Bridge Over the Atlantic

by Lisa J. Hobman

  They past a pub on their left hand side. That’s handy, Mallory thought as she appraised the old white building with its wooden outdoor benches. Across from the pub was a small parking area and what looked like a little tourist information hut. The bridge stretched out over to their right. A large beautiful stone structure where she and Sam had stood before and admired the spectacular vista.

  The road curved around to the right and traversed over the bridge, but they pulled off to the left onto a little track that ran parallel with the water as it swept along under the bridge and out to sea.

  The double fronted, whitewashed cottage stood looking out over the water. The little path that led up to the front door was dusted with frost where the sun hadn’t yet reached. They were greeted by the estate agent. He was quite young and not what Mallory had expected.

  “Ah, Mr and Mrs Buchanan I presume?” The suited man held out his hand, “Jim Warriner of McTavish and Co.”

  “I wish,” Sam smiled shaking the man’s hand. “She has agreed to marry me but we haven’t done the deed just yet.”

  “Mallory Westerman. Pleased to meet you.”

  “Well, the door is open, feel free to have a good roam around. I’ll wait in my car so you have some privacy. Oh and there are still a few bits in there belonging to the owner. He hasn’t quite cleared the place out yet. It should all be done by the end of this week.”

  “Great, thanks. We’ll see you soon.”

  The estate agent returned to his vehicle and the couple made their way into the house.

  They stepped into the tiny entrance and were greeted by two doors, one to the right and one to the left. Straight ahead was a set of stairs. Mallory reached for the door on the right. She gasped as the door opened onto the lounge. Some of the owner’s effects were still dotted around the place but Mallory could see through it and virtually place all of their furniture. A brick inglenook fireplace sat under a large, gnarled and pitted oak beam mantle on the wall opposite the door. The log burning stove stood in the middle of the slate hearth with a thin layer of dust atop it.

  “Oh Sam, it’s a Christmas house.” She exclaimed as her eyes travelled around the white walls that were in need of a freshen up.

  “Sorry, a what now?” Sam’s brow furrowed. And she knew it wasn’t the first time he didn’t know what she was talking about.

  She turned to Sam with an excited grin, her hands splayed out in the air. “Okay, imagine this…” She walked over to the fireplace. “The log burner is crackling away with a fresh pine log…there is an evergreen and berry garland stretched across the mantle...” She gestured wildly to where the adornment would sit, and then moved to the corner of the room. “Over in this corner is a real Christmas tree, not one of those plastic artificial things…” Her nose scrunched at the thought. “No, a real tree trimmed with baubles and beads, filling the air with its fresh scent.” Glancing over to where Sam stood in the centre of the room she crouched, “under the tree are little brightly coloured packages, tied up with ribbons, waiting to be opened…” She rose again and moved back over to the fire place and waved her hands at the empty floor space, “there’s a rug in front of the fire and Ruby is curled up fast asleep…” crouching again she reached out her hand, “eventually there will be a mini Sam or Mallory sitting, wide eyed waiting for Santa to come…although, explaining how he’ll get through a stove may be tricky.” She laughed as she imagined that scenario. Standing again, she moved over toward the door that led through to the kitchen and closed her eyes. “There’s a delicious aroma floating through the house of spiced fruit cake…” her fingers flickered around in the air, “and in the background Bing Crosby is singing about snow…” She brought her arms around her body and sighed. Breaking herself from her vision she turned to Sam. “Hey, are you okay honey?”

  His eyes had misted over. Sam strode across the room and wrapped her in his arms. Taking a deep breath he kissed her forehead. “Babe, I can honestly say that I can see every little thing you just described and it’s perfect. I can’t wait for it all. I can’t wait to share it all with you. What you described…it kinda took me back to my Christmases at home. My family will love this place. My Dad would have loved it.”

  She tiptoed to brush his lips with her own and smiled lovingly. “You big softy. It will be perfect because we get to have this adventure together. And I can’t wait for your family to see it. We have to get this house, Sam.”

  He laughed, “we haven’t even seen the rest of it yet.”

  “Don’t have to. I just know when something’s right. I just know.” She pulled away and took his hand. They walked through the lounge toward the back of the house to find the kitchen. The walls were fitted with rustic pine units and granite worktops, very similar to those at Railway cottages. It needed freshening like the lounge but it wouldn’t take much. There was enough room for a small table where you could sit and look out over the pretty garden—once it had been tidied up; it was rather overgrown in its current state.

  They exchanged smiles and walked from the kitchen almost in a circle back around to another room at the front of the house. This was the dining room they had longed for. There was an open fire in this room too and plenty of space for a large table, right in the middle, which would look wonderful surrounded by friends and family at Christmas time. It would certainly beat dinner on a tray which is what their friends were subjected to when they visited their current home.

  Back to the hallway and up the stairs. There were two bedrooms to the front which felt spacious despite the lower than average ceiling heights. The master bedroom had a small en-suite shower room in one corner and a window that overlooked the little front garden. The view out to the water was so beautiful.

  “Wow, Sam. Imagine waking up to that every morning.” Mallory slid her arms around her fiancé’s waist as he soaked in the view.

  “It really is a beautiful place, Mally. We’ve always loved it here. Since we visited on our first holiday as a couple we always said we wanted to live here eventually. And now we’ve seen this place I can’t think of anywhere I would rather be.”

  “Come on, let’s go look at the bathroom.” She grabbed his hand eagerly once again and pulled him to the door which led onto the landing and led to another bedroom to the front, two smaller bedrooms to the rear and finally the bathroom.

  They both stood open mouthed at the large roll top bath with its antique brass taps and telephone style shower head. The stone walls had been left exposed giving the room an old world, rustic feel. It was Sam’s turn to slide his arms around Mallory.

  “Mmmmm, I think that tub is big enough for two, babe.” He nuzzled her neck sending shivers tingling down her spine. She turned in his arms and kissed him languorously.

  “I think we need to make that the first thing we try out.” She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively, making him laugh.

  The two bedrooms at the back were plenty large enough for double beds and so guests would be very comfortable. The walls in one room were striped in blue and white and the other was a pale yellow. The other front bedroom was the same size as the master and it too looked out over the water. There was so much potential and the details really didn’t do it justice at all. It felt so much more spacious inside, rather like Doctor Who’s Tardis.

  The back garden was totally overgrown, but at the end of a long path was another building. Mallory almost ran toward it and Sam dashed after her. She shoved the stiff door open and looked inside. A wave of disappointment washed over her.

  “What is it?” Sam asked, with a hint of concern in his voice.

  “Hmm. It’s going to take a lot of work to get this place in a fit state.” She grumbled

  Placing an arm around her shoulder he leaned close to her ear. “Ah, but with your vision, like you had back in the lounge, surely you can see it for what it could be?”

  He was right, she surmised. She had vision and determination. With the pair of them going at it together they could do it. They could make it the
perfect place to run Le Petit Cadeau from. Positivity reigned supreme.

  The couple reluctantly tore themselves away and handed the keys over to Mr. Warriner, the agent. Once they were alone again they went for a stroll. They stood on the mid-point of the stone bridge and looked out over the Atlantic Ocean.

  Sam slipped his arms around Mallory’s waist and pulled her into him. He looked deep into her eyes. They sparkled today like he had never seen them before. He was mesmerised. He kissed the tip of her nose,

  “So whaddya say Miss Yorksherr? Are we going for it? We would have our favourite bridge right on the doorstep. We could walk up here every day and look over that massive expanse of sea and it would be just like it was our own.”

  Stroking a finger down his cheek and no further thought needed she gave her reply, “I say let’s do it.”

  After viewing the cottage they took a long drive to Glenfinnan to sit by the Loch and take in the view. The air was chilled, but they huddled together and sat on the old tree trunk that had been there for years. As the sun began to descend they made their way back to the B and B where they were booked in for dinner seeing as the owner had given them the option on check in. It meant they could share a bottle of wine and relax whilst they discussed the house.

  Sam watched Mallory as he tucked into his steak. “Penny for ‘em?” he asked, as his fiancée drifted off somewhere and her eyes glazed over.

  “Oh sorry. I think I was back in the cottage for a moment.” She shook her head as if to bring herself back to the present.

  “And?”

  “Well, all I can say is I never expected it to be so…so…”

  “Perfect?”

  “Perfect.”

  ~~~~~

  On the Monday morning following their mini-break the all-important call had been made to put their offer forward. They had both adored the cottage. They just needed to secure it, but unfortunately it was in the hands of fate…well, the estate agents to be exact.

  After three hours of pacing the floor, negotiating and nail biting, the final call came through from Scotland. Sam answered his cell phone and Mallory clung onto the hem of his shirt anxiously waiting for Sam’s facial expression to reveal the news.

  “Ahuh…yes…okay…oh, yeah?...hmmmm…okay, well thanks for all your help Mr. Warriner, it’s much appreciated.” Sam hung up; his face stoic. He closed his eyes, ran his hands through his hair and let out a long breath. Mallory’s heart sank. Her eyes welled up. The dream was gone.

  “Well, that’s it I guess.” Sam finally spoke in a low resigned tone.

  Mallory stifled the sob that was desperate to lurch from her throat, “I guess so.” She slumped onto the sofa. Although she had been filled with trepidation about the whole thing, initially, to know that it wasn’t happening broke her heart a little. There were a few moments of silence as she tried to come to terms with the news.

  “Yup…I am soooo not looking forward to all the packing.” He huffed, shaking his head.

  Mallory hesitated, pondering that last sentence. She looked up slowly into the face of her beloved only to see the huge grin that had transplanted itself onto his flawless face.

  “You rotten sod! You absolute mean GIT!” She screamed as the realisation of the truth dawned on her. She flung herself into the arms of the fibber and burst into floods of warm, ecstatic tears.

  April 2011

  Sam had been worrying about Mallory as the stress of the move was taking its toll on her appetite and she had lost weight. Even she admitted it wasn’t like her, but she put it down to excitement mostly. During one of their packing days he slid his arms around her and noticed the change.

  He nuzzled her neck and said, “Hey, don’t you be turning all twiggy on me now! I love your curves. They are what make you so delicious.” He moved away to build yet another box.

  “Believe me, it’s not intentional. I think it’s just the stress of moving so far away. You know, leaving Josie and Brad…the business…”

  “I know, babe. But it will be so worth it when we get there, eh?”

  “I know. I am looking forward to it. I think I’ll just be happier when we actually get there and we can relax.” She looked around at the boxes that surrounded them both. “And how on earth did we accumulate so much stuff?”

  “Beats me, babe. I think most of it’s yours anyway.” He teased. She threw a cushion at him playfully but he caught it, “Want me to pack this?” She stuck her tongue out at him as he laughed.

  “There is one positive thing about me losing weight.”

  He came over and kissed her neck again, “Really? I can’t think of a single one.”

  “Hmm, I would need to buy a whole new wardrobe.” She grinned.

  Sam slid his arms around her, “Nah, if I have my way when we get to bonny Scotland you’ll be spending most of the time naked.” He wiggled his eyes suggestively making her giggle.

  Sam pulled the loft ladder down and climbed up. “Oh.My.Gosh. Mallory, you thought down there was bad…you ain’t seen nothing yet, baby. Not by a long way.”

  Mallory cringed, “Oh no. I haven’t been up there since I moved in. Not properly. I slide the Christmas decorations just inside the hatch every year but avoid going up there at all costs.”

  He lowered his head through the hole in the ceiling, “Well, as they say, there is no time like the present! C’mon. Time for a clearout.”

  Mallory groaned at the thought. Grabbing some black refuse sacks she climbed the ladder and pulled herself up beside Sam.

  He handed her a box, “What’s in here I wonder…okay, Mallory’s school stuff is what it says. Should be interesting.” He pulled out a report card and laughed heartily.

  “What? Oh no what have you found?” She snatched the card from his grasp and read aloud, “…Mallory has the potential to be a very bright girl, if she would only stop daydreaming long enough to apply herself.” She read in her poshest voice, mimicking Mrs. Gloria Sanders, her prim and proper high school English teacher.

  “Hah! No change there, huh?” Sam poked her in the ribs, making her scream in shock and punch him on the arm in playful retaliation. “We have to keep these to show our children how not to behave.” He sniggered.

  “Cheeky.” Mallory retorted dryly. “Ooh, what’s in this one? Aww, keepsakes.” She opened the lid and stared inside, “Oh wow, these are my mum’s things.” Mallory lifted her hand to her mouth. She placed the box between them so that Sam could see.

  “Hey, I found a little photo of you as a toddler. So sweet. Look at your curls!”

  “Oh, yes. My mum used to spend hours trying to tame my birds nest. Here’s one of me with my mum.”

  “Hm, now I see why you ended up so darn gorgeous. She was a beautiful lady, Mally”

  “She was…I miss her so much, Sam. I wish you could’ve met her.”

  Sam pulled her to his side and kissed her hair before resting his head on hers, “I know baby, me too.”

  “She would have loved you.”

  “That’s ‘cause I’m so loveable.” He smiled, “I’m sure she and I would have been great friends.”

  Mallory’s eyes began to sting, “The thought that she won’t be here to see her grandchildren, Sam…”

  “Hey, hey, baby don’t cry.” He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her, his own eyes becoming glassy, “We’ll make sure that our babies know all about all of their grandparents and how much they loved them even though they never met.”

  Mallory sniffed and wiped her eyes, “Yes, we will.”

  Eleanor, Mallory’s Mother had passed away when Mallory was fifteen after a long battle with illness. Her heartbroken Father, James, joined her a year later after never having recovered from losing his soul mate. Her Aunt Sylvia had taken over the role of parent, which usually consisted of frank conversations and blunt advice. But Mallory had loved her all the more for it.

  They sorted through several more boxes when Mallory came across some of Sam’s boxes. “Hey, how did these get up
here? I thought we had dealt with all your stuff?”

  “Ahem…I kinda sneaked a few things through the hatch that I brought back from Canada. I didn’t want you thinking I was taking over your life completely when we got back from my mom’s.”

  “Hmm, very sneaky, Mr. Canada. But seeing as I adore you I will let it go. And as a matter of fact, I don’t mind you taking over my life completely.”

  “Thanks Miss Yorksherrr.” He rolled his ‘r’ in that way she loved.

  “That certainly was a memorable trip.” Mallory paused, staring into space.

  “Which one?”

  “Canada…seeing your mom of course.”

  Placing his hand at the back of her head he pulled her face to his and kiss her deeply, “That’s because you agreed to marry me on that trip and made me the happiest man alive.”

  “You made me the happiest woman alive by surprising me like that.”

  They snuggled together in the loft and reminisced about July 2010 and their life changing trip.

  July 2010

  They were met at the airport by Renee, Sam’s mom. She was an elegant lady. Tall and slender with grey hair in a stylish bob, which she wore tucked behind her ears. She wore grey pants, a cream round necked sweater, pale grey cardigan and a set of pearls around her neck with matching earrings. Her embrace had been warm and Mallory had liked her instantly. She had said how lovely it was to finally meet the wonderful woman who had deserved to capture her son’s heart.

  Sam’s family home was beautiful. Compared to the houses in the UK it was more of a mansion. The double fronted façade was so incredibly pretty with its carved portico and shutters. There was a huge apple tree at the front which, Mallory learned, Sam used to climb up if he was sneaking home after his curfew.