Auld Acquaintance

by Ruth Hay

  Striding out with energy and purpose, she climbed the first stretch easily, thanks to the stones that had been placed over the wet ground at the base of the slope. Someone must have climbed here before, she realised. I wonder if it was Helen?

  Soon the boggy ground gave way to the shrubby, brown bushes that covered the lower parts of most of the hills Anna had seen in Scotland. Fee had told her this was bracken or gorse and it would transform into green and yellow before long.

  The track was veering east and skirted large rocks from time to time. After about twenty minutes, Anna sat down on one of these to catch her breath.

  The vista that met her eyes caused Anna to gasp in surprise. Already, the farm house below could be seen in its entirety from the line of fir trees on the west right over to the stream on the east. Anna was reminded of the aerial photograph George had sent to her.

  The steep pitch of the farm house roof completely obscured the details of the building from here, but everything, including the fence at the roadside, was so much a part of the landscape of rough stone and woody tones interspersed with vibrant green boggy stretches and tufts of wild grasses, that Anna was struck by the natural way all of it blended together.

  She could not wait to climb higher still, despite the caution in the back of her mind that her legs might not be up to the strain. “I’ll rest later,” she promised herself as she faced the sloping path once more.

  Strangely, the wind was not so powerful at this height. Searching for a cause for this, Anna saw that a vertical outcrop of mossy rock projecting from the hillside to her right, was providing a welcome wind barrier.

  By the time Anna reached the top of the hill she was using her hands to pull herself up by grasping rocks along the track and she was feeling the heat of exertion. Determination drove her up the last rough stretch with the thought of a rest at the summit and a view which must, surely, be worth the effort.

  The first shock was the return of the wind. As she stood up, the blast cooled the sweat on her forehead and caused her to quickly refasten the coat she had loosened minutes earlier.

  The second surprise was that she was not facing a hilltop with a slope descending rapidly on the opposite side from the farm house, but, instead, the land dipped down smoothly into a hollow where a pool of water reflected the blue sky, then reared up to new heights that could not have been seen from lower down.

  In fact, Helen’s Hill, as she now labelled it in her mind, was only the first in a range of hills that continued north into the distance.

  From this elevation she could see far below to the tree clad lower slopes of this range and to the rugged landscape scattered here and there with the white dots of sheep. There were no dwellings within sight, although what might be the ruined walls of old cottages jutted out of their grassy graves in a few places.

  Pulling her gaze back to the hollow below where she stood, Anna discovered the source of the stream on her property. The pool must have drained the rainfall from the surrounding heights and the overflow, which she could now see as well as hear, tumbled down the hillside to skirt the farm house and roll on until it met a lake, or loch, in the far distance.

  Everywhere she turned there was a new vista. The sun was now high enough in the sky to illuminate the western reaches of the hilltop. Anna wondered what views might be awaiting her from that perspective, but she could not bear to leave the present aspect in case some glint of sun, or passing cloud cover, would reveal further unexpected splendours. Minutes went by unnoticed as she scanned the scene before her.

  Finally, she sank down onto a grey giant of a rock. Resting her eyes for a moment, she noticed that the surface of the rock was patched with tiny lichens in golds and greens.

  A tuft of sheep’s fleece was caught in a narrow fissure where a miniature blue flower clung to life. Wonders abounded on every scale from large to small, she noted, in amazement.

  From this angle she saw a human-made pile of stones below her, near the deep pool.

  Remembering the custom of mountain climbers to add a stone to show others that they had reached the summit safely, she was impelled to add a stone of her own, but doubted she had the strength left to risk the further challenge.

  “I will come back here again,” she vowed to the wind and the sky.

  Suddenly, and quite unexpectedly, Anna Mason was overwhelmed with the need to know more about Helen Dunlop. Had she climbed up here and relished these views, adding a stone each time? Was this why she had chosen to live all alone, with private access to stunning views in her own backyard? Was this the reason that had made her live in such a frugal way when a few dollars would have made her life more comfortable?

  A strong gust of wind almost pushed Anna off her perch. She was beginning to feel the ache of over-exerted muscles. Dragging her eyes away from the view, she set off on the descent, grateful that she was not afflicted with a fear of heights.

  * * *

  By the time Anna had retrieved the key from its hiding place and collapsed onto a kitchen chair, her legs were shaking with exhaustion and she was feeling weak all over her body. And yet, she realized, her spirits had never soared so high in many, many years.

  There was something about achieving the impossible that exhilarated her beyond the physical plane and she felt as if she had passed into a new, more positive phase of her life.

  As soon as she had summoned the strength to feed herself, with an emphasis on sweet, energy-restoring treats, Anna used the cell phone.

  * * *

  “Hi, Alina! Yes, I have spent the first night at the farm and I just wish you could see it all, my dear, dear friend.

  I know I said it was primitive, and that’s true enough, but there’s something about the simplicity of life here that’s very appealing.

  Yes, I am all alone but I have lots to do and more than lots to think about and I’m not too far from the town.

  Listen! I have to tell someone! I just came back from climbing a mountain! Oh, it was just wonderful, Alina. The views were stunning. It’s so beautiful around here you can hardly believe it.

  I knew you would say that. I promise I will be careful and I will remember to take my cell phone and have the emergency numbers at the ready. Yes! I promise. Of course, it’s an A Plus promise!

  Don’t worry! I haven’t felt this good in years. It must be the air from the sea or something.

  I’ll talk to you soon and don’t worry. Please call Simon for me and tell him I’ll be in touch when I have more news about Helen.

  I’m just going to check in with Bev and Susan and Maria if I can reach them. I know you’ll all share the news.

  Bye for now. I miss you already.”

  * * *

  “Bev, it’s me! Right, I have figured out how to use this thing, although I will need several more lessons from James before I will be a competent cell phone owner.

  Did you get my message about the Visa bill? No, it will be a few more days yet until I can access my new bank account so I am relying on credit or cash for now.

  I know I have spent quite a bit of money already but I am thinking ahead. If the house is to be sold, most of my purchases will add to the value, and in the meantime it is making life much more comfortable for me.

  You can tell that from my voice? Absolutely! This is a fabulous adventure. I can’t wait to show everything to all my Sambas. I will take lots of pictures.

  Oh, I see! Long calls should be routed from Canada otherwise the cost is prohibitive.

  Can you keep track of that Bev? I hope all this is not too much of an imposition. You must charge me for your time, remember.

  Take care and thank James again.

  Good! I’m glad my car is behaving for him.

  Bye for now.”

  * * *

  “Susan, it’s Anna here. Yes, I am very well.

  Bev says you should call me back right away on this number and it will be considerably cheaper for me. Keep a note of the cost at your end and I will pay for it.

&
nbsp; * * *

  Good! That works fine. Did you hear about Helen’s letter? I know, I was astounded when George handed it to me! It was like a voice from beyond the grave and I just know there’s lots more to the story. George is working on it for me.

  Oh, he has been so helpful, Susan. I could not have managed without him. He thinks of everything.

  What? He can’t be more than thirty and he has a charming wife, I’m told. I am not here for romance, my friend. I am way too busy.

  Well, the farm house is not quite what I expected. Do you remember the summer when we rented a cottage at the Lake, sight unseen, and it turned out to be a ramshackle wreck of a place?

  Right! No, the walls and roof are intact here although the amenities leave much to be desired, but Susan, it’s in the most amazing location you ever saw. I am exhausted, but enchanted also and learning every day.

  Great idea! I will start a diary as soon as I get into Oban again and pick up more supplies.

  Bye for now and love to all of you, two-legged and four.”

  * * *

  You have reached Maria’s Modes. Please leave a message after the beep, detailing how we can help you with your fashion needs. One of our associates will be happy to contact you as soon as possible. Press #3 for our store hours and location.

  Maria, this is Anna calling from Scotland. Sorry I missed you today. This is a quick call to say I am surviving in style and will be shopping for outdoor all-weather clothing soon.

  Can you imagine me climbing a mountain? Well, believe it! I did it today and it won’t be the last time. Be good. Love to all the family.

  Chapter Sixteen

  By noon the next day Anna had just about recovered from the mountain climb.

  Her legs were still aching, and occasions to go upstairs were being strictly rationed, but she could stand upright for longer periods and as long as she rested her feet on a chair and cushion while seated, she was managing fairly well.

  Fortunately, Fee was collecting Anna in the SUV at one o’clock and she had arranged to take Anna for lunch, so no strenuous movements were required until later in the afternoon.

  Anna had longed for a hot bath to soothe her aching muscles on the previous night, but gave up the desire when she realised what would be required to fill the huge bath with water from a kettle. She compromised with a sponge bath and a foot soak then fell into bed in the larger bedroom this time, as the fire in the smaller room had not been re-set and she lacked the energy to fetch more fuel from the backyard.

  Sipping a cup of tea, Anna made a mental list of all the things she needed to accomplish while in Oban. Painkiller was first on the list, then a visit to the local library was in order, after re-stocking her groceries and buying fresh vegetables.

  She must investigate and see if she could buy suitable climbing boots and outdoor clothing. Maria’s handsome overcoat had taken a beating on the way down Helen’s Hill and the rubber boots with rigid soles were not the best solution for gripping wet, moss-covered rocks.

  Another necessary item that had occurred to Anna, was a small radio. It had been ages since she had read a newspaper and knowledge of local events, as well as weather reports, would be most useful. The page of writing paper, found in a drawer in the sitting room, was rapidly filling with notes and Anna, gauging the possible costs of these items, wished she had access to her bank account. Why did it take five business days to check out her credit?

  “Hallo there! Anybody home?” Fee’s cheerful voice was a welcome interruption to Anna’s thoughts.

  “Come right in, Fee. I left the door open for you. I can’t tell you how glad I am to see you.”

  “Oh, dear! That doesn’t sound too good. Have things not been working out for you Ms. Mason?”

  “No, no, that’s not it at all. It’s just that I am not used to so much silence, Fee.

  And please call me Anna. I feel that we are friends already.”

  “Glad to, Ms. Anna, I mean Anna, and you look very smart in your red suit today, Ms. Mason.” The laughter that ensued from this mixture of titles filled the kitchen with such pleasant sounds that Anna felt encouraged to impose on Fee’s advice again.

  She had been searching high and low for the key to the barn without success, and there was the problem of the stove and the hot water supply, and how she would get the break in the stone wall repaired.

  Fee suggested that the key might be hidden behind a loose stone in the porch entrance. This was a favourite hiding place of old folks, according to her Granny. Sure enough, such a stone was found there and the key to the barn’s padlock was revealed.

  As for the stove, Fee announced that she had taken advice from her Granny on this topic and was prepared to start the monster up on their return to the farm.

  “At least you’ll be warm as toast tonight, Anna. There’s some wild weather coming in, they say. You could also bake, if you’ve a mind to, or even take a bath after an hour or so to heat the boiler.”

  “That’s music to my ears, Fee. I could wash a few things too, as well as myself.”

  “Good enough! We’ll away to town then whenever you’re ready.”

  Fee could not help noticing Anna’s new, less-than-nimble walking style, so the first part of the drive to Oban was taken up by Anna’s account of the climb up Helen’s Hill.

  After Fee had doled out praise and caution in equal measure, Anna asked the question that had been bothering her since their first meeting.

  “Fee, I hope you don’t mind my curiosity, but how does a young lady come to own a large automobile like this one, and why would you need it in this area?”

  “Oh, I don’t mind at all, Anna. In fact I am quite proud of my situation and glad to tell you about my plans.”

  As the countryside rolled past, Anna learned to her surprise how enterprising thinking could give a chance in life to a young person, even in the current global financial difficulties that must have impacted a small country like Scotland even more harshly than most.

  The story that unfolded in Fee’s unsentimental style revealed that she had been brought up by her grandmother after the drowning death of her father whose fishing boat capsized in a fierce storm when Fiona was only three years old.

  Her mother, grieving the loss of her husband so desperately, fell ill shortly afterwards and died of, what was believed by all who knew her, to be a broken heart.

  Fee and her Granny survived well together despite a lack of funds. This upbringing had supplied the girl with both a keen sense of the value of money, and an independent, self-motivating attitude toward earning it.

  “You see,” she continued, “I wanted my Granny to have a more comfortable old age since she had sacrificed so much to take care of me. As soon as I could, I left school and did a series of odd jobs while I looked around for something that was recession proof.

  I learned from my Granny and her friends that most older people need transport at various times in their lives, so I borrowed money from a government Business Incentive program and bought this second-hand vehicle on hire purchase.”

  “Very impressive, Fiona!” exclaimed Anna, then added hesitantly, “May I ask how you have managed financially?”

  “Well, I have a contract to do the school run for two families from north of Oban.

  That pays well in term time, and I am on call at the local doctors’ offices for patients that need to go to hospital for treatment as well as seniors’ trips to the grocery store and so on.

  I do deliveries for Oban shops also, and I share expenses with a partner who drives the taxi on overnight delivery jobs to Stirling, Glasgow or Edinburgh.”

  “Quite a thriving business, you have there, Fee,” said Anna, with genuine admiration.

  “Ach, it’s good enough for the time being.” Fiona shrugged her shoulders and Anna realized there was more to come.

  “I discovered something about myself while driving all over the countryside. I want to qualify as a wildlife inspector for the Scottish Wildlife Federatio
n.”

  “How did that come about?” Anna gasped. This young woman was full of surprises.

  “I’ve aye been interested in birds and animals. When you have little or no money for entertainment, watching what’s around you is a good substitute. I even worked as a volunteer in the Scottish Sea Life Sanctuary, counting coastal seals, but the lonely moors and the forests attract me the most.

  I often stop and walk between appointments. In only a few minutes you can be a part of the solitude. Nature is everywhere around you hereabouts. I take pictures of foxes and stoats and otters and sometimes I see the osprey catching fish in the lochs. I’ve sold a few photographs to tourists but I’m mainly interested in preserving the countryside and its wild nature for the future.”

  “From what little I have seen, Fee,” responded Anna, “I can heartily agree with your ambitions, but what sort of training would you need for the wildlife work?”

  “It’s a two year college course in Inverness,” said Fee with a lot less enthusiasm than she had shown when talking about her aspirations, “but I have to finish secondary school first. I am taking A level qualifications through the Open University. I work on my studies whenever I have the time.”

  Anna was stunned at the responsibilities this young woman was carrying on her slim shoulders. She felt impelled to offer her help, saying spontaneously, “I was a teacher before I retired, Fee. I don’t know the Scottish curriculum, but if there’s anything I can do to help you while I am here, I would feel it a privilege if you allowed me to do so.”

  “Ms. Mason, I mean Anna, that’s uncommon kind of you, but I couldn’t impose on you like that. You are here for a holiday not to work with a ..................”

  “Stop right there, young lady!” interrupted Anna, “I am sitting alone at night with no television and only my own thoughts for company. If you came by, I would consider it a favour. Let’s have no more objections. It’s a done deal. Bring your books any time you can and we’ll see what can be accomplished together.”