Sealed With a Kiss

by Rachael Lucas

  In the middle of the floor, eyes half-closed in concentration, with the first genuine smile Kate had seen on her face, was Fiona. She was dancing a perfect Highland Sword Dance, her feet flying in the air, skipping between two crossed swords, arms held in a graceful arc above her head. She looked beautiful. And that, Kate thought, was obviously what Roderick saw in her.

  ‘She’s amazing,’ said Kate, leaning across to Susan.

  ‘She’s been doing it since she was four. When we all gave it up, in favour of boys and hanging round the shore with a bottle of cider, she was heading off around the country entering competitions.’

  ‘And presumably winning?’

  ‘Of course. This is Fiona we’re talking about. She generally gets what she wants.’

  The band stopped and Fiona took a bow. Kate hadn’t realized that Finn had taken his place amongst them, and was standing with his bagpipes in his arms. He winked at her, and began again – another tune that had the whole place on their feet. Fiona reached out for Roderick, and Kate looked on, feeling sick, as the two of them whirled around the floor.

  ‘She might be a brilliant dancer,’ muttered Susan in Kate’s ear, ‘but she’s still an absolute cow-and-a-half. Come on, let’s get a drink.’

  A couple of hours later, with the prospect of midnight approaching, Kate sneaked off to the kitchen to get a glass of water. The dancing had become increasingly riotous and her feet were killing her. Sitting at the table, she checked her phone:

  Hope your New Year’s Eve is more exciting than ours. I’m sending this from the loo. Can’t stop being sick. Ugh!

  Poor Emma, thought Kate. All those years of wanting to get pregnant, only to be too sick to appreciate it now. She typed a quick reply:

  Have decided to join a nunnery. It’s my New Year’s resolution.

  ‘What are you doing hiding away in here? It’s nearly midnight!’ Jean opened the kitchen door, laughing.

  ‘How did you know I was here?’

  ‘Not much gets past me. Now, are you needing a plaster for those feet?’

  ‘I need a bucket of ice and a little sleep, actually, but a plaster would be a start.’ Kate was exhausted. Sitting down had probably been a bad idea.

  ‘Right you are. Let’s get you sorted out before the bells.’

  Jean took some plasters from the first-aid kit and cut them to size for Kate. Her feet felt better instantly, and she stood up, doing a little Highland dance to try them out.

  ‘I’m not quite in Fiona’s league, am I?’

  ‘She’s in a league of her own, that one,’ said Jean, darkly. ‘I’m still wondering what she’s up to. I haven’t forgotten that conversation I overheard in Bruno’s cafe.’

  ‘I think the only plan she had was to get her hands on Roderick, and I think she’s achieved that,’ said Kate, with a small sigh. The thought of a day-trip to the Seal Sanctuary with a loved-up Roderick and Fiona was a hideous prospect.

  ‘Come on then, let’s get you back on the dance floor. After midnight Finn’s doing a disco. You can stop worrying about what your feet are doing and just enjoy yourself.’

  Kate breathed a huge sigh of relief. It had been wonderful taking part in a proper Highland Hogmanay, but a bit of dancing to Kylie Minogue was exactly what she needed. She might have stopped twirling around, but her head was still spinning.

  They left the kitchen, closing the door behind them. A muffled crash was heard from the library. Jean looked at Kate and raised her eyebrows.

  ‘Do you think we should have a wee look and see what’s going on?’

  Kate pulled a face. ‘What if we’re interrupting something?’

  Jean’s natural nosiness won out. ‘What if we’re not? It could be a burglar.’

  ‘D’you think there are many opportunist book thieves on the island of Auchenmor?’ laughed Kate.

  ‘Come on, we’ll take a sneaky peep. If they’re courting, they’ll no notice us popping our head round the door.’

  They crept down the dark corridor on tiptoe. The door to the library was slightly ajar. A soft glow indicated that the desk lamp, rather than the main light, had been switched on. Kate screwed her eyes closed as Jean pushed the door open gently.

  ‘Fiona!’ Jean exclaimed.

  Kate opened her eyes. No half-naked Roderick. Just Fiona, standing with her back to the desk.

  ‘We thought you were a burglar.’

  ‘Me!’ Fiona’s laugh was shrill. ‘Don’t be so silly. I was getting a breath of fresh air.’

  Kate looked sideways at Jean. The last place anyone would go for fresh air was the library, fuggy with the smell of ancient books and a fire that hadn’t been lit in months.

  ‘Anyway,’ said Fiona, looking at her watch, ‘look at that – it’s nearly time for the bells. Come on, girls, or we’ll miss our chance for a midnight kiss.’

  She hitched her handbag onto her shoulder and swept past, her kilted bottom swishing up the hall.

  ‘I told you, she’s up to something,’ said Jean.

  ‘She’s probably trying to find Roderick’s cheque book,’ Kate said, as they followed Fiona back to the ballroom.

  ‘Have a glass – it’s nearly midnight,’ said Tom, thrusting some champagne at Jean and Kate.

  Kate stood in a corner, watching as people crowded around the bar.

  There was Susan, slipping in behind the bar to join Tom in pouring out champagne for everyone. Jean and Hector were sitting at a table, smiling at each other, not talking. Across the room Kate could see Sandra holding court, a group of women cackling as she gesticulated wildly. Murdo was in his element behind the bar, teacloth over one arm, well out of Sandra’s reach. As she watched, he leaned below the makeshift counter, lifting up a bottle of malt whisky, which he handed to Bruno. They pulled off the lid and sniffed at the bottle appreciatively. Murdo reached down again into a crate, pulling out some whisky glasses, and poured a large measure for himself, one for a laughing Bruno and one extra. Catching Kate’s eye, Bruno raised his glass and gave her a grin, beckoning her over.

  ‘What are you up tae, hidin’ away in a corner?’

  ‘I was people-watching. And keeping an eye on you two.’ She turned to Murdo, who was sipping his whisky with a beatific smile.

  ‘I’m no seeing in the New Year with a glass of champagne,’ he said indignantly.

  ‘Aye, well, James widna hae done, either.’ Bruno raised his glass in memory of Roderick’s father. ‘Tae absent friends.’

  ‘Absent friends.’

  All three of them clinked glasses, remembering. Mellowed by a mixture of gin, whisky and champagne, Kate thought of her dad, realizing with surprise that she was actually looking forward to her mum’s imminent visit. All those years spent alone – perhaps it was time for her mother to move on and meet someone new.

  ‘You lot are looking very sombre.’

  Roderick appeared, leaning across the bar and picking up the bottle of whisky.

  ‘You’ve dug this one out of the vaults, Murdo. Is it a special occasion?’

  ‘Aye, it is,’ said Murdo, passing the third glass to Roderick. ‘We’re celebrating absent friends, and drinking to the future. Your dad would have been pleased to see the house alive like this tonight.’

  Kate felt her stomach tighten in sympathy. Roderick winced, almost imperceptibly, and she clenched her fists to stop herself from reaching out to him. That wasn’t her place – it was Fiona’s.

  ‘He would, wouldn’t he?’ Roderick smiled, looking up at the oil painting above their heads. A dark-haired man in corduroy trousers, waxed jacket and wellington boots was sitting on a rock, surrounded by a heap of squirming, lolling dogs. He was smiling, but it was a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

  ‘Is that your father?’ Kate hadn’t stopped to think that the people in the paintings were so closely related to Roderick. It really was another world.

  ‘Yes. That was painted the year after we moved to the island, by Susan’s mother. You can see where she gets her talent
s from, can’t you?’

  ‘It’s beautiful.’ Kate caught his eye. She could feel the heat rising in her cheeks.

  ‘Absent friends, then,’ said Roderick, taking a drink, his gaze not wavering.

  ‘Roddy, sweetie, there’s a minute to the bells . . . ’ Fiona, timing perfect as ever, appeared at his side. ‘Come on, you need to do the countdown.’

  She pulled at his arm. He put his glass down slowly, pulling a rueful face at Kate.

  ‘Duty calls.’

  ‘I can’t stand this sort of thing, so I’m going to make it quick,’ said Roderick, holding the microphone and looking uncomfortable. ‘Thank you all so much for coming. It means a lot to me, and I think it would make my dad very happy to know that the house was full of people, which is what he always wanted. And, er – that’s it.’ He looked at his watch, checking the time.

  ‘Come on, man, you’re going to miss the bells at this rate!’ Laughing, Finn grabbed the microphone out of Roderick’s hands and started the countdown. ‘Ten – nine – eight – seven – six – five – four – three – two – ONE!’

  The whole room erupted in shouts of ‘Happy New Year!’ and Kate was being grabbed and kissed by Bruno, Ted, Murdo, Jean, Hector, Morag, Susan and by people she’d never spoken to in her time on the island. All that worrying about being the only person with nobody to kiss at Hogmanay, and she was barely able to take a breath before another person pounced on her. And then the whole room was linking hands and singing ‘Auld Lang Syne’ at the tops of their voices. Kate looked up at the painting of Roderick’s sad, smiling father, and thought that he would definitely approve.

  12

  An Early Start

  BLEEP-BLEEP – BLEEP-BLEEP. Kate hit the Snooze button on her alarm for the fifth time and rolled back under her covers. Willow had been up all night barking at the wind and was now fast asleep, curled up at the foot of the bed. Through a drowsy haze, Kate tried yet again to think why she had set an alarm. Unable to come up with an answer, she curled herself under the covers and floated back to sleep.

  She was swimming with seals and gliding gracefully in the water.

  Seals! She sat up, completely awake now, a cold feeling of horror settling in the pit of her stomach. She remembered the last conversation she’d had with Roderick as the Hogmanay party had come to an end.

  ‘I’ll pick you up at 8.15 a.m. We can catch the ferry at quarter to. You will be up, won’t you?’ Roderick had laughed.

  ‘Of course,’ Kate had said indignantly. ‘I’ll have you know I’m up walking the dog at seven o’clock most mornings.’

  All right, she’d done it once, so she wasn’t lying altogether – but in truth Willow wasn’t that keen on getting up early in the morning, either. They’d reached an agreement whereby morning walks didn’t take place until eight-thirty, after Kate had drunk at least two cups of tea.

  Kate staggered out of bed and downstairs into the bathroom. After freezing herself under the shower, she ran upstairs, wrapped in a towel. Oh, help! No clothes. Everything was either stuffed in the overflowing washing basket or soaking wet in the washing machine. Thank goodness Mark and Melanie aren’t glamorous, she thought, grabbing yesterday’s jeans from the chair.

  Hearing the sound of Roderick’s car on the gravel outside, she ran downstairs, Willow hurtling in front of her. She shoved on her wellies and grabbed her coat, twisting her hair up with a clip.

  ‘Morning.’ She opened the door with a forced smile.

  ‘I was expecting to find you still asleep in bed,’ said Roderick.

  ‘Not a bit. Up and ready to go – that’s me,’ lied Kate. ‘Is it all right if we take Willow? She’s never been on the ferry, and I thought it would be a good chance for her to get used to it.’

  And I’ve not had a chance to walk her, and if I leave her at home she’ll probably have eaten the entire house by the time I get back, she added, silently.

  ‘I’d love that.’ Roderick scooped up the puppy, stroking her ears and smiling at her.

  ‘Will Fiona mind?’

  ‘Fiona? Why would she mind?’ Roderick’s tone of voice was incredulous.

  ‘I assumed she was coming with us,’ explained Kate. ‘Mind you, I suppose she’d probably still be in bed at this time of day.’

  ‘I can guarantee it.’

  Kate pulled the car door closed, feeling slightly sick. He’d obviously left her fast asleep up at Duntarvie House. She could imagine Fiona floating around the kitchen making tea, and probably making plans to turn the house into a luxury hotel. Kate shuddered.

  ‘Are you cold?’

  ‘No, sorry. Just thinking.’ Kate looked out of the window, watching the frost-covered rhododendron bushes whizz past as Roderick manoeuvred around the potholes at a ridiculous speed.

  They left Willow sleeping in the back of the car, and climbed the metal steps up to the boat’s cafe. It was a bank holiday and the ferry was almost empty of passengers.

  ‘Morning, Roddy.’ The woman behind the bar leaned over and gave him a kiss. ‘Happy New Year to you. I hear the party was a big hit.’

  ‘Happy New Year to you, too, Aileen. It was a shame you couldn’t make it.’

  ‘Aye, well, I was looking after Jo’s wee ones. She works hard, so she deserves a night out at Hogmanay. Tea?’

  ‘Yes, please,’ said Kate and Roderick in unison. They looked at each other and laughed.

  ‘It’s been a long morning. Apparently Kate’s been up for hours,’ explained Roderick, eyebrows raised. ‘Next year, Aileen, bring the little ones up to the house. It’s a great place for children.’

  ‘Here you are.’ Aileen passed over a tray with a pot of tea and a plate of biscuits. ‘It’ll maybe no be long till you’re filling the house with your own wee ones?’

  ‘Chance would be a fine thing.’ He picked up the tray and turned for the table.

  Aileen gave Kate the ghost of a wink.

  They sat for a while, drinking tea in silence, the drone of the boat’s engine lulling Kate into a trance.

  ‘Do you have any brothers or sisters?’

  ‘Me?’ Kate was taken aback by Roderick’s sudden question. ‘None.’

  ‘No, me neither. I think my father would have liked to have had a houseful, but my mother wasn’t keen. I think she had her mind on other things.’

  Eek, thought Kate, we’re treading on dangerous ground here.

  ‘I’ve always wanted to be part of a big family,’ he continued. ‘I always wanted to have about five children. I like the idea of them all bundling around together.’ Roderick smiled at the thought.

  ‘Yes, me too.’

  He looked up at her, a strange expression on his face. ‘Really?’

  ‘Yes. I know everyone wants a neat little one or two, but I always envied my friends who grew up with lots of brothers and sisters.’

  ‘Yes, me too.’

  ‘Does . . . is . . . Fiona is an only child, too, isn’t she?’

  ‘Fiona?’ Roderick sounded genuinely surprised ‘She is, yes. But Fiona has no desire whatsoever to have children. It’s not part of her grand plan.’

  It was clearly a sore subject. Kate had spent long enough with him now to realize when a subject was closed. Roderick turned round, peering out of the window, spotting the houses clustered around the ferry dock, white against the morning gloom. He seemed relieved to change the subject. ‘Look, we’re nearly here. Let’s go and check on Willow.’

  Gulping the last of his tea, Roderick stood up. He gathered the cups onto the tray and took it back to Aileen.

  ‘I’m sorry, I don’t mean to be so pathetic,’ sniffled Kate, blowing her nose again. ‘It’s just that she looks so lovely.’

  Melanie handed her another tissue. They were standing outside, watching Flora. The seal pup had lost all of her white fur coat, and was now pale grey, mottled with darker spots. She had more than doubled in size.

  ‘She’s a little barrel with flippers on the side.’ Kate laughed, watching Flora as
she and her companion, Reggie, shuffled lumpily around the side of the pool. As if to prove a point, the pups slipped into the water and swam in circles with effortless grace.

  ‘The bigger, the better,’ explained Mark. ‘She can’t be released until she weighs thirty kilos. She’s brilliant at catching fish, though – a real natural.’

  Mark picked up a bucket and strode across the concrete yard. The Seal Sanctuary was immaculate, even right after the Christmas holidays, the concrete hosed clean and the pools sparkling.

  ‘Watch this,’ said Mark, sloshing a bucketful of water into the pool. Kate caught a silvery glimpse of mackerel. Flora and Reggie swooped down, before surfacing, each with a fish in their mouth.

  ‘They’re a pair of comedians,’ laughed Melanie. ‘Looks like they’ll both be ready for release at about the same time – I reckon another four weeks will do it.’

  ‘Kate, you’ll help with the release, won’t you?’ Roderick looked at her.

  ‘Of course, but I can’t guarantee I won’t cry again.’

  Mark stacked the bucket neatly by the tap, wiping his hands on his trousers. ‘I don’t think I’ve managed a release without a tear sneaking out yet, so you’ll be in good company.’

  Kate watched the water rippling as the seal pups disappeared under the surface, twisting and turning, their movements graceful. Flora’s head popped out of the water and she stared at them, nose twitching, whiskers trembling. Her mouth opened, and she began to sing. The sound was eerie and ear-piercing.

  ‘I think that’s our cue to go inside,’ laughed Melanie. ‘She’ll be at it for hours now – I’ve never heard a pup as noisy as Flora.’

  They slipped into the house through the back door, leaving Mark tending to the resident seals. Willow leapt up from the rug, dancing at Kate’s feet.

  ‘Leave your boots there,’ said Melanie. ‘I’ll pop the kettle on.’

  Kate held onto the door handle, shaking her feet out of her wellingtons. As she did so, something lacy and black shot out of the bottom of her trouser leg. Her hunting instinct on alert, Willow grabbed the thin and trotted round the room, looking proud of herself.