by Ruth Hay
She mad e a few notes and went off about her daily chores knowing that the best ideas suggested by her conversation with the Duchess would float to the surface as time went by.
She checked her email for a response from Wildlife Services then picked up Neil, dressed them both in outer wear against a chill wind and decided to walk to the castle to see if Donald was in the offices.
A meeting with his Marie was next on her agenda.
Rena and Steve Collins were determined to be an integral part of the Oban community. Their move from Sussex in England had happened very organically and although they had not set a limit on their time in Scotland, they wanted their influence there to be as positive as possible.
* * *
Rena was in her office at the Primary School with the door closed, reading an enquiry from the Argyll and Bute Education Authority. They wished her to accept a dual position as Head Teacher of the Primary School and Head Teacher of the Oban High School. The latter position was on a temporary basis until the new head was available but was likely to last for several months.
She knew, without their telling, that the vacancy rate for teachers in Scotland remained at 6.2% which was currently the second highest in the UK. This was an unusual situation and one that could have a dire effect on the pupils who studied at both these institutions. Her own background in teaching, together with her success at the primary school, must be prompting this request.
She carefully considered whether a joint leadership role was feasible.
She had the energy and the knowledge to bring to the task.
She had already encouraged her ambitious Deputy Head to take on greater responsibility at the primary level. Jordan was a fan. He would support her.
It all depended on whether she would be accepted in the larger High School. Having had occasions to work with secondary teachers in her role at the Teachers’ College in Toronto, she understood what impact a stranger, and unknown educator, could have on a reluctant staff. Promotion from within the ranks was preferable to bringing a stranger into the mix, but in the present circumstances, there was no leeway within the schools to allow for two additional teachers in administrative positions.
The fact that Rena was from Canada might well play in her favour. There could be no adverse gossip about her prior teaching career, other than the mostly good reports from the parents and teachers in her current Oban school.
If she handled the double role with discretion and humour, it might be possible to blend the two. She thought of her senior class children and how the transition to the High School could be made more convenient if she initiated some of the methods used in Canada.
Already her thoughts were moving from ‘maybe’ into ‘when’. It was an indication of her excitement at the prospect. Should she and Steve decide to make their home in Scotland on a more permanent basis, this change, with its additional finances, would make the process easier.
She decided to make a phone call thanking the superintendent for his offer and asking for a day or two to consider it. She must talk to Steve without delay.
Steve Collins was constantly amazed at how well he had made the transition from Sussex to the Highlands of Scotland. In essence, his work was quite similar. He moved between sites as he had done in England, but what was different was the opportunity to observe the spectacular Argyll countryside in all its seasons. Not that the roads were empty of all traffic. Heavy loads were moving constantly from place to place on the coastal roads but overall there was less traffic than in the crowded south of England, and when he looked ahead during his journeys to Inverness he saw sea lochs, snow-capped mountains, verdant glens, ruined castles and the occasional red deer on the heights.
Every journey was a new adventure. The only problem was that he had to try to explain the wonders to Rena each night when he would have preferred to have her there by his side. Their exploratory runs on the weekend would have to suffice until the summer holidays gave Rena some time off.
The entire work situation was stimulating to him. There was a sense of possibility here that excited him.
Whenever he attended the Argyll and Bute Council Chamber meetings, at Kilmory, there was always something valuable he could contribute from his English experience.
He knew better than to make a point about English ideas being superior, however. That was a mistake. Scots expected their own local knowledge to be more important in the decision making process. Steve quickly learned to couch his opinions in general terms and all was well. He still had most input whenever new projects were being considered by the council. It was his job to advise and recommend on building matters.
A recent discussion about a proposed Business Improvement District in Oban was up for debate in council. He was pleased to hear the site under consideration would in no way spoil the character of the old town. It was clear that the tourist visitors to the area were a valued source of income to many. Anything that brought more development and provided more jobs was vital in slowing the exodus of young people to more fertile job markets in England and elsewhere.
Steve listened, and waited for an opportunity to introduce the topic of green technologies for the new Business Improvement District. He was very impressed by Gordon and Fiona’s Net Zero house. It was a bold move, still in its early stages, but if it could be proved successful in the long run, it could open up a wide range of building options in less accessible areas. Gordon was willing to have a deputation from the council visit his house at a future time and Steve kept this nugget of information close to his chest until the perfect moment presented itself.
Apart from business matters, he was proud to see how well Rena was blending into the community.
The school environment was the right place from which to make a multitude of connections and through his wife he also had a web of contacts related to a tight group of families from the local solicitor, George McLennan, to the doctor, the shepherd, and the English couple from Brussels now living in the house of Anna Drake.
He had heard of the mysterious Anna before, from this very couple. When he and Rena were attempting to find a way through the tangle of government and legal problems surrounding Rena’s abrupt departure from Toronto, both James Patterson and Caroline Fenton had played a crucial role.
He and Rena met up with them again at a recent gathering and Anna Drake’s name came up in the conversation more than once.
He admitted to considerable curiosity about that lady. Many people seemed to circulate around her and there were obviously stories to be told, including how all these interesting families had been drawn into her circle.
All in all, the move to Scotland was proving to be a great success. In his travels, he had begun to keep an eye open for a future house purchase. If he sold his home in Sussex, currently rented, he could afford to buy a more permanent home in these beautiful surroundings. He toyed with the idea of an Eco house along the lines of the one Fiona and Gordon owned but none of this had been discussed with his wife, as yet. It was too soon to introduce that topic.
Unless both of them were fully committed to living in Scotland it was all mere supposition.
Chapter Eight
Anna Mason Drake was frustrated.
She was dealing with an unfamiliar health system, a complex warren of a city, an increasingly worried best friend, and the knowledge that spring was burgeoning in the north and she was missing it.
She knew the McCaig Estate House was in good hands with James and Caroline in charge. She hugged to herself the small compensation that with this intimate contact in such a magical place, the two young people might finally cross their mutual barriers and grow closer together as a couple. She had always known they would eventually end up together, given the chance. Anyone could see the couple belonged together. Caroline’s involvement with the politics of Brexit was the current stumbling block.
There were other compensations for Anna in the extended stay in Britain’s capital city. Not least of which was the opportunity to r
eturn at the end of each frustrating day of dealing with the medical profession, to the relative peace of Dunstan’s Close with Zoe and Wesley and their two children.
Valerie Westwood had waxed lyrical about this wonderful corner of London, secluded and protected from the hustle and bustle of a frantic capital city, but no amount of description did justice to seeing the actual edifice.
When she and Alina descended from the taxi after the long and wearisome journey from Canada, they were in no fit state to appreciate the finer details of what had once been a handsome small church dedicated to St. Dunstan. But, even then, despite their fatigue they stood in breathless admiration at the gates and gazed at the structure with its commanding bell tower, large windows and a multitude of architectural touches in the medieval style. Anna whispered in Alina’s ear that soon she would see all of it, God Willing.
The effect was almost overwhelming but lasted only a short while until Wesley and Zoe opened up the gates and welcomed in the travellers.
The interior was equally impressive but all the women could remember from that first night was the warmth of their reception, the nourishing meal set out on the kitchen island for them, and their rapid ascent to their shared bedroom on the upper level.
It was not until late the following morning that they had recovered enough to understand the privilege of sharing this extraordinary home for however short a time it would require to get the illusive operation to save Alina’s remaining sight.
The interior had high ceilings and the white walls bounced light from the windows to every corner.
The furnishings were stylish and comfortable but fit the environment perfectly with the little touches of intricately carved wood and tapestry cushions that reminded the viewer of the home’s origins.
Anna and Alina felt immediately at home there. Zoe even took a day off from her executive position in an international business company to make sure they were oriented to the area and had everything they could possibly need for their comfort. This included introductions to Zachary and Michelle who, quite obviously, were the light of their parents’ lives. What impressed Anna, immediately, was the way in which either Wesley or Zoe could take over seamlessly when the other was needed to answer the phone or do something about meal preparation. Both had busy and important careers but their priority was, without doubt, the children.
* * *
Wesley was their essential guide to the intricacies of Britain’s National Health System. Without his advice and the number of contacts he made for the women, delays and problems deriving from Alina’s non-domiciled status would have driven them to distraction within the first week.
As it was, the endless waiting rooms and official forms took up the major part of their days. The most frustrating thing was that the revolutionary eye surgery they sought for Alina was a mere sixty seconds in length. The Eyemax Mono technique pioneered by one Bobby Qureshi at the London Eye Hospital, was a new discovery, but had already shown astonishing results for patients with intermediate to advanced macular degeneration. Alina fell into this category, hence this attempt to get the treatment for her as soon as possible.
It appeared, however, that many of the five million Britons similarly affected by the condition were rushing into line ahead of Alina.
Anna, with Wesley’s help, was a powerful advocate for her friend. She could quote the number of years during which Alina’s eyes had deteriorated causing her severe distress and affecting her ability to run their A Plus Company. Her disability had progressed to such a degree that she could no longer travel alone, or safely function within her own home without support, and she could not now recognize with certainty the most familiar faces. Even with the enlarged screen print technology she used, she was unable to work on her computer and had left behind her skill with crochet and knitting that had been a mainstay of her success for many years in the business.
Every time Anna saw another restriction appear in her friend’s life, she felt like weeping. She was determined to obtain this operation no matter what it cost. In fact, she was up front with a large cheque in hand whenever they gained access to an office in which her case for Alina’s dire need could be made in person.
The most promising of these office interviews, was with a female administrator who listened intently, examined Alina’s eyes, read her medical history, noted Wesley’s letter pleading Alina’s case, and, after enquiring if Anna had dual citizenship and owned property in Great Britain, suddenly smiled broadly at them.
“I must admit that I am familiar with your excellent A Plus knitwear. I can’t promise you a speedy resolution to your dilemma, but I will do what I can to get you on a list as a private client who will pay the necessary fees. What is your time frame?”
Anna was struck dumb with this unexpectedly positive response and replied as soon as she could summon enough breath, saying, “We are presently staying with friends in London and if there is a chance of getting on a list, even a cancellation list, we will be within an hour of the hospital at all times.”
“Good enough!”
She made a note or two while Anna sat rigid in her chair, gripping Alina’s hand ever more tightly, then the administrator stood and offered her hand to both of them.
“It has been so nice to meet you ladies. I do hope we can accomplish what you want. I trust we can match the skills of your A Plus Company with suitable medical skills here in London. I know your business employs teams of expert knitters in Scotland and it is your policy to use wools and materials from Britain whenever possible. I believe you deserve this operation, Alina.
I will do what I can toward that end.
Oh, and before you leave, may I ask you to please give my regards to Dr. Philips. Wesley is a remarkable psychotherapist.”
* * *
They staggered out of the hospital building in disbelief. Alina raised her dark glasses to wipe away her tears. Anna felt like falling on her knees and thanking all the gods in heaven for this blessing, but she knew she might not be able to rise up again without help.
“Alina! This is a real cause for celebration! I’ll get us a taxi and we’ll arrange a special meal for Zoe and Wesley and the children tonight at Dunstan’s Close.”
By the time Zoe arrived home with the two children. Wesley had helped set the table and ordered a special meal to be delivered from their favourite restaurant. Anna insisted on paying and while Alina rested her eyes upstairs, Anna prepared the children’s supper by consulting the weekly menus pinned to the fridge. She had helped Zoe and Wesley to manage this routine many times. As godmother to Jeanette’s two, and Fiona’s three, she was familiar with little ones and their needs, and, over time, she had devised a nice line of entertainments to keep children amused and focussed on eating everything on their plates. She enjoyed this activity much more than might be expected, given her advanced years and lack of children of her own.
Zachary was a handsome and solemn fellow with his mother’s dark looks, in contrast to his little sister, Michelle, who favoured her father’s colouring and had the humour of her grandfather, Michael, according to both parents.
Anna knew they had the best of care at the Staff Nursery in Zoe’s company headquarters. It was proved to her every evening when all three came through the door laughing and smiling with delight at being together again.
Tonight she wanted Zoe and Wesley to have time to change and shower before they ate. Champagne was cooling and flowers were filling the rooms with the scents of summer. Thanks to one of London’s famous knowledgeable cabbies, she and Alina had been able to purchase these treats on the way home.
The atmosphere was one of indulgence and celebration, which Zoe spotted the second she entered the antique door to Dunstan’s Close.
“My goodness! What’s going on here?
Has something happened? Is it good news at last?”
Anna quickly filled her in on the day’s events and Zoe was delighted for them, especially so when she learned there was still going to be a delay o
f an unknown length. The truth was that she would dearly miss Anna and Alina. As house guests, they were the best, and the children adored them.
Once or twice Anna had taken over the care of Zach and Michelle when both parents were delayed with important events at work. Having on-site help like that was a tremendous benefit now Zoe was back working full time at Excelsior.
She and Wesley had discussed employing a live-in housekeeper but they relished their evening hours together so much that the thought of someone constantly there, was not welcome.
Anna and Alina were more like the grandmothers neither of the children’s parents could supply.
They were warm and helpful with the added benefit of taking their leave early in the evening to retire to their bedroom. They also enjoyed the snug; the small room near the base of the tower, originally meant as an office but now transformed into a television room. Zoe and Wesley preferred to listen to music or read after the children were in bed, so this cozy spot was perfect for the two older women whenever they chose to relax there.
All in all, Zoe would miss them terribly and she knew the children would also. She mentioned this to Wesley as they dressed for the celebration meal.
“Such good news for Alina, Wes! The operation will make a huge difference in her life. I was thinking we should do something special as a family now that Anna and Alina will have to spend less time in hospital waiting rooms. What do you think they would enjoy?”
Wesley turned from adjusting his tie with the aid of the bathroom mirror. He saw Zoe behind him applying lipstick, and thought, for the millionth time how lucky he was to have such a woman in his life.
