“I know you love running, girls. I just wish I did too.”
She glanced back toward the bothy, now far from her line of sight and wondered why Alistair was employing such a dangerous looking man.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Anna drove into work later that afternoon, and met Morag walking along the tree-lined drive. Pulling the old Land Rover to a halt, she pushed open the passenger door and called to her friend.
“What on earth are you doing walking in this weather? Hop in, and I’ll give you a lift.”
“Thanks, Anna,” Morag said, as she shook the rain from her umbrella and climbed into the passenger seat. “I was hoping to bump into you or one of the other girls before I got soaked to the skin.”
“What made you choose today, of all days, to walk to work?”
Morag frowned. “Well, I didn’t wake up and decide it was a nice day for a stroll, that’s for sure! The truth is I forgot to put petrol in the pickup. Do you know that’s the third time this month I’ve done it?”
“It’s easily done. That’s why I keep a spare can of diesel at the croft. It was a good ceilidh,” Anna said, setting the vehicle in motion.
A smile creased Morag’s face. “Yes, lass, it certainly was a grand occasion. The food was wonderful, and the band Mr. Alistair hired from Glasgow was very good. Although I must say, I didn’t expect him to invite so many of the gentry, especially as the ceilidh was supposed to be for the tenants. Someone told me the Chief of Clan Grant was there, although I didn’t see the man myself.”
“Really? I did spot that racing driver…the one who won the last Monaco Grand Prix. Alistair has certainly moved up in the world to be hobnobbing with the likes of them.”
“That may be, but he should be spending less time with his fancy friends and more on the affairs of the estate. Do you know old Mrs. Ferguson reported her roof leaking six months ago, and it still hasn’t been repaired despite the fact her rent has increased?”
Anna parked the Land Rover outside the kitchen door and turned to her friend. “I guess the old Laird let things slip. Now Alistair is in control, I’m sure things will improve, unless the rumours are true and the estate has financial difficulties. It would certainly explain why he felt the need to increase the rents. Why hold a hugely expensive party if it is? It doesn’t make sense.”
“You’re right, it doesn’t, unless you’re trying to impress someone, such as a prospective buyer. Or trying to keep up appearances,” Morag said
“Did I mention he asked me to dinner?”
Morag glanced at Anna. “What, the Laird? And what did you say?”
“Why, Morag, I said no, of course.”
“Even though Luke will be returning home soon?”
“Yes, even though Luke will be leaving,” Anna said. “I can’t go behind his back and have dinner with another man, no matter how innocent the invitation may be. Besides, he’s not my type.”
“Who’s not your type? Who are you talking about, Luke or Alistair?”
“Are you being deliberately obtuse, or are you just trying to annoy me? Why Alistair, of course. He’s too smarmy. Too false, if you know what I mean.”
Morag’s brown eyes sparkled. “Does this mean romance is in the air? That you like Luke?”
Anna ignored the bait. “Come on, it’s time for work.” She made a dash for the hotel, leaving her friend to follow.
“You didn’t answer my question,” Morag said, as she hung up her coat and put on her apron.
“Do you want a coffee before we start, or should we get on with setting the tables for dinner,” Anna asked as she filled the kettle.
Morag rested her hands on her hips. “Anna! Now who’s being difficult?”
The young woman in question couldn’t help but laugh.
“Oh, Morag. You should see your face. You look just like my third-year school teacher when she admonished a recalcitrant pupil.”
“Hmph! I’m glad you think it’s funny.”
“I’m only teasing you. Of course I like Luke. If I didn’t, I would have made him leave after the first night.” She handed Morag a mug of coffee.
“Is that so?” Morag studied Anna over the rim of her mug. “Well, judging by the way the man was watching you last night, I’d say he’s more than a little in love with you. What do you think about that?”
“I think you’re crazy.”
“Why do you say that?” Morag asked.
“Because we’ve both acknowledged the fact his presence here is only temporary.”
“What’s that got to do with it? I tell you, that man is in love with you, and if I’m not mistaken, you love him too. The question is; what are you going to do about it?”
Anna sat down at the kitchen table and rested her chin on her hands. “Even if you’re right, what I can I do? I can’t ask or tell him to stay. That has to be his decision. Besides, he’s a foreigner. This isn’t his country.”
Morag pulled out the chair next to her friend and took Anna’s hands in hers.
“Being in love shouldn’t make you so sad. You must tell him how you feel.”
Anna started to speak, but Morag held up her hand to silence her.
“I know you want to be swept off your feet, but the world isn’t like that anymore. You have to fight for what you want. And trust me; if you want Luke, then you’re going to have to tell him before he climbs aboard that yacht of his and sails into the sunset.”
“I can’t, Morag. He has a successful career on the other side of the Atlantic, not to mention his yacht and, by all accounts, a wonderful home. All I have is a run-down croft, two dogs, and a decidedly unhealthy bank balance. He’s going to want someone of equal social standing. Not me.” Her eyes began to overflow.
Morag pressed a tissue into Anna’s hands. “You’re mistaken, and before much longer, Luke will prove he loves you. You mark my words.”
Anna laughed through her tears. “Another premonition, Morag?”
“Aye, lass. Each one is a little more distinct than the last, but more worrying is the danger I see around you.”
“And are you going to tell me what this threat is?”
“I would if I could see it clearly, but I can’t. I can only describe it as a dark shadow surrounding you. Just be careful, that’s all I ask. Now, if we don’t get a move on lass, we’ll have folk wanting to eat and the tables not even set.” She rose, picked up the pile of freshly laundered tablecloths, and went into the dining room.
Anna’s stomach clenched. The fear in her friend’s eyes was real. As usual, she was about to say the premonition was due to too much late-night TV, but something about Morag’s demeanour made her stop this time.
Suddenly, there was a crash from the dining room. Anna ran to find Morag on the floor, gasping, pale, and staring in terror at nothing.
“Morag! Are you all right? Speak to me! Morag? Morag! Answer me, for God’s sake!”
Anna wrapped her arms around her trembling friend. Morag screamed and began to cry.
“Oh, no, Anna. No, no, no!”
Anna rocked Morag, shushing her as if trying to reassure a child. “Quiet now, Morag. It’s okay. Everything’s all right. I’m right here with you. Can you talk to me? What happened?”
“It was…it was…” Morag looked far away. Her mouth opened and closed rapidly, trying to find the words, but none came.
A small blonde woman ran into the room. “What happened? Is she all right? Should I go and get the doctor?”
Anna shook her head. “Give us a moment, Katrina. I’ve seen her do this before…a long time ago when we were young. She should be all right in a minute. You go back to the front desk. If we need a doctor I’ll come and let you know.”
Katrina gave her a sidelong look in disbelief and left. Anna held her breath and waited.
Suddenly, Morag coughed and rubbed her forehead. She blinked. “Anna, did I pass out? I’m so sorry. I’m embarrassed.”
“Embarrassed? I thought you’d gone and died on me!�
�
Morag managed a wan smile. “No, far from it. I had such a headache this morning. I didn’t bother with breakfast. I only had a cup of tea.”
“Morag McInnes, whatever I am going to do with you?”
Morag grabbed the edge of the table and pulled herself unsteadily to her feet. “You’ll put up with me as you always have.”
“You can’t go around fainting. What will Lachlan do with you dead of starvation? What will I do? You’re the only real friend I have in this whole world. I couldn’t bear it if anything happened to you.”
Morag smiled, crow lines crinkling around her eyes. “I won’t die on you, I promise.”
“I intend to hold you to that promise. And you’re all right now?”
“Of course I am, lass. It was nothing really. But if it’s all the same to you I’ll just sit here for a few minutes.” Morag slumped onto a chair and rested her head in her hands.
“You’re telling me the truth?”
“Have I ever lied to you, Anna?”
“You’re not, are you?”
Morag looked away. “No, of course not.”
Anna instantly regretted the pain the partial question had caused. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean… At least let me get you a glass of water.”
“Don’t worry. Really.”
“You can’t tell me not to worry. What was it?”
“Stop pestering me!” Morag rubbed her temples.
“I won’t, not until you tell me.”
“You won’t believe me.”
“I will—I swear it.”
Morag sighed. “It was the Sight.”
“Not again, Morag.”
“You asked me, lass, so I’m telling you. It was dreadful. This time it came in the form of fire. The room vibrated with a low hum until I could no longer see…until I saw it.”
“Saw what?”
“Fire. Searing fire. The vision had me in its hold. It tossed me in all directions, like some unstrung marionette. The fire licked at my legs and arms. I can’t describe the pain.”
“A seizure, that’s what it was. You need to see the doctor. It’s a seizure!”
“No, it wasn’t, lass, and if you’ll listen to me, I’ll finish. As quickly as the vision appeared, it vanished. I wasn’t burned. It wasn’t true fire, you see, not at all. It represents something far more dangerous.”
“What could be more dangerous than fire?”
“Having your entire life burned away. That’s the message, lass. You’ve had your past destroyed for you, and if you’re not careful, very careful, your future will be taken from you as well.”
“So now you’re being cryptic,” Anna said. “You’re right, this was no seizure. I’ve seen dementia patients. They’re not this lucid. You’ve had some sort of waking dream.”
“Call it that if you like,” Morag said, “but be careful. Please.” Unsteadily, she picked up the linen she had dropped. Anna bent down to help, and they spread a crisp white cloth on the nearest table.
Anna didn’t want to admit it, but she was shaken by Morag’s fantasy. She wasn’t convinced that her friend didn’t have some sort of physical ailment that triggered ‘the Sight’, but she knew that continuing to discuss what Morag had ‘seen’ wouldn’t be helpful to either of them.
“By the way,” she said, deftly folding a starched napkin into the shape of a fan. “I crossed paths with the new factor while I was walking the dogs this morning.”
Morag started. “You what?”
“He was sheltering in Ardtoe bothy. He said he’d been tracking an injured stag.”
“Did you believe him?”
“There was no injured stag. Apart from the fact the deer are way up in the hills at this time of year, he would have needed a high powered rifle with a telescopic sight to bring one down. You don’t shoot deer with a shotgun.”
Morag paused between tables. “What did you think of the man?”
“He gave me the shivers. He looked at me as if I was dinner on his plate. You’re right; I wouldn’t trust him either. He has the appearance of a thug. I can’t imagine why Alistair would want to employ him.”
“You’re not the only one wondering that, lass. It’s some months since he took over Sandy’s job, and from what I’ve heard, he’s no very good at being head ghillie.”
“I’m not surprised, although he obviously knows how to shoot.”
“Well, any damned fool knows that. All you have to do is load a gun and pull the trigger,” Morag replied caustically.
Ewan poked his head through the swing door. “Ah, Morag. Here you are. There’s a telephone call for you. You can take it in reception.”
“I wonder who it can be.” She hurried through to the front of the hotel.
A few moments later, Morag re-entered the dining room later carrying a tray of wine glasses.
“Oh, Anna. Lachlan’s just phoned. He’s on his way home. Can you believe it?” She put the tray down on the nearest table.
“But I thought he was staying on the rig.”
“He was. They’ve found someone else to cover for the laddie who’s on holiday. Lachlan’s in Fort William, waiting for me to fetch him. Do you think you can manage to finish up here on your own?”
Anna smiled. “Of course I can. Don’t keep that man of yours waiting any longer than necessary. Now off you go.”
Morag stopped. “Wait! I can’t go! The petrol tank is empty. I’ve no transport.”
“Here,” Anna said, pulling her keys from her pocket and placing them into her friend’s hand, “take the Land Rover. The tank is almost full. I’ll get Ewan or Katrina to give me a lift to the garage. I’ll get a can of petrol and then take your pickup home. We can swap back in the morning. How does that sound?”
“Oh, lass. You’re wonderful!” Morag hugged her enthusiastically.
“Give over, I’m just doing what any friend would do. You’re still rather pale. Are you sure you’re well enough to drive that far? Because I can easily—”
“I’ve told you, I’m fine, more so now that my man is on his way home. Please stop fussing.” She kissed Anna on the cheek and rushed out of the room.
Morag climbed into the Land Rover, adjusted the seat and mirrors, and turned on the ignition. The old engine coughed once, twice, then rumbled into life. She fastened her seat belt, eased off the handbrake and put the vehicle into reverse, carefully backing out of the parking space. Straightening the wheel, she selected first gear and set off down the driveway.
As the Land Rover picked up speed, she hummed along to the radio, the windscreen wipers keeping time with the rhythm. It would take two hours, provided she didn’t meet any tractors on the twisting, single-track glen road, to get to Fort William. She smiled to herself; Lachlan had been away for five long weeks and was finally coming home. She missed him so much and wished he would find work closer to home.
As she approached the crossroads, she applied the brake and was surprised at the amount of effort it took to bring the Land Rover to a stop. The road was slick because of the rain, she reminded herself. Perhaps she could get Lachlan to persuade Anna to pension off this old heap and trade it in for something more modern. She drummed her fingers on the steering wheel as she waited for a car coming in the other direction to turn left.
On her way once more, Morag turned up the volume and sang along, her clear, delicate voice echoing in the small space. After seven miles, she reached the first of a series of tight bends. She tapped the brakes, and steered into it. Suddenly, the wheel had a mind of its own. She tried to turn right. The Land Rover veered left. Her heart pulsed. She yanked the wheel harder.
The back of the Land Rover swung out.
She screamed and depressed the clutch, but the gear didn’t engage. Icy fear twisted in her stomach, she tried again, and this time the lever shot home. Her heart thumping, she stretched out her hand to turn off the radio. She was too busy thinking about Lachlan when she should have been concentrating on the road. Fortunately, she regaine
d control, and the Land Rover rounded the bend without a scrape. Not that Anna would have noticed; there were already numerous dents on the bodywork.
The road straightened out, and Morag shifted gear, keeping a wary eye out for any sheep that may have strayed on to the highway. As she passed the entrance to Home Farm at the top of the hill, she downshifted in readiness for the sharp right-hand bend at the bottom. She pressed the brake.
This time the pedal went all the way to the floor.
Shrieking, she frantically pumped it. She grabbed the handbrake.
The Land Rover sped up.
She downshifted again. The engine screamed in protest, but still it didn’t slow. The nearside wheels mounted the grass verge. The bodywork skidded against a dry-stone wall, chipping stones away as the Land Rover went faster.
Morag jerked on the steering wheel. The vehicle skidded back onto the road, but it was too late to make the turn. The Land Rover smashed through the wall and took flight. It spun over a field.
Morag screamed. She prayed. She called for Lachlan. Then a large Scots pine loomed out of the bushes.
A massive thud.
Her head hit something. There was no pain. Only darkness. Something wet covered her face. She tried to catch it with her hands. They were numb. She thought of Anna. Then she thought of Lachlan. Then she thought no more.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Anna closed the gate, climbed back into Morag’s pickup, and wondered if her friend had collected her husband from the station in Fort William. She hoped for Morag’s sake that they would soon be able to buy the farm they wanted, and Lachlan could stay at home.
As she carefully negotiated the potholed track to Tigh na Cladach, all she could think about was an early supper and a long soak in the bath. It had been strange day with her run-in with the new ghillie, and doing Morag’s job as well as her own. She was tired and, if luck were on her side, Luke might have prepared dinner.
The House on the Shore Page 20