Fiona of Glenmorie

by Ruth Hay

  Lately, Fergus and Shona had been pleading for chickens near the house.

  “We would look after them, Dad. We’ll collect the eggs and wash them and we would take turns feeding the chicks. Donald could help us build a nice wee shelter for them.”

  Fergus was equally insistent, but Fiona now saw this project in a different light. Because of the distance to the art school, Fergus might be required to stay as a boarder during the week, leaving him with very limited time on the weekends. Shona did not yet know of this possible change in their routine and it might affect how she felt about raising chickens on her own.

  Another problem was taking root in Fiona’s mind. Recent discussions among wildlife proponents promoted returning wolves to large Scottish estates. Gordon was in support of this move toward biodiversity but Fiona saw a multitude of problems unless the predators were kept under strict control. Chickens, in particular, were known to be an easy target for wolves and foxes in spite of all the efforts to keep them at bay. She dreaded the moment when Shona or Fergus arrived to feed their charges and saw the kind of slaughter such invasions could create.

  She knew Gordon had a more sanguine approach to Nature, ‘red in tooth and claw.’ She was not willing, however, to have her children exposed to the worst of nature at a young age, if it could be prevented.

  Fiona held Neil in her arms and watched Fergus and Shona run around freely in the woods looking for mushrooms. She was not yet sure if she could relinquish her older son to the care of other adults for a week at a time. It would be an abrupt change for both of them. She had always guarded Fergus knowing his tender, sensitive heart. Trusting others to understand his quiet ways was coming sooner than she had expected. The break was inevitable as he ventured off to secondary education but she had imagined her little family would remain intact for a number of years yet.

  There was also the matter of Shona to consider. She would miss the company of her older brother but in his absence it was likely that her father would begin to see how suited Shona was to the business side of the estate. The entire chicken idea was couched in the language of profit as Shona expected to be able to sell excess eggs, as well as vegetables, to estate visitors in the summer months when she was on school holidays. It was only one example of how her mind worked. She had already marked out new raised planting beds near the house to increase her yield.

  No immediate decisions were required on behalf of Shona. Her mother was happy to know she had her only daughter under her care for the next year or two. Shona was always worth watching as she grew and changed. In addition to her strong personality, she had a softer side that was obvious when she looked after her baby brother and played with him. Fiona was pleased to see the real affection between them. Neil lit up when he saw his sister and he loved it when she read him stories at bedtime. He was still too young to know she was often reading her own choice of books, which he could not understand. He loved the sound of her voice and it gladdened their mother’s heart to see the bond between them.

  Fiona was an only child with responsibilities from an early age when her granny was the one family member left to take over her care. She was aware how this had shaped her life and caused her carefree childhood to end abruptly. Watching the interactions between and among her brood was a comfort even Gordon, the one boy among a throng of adoring sisters, could not fully comprehend.

  She put to the back of her mind the day when this precious phase of her life would end with the children grown and departed to seek their own paths. In the meantime, she would be sure her plans to return to work would not jeopardize what time with them was left.

  That’s a long way away. There are many years to be together just like we are today. God keep us all safe from harm.

  It was a silent prayer, offered up frequently from a full heart. Life was uncertain at best. She had seen and known how fragile her present happiness might be, and that knowledge made it all the more valued.

  * * *

  Gordon was returning with the children from their expedition in the woods, and Neil reached forward in her arms to see the wildflowers Shona had found and the mushrooms in a basket held up by Fergus.

  Her eyes went to Gordon’s flushed face and they exchanged a glance conveying everything at once. Everything she had been thinking, and more.

  “Mum! Look at these mushrooms! Dad says there are not edible but they are so beautiful. I can’t wait to draw them.”

  “Mum! Is there anything left in the picnic bag? I’m starving!”

  Gordon echoed his daughter’s demand and it was time to return home to the completion of a steak and kidney pie. The meat was simmering in the oven. The pastry topping was ready to add, and the vegetables were prepared.

  The delicious aroma of crisping pastry would accelerate all their appetites and a pleasant Sunday evening with her family around her was all but guaranteed.

  Sunday afternoon in the McCaig Estate House was an experience so new to Caroline Fenton that she could hardly believe it was true.

  First of all, she had no pressing work to do. No huge pile of documents to scan and annotate, no urgent phone calls to make, no pile of washing demanding her attention in the small cramped flat in London that was all she called home when not in Brussels. She could always choose to make the additional journey to Uckfield in East Sussex for a few hours spent with her mother and father, but most weekends saw her exhausted and craving solitude.

  Sitting in on endless meetings where every word had to be analysed and guarded, was depleting her energy more than ever, now that the Brexit negotiations were ramping up.

  It was easier when James was also in London. He pushed away the work piles and insisted on rest, or what could be termed rest in the noisy atmosphere of central London with ambulances blaring and buses spewing toxic fumes into the air.

  Second, on the list of new experiences, was the easy access to the garden. On rainy days in Oban they sat on the padded bench with Sylvia and watched the weather move across the huge bay window in total comfort with coffee mugs in hand. They could see miles of green beyond Anna’s front garden, dotted with clumps of trees and a gradually rising landscape.

  When the sun shone, it was a short stroll through the rear garden, out of the barred gate, stepping on the stones laid conveniently over the marshy turf, to reach the path winding up Helen’s Hill.

  Her first climb with James by her side encouraging her to continue when she feared being stuck, was such an amazing experience that she pleaded with him to go more often.

  The climb this afternoon required total concentration and resulted in heavy breathing but the rewards were well worth the physical effort. The contrast to all that was London was a continual delight to her.

  The air was like a refreshing cool white wine on a hot day. The view was breathtaking. She made her way to an outcrop of stone and sat there speechless, taking it all in. When James told her Anna loved the same spot and had found out this was Helen Dunlop’s thinking rock also, she felt an instant connection to the two women that surprised her with its power.

  James pointed out the winding pathway over the mountain summits toward Bev and Alan’s farmhouse and related the tale of how Ashley and Edmund had been overtaken by a storm and found themselves sliding down the wet hillside like a couple of kids, almost to the farmhouse door.

  Caroline took a warning from this tale, which was not sounding as funny to her as it appeared to be to James. She had climbed the heights of Delphi in Greece once, but she was with others then. Even there, an accident had occurred to one of the group. She would not be risking any solo climbs in this rugged area. Without James by her side it was too dangerous.

  “Is the Ashley you mentioned, Anna Drake’s niece?”

  “She’s a great-niece actually. She’s engaged to the local doctor, Edmund Jansen, but she’s in Canada with her grandfather, Simon, at the moment. I expect you’ll meet Edmund before too long. He lives in a tiny cottage on the shoreline owned by Fiona Campbell. “

 
; “I hope I don’t meet him in his professional capacity. I intend to enjoy every minute of this holiday and stay safe and well. Now, Jay, I think an afternoon nap is in order after all this effort. First one into the kitchen puts on the tea!”

  It was a challenge he was glad to take. Whenever Caroline referred to him by the name she had first known him by, when they met by Lake Windermere, it was a signal for intimacy. He could rush downhill but he was not about to take the chance of a twisted ankle that might spoil their fun.

  Oh, Anna! You could not have known how important this time together is for us! I would never wish any ill on Alina, but I hope your stay down south is not over for a week or two yet.

  * * *

  The longer Caroline stayed in Anna’s home, the more she became curious about both Helen and Anna.

  This was a general curiosity until their Sunday afternoon peace was interrupted by a knock on the door.

  James answered, but Caroline heard the exchange from the kitchen.

  “Oh, hullo there! Is Anna Drake at home by any chance?”

  “No, she’s not here at the moment. Can I help you?”

  The second the polite words left his mouth, James knew it was a mistake.

  The older woman brightened up remarkably and almost pushed the door wider in her haste to continue.

  “You see, son, I am a real fan. I’ve come all this way from Manchester just to see the famous painting by Anna’s dear departed husband. I have a copy of Ashley’s book here and a signature on that would be the icing on the cake as it were. Could you oblige by any chance? Related are you?”

  The woman produced the book from a pocket in her coat and thrust it into James’ face all the while peering behind him to memorize any tiny detail of the front entrance.

  James knew the next step would be to whip out a phone for a selfie. He acted quickly.

  “So sorry! The house is not available for tourists. I regret you came this far without knowing that. Please leave this private property right away and thank you!

  He closed the door firmly on the women’s protest, cutting her off at “But who are you sonny? Could you not just let me…………………..”

  He returned to the kitchen where Caroline was agog. “Does this happen often, Jay?”

  “Not to me, but you heard the talk at Bev’s about this topic. I think the problem is that Anna used to have a website before Lawren came on the scene. The house was rented out to holidaymakers at that time, so there’s a lingering hope that arriving at just the right moment will gain access.”

  “I see. Do you think Bev’s idea to divert such keen tourists will help?”

  “My mother is quite the entrepreneur since she moved here. It wouldn’t surprise me if it gets her more customers in the summer months and takes the pressure off Anna, or whoever might be living here.”

  “It sounds like this house should not be left empty for long. Is there a security system planned? Sylvia is quite fearsome when she’s aroused but I don’t think she could scare off intruders for long.”

  “Of course, you are right, Caro. I should have thought of this before now. Alan keeps an eye on the place but when he and Mom go to Florida, there’s really no one else around for miles.”

  He stopped to think; then continued on.

  “Another concern relates to that one. What if Anna fell down or was ill again while here? The last time that happened, Ashley took over. Jeanette or Fiona would help out, of course, but they would need to know Anna was in trouble. Neither of these women is nearby or exactly free of family responsibilities.

  Should I be thinking of security for Anna, as well as for the house? Anna is more important after all. She is loved by many people here in Oban as well as in Canada.”

  Caroline knew James was a caring and responsible man. He had proved that to her many times. This present, even deeper concern for others, was a new side of him that emerged strongly while he was here in these idyllic circumstances. She admired him for it.

  “I see that Anna is not permanently resident at the McCaig Estate House. My grandmother and grandfather are retired safely together in Paros, the Greek island, with throngs of relatives around them.

  A woman like Anna, living alone and getting older, is not in such a safe position. I understand your worries about her and I can see how much she means to you.”

  “She is very important to me, Caro. She gave me a start in business training when I was just a callow youth.”

  “Hmmm! I seem to remember that ‘callow youth’ dragging me out of the lake. You were quite the hero then, even though I did not really need saving.”

  James smiled at her. It was an old joke between them. He could not be distracted from his worries about Anna that easily.

  “The problem is that she will soon need to choose between Canada and Scotland. The trip across the Atlantic by plane is becoming more burdensome for her, as it is for all of us these days. I would not know how to decide for her where she must spend the last years of, what I hope will be a long and happy life span. It’s a very personal decision that can’t be put off forever.”

  This concern echoed for Caroline. She, too, must soon make decisions about where and with whom she should spend the next part of her life. She was gradually realizing the pace of her present work situation was neither desirable nor tenable. Something about being here with James Patterson was bringing that matter into a clearer focus.

  “James, may I change the subject a little? Would it be possible for you to unlock the door to Anna’s bedroom so I can catch a glimpse of the famous painting? It seems to me this is a unique opportunity and you are the perfect person to explain more about the amazing woman who is so important in your life.”

  He recognized the need to concentrate on present company and he was delighted to be able to accede to Caroline’s request. The matter of the safety of Anna Mason Drake was not going to go away but, for now, he had another very important woman to attend to.

  Before the day was done he intended to visit the local bookstore and buy Caroline a copy of Ashley’s book about Anna and Lawren. Although it would not tell Caroline much about Helen Dunlop, it would definitely inform her of the importance of the painting she was so anxious to see.

  Chapter Six

  It was not in the nature of Fiona Campbell to delay once she had a plan to pursue.

  On Monday morning she sent a proposal to her former boss at Scottish Wildlife Services outlining her idea to incorporate wildlife studies on the Glenmorie estate that could support current areas of interest in Scotland in general. She mentioned their success with the wildcat population as well as with the pine martens and quoted a recent news item in the English press regarding the possibility of safely re-introducing the pine marten into England.

  She also informed him of the progress of the Net Zero project. Success in running a house off the national grid was a real accomplishment. If the Wildlife Services were interested in nothing else, she was sure this item would get their attention. If she and Gordon could sustain their present success level, it would be important to a variety of investors who would like to be able to open up inaccessible areas of the Highlands to development of various kinds.

  Solar energy panels were at last beginning to come down in price and, on the horizon, there was graphene, the wonder product that would transform many processes when it was more available.

  Fiona had been present while Steve and Gordon recently discussed this topic by the fireside. Steve was very much intrigued by the work Gordon had done at Meco. He observed the potential in Scotland and considered Green House technologies to be the answer to population growth without destroying the wonderful countryside around them.

  “It means a single home could be constructed in an appropriate site and blended into its surroundings. No vast housing conglomerates despoiling the area with their cookie-cutter, soulless, similarity, mile after mile.”

  At the time, Fiona had interjected a comment about global warming which would provide m
ore hours of sunlight if current weather trends continued.

  Steve’s agreement was comforting. He stated that such massive weather changes did not develop in straight line projections but varied back and forth over decades. He ended with the warning that being prepared for such changes was how countries survived.

  Fiona kept most of this convincing material in mind for a future phone conversation with her boss.

  She noted she would be willing to write reports, and or articles, as needed and finished with a personal plea.

  With three children on the estate, I prefer part-time work for now.

  I do hope you will keep me in mind if, and when, opportunities occur. I am anxious to get back in harness.

  Fiona Campbell.

  With a click of the mouse, she sent her proposal winging off to Inverness.

  Now there were other matters to attend to.

  She wanted to visit the Art School during term time to see if it was a good match for Fergus.

  She would also do some research on the gradual introduction of wolves to large estates.

  She would try to reach the Duchess of Argyle by phone for advice on expanding the Glenmorie Estate’s tourist attractions.

  She would ask Donald if she could meet with Marie about looking after Neil when required.

  Fiona was well used to a busy schedule but even she acknowledged this was a formidable list. Much of it needed to be discussed with her husband but she had learned over the years that Gordon had his own lists and if she wanted to gain his support it was best to present him with a topic she had already initiated and from which she had excluded the most obvious drawbacks.

  She sighed. It was good to be busy and involved, but for a woman there were always sacrifices to be made.

  Neil was playing happily on the rug by her feet. His current favourite playthings were colourful plastic spoons and dishes from the kitchen, which he arranged in rows like soldiers and then knocked down with great glee.