Daughter of Mull

by Joan Fleming

  ‘I’ll be fine in a minute,’ Anna said.

  ‘Take your time,’ Finn said. He pulled a bottle of water from his rucksack and offered it to her. ‘Would you like a drink?’

  ‘Thank you,’ Anna said. ‘I’m so sorry.’

  ‘Drink,’ he said. ‘You don’t need to apologise.’

  Anna began to feel better.

  ‘The colour’s coming back to your face,’ Finn said. ‘You turned a deathly white in there.’ He offered her the water bottle again but she shook her head. ‘What happened?’ he asked. ‘You were okay one minute, then you almost fainted the next.’

  ‘It was stuffy inside. I was going around in circles, taking a video on my mobile.’

  ‘Oh, your mobile,’ Finn said, scrabbling in his pocket and pulling out her phone. ‘I nearly forgot.’

  ‘Thanks, Finn. I’ll be fine now.’ She started to push herself up, but he rested a staying hand on her shoulder,

  ‘No rush. Once you feel better, we can go and see if we can find a cup of tea.’

  Later that afternoon, once they had crossed back over to Mull, Finn, whose van was parked near the ferry terminal, drove Anna to Benview.

  ‘Are you sure you feel alright, now?’ Finn asked, as he helped her out of the van.

  ‘Never better,’ Anna replied. ‘Thank you so much for your help.’

  ‘My pleasure,’ he said, ‘Always ready to rescue a damsel in distress.’

  As she closed the passenger door, he pulled her towards him in a gentle hug. Then, without another word, he walked round to the driver’s side, got in, and drove off.

  Once he had gone, Anna went into the cottage and slumped into an armchair. She sat for a long time, going over in her mind what had happened in the museum. She’d brushed off Finn’s questions on the reason she had so nearly fainted. Although she wasn’t prepared to share it, she was fully aware of at least part of the answer.

  It was the name of Anna Maclean that had sent shivers down her spine. Among the documents her mum had shown her was her original birth certificate, where she was registered as Anna Janet Maclean.

  CHAPTER 12

  The following morning, Anna decided she should take advantage of the continuing good weather and explore the area around Benview cottage. After her reaction to the gravestone of Anna Maclean the previous day, she felt the need to clear her mind. The weakness she had felt on hearing the name now seemed like an over-reaction, and she was aware she should offer an explanation to Finn, who had given up his time to help her.

  She briefly let her thoughts wander for a few moments on what would have happened to her if she’d been there alone. Would she have collapsed onto the ground, perhaps striking her head against a gravestone? What if she’d lost consciousness? Perhaps only a few people who visited the abbey – the main attraction on the island – ever took the time to detour into the museum?

  She shuddered, realising that she would have to take more care if she were wandering around without telling anyone where she was going. But who would she tell? And how much information should she give about her other motive for this visit to Mull?

  Aware that there was a change in the timbre of the voices reaching her from outside, Anna was curious. She turned down the radio and listened. Yes, there was a female voice added to the lower tone of the workmen’s conversations she’d heard up to this point. To her surprise, she felt a wave of disappointment slide over her. It wasn’t Finn. What possible right did she have for hoping it would be her rescuer from yesterday? Surely he’d done enough in making sure she’d arrived back safely from the escapade in the museum?

  A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts.

  ‘Hello, you must be Anna, I’m Kirsty Mitchell.’

  In a flash, Anna realised that the blonde-haired young woman on the doorstep was the owner of Benview.

  ‘Please come in,’ Anna said, grasping Kirsty’s outstretched hand. Feeling slightly wrong-footed at this unexpected arrival, Anna immediately assumed Kirsty had come to reclaim her home. ‘I can move out as soon as—’

  Kirsty laughed. ‘I’ve not come to eject you,’ she said. ‘Simply to introduce myself and see how the workmen are getting on. I wouldn’t mind a cup of coffee, though.’

  Still rather flustered at playing host to a woman in her own home, Anna made two cups of coffee and sat down opposite Kirsty at the table.

  ‘It’s good of you to allow me to stay here. I stupidly hadn’t arranged accommodation before I arrived on the island.’

  ‘Yes, Elsa told me,’ Kirsty said. ‘She was pleased to have Benview to offer you – she hates to turn people away.’ She took a sip of her coffee before continuing. ‘Elsa and I have been talking about this arrangement for some time, but you’re the first person she’s sent here. As you can see, the renovation work isn’t quite finished, and we thought it would be a few months yet before we brought visitors in. We still had some details to work out.’

  ‘I’d have been in a spot of bother if George and Elsa between them hadn’t taken pity on me,’ Anna admitted. ‘I was really lucky.’ She was beginning to relax now. Kirsty was easy company, and it didn’t look as if she was in a hurry to eject her from the cottage.

  As if she could read her thoughts, Kirsty said, ‘You can stay here for as long as you like. We – my husband and I – live in Glasgow, and we haven’t decided yet how we’ll use Benview. We both wanted a home on the island, and couldn’t miss the opportunity to buy this one when it became available.’

  ‘So, you’ve no immediate plans to use it yourselves?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘You must tell me what the terms are. How will I pay you?’ Anna asked.

  ‘As I said, we’ve still to work out the details. Why don’t you try it out for us? I’ll leave you to settle any food bills with Elsa, but the accommodation’s free. You can report to me any snags or problems you have, anything that’s missing, then give me an honest report on its suitability for paying guests. How does that sound?’

  ‘Sounds fantastic. That’s so generous of you. But I can’t—’

  Kirsty raised a hand to end Anna’s protests. ‘It suits us both.’ She smiled. ‘I’ve never done anything like this before, so it’s a whole new learning curve. Besides, you can keep an eye on the workmen. They’re reliable – they work for my husband – but you never know what temptations might be put in their way. This island is so relaxing.'

  Anna smiled back. ‘They’ve been hard at work since I arrived,’ she said.

  ‘So, what brings you to Mull?’ Kirsty asked.

  The question was offered without guile; there was no ulterior motive, Anna reckoned. Here was a young woman prepared to put her trust in Anna, and she felt it would be churlish to refuse to tell her the truth.

  ‘Well… I have two reasons for coming to Mull. The first one is centred more on Iona, which is why I’m at this end of the island.’

  Anna explained about her study of The Lords of the Isles for an American client who also wanted photographs.

  ‘Lords of the Isles? I thought their base was in Islay?’ Kirsty frowned. ‘I remember going on a trip there once, and we were taken to the place which was their… headquarters, I suppose you’d say. There’s even an exhibition and a gift shop there.’

  ‘Yes, you’re right,’ Anna said. ‘It is in Finlaggan on the Isle of Islay. I’m doing this in reverse order: researching burial places in Iona, so I’m starting at the end instead of the beginning.’

  ‘Okay?’ Kirsty sounded puzzled.

  ‘Why, you might ask. The answer is the second reason I’m here on Mull.’ Anna was prepared to share the information which she’d kept secret up till now with this trusting new acquaintance. ‘You see, I’m—’

  A rap at the door cut her short. It was Jimmy, one of the workmen.

  ‘Kirsty, would you please let Adam know that we need some more cement. We’ve used much more than we thought for that north-facing wall.’

  ‘Have a look in the boot of my car, Ji
mmy. Adam put some supplies there before I left in case you needed any of them, although I doubt if you’ll find cement. I’ll come and see.’

  Kirsty turned back to Anna. ‘We don’t live on the island all the time,’ she said. ‘I come from time to time, and we always pack the boot full of items we think might be useful to the lads. They phone us at home sometimes to report progress.’

  ‘It sounds like a good system,’ Anna said.

  Kirsty stood up, said a quick goodbye to Anna and went out to her car.

  Clearing away their cups, Anna felt a surge of disappointment. Had she missed an opportunity to share her search for her birth mother with someone who might be sympathetic? Someone who might even be able to help?

  CHAPTER 13

  Anna was about to settle down for the evening, when her mobile rang. A glance at the screen told her it was Roddie.

  As the crow flies, she was probably not much more than a hundred miles from the city of Glasgow, but, within the space of less than a week, she felt so far away from that part of her life, it could have been a thousand miles.

  ‘Anna?’

  ‘Yes. Hi, Roddie. It’s so good to hear your voice. Where are you phoning from?’

  ‘From home. Why?’

  ‘You sound really close. As if you’re in the next room.’

  ‘Your signal must be good this evening. So, how are things?’

  ‘Everything’s going well. I was over in Iona yesterday, and today I’ve been writing up my notes on the visit.’

  ‘Paper and ballpoint?’

  ‘I’m afraid so. It’s interesting, though. When you’re writing about events that took place hundreds of years ago, it’s appropriate to forget about technology.’

  ‘I suppose you’re right, Anna, but you don’t have to use a quill pen.’

  She smiled, but was still waiting to hear why Roddie had called.

  ‘Anna, remember you asked me to examine your mail? To see if there was a letter from the lawyer?’

  As if she could forget.

  ‘Yes, Roddie.’

  ‘There’s nothing been delivered here, Anna. Sorry.’

  Anna felt a sinking sensation in her stomach. That meant no birthday card from her birth mother.

  ‘Anna… Anna… are you still there?’

  With an effort, Anna drew a deep breath before replying.

  ‘Yes, Roddie. Sorry.’

  ‘Perhaps it’s been delivered to your parents’ address?’ he asked

  ‘I don’t think so. The letter refusing to see me came to the flat, so that’s the address the lawyers are using.’

  ‘Don’t be too downhearted about this, Anna. There may be a simple reason.’

  ‘Like what?’ she asked, a catch in her voice.

  ‘Oh, a new junior in the lawyers’ office, or…’

  ‘But, Roddie, she’s sent me a birthday card in good time for the last twenty-four years. Why would she stop now? Do you think it has anything to do with me asking to see her?’

  ‘I don’t think you should try to second-guess, Anna. One of the reasons you’re in Mull is to attempt to contact your birth mother. If you manage to do that, you can ask her yourself. Besides, your birthday card may well have been delivered to your parents’ address. Have you asked your mum and dad if they have mail for you?’ Robbie’s tone was reassuring.

  ‘You’re right, Roddie.’ She sighed. ‘I need you to talk some sense into me. I wish you were here now.’

  ‘So do I, Anna. So do I.’

  CHAPTER 14

  The rattle of the exhaust of Finn’s van announced his arrival.

  ‘Sorry about the racket,’ he said to Anna, as she opened the door of Benview. But his smile belied his words – he didn’t look sorry at all. ‘I must get a new exhaust before someone reports me.’ Again, he smiled, no more worried about the consequences than he was about the noise.

  ‘Can’t we walk down to the pier?’ Anna asked.

  ‘I think we’d be best to have a vehicle down there. In case we have a repeat performance.’

  Anna laughed. ‘Oh, I don’t think it’ll happen again,’ she said. ‘I don’t make a habit of fainting when I go out.’

  ‘That’s a shame,’ he said, pretending to be disappointed. ‘Are you going to deny me the opportunity to play Sir Galahad again? To be your knight in shining armour?’

  ‘A knight in shining armour would have a classier vehicle than that,’ Anna said with a laugh. ‘One that didn’t disturb the entire area.’

  Nonetheless, she clambered into the passenger’s seat for the short journey down to the pier. A glance at the rear of the vehicle revealed an array of what she took to be diving equipment, piled high in no particular order: wetsuits, flippers… The smell of the sea pervaded the air in the vehicle, tangy and sufficiently intense to catch Anna’s throat.

  ‘What on earth do you do with all that equipment?’ Anna asked him.

  ‘Well, I don’t do anything on earth. It’s all for the sea. You can come with me one day and find out.’ He reached over to help Anna fasten her seat belt, his hand holding hers for the briefest of moments.

  ‘I’m here to work,’ Anna said. ‘I don’t think I’ll have much time for diving in the sea.’

  ‘You can’t leave Mull without at least dipping your toe in the sea,’ he said.

  ‘I’m no water baby; I like to have my feet on dry land.’

  ‘Ah, but you’ve never experienced the sea around Mull.’

  Once they disembarked on Iona, Anna and Finn made their way to the museum. Their plan was to continue the exploration from the point where Anna had unexpectedly brought their previous visit to an end. After that, they intended to go into the abbey itself.

  Anna was excited. She had brought her camera with her this time, and hoped to gather more information on The Lords of the Isles. She had expected the museum would be empty, as it had been the last time they were there, but this time the building was full of people crammed into the small space. They appeared to be an organised tour group, with a guide who was speaking in a foreign language Anna didn’t recognise. Eastern European, she guessed.

  ‘Why don’t we go on to the abbey, then we can come back later. It might be quieter then,’ Finn suggested.

  ‘Good idea,’ Anna said. ‘There’s no point in trying to take photos when it’s so crowded.’

  Although she said nothing to Finn, she wanted to take a photograph of Princess Anna Maclean’s gravestone – an impossible task when there were so many people standing in front of it.

  When they entered the abbey, Anna’s irritation immediately evaporated. Although there were groups of people here, too, they spoke in hushed tones, as if they were afraid of disturbing the peace and tranquillity of the ancient building. Nothing had prepared Anna for the sense of awe she would feel in this place, which was so imbued with sacred history. Almost unaware of Finn, she made her way to a spot where she could sit and drink in the atmosphere of the abbey. Although she knew this was a holy place on a holy island, Anna had not expected to be so affected by it. It was as if the spirit of St. Columba himself had instilled into this site a sacred ambiance that had lasted through the centuries to the present day.

  Without a sound, Finn sat down beside her.

  ‘I can’t find words to describe it,’ Anna whispered. ‘I almost feel that the spirit of Christianity is alive in this place.’

  ‘Yes, it has that effect on many people.’

  ‘I can’t start clicking my camera in here,’ Anna said. ‘It would be an intrusion. The light’s not the best, anyway – I would have to use flash, which would disturb other visitors. I think I’ll simply walk around and drink in the atmosphere. I see there are information notices in place around the building. They should be interesting.’

  ‘The abbey’s not only a showpiece. It’s an active church – there are services held here most days over the summer.’

  Finn picked up Anna’s camera bag and slung it over his shoulder.

  ‘I’ll
carry that,’ Anna said, attempting to retrieve it.

  ‘Why don’t you let me do it?’ Finn said. ‘Then you can concentrate on reading all the information on the abbey. I’ve seen it all before.’

  Anna valued her independence, and didn’t want to find herself relying on help from other people to do her job. But reluctantly, she accepted his offer.

  ‘All right, thank you,’ she said. ‘But…’ She didn’t complete her sentence, because she didn’t know how to express what she wanted to say without sounding truculent. But don’t think that I can’t manage to carry it myself. Better left unsaid, she reckoned.

  ‘Once you finish your tour inside the abbey,’ Finn said, ‘we can have a walk through the cloisters, then move outside. The light’s good – and it’s great weather for pictures.’

  Finn was right. As they emerged into the open, the sun was shining in a cloudless sky, perfect conditions for the exceptional quality of light which attracted so many artists to these islands. When she felt the cool breeze on her face, Anna shrugged herself into her anorak.

  ‘Is there always a wind here?’ she asked Finn.

  He smiled. ‘Well, I wouldn’t say always, but the prevailing wind comes straight over the Atlantic, and this island doesn’t have any protection. The answer is to dress for it. You’ll probably miss it when you go back home.’ Finn put an arm round her shoulders to guide her over the rocky pathway.

  ‘I’m sure I’ll get used to it. It’s such a contrast to the weather conditions in the city.’

  ‘I can lend you a thicker jacket,’ Finn said.

  ‘No, I’ll be fine,’ she said. ‘Thanks for the offer, though.’

  Anna smiled. She was enjoying the relaxed conversation with this man. Until a few days ago, she hadn’t known he existed, and now she felt as easy in his company as she would have done if they’d known each other for years.