by A. J. Temple
They chatted about the problem for a while, without finding any obvious solutions. Eventually the conversation turned to the other events around the Cabin; Sally getting particularly animated when she spoke of Romeo, and her trip through the forest trail. She left out all but the most basic details of the encounter later in the stable; but it was enough to peak Elizabeth’s interest.
“Hey hey, just lets go back a step there…so you had a ‘snuggle’ in the stable did you!”
Sally blushed, wishing that she had never mentioned it.
“It was nothing really, don’t make a big deal off it please!” She tried to be stern, but she could not help a large grin from spreading over her face.
“Sally! How could you?” Elizabeth feigned shock and horror, but at the same time was tremendously pleased for them both; being well aware of their individual situations and love-less lives.
“Wellll…you know how it is...”
Tom burst out laughing. “Well I think it’s great – personally I think that a real good ‘seeing too’ was well over-due for you both!”
“TOM!” Elizabeth scalded – that’s enough from you; have you not got anything to do, like clean out the chicken pen or something?”
“Ok, I get the hint – I’ll away upstairs for a while and get that paperwork done!” He wandered off chuckling to himself.
“Men! Completely lacking in tact.” Elizabeth however looked fondly after the retreating figure of Tom, as he left the room.
“Well at the risk of sounding like a right hooker – he was probably right!” said Sally laughing.
They both shared the joke, then Elizabeth reached across the table to hold Sally’s hand.
“Sally dear…I hate bring this up and risk spoiling your fun – but are you sure of Robert? I mean, it all seems to be going a bit fast don’t you think?”
“You’re absolutely right Elizabeth; but the fact is that I’m totally smitten by him. I can’t explain it myself, but it’s like I have been waiting for him all my life – goodness, we’re almost finishing one another’s sentences already!”
Elizabeth squeezed her friends hands tighter as a tear welled in her eye.
“Stop it now…I will be crying myself if you carry on any further!”
Sally held her tears in check, as she continued to talk about Robert, and the bond that had sprouted up between them. Not only that, but the friendship that had blossomed immediately with his mother Agnes, that was nothing short of amazing – caused her to believe that fate, or God had truly drawn them together; just as Agnes herself had suggested.
A while later, and with Sally just about exhausted by all the talk; Tom wandered back in to the kitchen.
“What…I don’t believe it; is there no supper ready yet! You pair of wastrels are leaving a good man to go hungry here!” He smiled at them both.
“Och Tom. I’m sorry, it is later than I realised. How do you fancy going down to the Pizza restaurant and get us all a Pizza?”
“I suppose that was more of a command than a suggestion?” he winked at Sally, who smiled sweetly back. “Ok then, what do you fancy?”
They both gave him their orders, and he grabbed his jacket before striding out the door into the winter’s night.
He returned 30 minutes later with their Pizzas, and they settled down by the fire; pizzas on their laps, with a glass of Chevalier de Bayard, a beautiful smooth-as-silk red wine that they all loved. As the wine flowed, so did the conversation and it was an exhausted Sally that finally went to bed just after 1am, with her mind reeling over what was to be done regarding her dilemma with Robert and Agnes.
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Chapter 9
Sally tossed and turned all night, and even after a shower, looked terrible when she finally appeared at the breakfast table.
“Good morning Sally.” Piped up Elizabeth. “I won’t ask you if you slept well – You’re bleary eyes are a dead give-away!”
“Hmm, well your right. Never mind though. Is Tom away already?”
“Oh yes, he’s always off by 7am to get the men all sorted out with the days routine.”
Sally took a sip from the hot mug of tea that Elizabeth had laid down for her.
Elizabeth looked sideways at her friend. “What would you like for breakfast? We have cereal or toast or even a fry-up if you like?”
“Actually just some cornflakes would be fine thanks.”
Elizabeth brought her over a bowl of cornflakes, and they both sat down at the table, Sally with her hands still wrapped around the mug of tea.
“So..have you come to any decision regarding Robert?”
“Yes…I think I have; though I don’t know if he will accept my idea or not – as you say; he is a proud man.”
Sally went on to describe in detail, the plan that had come to her in the night, and what she intended to do.
“Well, I must admit it is a good plan – if perhaps very high risk for you on a number of levels! But if you are sure that’s what you want to do?” She raised her eyebrows questioningly.
“Yes, definitely; I have made my mind up and if Robert agrees – which I pray he will – then all will solved.”
Elizabeth knew her friend well enough to know when her mind was made up, so could only agree with her and hope it all went well.
Robert called at 3pm to say that the car was repaired, and arranged to pick Sally up and take her over to the house to collect it. Shortly after the call, Roberts old Range Rover pulled into their drive.
“Well this is it Sally! I hope you get it all sorted out ok – and if you do, then please call me – perhaps we could all go out later and celebrate! If not, then we can have a wake instead I suppose.” She said only half joking.
The knock at the door announced his arrival, and they put on a brave face to welcome him in.
“Robert, it’s good to see you again!” She leaned over and gave him a peck on the cheek.
“And you Elizabeth – can you believe the co-incidence of us all knowing one another? It’s almost spooky!”
“Oh good, at least he is not all morose about yesterday.” Thought Sally, relieved to see Robert in quite a cheerful mood.
“Yes, it’s quite incredible – and you seem to have made a good impression on this impressionable young lady here!” Joked Elizabeth.
Robert stepped forward and kissed Sally lightly on the lips.
“Oh please! Get yourself a room!” She laughed delightedly at them both.
“Your chariot awaits my Lady!” He made a wide sweeping motion with his arm, and they both headed for the door. Sally giving her friend ‘the look’ with eyebrows raised.
“Good luck.” Elizabeth mouthed silently when only Sally was looking.
They both headed off towards the log cabin that she was calling ‘home’ already.
“So how did you get on with Tom and Elizabeth – did you have a good evening?”
“Yes we did actually, though I wished you could have been there with me.”
“They are a great couple, I’m owe them both many times over for sticking with me during the ‘lost years.’ Tom especially has been like an older brother to me.”
“Yes I can imagine. The two of you are very alike, except for about 70 pounds or so!” They both laughed at that, for Tom made Robert look like a ‘racing snake’ by comparison.
They were almost at the house when Sally decided to broach the subject of money, and her solution to the problem.
“Robert, I have an idea I would like to discuss with you and Agnes regarding your predicament?”
“Predicament?..Oh, yes that. Don’t you even think about it Sally, I’ll find a way out of it somehow.” He said with a hint of exasperation.
“Well you see that’s just the thing – I can’t stop thinking about it; in fact I lay awake half the night thinking about it!”
“Yes but..”
“Never mind the ‘but.’ I have a plan that I think will work out – first of all however I have a major stumbling bloc
k to cross…and that I think, is going to be YOU!”
“Me? How on earth…”
“Sshhtt! Lets just get around the table with Agnes and I will tell you all about it.”
Robert looked across bemused at this new authoritative woman sat across from him, as they turned into the driveway. The hire car was sitting out front, with the window all repaired, and with only a slightly damaged front wing.
“Oh, that’s great – mobile again!”
“Yes, but try not to break it this time!” Piped up Robert.
They headed over to the car, where Sally took just a cursory look at it before announcing.
“Right..lets get this over with!”
Robert dragged his heels slightly as he approached the door, Sally’s warning about him being a ‘stumbling block’ ringing in his ear.
“What could she possibly mean?” He wondered to himself.
She gave Agnes a big hug as she entered the cabin, then immediately announced.
“Agnes..I have a plan!”
“Ha, well I’m certainly glad someone has! Let’s be having it then – I’m all ears!”
“Ok, well the fact is that when my father passed away he left me some money – well quite a lot of money actually; and I think I am in a position to help you out, I..”
“No way on earth Sally, just stop right there – I’m not going to take money from you, if that’s what you’re thinking!”
Robert blurted out from a face looking angry and humiliated.
Sally just fixed him with a cold stare equal in ferocity to his own.
“Do you remember what I said about a ‘stumbling block’ out in the car Robert!”
“Well yes but…”
“And what did I tell you about the ‘but’? I hate to do this to you Robert – The fact is however I am not some ‘silly wee girl’ for you or anyone else to bully – and I will be heard!”
Agnes looked on, both pleased and bemused, that this attractive slip of a girl could harbour such determination and intensity – enough to put her stubborn son in his place. “She’ll do!” she thought to herself.
“Robert! Let’s just hear what Sally is suggesting shall we?”
“Thanks Agnes.” She fixed Robert with another stare daring him to speak.
In a slightly softer voice – her voice of reason, she spoke again to them both.
“Now what I am suggesting is this. I know you will not take the money from me, somebody’s pride might choke them first!” She looked at Robert.
“However I am prepared to make you an interest free loan for as much as you need – to either pay back the loan entirely, or to pay back enough of it so that you are able to make the monthly payments.”
“Sally, that’s an incredibly generous offer!” Said Agnes tearfully; while Robert just glowered at them both.
“Robert; stop glowering, and let’s hear your objections!”
Said an emboldened Sally.
“All right..first of all the sum owed to the bank is £150,000 or about $240,000 if I’m not mistaken – so you see it is far more than you could possibly afford!”
Sally sat still and expressionless.
“Secondly, even if we agreed to your admittedly generous offer, then how on earth would we meet the payments to yourself – we’re back to the same old problem!”
“Ok Robert.” She said with a firm but gentle touch to her voice.
“The first problem does not exist – because I have more than enough to cover the monies involved!”
Robert and Agnes looked at one another, the look of shock and disbelief evident on their faces.
“Ok, the fact was that my father made some very astute investments on the stock market, meaning that although he led a quite austere life; he left me with a small fortune. So you see, it is not a problem.”
Robert just stood with his mouth opening and closing, not quite able to put his thoughts into words.
“As for the second problem – it too does not exist. I am quite prepared to accept no regular payment at all to the capital sum owed – other than that which you choose to give. It would be interest free and only payable on the sale of the house if it ever was sold. That is my offer – now…what do you both think?”
Agnes just stared at her, tears freely rolling down her cheeks. Robert stood as if dumbstruck. Finally it was Agnes who spoke up.
“But Sally my dear…why would you do this – you only met us a couple of days ago…it makes no sense!”
Sally reached over and took Agnes by the hand, which she could feel trembling. She felt herself welling up with emotion.
“Agnes…It may be only a few days since we met – but I feel I’ve known you both for years!” She looked across at Robert as she spoke.
“You said yourself it is like destiny, I truly feel that we have all been brought together at this particular time and place. This is meant to be; maybe The Lord is involved; I must admit I have not prayed so much since I was a little girl – and I feel that this is the right thing to do; for all of us. Robert…tell me you have not felt it as well? We just fit, that’s all there is to it.”
She broke off with a sob as she looked anxiously from one to another.
Robert was the first to break the tension; he shuffled his feet and could not look Sally in the eye.
“Well Sally…I don’t know what to say; except your right inasmuch as I feel exactly the same way about you, but..”
“Oh no – here it is again!”
“Please listen to me Sally, I appreciate your offer, I really do. However you must see that this would be placing our relationship on an entirely different footing, why..you would virtually own me – and Agnes!”
“Absolute nonsense!” Sally spoke out furiously.
“I expect nothing else from you; I will even get the lawyers to set it all up, so that there is no misunderstanding at all – you will owe me nothing but the initial sum, and that only when the property is sold – if ever! I for one will never mention the matter again, as God is my witness! Even if you dump me the day after – the agreement will stand!”
Agnes finally broke her silence, her chair scraping the floor as she stood up.
“Sally, as far as I am concerned you are an angel sent from heaven! I for one can see that your heart is right, and the offer genuine.” She held out her hand across the table.
“I for one would like to accept your offer – however Robert must also agree if we are to all stay friends!” She said this last, with a look towards her son.
“Well Robert? Please my love, I just want to help out the two people I hold most dear in the whole world, and who have brought sunshine into my life once again – even in the midst of a Scottish winter!”
Robert looked up through a veil of tears, and opened his arms wide. Sally rushed to him and wrapped herself in his embrace; both overcome with the joy of the moment. Agnes gave them space, and then came over so they could all share a group hug.
Robert blurted out. “As if I could ever dump you! How could you say such a thing!”
Agnes and Sally laughed aloud at his shocked expression. It was over, the house was saved and Agnes in particular could live without ever again worrying about being ‘put out on the street.’ A traditional celebration was called for – Agnes went and put the kettle on for a cuppa.
******
Chapter 10
Three weeks later, with the Christmas celebrations and a traditional Scottish Ceilidh behind her; Sally was preparing to leave for her home town in Wisconsin. She stood at the customs check at Edinburgh Airport, ready to board her aircraft for the long journey, first to Iceland then down over Canada to the USA.
Robert was already on his way home, having accompanied her to the airport and waving her a tearful farewell at the customs. She played absent-mindedly with the ring on her finger, and dreamt of the return journey in two months’ time.
Fate had intervened ‘big time’ to get her life back on an even keel, and she was ready to make the
most of the opportunity.
“Never mind Sally, just time to get everything in order back home, quit your job, sell the apartment and come back to a new life in Scotland with a man who means the whole world to you – and new family and friends to make you welcome!” she spoke quietly to herself.
“Sorry mam, did you say something?” The customs officer was looking at her strangely.
“Ha ha.. no it’s nothing – I was just talking to myself; I’ve been told it’s a sign of intelligence!”
“Well, if you say so!” The officer said with a smile.
She followed the rest of the passengers onto the plane with a light step – her mind already on the return trip; and the wedding plans that had to be made. It promised to be an exciting year!
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