaxed into his arms, her temper cooling as quickly as it had flared. She remained in his embrace, with Roddie whispering comforting noises as he ran his fingers gently over her hair.
‘Why don’t we have some more wine, and chat about what’s really bothering you?’ he said at last, allowing her to step away from his embrace. ‘Because I don’t think it has anything to do with the men in your life.’
Anna let his remark hang in the air while Roddie poured the last of the bottle of wine into their glasses. Once they were seated again, he leant over and held her hand.
‘I think it’s this business of the letter from your birth mother. Am I right?’
Anna felt the tears on her cheeks, and bowed her head in a vain effort to hide them from Roddie. She didn’t trust herself to speak, but nodded her head. Her hair served as thick curtains, but she knew she would have to say something.
‘By the way,’ Roddie said, standing up again. ‘I have that package to give you.’
From his travel bag, he brought out the sealed packet he had mentioned on the phone.
Anna jumped up, immediately alert as he handed her the package. A wave of heat surged through her body, then left her shivering. What should she do? Open it right now, in front of Roddie? Or leave it till later? What if it wasn’t what she was hoping for – the birthday card from her birth mother? Close as she felt to Roddie, she wasn’t sure she could cope with sharing her disappointment if her hopes were dashed. No, she would open it later when she was alone.
She slipped through to her bedroom and put the plastic-covered package on her bed, returning immediately to the living room.
‘Shall we go out for a walk before it starts to turn chilly, Roddie? You’ve had a long day, though – maybe you’d rather grab an early night?’ Anna asked.
‘No, I think a walk would be good. I’d like to breathe in some island air and have a look at the area around the cottage. Some of the views I drove through on the journey from Craignure were spectacular. It looks like a very beautiful island.’
They put on their anoraks, zipping them up to the neck for protection from the freshening wind. Anna glanced around the room at various surfaces, looking for something to tie her hair back.
‘Is this what you’re looking for?’ Roddie held up an aqua-coloured object. ‘A scrunchie?’
Anna laughed. ‘You remembered the word,’ she said.
‘Of course. Why wouldn’t I?’
‘It’s not an item a man would use,’ she said.
‘Oh, I don’t know about that. Lots of men have ponytails nowadays.’
Their camaraderie restored, they linked arms and set off across the moor, heading towards the sea.
‘I could smell the sea air the minute we walked out of the cottage,’ Roddie said. ‘But there’s a real chill in that wind.’
‘Yes, the wind’s coming in from the west, straight off the sea. You do get used to it, though. When I first arrived, I felt it stinging my cheeks every time I went out. Now, I’m hardly aware of it.’
‘You’ll probably find the city quite stuffy when you come back.’ He glanced towards her. ‘You are planning to come back, aren’t you?’
‘Not while I have unfinished business here,’ Anna said.
‘At least, now you have your laptop again, you can move on with your project. After all, the major part of the research will be concentrated on the Isle of Islay. That’s where you said The Lords of the Isles were based, wasn’t it?’
‘Yes, but there’s lots more interesting material here than I realised. Especially on Iona, but here on Mull, too.’
They walked in silence for a few moments, allowing the wind to whirl around them.
‘I play my own countdown game when I’m out walking,’ she told Roddie. ‘I guess when the next gust of wind will come, then I count down from then to see if I’m right. I do the same when I can hear the sea.’
‘So, you’re timing the next wave?’
‘Yes, but only when I’m on my own,’ Anna said.
‘When you’re not with Finn?’
‘Roddie, don’t start.’
‘Okay, okay. Sorry.’
They rounded the headland, and all at once there it was – the view of the sea, a deep blue tinged with the gold of the setting sun, framed by the outline of Iona and the abbey on the horizon. Anna watched to see Roddie’s reaction to the vista which had opened up in front of them.
‘That is awesome,’ Roddie said. ‘In the truest sense of the word.’
Anna felt an almost proprietorial pleasure in being the one to lead her friend to this spot. Of course, she didn’t own any view on the island. But she was already beginning to feel that the island owned her.
Once she had made sure that Roddie had everything he needed for a comfortable sleep in the living room, Anna headed for her bedroom and immediately picked up the package she had left there earlier. She started to tear at the plastic cover, slowly at first, then more quickly as all her pent-up disappointment and frustration rose to the surface.
She extracted the envelope inside, which looked as if it had been in water. Perhaps the postman had dropped it on a rainy day? Turning it over, she saw it was indeed from the firm of lawyers, and her heart beat a little faster. Wasting no more time, she tore it open to reveal… her birthday card from her birth mother. It was similar to the other twenty-four she had received over the years – an abstract painting in vivid colours, mainly blues, greens and browns, with the simple greeting, Happy Birthday.
Anna felt tears forming behind her eyes. She had a lump in her throat as she silently ran her trembling fingers over the surface of the card. The wave of relief that swept over her sent her back to the living room. Still clutching the card, she was able to share her happiness in Roddie’s comforting arms.
There was no need for words.
CHAPTER 18
The following morning, Anna wakened to the sound of male voices laughing. A glance at her watch made her start: nine o’clock. How could she have slept so long? She and Roddie had talked well beyond midnight, but that would normally make no difference to the time she woke up.
Expecting to find Roddie asleep on the camp bed when she walked into the living room, she was surprised to see no sign of his sleeping arrangements. Instead, the table was set for breakfast and the smell of coffee filled the room. She paused, listening more closely to the chat outside the cottage, and recognised Roddie’s voice. So, he was already making friends with the builders?
Certain she must look a fright; she dashed back into her bedroom to peek out of the window. Yes, Jimmy the builder was there… but so was Finn.
Anna’s heart beat a bit faster as she wondered what Finn was doing outside her cottage at nine o’clock in the morning. Had they made an arrangement which she’d forgotten about? Regardless of his reason for being there, she didn’t want him to see her looking as if she’d rolled out of bed two minutes before.
Cursing her awkwardness with the unfamiliar taps in the bathroom, she quickly showered and fixed her hair, slipped on jeans and a T-shirt, then ventured outside to join the men.
‘Sleeping beauty, good morning,’ Roddie said. ‘This man has done half a day’s work already, and he’s gasping for his coffee.’
‘Morning,’ Anna said. ‘I thought I heard Finn’s voice?’
‘You did,’ Roddie said. ‘He introduced himself to me.’
‘So, where is he?’
‘He only came to see if you were heading back to Iona, but you were still in bed.’
Anna
felt her spirits slump. But why? She had no intention of going to Iona today. Nonetheless, the absence of Finn left a vacuum, which simultaneously both disappointed and relieved her. She realised that she wanted to see Finn again, but at the same time any association beyond casual friendship could only complicate her life further. And really, she should be giving all her attention to Roddie, who’d gone to a lot of trouble on her behalf.
Returning to the kitchen, Anna knew that Roddie would waste little time before introducing the subject of Janet Maclean, her biological mother. He was the only person apart from her adoptive parents, Moira and Fred Ballantyne, with whom she could discuss her search.
As if he’d read her mind, Roddie sat down opposite her at the table and immediately raised the subject. ‘Have you done anything at all to try to find out a bit more about her?’ he asked.
Anna stared at her feet for a long moment.
‘No,’ she said at last. ‘I don’t know what to do.’ She shrugged her shoulders and spread her hands, palms upwards; the gesture emphasising her words.
‘But one of the reasons you wanted to come to Mull was to make some sort of contact with Janet Maclean.’
‘Yes, I know, but it wasn’t a logical decision. I had no particular plan in mind. I just felt I wanted to be… to be closer to her.’ Anna twisted the fingers of her hands together, her discomfort growing as Roddie continued his questions.
‘Did you think—?’
She jumped up, rattling the crockery on the breakfast table. Roddie caught his coffee cup before it tipped onto the floor.
‘Roddie, don’t you understand, I didn’t think anything at all. I can’t explain it. I simply… came here.’ Her voice had gone up a few notes as she strutted around the limited space in the room. Her last word, however, was released like a sob, a capitulation.
‘Sit down, Anna, and let’s see if we can sort something out. I’m on your side, you know. I’m just trying to help.’ He stretched out his hand and eased her back to the table.
‘Have you any idea where she lives? Which part of the island, I mean?’ he asked.
Anna shook her head.
‘Okay. Why don’t we start by trying to find out? There must be records somewhere.’
‘I did think about that, Roddie, but we can’t go around asking for information without revealing why we’re looking for it – and I don’t want to do that. I’d hate it if she found out I’d been asking questions about her.’
‘I understand, but you’ll never find her if you refuse to talk about it. I imagine this is the sort of place where secrets are really difficult to keep?’
‘Precisely. From what I’ve heard so far, I would say impossible rather than difficult. I imagine all islands are the same; after all, they’re closed communities where information is passed from one person to another on a regular basis.’
‘I suppose the internet has made that even easier,’ Roddie said, adding to her gloom.
‘Also, there are about 2,800 people living on the island. I couldn’t go around asking if they happened to know a Janet Maclean, could I?’
Roddie smiled. ‘No, you certainly couldn’t do that.’
‘I think I’ll have to forget all about it,’ Anna sighed. ‘Concentrate on my project.’
‘Come on, Anna, it’s not like you to give in as easily as that. There must be something we could do.’
Anna was about to suggest they close the subject, when Roddie spoke again.
‘Why don’t we advertise?’
‘Roddie, that’s a mad idea.’
‘You’re right. It is.’
‘This is leading nowhere,’ Anna said, standing up again. ‘Why don’t we simply go out for the day? There are lots of maps and guide books here – we won’t get lost. I haven’t been to the north of the island yet. Are you okay with that, after your long drive yesterday?’
‘Your wish is my command, madam.’
According to the forecasters, the weather was expected to be less benign than the previous day, with wind speed increasing as the day wore on. And Anna had to struggle to hold onto the door of Roddie’s car as she tried to manoeuvre herself into the passenger seat.
‘Here. Let me help you.’ Roddie grasped the handle of the door, which a sudden gust threatened to wrench from his hand.
‘Wow!’ he shouted. ‘It knows how to blow here.’
Once they were ensconced in the car, they could hear the wind whistling around them.
‘Maybe we should think again about driving to the north,’ Anna said. ‘We don’t want to be blown into the sea.’
‘Oh, I’m sure it’s not as bad as that. It’ll be cosy in the car, and we don’t need to get out if we think it’s too windy.’
They sat for a few moments, admiring the view. The majestic Ben Mhor rose above them, its distinctive peaked summit outlined against the blue sky.
‘It says in the guide book that it’s the only Munro on the island,’ Roddie said. ‘That means it’s at least 3,000 feet high, doesn’t it?’
‘Yes, I think so,’ Anna said. ‘I bet the views are wonderful from the top.’
As Roddie started up the engine, Anna’s mobile rang. It was Elsa calling from Lochside.
‘We’re having a few folk in tonight, a wee celebration for a local lad’s birthday,’ she explained. ‘George will be there, and Finn. Maybe Kirsty, but she wasn’t sure if she’d be here or not. Would you and your guest like to come?’
Anna quickly passed on the message to Roddie, who nodded, a broad smile lighting up his face.
‘Yes, thank you, Elsa. We’d love to. What time would you like us?’
‘Is seven o’clock okay? That’ll give me time to prepare an early dinner for the other guests.’
‘Sounds great. See you at seven.’
Armed with the guidebooks, they set off with Anna navigating – insofar as any guidance was necessary. There was only one road out of the Ross of Mull if they chose to go to another part of the island, although there were smaller side roads, which could be equally interesting to investigate. So far, Anna had been concentrating on Iona, which left the whole island of Mull to discover.
Once they drove out of Fionnphort, they soon forgot the buffeting of the car, but a glance at the sky allowed them to keep track of the strength of the wind, as it sent clouds billowing in all directions.
‘I can’t believe we’re in the same place as we were yesterday,’ Roddie said. ‘It’s like living in two different climate zones.’
‘According to the islanders, they can experience four seasons in one day.’
‘It’s a bit of a cliché, but I suppose they must hope for the best and prepare for the worst.’
‘That’s about the size of it,’ Anna agreed. ‘But they’re used to it, and it doesn’t seem to worry them. They probably wouldn’t thank you for sending them to a Caribbean island.’
‘Too hot?’
‘Yes. I must say, I actually like the cool air on my face’ Anna said. ‘There’s something refreshing about it. I could cope with the changes of weather, too, provided I had the clothing to deal with them.’
They were silent for a while as Roddie took in the countryside; lush green fields which gave way to a view of the unsettled sea on the coastal part of the road. The waves gave the impression they might have some power left in reserve, but their lively slapping on the rocky shoreline confirmed that the wind had not lost much of its force.
Smiling to herself, Anna realised that the colours on her most recent birthday card reflected those she saw around her: the blues and aquamarines of the ever-changing sea; the greens of the grassy verges; and the browns of the rocks.
Consulting some notes she had made while researching The Lords of the Isles, she told Roddie, ‘It says here that in 1350, Lachlan Lubanach Maclean of Duart married Janet, daughter of John of Islay, Lord of the Isles, and Duart was part of her dowry. I knew it! I was convinced I had read about this. And there’s more…’
‘Why don’t we head for
Craignure to find out if we can view Duart Castle today?’
‘That would be great. I’m sure Mel MacDougall would like some photos of the Castle – it was in the kingdom of the Lords until the middle of the 14th century. And, obviously, I have a personal interest in the Maclean family.’
‘Of course you do. So, is it the ancestral home of the Clan Maclean?’
‘Yes. But aren’t there other places you would prefer to visit?’ Anna offered.
‘I’m happy to start there,’ Roddie said. ‘Although we’ll have to be careful. It looks as though it’s situated in an exposed position. I wouldn’t like you to be blown away.’
When they arrived at the castle, the wind, in a contrary mood, had died down. The building stood high near the cliff edge, and the sea thrashed against the shoreline, but not in a menacing way.
Roddie parked the car, and they made their way to the tearoom, where traditional island home baking was on offer.
‘Don’t forget we’re going for dinner to Lochside tonight,’ Anna said, as the sweet scent of the cakes met them.
‘I’m sure I’ll manage to sample a few cakes and still have an appetite for dinner,’ Roddie said, his eyes lighting up as he viewed the range of scones and pastries on offer.
They both settled for tea and scones, which were delicious. As they were on the point of leaving, Roddie eyed the other delights on offer and looked thoroughly disappointed when Anna reminded him again of their dinner invitation.
They headed to the kitchen, where a guide was available to give a talk on the history of the building.
‘I usually deliver my talk in the courtyard,’ the tall, sophisticated lady, wearing the green and red Maclean tartan, explained. ‘But it’s starting to rain, so we’ll be more comfortable inside. It’s only a light drizzle, and I think we may see the sun before the end of your visit.’
Anna glanced outside just as a ray of sunshine suddenly broke free of the clouds and formed a miniature rainbow in the curtain of tiny raindrops.