Highland Sisters

by Anne Douglas

  ‘But we will be married?’ Rosa asked quickly. ‘They can’t stop us, can they?’

  ‘Of course not. They’ll find out when they do their checks that there’s no reason for us not to be wed. It’s all arranged, anyway, as long as you don’t mind that the service will be at my local church, not yours. I couldn’t bear us to be married there – not after what happened.’

  ‘That’s all right, I understand. I don’t want to be married there, either. Just as long as we can be married somewhere as soon as possible.’

  ‘Darling Rosa, that will happen, never fear!’

  Daniel drew her into his arms, not caring whether anyone outside the van could see in, and for a few moments they forgot their worries as they exchanged kisses and caresses, only parting when they decided to go for tea and discuss their plans.

  Over the usual tea and buttered scones, they went through all that was to come, though Rosa still had the feeling from time to time that none of it was happening. Was she really sitting opposite Daniel MacNeil, discussing wedding plans? Only when she touched his hand as she passed his cup and felt its warmth and the thrill that came with it did she admit that yes, Daniel was opposite her and they were soon to be married. She was not dreaming after all.

  The date for the wedding would be in late October, with Daniel coming back from Edinburgh the day before to stay with his mother as he no longer had a rented place in Kinlaine. No need for Rosa to look like that at the mention of his mother! All would be well, Daniel reassured her.

  Of course, when he’d first broken the news to Mrs MacNeil that he was marrying another Malcolm, there had been the terrible storm he had expected, and he’d just had to weather it until his mother had been forced to accept something she couldn’t change and gave in. With a heavy, theatrical sigh, she had said she just hoped he would not regret his folly and had agreed to see him wed, even though it would break her heart.

  ‘Come on now, Ma,’ he had said cheerfully, ‘let me make you a cup of tea and you can think about baking us a nice little wedding cake.’

  ‘If I do, it’ll probably be the last decent cake you’ll get!’ she had cried in triumph. ‘I’m sure that Malcolm girl won’t know the first thing about baking!’

  Having had the last word, as she saw it, Mrs MacNeil had re-trimmed the hat she’d intended to wear for the wedding that never happened, so that it was different, though only for her own satisfaction. Who would care what Daniel’s mother wore for his wedding to a Malcolm girl? Why, she hardly cared herself!

  ‘You told her it was all going to be very quiet?’ Rosa asked Daniel anxiously over her second cup of tea. ‘With just her and my da, Mrs MacRitchie and Agnes. It is what we said we wanted.’

  ‘It’s just what I wanted, Rosa.’ Daniel gently touched her face. ‘But I know girls usually like a bit of wedding fuss. Are you sure you’re happy about it?’

  ‘Daniel, all I want for my wedding is you!’

  ‘But there’s no time even for a honeymoon. I feel I’m letting you down, but I daren’t ask for the time off when I’ve just started in the job. Later on, we’ll go somewhere nice, I promise.’

  ‘We are spending our honeymoon in our new home, aren’t we? I’m just looking forward to being with you in whatever place you find for us.’

  ‘Hope it’ll be all right, then.’ He pressed her hand. ‘I’ll do my best to find somewhere you’ll like and, if all goes according to plan, the furniture should be in place too. I’ve made arrangements.’

  ‘Heavens, I never thought about furniture!’ Rosa cried. ‘Daniel, I have none!’

  ‘But I have! Look, stop worrying and leave things to me. You don’t have to do everything yourself now.’

  ‘How do you know I ever had to?’ she asked, her eyes tender on his face, and he laughed.

  ‘Because I know your da and I knew your sister. Things will be different when you’re with me. Now, let me get the bill.’

  As they left the teashop, arm in arm, Rosa asked herself again: how could her sister have spurned a man like Daniel? But thank God she had!

  Twenty-Two

  Even thinking about saying goodbye when she was leaving number twenty-five was hard for Rosa. After all, these people – even Mrs Banks – were an extension of her own family, and had been so much a part of her life that she could scarcely imagine how it would be without them. Of course, she would have Daniel, and that would be wonderful – but strange, all the same.

  When, however, her last morning at number twenty-five finally arrived, all she could think of was that she wouldn’t be having heart-to-heart talks with Agnes any more, or laughing with Greta while teasing young Hattie, or even keeping quiet while Mrs Banks worked herself through her nerves to a successful dinner. All these things would soon lie in the past, become only memories.

  ‘Oh, but I’m going to miss you all so much!’ she cried as they exchanged hugs, with even Mrs Banks joining in, and then thanked them again for the lovely pillowcases they had clubbed together to buy, which would accompany the expensive sheets already given to Rosa by Mrs Fordyce. Heavens, what other mistress would shell out for such a gift? her staff had exclaimed. But that was Mrs Fordyce for you! Whoever took over from Rosa to work for her would be a very lucky girl, eh?

  But who would that be? No one had any ideas yet, except Mrs Banks, who was keeping quiet. Until, on that last morning for Rosa, she suddenly announced that there would be someone new coming, but only for Hattie’s job as kitchen maid.

  ‘My job?’ cried Hattie, flushing. ‘Why, what’s happening to me?’

  ‘Don’t say you’re still expecting to get Rosa’s job!’ Greta called, grinning, but Mrs Banks was shaking her head.

  ‘No, that’s going to you, Greta – you’ll be upper housemaid and Hattie will working under you. Mind you keep an eye on her and don’t stand any cheek.’

  ‘Who says I’ll be cheeky?’ cried Hattie, looking well pleased. ‘But will I be getting a rise? I should be, eh?’

  ‘Oh, I daresay,’ sighed Mrs Banks. ‘But just settle down now and start on the vegetables for luncheon. Rosa will be leaving very soon.’

  ‘Too right,’ said Agnes quickly, as a great thump came at the back door. ‘Rosa, I think that’ll be the carrier come for your box – and you too, seeing as he’s taking you to the station.’

  ‘Oh, my, yes!’ cried Rosa. ‘Heavens, I must get my things together – I’d really forgotten the time.’

  ‘Keep calm, keep calm, you’re all ready – see, your case is at the door, you’ve just to put on your coat and hat—’

  ‘Hattie, tell that fellow to wait,’ ordered Mrs Banks. ‘His passenger’s just coming.’

  So, this was it, then – the last farewell. With her hat and coat on and her bag and case to hand, Rosa hugged everyone again and gave a last reminder to Agnes that she’d see her at the wedding.

  ‘Just wish you could all have come,’ she murmured, hurrying to the door, but Greta laughed and asked whatever would the mistress do if all her staff disappeared? Why, she’d never so much as peeled a potato in her life, had she?

  ‘That’s not for her to do,’ Mrs Banks immediately retorted. ‘We all have our place in life. Hers is to be mistress and ours is to serve, so don’t start complaining!’

  As Greta, exchanging looks with Hattie, opened her mouth to argue but thought better of it, Rosa, from the door, was giving a last wave.

  ‘I’ll be in touch!’ she cried. ‘I’ll tell you all that happens!’

  ‘Aye, keep in touch!’ they cried and crowded up the area steps as Rosa with her box and her case were borne away by the carrier on her first step towards her new life.

  She couldn’t help a few tears gathering but didn’t let them fall, as the carrier, a large, cheerful man, after a quick sideways look, asked, ‘You all right, lassie?’

  ‘Oh, yes, thank you,’ she told him, blowing her nose. ‘I’m quite all right.’

  Twenty-Three

  It came at last, the end to the waiting wh
en, on a strangely mild October day, Rosa and Daniel were married. The ceremony, in Daniel’s local church in Kinlaine, was simple and short, attended only by four guests – Rosa’s father, Daniel’s mother, Mrs MacRitchie and Agnes from number twenty-five, though she was representing everyone there.

  How nice they all look, thought Rosa, who was showing her own bridal radiance in a light blue dress with matching jacket made by the Carron dressmaker, while next to her was her bridegroom, no longer too thin but elegant in a dark suit different from the one he’d planned to wear for his marriage to Lorne. ‘What a waste!’ his mother had cried, and it was true he’d had to dig deep into his savings to buy it, but he and Rosa had been as one in not wanting anything from the wedding that never was to taint their own celebrations.

  Though Mrs MacNeil had decided that what she wore for this wedding was of no interest, when it came to it, she still wanted to look as smart as possible and was in fact pleased with how she looked – even if no one watching her wipe away theatrical tears would have guessed she was pleased about anything. Unlike Greg Malcolm, who couldn’t stop beaming, he being so thrilled that the good catch who was Daniel had not been lost to his family, but had taken on Rosa and was all set to give her a good life.

  Such a lucky, lucky girl, as Mrs MacRitchie (who had asked everyone to call her Joan) described her, a thought echoed by the smartly dressed Agnes, now that she’d actually seen Rosa’s bridegroom. My, wouldn’t she have something to tell the girls when she got back to number twenty-five! No wonder Rosa had wanted to take on her sister’s reject! Who wouldn’t want such a lovely young man, then? Only Rosa’s silly sister, dazzled by the attentions of somebody she considered so grand. Rosa had made the better choice, and as she and Daniel left for their little reception at the local café, everyone was wishing her well. Except, perhaps, Mrs MacNeil, even though her son’s happiness depended on Rosa’s, but then no one who knew her would expect Daniel’s mother to be happy about him marrying another Malcolm.

  The day being so mild, the small wedding party was content to be served mixed salad with slices of ham – even Greg was complimentary, though he was not usually one for cold stuff. But then there were plenty of extras – dressed-up potatoes, buttered rolls, sticks of celery and, afterwards, strawberries, before a bottle of wine was brought out to accompany the little wedding cake Mrs MacNeil had been persuaded to make. As Rosa and Daniel cut the first slice, smiling their thanks to her, she had the grace to manage a smile back before asking over the wine where had that come from and who could have afforded it?

  ‘Was a present from Mr and Mrs Fordyce,’ Agnes explained with some pride. ‘They are so kind, you wouldn’t believe!’

  ‘I’m sure I would not,’ Mrs MacNeil declared, taking another sip of her wine, her cheeks already bright pink. ‘How Rosa will miss them, eh?’

  ‘Maybe not,’ Daniel said swiftly, his eyes on his bride. ‘I hope she will have compensations. But what I want to do now is thank Mr Malcolm for giving us such a wonderful wedding breakfast – we couldn’t be more grateful. Also we want to thank you, Ma, for that lovely cake, and to thank you, Mrs MacRitchie and Miss Agnes, for being with us today and acting as witnesses. A big thank you to you all.’

  There were smiles and thanks and kisses exchanged, until a waitress came and whispered to Rosa that if she’d like to change into her ‘Going Away’, there was a little room ready for her. At which, Rosa, in spite of feeling a rush of nerves, put on a calm face and followed her. This was it, then, the time had come. She and Daniel must now leave everyone behind and set off in the van for Aviemore, where they would be spending their first night.

  At least, unlike other weddings, there would be no confetti scattered over them, Rosa thought, changing into her usual grey two-piece before packing her wedding dress into a parcel for her father to take back. But she had reckoned without Joan MacRitchie and Agnes, who, as the bridal couple approached Daniel’s van, produced packets of confetti, which they handed out to Greg and even Mrs MacNeil so that everyone could enjoy themselves making Rosa and Daniel look like other newlyweds, laughing and trying to escape, not really minding that they’d failed.

  ‘Good luck!’ cried Agnes, rushing up to hug Rosa. ‘We’re all so happy for you – both of you. But you’ll keep in touch, eh?’

  ‘I will, I promise. And you’ll be getting back to Inverness all right?’

  ‘Your kind father’s taking me to the station.’

  ‘Oh, Da!’ Rosa turned to throw her arms around him. ‘Take care, eh? Remember, I’ll just be in Edinburgh – not going to the moon!’

  ‘Just be in Edinburgh?’ he cried, trying to laugh as Joan MacRitchie came to stand beside him. ‘I’d call that the moon, anyway!’

  ‘Goodbye, Ma,’ Daniel was meanwhile whispering. ‘Thanks for coming. It meant a lot to me.’

  ‘Yes, well, you be sure to write to me, let me know how things are,’ she answered, giving him her cheek to kiss, not forgetting to frown a little when Rosa came to kiss her too. ‘And tell me when I can come and visit.’

  ‘Oh, sure,’ Daniel said, glancing quickly at Rosa, who was bravely keeping up her smile. ‘When we’re straight, eh? I’ll write, don’t worry, but now I reckon it’s time to go – just have to get the van started.’

  ‘Hope it does,’ Greg muttered. ‘Or do I?’

  ‘Oh, Greg, she has to go,’ Joan whispered, taking his arm and leaning close, everything about her sending the signal here I am, you’ve still got me, but Greg was too busy watching Daniel turning his starting handle to notice.

  When the van’s engine was roaring and the bride and groom had settled in their seats, there were last waves and cries of ‘Good luck!’ and ‘Safe journey’, until finally the van was out of sight and there was nothing for the guests left behind to do but sigh and prepare to go home.

  ‘Last trip in the van,’ Daniel announced as they left Kinlaine, and it seemed to Rosa that his cheerful voice sounded a little forced. Was he minding giving up the van? She decided he was not. After all, he no longer needed it in his new job and he’d be saving on the rental. Still, he appeared to be playing a part, and when she answered him, saying she’d miss their little trips, she knew she sounded the same.

  ‘Not too far to Aviemore,’ he remarked after driving for a while. ‘Hope the room I’ve booked for us will be all right.’

  ‘I’m sure it will be lovely.’

  ‘It’s important, our first night.’ He gave her a quick glance. ‘I want everything to be right for you.’

  ‘It will be. No need to worry, Daniel.’

  ‘I’ll say the same to you, then. No need to worry – if you have been worrying—’

  ‘I never said I was worried,’ replied Rosa, who was in fact just that.

  ‘That’s good, then, because everything is going to be fine.’

  ‘I know. Because we’re together.’

  ‘Exactly!’ Daniel suddenly laughed. ‘Oh, God, Rosa, shall I stop the van and kiss you?’

  ‘No,’ she said with decision, ‘let’s get on to Aviemore.’

  ‘Aviemore it is, then.’

  The strange thing was that when they had gone through all the motions of settling into their boarding house at Aviemore, had done their best to eat a meal and finally reached the haven of their double bed, they discovered they’d both been right. There’d been no need to worry.

  ‘Maybe it wasn’t perfect,’ Daniel still felt he should say, holding Rosa close when their first ever love-making was over. ‘But I promise you, it will be.’

  ‘Wasn’t perfect?’ she whispered. ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘You thought it was?’

  ‘I know it was!’

  He smiled in the darkness. ‘That’s a relief, then.’

  ‘You were really worrying?’

  ‘Only for you.’

  ‘You’d no need to worry for me, Daniel.’

  ‘That’s what’s wonderful. I told you we’d be right for each other and we are – in this
way and every way.’

  But as they gradually moved apart and Daniel slept, for the first time on her wedding night, the thought of her sister came into Rosa’s mind.

  Only for a moment, for Lorne had no part in this special time – she and Daniel had never made love, so she and Rosa could never be compared. Closing her eyes for sleep at last, Rosa sent up grateful thanks that this should have been so and let the image of her sister leave her – at least for then.

  In the morning, when she woke early, no further memory of Lorne halted Rosa’s pleasure in watching over her sleeping husband and, as she gently bent to kiss his lips and heard him whisper her name, the thought came to her: maybe she need never worry about Lorne again?

  Part Two

  Twenty-Four

  Grey, grey, grey.

  Everything Rosa had seen since she and Daniel had reached Edinburgh appeared to be grey: the sky – what you could see of it above the tall buildings – and the buildings themselves. The roads made of blocks Daniel had said were called ‘setts’ – all were grey.

  So much for the beautiful city Rosa had heard so much about! As they rattled along in the van over the setts and tram lines, she could not help sighing, though she knew how much it meant to Daniel that she should like her new home and wouldn’t for the world upset him. Promise you won’t say anything, she told herself. It can’t be like this every day. And then, to her dismay, heard herself murmuring, ‘But Daniel, it’s all so grey!’

  Now why, after all, had she said that? Maybe he hadn’t heard? Of course he had.

  ‘Seems so,’ he answered, approaching a corner and slowing down. ‘But it’s probably only because of the haar. The city’s not really grey – you’ll see when we turn into Princes Street any minute now. There’s the castle and the gardens, all autumn flowers – plenty of colour there.’