by Lisa Hobman
‘Yeah? What did you think?’ He sounded hopeful.
‘It’s just beautiful, Sam. I love it.’
‘I’m so glad. I just wanted you to have it when I saw it.’
Hearing his voice made her heart melt and made her miss him even more. Being apart at Christmas was difficult even though, relatively speaking, they had only just met. They chatted for a while until Sam had to go.
‘I’ll see you soon. Can’t wait.’ She sighed into the receiver.
‘See you soon… I love you.’
Her heart skipped a beat when she heard his words. ‘S-sorry?’
There was a pause at the end of the line. ‘Whoops… I should maybe have said that to you in person, huh? Well, it’s out there now so I’m going to say it again. Mallory, I love you.’
Tears cascades down her face. ‘Oh Sam, I love you too.’
*
January 2015
Back in the present, Sam wasn’t giving up on his hare-brained idea.
Mallory knew he had been feeling a little homesick for the open spaces of Canada and she also knew that he loved the similarities between his home and the Highland vistas of Scotland. It had been those things that had driven him to do his usual ‘just looking’ on the Scottish property websites and it had been then that he’d discovered Sealladh-mara Cottage – or Seaview Cottage in English – at Clachan Seil, twelve miles south of Oban on the West coast. The little whitewashed house sat near the water’s edge on Seil Island, a stunning seaside location close to the beautiful hump backed Atlantic bridge and in one of their favourite locations. He had evidently fallen head over heels for the place.
He had decided that he had spent too much time working for his brother and even though he had been living with Mallory since their fourth month of being together he wanted to buy a place of their own, and to do something completely different, maybe write a historical novel.
He insisted they could afford it now, with the shop doing so well and his inheritance – a combination of money left by his beloved father and Uncle Jacob, his father’s eccentric and wealthy brother. And if they could sell her little house they could have a comfortable life in Scotland.
‘Why wait until we’re too old to really enjoy it, huh? At least say you’ll think about it, Mally?’ he pleaded as she rested her head on his shoulder in a warm embrace and Ruby tried her best to squeeze in between them. ‘I mean, we could go and visit a few more times first before we relocate completely?’ he implored. ‘And Josie is more than capable of running Le Petit Cadeau for you now. She’s there more than you are. Sealladh-mara Cottage has a workshop, so you could concentrate on making stuff for the business again, which you know you’d love. Look at it. It’s the perfect seaside escape.’ He desperately tried to convince her of the prospect of such an idyllic lifestyle.
Mallory turned and picked up the printout of the pretty whitewashed, stone-built cottage and began to read the description. Three good-sized bedrooms, one en-suite, one family bathroom, lounge, dining room, farmhouse-style kitchen, utility room and, best of all, the detached workshop.
She and Sam had spent some happy holidays over the past couple of years in Argyle in the Highlands and had visited the little isle with its pretty bridge that spanned the inlet of the Atlantic Ocean. And admittedly they had talked about how wonderful it would be to live there someday. Someday. But the thought of making such a huge change now was a scary one. Would she be crazy to consider it? Realising that not all of her spur of the moment decisions had been mistakes she looked at the idyllic cottage in its location by the water and sighed.
‘It does look very pretty,’ she mumbled, not realising she had done so out loud.
‘Does this mean you’ll think about it?’ The look on Sam’s face was reminiscent of an excited schoolboy. How could she possibly resist?
‘I’ll think about it. But I mean think.’ Almost before the words had left her lips he swept her up in his arms and swung her around, kissing her passionately, before leading her up the stairs to their bedroom.
Chapter Two
January 2015
Mallory awoke to a bright, January Saturday morning. She blinked a few times to acclimatise her eyes to the sun streaming through the ridiculously thin curtains. Sam was wrapped around her, his naked limbs tangled in the cotton sheets and one buttock peeking out. She suppressed a giggle and the urge to spank him quickly to rouse him from his slumber.
Stretching her arms above her head, she thought back to last night’s delicious lovemaking. Sam had been even more attentive than usual, which was saying something. He was a very attentive lover under normal circumstances, but last night she had felt as though he was on some kind of mission. Or was he thanking her for agreeing to ‘think’ about the move to Scotland, to their dream cottage? Maybe he was trying to convince her. But who was she kidding? She needed no convincing. Truthfully the more she thought about it the more excited she became. She knew for a fact that they’d be moving, lock, stock and barrel if they could only secure the deal before some other lucky so-and-so beat them to it. Maybe she should speak to Josie – her voice of reason – before telling Sam to go ahead and book an appointment to see the house.
Realising she needed to go to the bathroom, she slid out of bed, as carefully as was possible considering she was pretty much wearing a six foot two male about her person. She grabbed her fluffy robe and shrugged it on, tiptoeing across the floor and out into the hallway.
When she returned to the bedroom, Sam was gone, but there was the distinct sound of out-of-tune wailing and whistling coming from elsewhere in the little cottage. She giggled and grabbed her mobile from her bedside to text Josie.
Hey hun, Sam has finally lost the plot. Will fill you in later.
A reply came immediately.
Haha! It’s all that maple syrup he chugs!
Rolling her eyes and smirking to herself at Josie’s comment, she drifted down the stairs to find her gorgeous man clattering around the kitchen with serious intent.
Caterwauling, as only Sam could, along with the sounds of Radio 2, he was oblivious to Mallory’s presence in the room. She stood silently watching him as he danced around and sang into the coffee scoop along with Bon Jovi’s ‘Livin’ on a Prayer’. He really was a delight to behold. His grey checked ‘lounge’ pants – he wouldn’t be seen dead in pyjamas, he had once told her – hanging low around his hips and his unruly bed-hair, sticking out at all angles. She sighed and suddenly felt the need to hold him.
Wandering over silently and standing behind him as he waited for the kettle to boil, Mallory slid her arms around his smooth skin, kissing his back as she did so. Through the kitchen window she could see Ruby outside chasing and yapping at any bird that dared to land in her tiny patch of territory.
‘Well, good morning, Miss Mallory Yorksher.’ The pet name had stuck from their very first encounter, even though they had been engaged for a while and she was soon to be Mrs Sam Buchanan. ‘Did ya sleep well?’
‘How could I not sleep well?’ she replied with a raise of her eyebrows.
‘Oh, I just wondered if you had maybe been lying awake, you know, thinking about little Highland cottages, or maybe mentally setting out your new workshop.’ He turned to embrace her and gently kissed the top of her head.
Although the decision was all but cemented in her mind she knew Sam would run ahead full pelt if she let him know. No, she would talk things through with Josie first. ‘I said I’d think about it Sam, but that’s all,’ she reminded him sternly.
‘I know, I know,’ he sighed, turning around as the kettle clicked off.
She felt a pang of guilt at his obvious sadness. What could it hurt, really? It was something they had dreamed about since they visited Scotland the first time. Admittedly she never expected they’d be able to fulfil the dream until later in life, but hey, as Sam had said, why wait?
Okay, so it would mean a totally different lifestyle and a fresh start. Ruby had loved the beaches up there and the op
en spaces would be ideal for the little dog. No doubt initially they would be overrun with guests, maybe for the first year, until the novelty wore off for family and friends travelling such a distance. But it would be their very own little piece of paradise. Maybe it wasn’t everyone’s idea of paradise. Scotland wasn’t renowned for its tropical weather, but that really didn’t matter a jot. It was their dream location – theirs.
The mountains reminded her of her father and the lochs reminded Sam of the great lakes – albeit on a smaller scale. Sam had dreamed of writing a book since before he met Mallory; he had a head full of amazing ideas, but never had the time to get them down. Plus, it wasn’t as if they couldn’t afford to take the leap. But it was scary. It was a huge change. But the more she thought about it, the more the butterflies in her tummy danced the soft shoe shuffle. She was excited. She wanted to do it, but there were so many things to consider. Railway Terrace had been a gift from her parents and parting with it would be hard. And what would Josie and Brad think about her moving so far away? Would Josie even want to run Le Petit Cadeau?
They sat at the little kitchen table munching on toasted bagels and cream cheese, drinking freshly brewed coffee, as was their weekend ritual. Sam was chatting away, keen to plan the day ahead. Mallory, on the other hand, was finding it hard to concentrate on Sam’s suggestions to jump in the car and take a trip to the seaside for some fresh air and good old Scarborough fish ’n’ chips. She was consumed with toing and froing over the minutiae of the possible move in her mind. Josie and Brad were her best friends in the world. They would want whatever made her happy. And being with Sam made her happy. She knew deep down that they would completely understand.
‘Penny for ’em?’ Sam finally gave up on his one-way conversation when he realised that Mallory’s eyes had glazed over and she sat in an almost trance-like stupor.
Suddenly Mallory jumped up. ‘We should go see it,’ she blurted out the thoughts in her head.
‘Are you saying what I think you’re saying, Mally? You want to go and view the cottage?’ Sam’s eyes danced like fiery green amber. His excitement expressed throughout his whole body.
‘Yes!’ she gasped and lurched over to him. She flung her arms around his neck, knowing that he had only ever wanted the best for her. ‘A million times, yes! Get the phone quick, ring the agent.’
‘You know you’re going to fall in love with the place, don’t you?’
‘Just ring the agent before I come to my senses.’
Sam grasped Mallory in a strong embrace and covered her face with kisses. She laughed uncontrollably, almost hysterically, at the realisation of what they had just decided. It was only the first step. But it was immense.
‘Have I told you how much I love you, Miss Mallory Yorksher?’ he whispered breathlessly into her hair.
‘Yes, but tell me again.’ She stared into his loving gaze, eager to hear his words.
‘I love you, no, I adore you, no – I worship you.’ He continued to pepper her with kisses. ‘My beautiful, beautiful Mallory. I can’t wait for you to be my wife and I can’t wait to spend our nights holed up in that little cottage, making love in front of a roaring fire and the wind blowing outside. I don’t care how cliché that sounds. I want the cliché. I want to spend my life with you in our little piece of paradise.’ He uttered the very words she had been thinking earlier. It was as if they were one person with a single mindset. She loved that. She loved him.
*
Sunday was a crisp bright day and Sam had taken Ruby out with him for a run so Mallory headed out to the terraced house that her best friends rented a few streets away. She needed to consult Josie to make sure that she wasn’t completely losing her marbles.
Josie opened the door and stood there in one of Brad’s checked shirts which almost dwarfed her. She leapt at her friend and grappled her into a hug. ‘Hiya, Mally. I was just thinking about you.’
Mallory was tugged into the house by her hand. ‘Oh yeah? How come?’
‘You’ll laugh your head off.’ She nodded towards the TV which was showing some men in a field trying to herd sheep. ‘I was just watching bloody Country File and they were up in Scotland. Guess what? It was chucking down with rain and John Craven had bright green wellies on.’ She giggled. ‘I bet you could see them from outer space.’
‘Bloody hell that’s really spooky. That’s why I’m here.’
Josie’s face crumpled. ‘The outer space wellies? You can probably find them online if you really want some.’
Mallory laughed. ‘No, you muppet. Scotland.’
Josie flopped onto the couch. ‘Oh yeah? Are you going again?’
Mallory hesitated for a moment before slowly lowering herself to the chair next to the fireplace. ‘Erm… well… the thing is… You know how you’re my voice of reason?’
Josie snorted. ‘Ha! Yeah, and it still makes me laugh that you think that.’
‘Well… I don’t know how to say this but… How do you fancy running the Victoria Quarter shop for me?’
Josie sighed and rolled her eyes. ‘Daft bat. I always run it for you when you sod off to Scotland, so I think you know the answer.’
Mallory cringed and paused again before uttering her next words. ‘How about if I sodded off to Scotland permanently?’
Josie fell silent and gawped open-mouthed.
Mallory leaned towards her friend. ‘Josie? Say something.’
Josie gulped. ‘Are you serious? You’re abandoning me? For real? Forever?’
Mallory sighed and shook her head. ‘Don’t say it like that, Jose. I wouldn’t be—’
Josie burst out laughing. ‘God you’re such a gullible Gerty. If I’m honest, I suppose I’m surprised you haven’t done it sooner.’ Her smile disappeared and her eyes became glassy. ‘Look, you bloody love the place. No idea why. Unless theirs is a better quality of rain than what we get in Yorkshire. But honestly… if it’s what you want to do then you should do it.’ She sniffed and wiped at her eyes. ‘You’ve had a pretty tough life, Mally. So many losses. And I know that place makes you feel closer to your dad. You deserve something good. And you deserve to be happy, even if it is with that maple-syrup-swigging Mounty. He adores you.’ She grinned and winked.
It was Mallory who rolled her eyes this time. ‘You know a Mounty is a police officer don’t you? And Sam isn’t one. And that you don’t actually swig maple syrup?’
Josie huffed and folded her arms across her chest. ‘Pfft. Spoilsport. Although I reckon he’d look grand in a uniform, your Sam.’ She grinned again but there was a distinct crease of sadness to her brow. ‘So, when are you planning on buggering off to Scotland?’ Her voice wavered and Mallory’s throat tightened, although Josie’s willingness to selflessly support her friend was a huge relief.
Mallory’s heart ached a little as the weight of what she was considering leaving behind sunk in. ‘Not for a while. Nothing’s definite. Anyway, are you sure you don’t mind?’
Josie snorted again. ‘Are you kidding? Free holidays up north and a business to run? I’m bloody laughing, chick.’
‘So back to what I said earlier, you know, about being my voice of reason? You would tell me if I’d lost the plot wouldn’t you? I mean… am I crazy for even considering this, Jose?’
Josie stood and walked over to crouch before Mallory, taking her hands, she smiled up at her. ‘Absolutely bonkers. But there’s nothing wrong with being a bit crazy every now and then. And you know you’re stuck with me, so if you’re doing this to escape then I’ve got news for you.’
Mallory heaved an emotional sigh. ‘Well we’re going to look at a cottage, but like I said, nothing’s definite yet. I don’t know if I’m brave enough. And there’s you and Brad. You’re my family. It might not even happen.’
Josie laughed. ‘Who are you trying to convince? Look, we’re like sisters, chick, and that didn’t happen by accident. It’s a bond that knows no distance. And like I said, you’re stuck with me for life.’ Wow, that was deep. Ther
e was a brief silent pause before Josie spoke again. ‘Can I ask you something?’
Mallory squeezed her hands. ‘Anything.’
Josie chewed on her lip and cringed. ‘Erm… the thing is… our lease is up on this place at the end of the month and we’ve been approved for a mortgage but we can’t find anything we both like… We’ve said loads of times that we’d love a place like yours. Maybe this is a sign? Can… can Brad and I buy Railway Terrace if you relocate?’
Tears stung Mallory’s eyes. ‘It’s perfect. I can’t think of anything I’d love more.’
*
Mallory and Sam hadn’t heard anything about the viewing arrangements over the weekend and it took forever for Monday to come around. Thankfully it was Josie’s day in the shop so Mallory didn’t have to make the journey into Leeds. She would probably have been as much use as an inflatable dartboard. Sam had taken a day’s leave too, which rarely happened. Despite the opportunity for a blissful lie-in with her hunky man, she could fight the excitement no longer and tugged at Sam’s earlobe in a bid to wake him from dreamland. If that hadn’t worked, plan B was to send Ruby in to jump on him in her giddy canine fashion. How can he be asleep when there are things to be done? She stressed.
Sam begrudgingly opened his eyes. ‘What time is it my little Yorkshire puddin’?’ He yawned.
‘Half seven. I couldn’t sleep, Sam, I’m so nervous.’
‘Ya don’t say,’ he mumbled, rubbing his weary eyes.
‘Shall I go and make coffee?’ she urged, leaning in for a kiss.
‘That’d be grrrrand,’ Sam replied, rolling his ‘r’ in his best attempts at a Yorkshire accent.
Bashing him playfully with a cushion, she told him, ‘That accent still needs work, mister.’
Mallory clambered out of bed, scrambled into a pair of yoga pants and a T-shirt and headed down to the kitchen. She was greeted by her giddy little dog who made excited noises and darted back and forth between Mallory and the back door. Mallory let Ruby out and made a pot of coffee in the hope that the aroma would lure Sam from his bed.
