by Ruth Hay
Anna fought between laughter and tears. It was so good to know she had not been forgotten. This call had been the perfect way for her to focus on the future and put the last few weeks behind her as the bad memory it had been.
Fiona’s baby and Bev’s arrival. This was, truly, cause for celebration.
She decided to have a wash and get dressed then go downstairs to start supper for Ashley when she returned from town. There was a new strength in her step and a song in her heart.
* * *
Ashley spent part of the trip in Dr. Jansen’s car taking quick, sidelong glances at his face. She had not previously seen him as anything other than a busy professional who had met her needs, but now she had the chance to see him as a man. And an attractive man at that.
She gave herself a mental shake. Had the past weeks affected her so much that she had not noticed him as a male person? Certainly, he was a good doctor. That was obvious. Had she thrown a veil of unobtainability over him because of his profession? In any case it was time to start all over with Edmund Jansen. He had given her an opening and she would be an idiot not to take advantage of that.
Now that she was aware of him in this totally new way, she began to note the details. He had the dark good looks of a Northern Scot. She had heard Fiona describe such looks as Border Black Douglas’s.
She had no idea where he came from but his dark hair and almost black eyes in a pale face which was marked by the shadow of his beard, fit the description.
He wore an overcoat of a standard type, useful in rain or wind, with the collar pulled up to hide the length of his hair. A tie peeked out from his suit jacket and it was a surprisingly bright, green patterned, version with a tight knot.
Not entirely locked down into the medical mode, then. There could be possibilities there.
She turned away to watch the scenery roll past and wondered what his choice of casual wear would reveal. Closely following on this thought was one where she speculated on the possibility of ever seeing him in more casual attire. At this, she cleared her throat and leaned her forehead on the cool glass pane.
“Did you say something, Ashley?”
The way he said her name was suddenly quite intimate. It was probably just the hint of an accent but it sounded different.
“What? No, I was watching the clouds rolling by. Do you think it will rain soon? I haven’t been here long enough to read the weather like most Scots seem to be able to do.”
“I’m in the same boat, to some degree. My family is from the east coast. I can read the signs of a North Sea storm approaching with no trouble at all but the west coast with its Atlantic winds is another matter altogether.”
“Does that mean you haven’t been in these parts for very long?”
She knew she was fishing for information but men don’t usually give out much without a prompt.
“I’ve been here for four months now and I’ve been kept so busy at the surgery it’s a wonder I found my way to the farmhouse. Do you live there permanently with your aunt?”
“Oh, no! She’s my great-aunt but I live with the rest of my family in Canada on Prince Edward Island.
I have been in Oban several times over the years. It’s a lovely area. It’s a pity you haven’t had a chance to see more of it. Don’t you get a day off here and there?”
She knew, if he was not totally stupid, this was an invitation.
“The problem is, Ashley, I’m usually on call even in my off time. Dr. Williams can’t manage the late hours nowadays, so it’s difficult to plan anything adventurous.”
She jumped in with both feet.
“Would you be at all interested in visiting a nearby castle?”
The car sped up briefly. Ashley presumed excitement had affected his driving foot.
“That sounds amazing! If it’s not too far away, I could possibly return quickly if there was an emergency call. Could you arrange such a visit?”
“Just let me know your next free day, and we’ll see what can be done. You can’t be allowed to live here and not enjoy the local sights.”
Got him! I’ll call Gordon and put him on alert. I’ve been at Glenmorie often enough to do the tour on my own if Gordon is busy.
A comfortable silence now descended on the occupants of the doctor’s car. There were smiles on faces that had not been evident before and Ashley Stanton had something new and personal to look forward to besides housework and worry about the book.
Chapter Nine
Bev Matthews was anxious to return home and she knew Alan felt the same. They had been in the States for over a month and despite enjoying amazing hospitality from Eric’s friends, it was time to get back to ‘real’ life in the farmhouse among the Scottish hills.
Eric’s presentation of new technologies for computer systems had gone off very well although neither of his parents understood more than a word or two. The most exciting part of their stay had been when James and Caroline arrived unexpectedly from Brussels to join in the family celebration. It was so reassuring for Bev to see her sons together again and to know, despite the distances between them and the differences in their career paths, they were still the same responsible, capable boys she had brought up on her own in Canada, then moved to live in Scotland with Alan after they married. The bond between them had never changed.
Now Caroline blended into the mix almost seamlessly. She had a good sense of humour which she claimed was the only way to survive having grown up with a techie brother. She and Eric hit it off immediately and their conversation showed how advanced European communications had become.
The two spoke together earnestly for hours and Caroline declared, when she emerged, that Eric would be a valuable partner for her in her present role. With a huge continent of diverse languages and needs, speedy and efficient computer connections were crucial to the operation of daily business in the European Parliament.
James confided that Caroline’s job was high profile these days with the flood of emigrants from Africa and the Middle East arriving daily and the social network for supporting them stretching the capabilities of all the member nations. Caroline headed up a veritable tangle of charity organizations funded in a variety of ways to help alleviate the refugee situation. It was clear to his mother that James was exceedingly proud of his wife’s capabilities. Their visit had to be short but it was all the sweeter for their delighted parents.
The California weather had been hot and humid when it wasn’t fogged with pollution and a breath of cold, clear Scottish air was what Bev and Alan now longed for most.
Bev had another reason to hasten the journey to Oban. It seemed an age since she had spent any time with Anna. Jeanette had been reassuring about Ashley’s care of the invalid. Cameron had supplied Jeanette an account of how she was coping, but Bev knew she would not be content until she saw Anna for herself.
Ashley waved goodbye to Edmund. He had insisted she use his first name although she felt uncomfortable about it. She watched as he expertly spun the car around and headed off to the other end of town. She took a deep breath then ran up the High Street searching for a ladies’ clothing shop that might be supplied with the kind of sweater Anna needed. Fortunately, there was one place with a window display indicating preparations for the coming winter weather and she rushed inside hoping the proprietor was not busy. The owner came forward immediately and politely inquired if she could help.
Ashley had no time to browse the racks of garments so she quickly outlined her dilemma and found a sympathetic ear in the carefully dressed, older woman.
“Ach, I’ve been hearing what the poor woman has been going through. It’s a crying shame, so it is.
My auntie is one of the A Plus Fairisle knitters and she has been right worried about Mrs. Drake. Please tell her she is not forgotten here in Oban. There’s many who owe her a debt of gratitude for all she has done over the years.”
“The sweater?” interrupted Ashley as delicately as she could. It looked like this soliloquy might go on fo
r an hour and she needed to get groceries next.
“Of course.” Sharon, of Sharon’s Boutique, switched into sales style and soon uncovered the perfect cardigan, as she termed it, for an ailing woman’s comfort. It was a deep mauve colour and had no buttons but wrapped around the body with a small hook fastening on the side. The length was enough to reach Anna’s knees and the soft feel of the fabric confirmed it must be cashmere.
Sharon now completed the purchase with dispatch and Ashley was soon on her way through the town with only a quick glance at the seafront and harbour. She diverted along a side street and entered the large parking lot leading to the Tesco store.
Once she had a shopping cart in her hands, she buzzed around the store throwing in anything she thought might be needed for the next couple of weeks. She aimed to restock the cupboards and also find anything in the way of comforts for Anna. The oatmeal-based bath product Edmund had recommended was found in the Pharmacy and she added a lavender talcum powder and toilet water set along with a soothing shampoo and conditioner. Anna’s hair had suffered from the long period without a proper wash. The pharmacist also suggested an alternative lotion to the messy calamine, for which Ashley uttered a sigh of relief. The washing would be simplified once she could dispense with the vivid pink product.
The cart was piled high when she reached the checkouts and she was hoping Cameron was nearby with a lift back to the farmhouse. As the goods were being loaded into bags she gave him a quick call and discovered he was only minutes away and would be heading for the store as soon as possible.
All in all, a very satisfying afternoon’s work and there’s fresh bread, meat pies and fish for a supper choice if Anna feels up to eating. I could whip up a fish casserole with cheesy mashed potatoes on top in no time.
She spotted Cameron’s distinctive dark red Range Rover waiting right outside for her load, and they were soon on their way.
“I have news, Miss Ashley!”
“Oh, what’s been happening?”
“I just delivered Mr. and Mrs. Matthews to your farmhouse with an ungodly amount of luggage.”
“What? They’re home already? Anna will be pleased to see them.”
“Aye, you might say so. The puir wee soul was in tears when she opened the door. The ladies fell intae each other’s arms right away. It was like a scene frae a movie.”
She noticed how much Cameron sounded like his father, Grant, when overcome with emotion.
“Oh, Cameron! That’s good news. You must have taken the Matthews’ luggage back to their farmhouse or there wouldn’t have been space for all this stuff I bought.”
“That’s right enough. Mrs. Drake told me to head back into town to collect you as soon as I dropped off the Matthews’ bags and parcels. Alan gave me the keys so I could pop the bags indoors and turn on the heating for them.”
“Excellent timing all round, I’d say.”
“Aye, you could say so. I was glad to help. My father will be pleased to hear the news.”
She settled back in the front seat of the Rover and felt a great relief. The whole awful period of Anna’s illness was finally coming to a close with Bev’s arrival. It had been a strain to be the one solely responsible for Anna’s care but it had introduced her to Edmund Jansen. She let her mind drift to the vision of escorting him on the future visit to the romantic Glenmorie Castle. It should be interesting.
* * *
Ashley shooed Bev and Anna away to talk together while she made the fish casserole. Alan turned out to be a good help in the kitchen. He peeled potatoes, washed the vegetables and set the table all the while asking for updates on the town’s gossip. Between them they got the grocery supplies stashed away and a custard made for, what in Britain they called ‘afters’. Ashley could hear the rise and fall of voices from the lounge next door and when she caught the sound of Anna’s laughter she knew the tide had turned and all would be well.
Rain was lashing on the windows but indoors it was cozy and warm with the Aga going full blast and the oven heat adding to the comfort level.
When the women were called to the table by Alan, wrapped in a chef’s apron, Ashley saw that Anna was wearing her new sweater and looking much improved with the pretty mauve shade next to her face. And yet, having been away from her aunt for several hours, she also noticed that Anna had lost weight since her illness and beneath her high colour from the excitement of talking to her visitor, she was pale.
As soon as the meal had been eaten, Anna begged to go upstairs for a bath with her new products.
“I have had such a good time with my dear neighbours and friends, but Ashley will tell you this is the longest I have been out of bed since I got ill. Hopefully, I’ll see you tomorrow, Bev, once you’ve unpacked and settled in.”
The couple also expressed fatigue so Ashley told them to go before the dark descended, supplying them with a large golf umbrella that went back and forth between the farmhouses as required. There was not much kitchen clean-up to be done, thanks to Alan’s help, so Ashley took the chance to have a quiet word with Bev before they left for the short walk home.
“What did you think about Anna?”
“Her spirits were high today but it’s obvious this awful chickenpox has taken a lot out of her.
Quite frankly, I was shocked when I saw her at the door. I managed to hide my reaction when I hugged her to me, but she is thinner and looks much more frail than I have ever seen her.”
Bev caught the troubled look on Ashley’s face and quickly added, “Now don’t be alarmed! We’ll soon sort her out between us and there are others to help take the strain.”
Ashley swallowed and tried to hide a tear that was pure relief on hearing the word ‘we’ coming from Bev’s mouth.
The toll the last weeks had taken on her energy level was only now being felt. She had kept as positive as she could all the time Anna was so sick but now, at last, she could let go and admit what a trial it had been. When she had spoken by phone with her mother, Donna had expressed amazement at the way she had coped.
“Your Great-Aunt Anna is lucky you were available to help, Ash. Your publisher has contacted me several times asking where you were. I said you were in Scotland and that seemed to satisfy him. You had better give him a call soon.
Don’t worry about your grandparents. I’ve been keeping them up-to-date with events. They send their best wishes to Anna, of course. Simon says to tell her his hip is giving him jip so he knows how she feels. And look after yourself, my girl. You don’t want to come down with some dread disease from being overtired.”
Ashley thought of these words as she turned out the lights and climbed upstairs to bed. She could hear Anna humming happily in the adjoining bathroom but, although she intended to stay awake until the bedroom door closed safely behind her aunt, she was fast asleep in minutes.
Chapter Ten
The phone ripped Ashley out of a deep sleep but before she could orient herself she heard Anna’s voice responding. She flopped back onto her pillow and pulled the covers up over her ears. If Anna was able to take care of this call, she was content to let her do it just this once.
The next time she surfaced it was to find Anna by her bedside, dressed in her new sweater and a pair of cotton sweat pants and carrying a tray with a large mug of coffee that smelled divine.
“Now, just you sit there and drink this. I’ve been up for a while and I am feeling much better this morning. The bath last night was so refreshing and my hair looks almost decent again, don’t you think?”
Ashley readily agreed and admired the silver strands curving around her face. She sipped the coffee twice, before asking who had called earlier.
“Oh, that was Gordon with great news. The baby has arrived. It’s another boy and both he and Fiona are well. Gordon says he’ll be either Neil or Craig. They’ll decide when they’ve seen him at home and had a family conference. And Fiona says I’ve to get well soon so she can invite us to meet him. Fergus and Shona are delighted with their new b
rother and can’t wait to get him home.”
“That is good news, Anna. Now you have something special to work towards. Let’s start with a good breakfast. I bought whole wheat granary bread from the bakery yesterday. I know it’s your favourite and we’ll slather it with butter and anything else you like. Do you think you can swallow that?”
“I think I could eat several slices, Ashley, thanks to all your efforts. I can never thank you enough, my dear girl, for all you have done. You have coped with all the work around this old place and I know what that means. I could never have managed to survive without you.
Now, don’t start bubbling, as my mother used to say, or you’ll set me off.
I’ll let you get ready, Ashley, and please help yourself to the lavender set. The smell is amazing!”
* * *
It was a grand start to the day. The weather was cooperating and a pale sun was to be seen fighting its way through the clouds. Anna took it as a good omen. Her battle was almost over and today was the first of her recovery. She had abandoned the walking stick in preference for short walks around the house and up and down the stairs for exercise to strengthen her muscles. It was hard to remember how she had recently plodded up Wonderland Road after walking in the park in London. Hopefully, her muscles would now respond without too much delay. She was anxious to get back to life.
She had just returned to the kitchen from one of these forays when she spotted a van driving along the side of the house and parking in front of the garage.
“Ashley! It’s Jeanette! I’ll put the kettle on for tea.”
Jeanette arrived in her usual style talking ten to the dozen and exclaiming how good it was to see them both.
“You must have felt you were in jail with a quarantine period like this. I have felt so frustrated at not being able to help but all that is over now. We have finally moved and everything is in place, I’m glad to say. I have no pressing jobs to do until well into next month so I am at your beck and call for whatever you need. My mother doesn’t arrive here until nearer Christmas. Oh, the first thing is to give this place a thorough cleaning. It’s overdue and I’ll send the crew here next week. You two will come out for the day with me so they can scour out all the bad germs and give the place a proper going over. Perhaps we can go to the castle and visit the new babe? I hear it’s a wee boy. Gordon will be so pleased.
