Coming Home

by Gwen Kirkwood

  Euan Kennedy had responded to his call quicker than either of them could have anticipated. He explained his sudden decision to break his journey and visit Scotland, the land of his birth, now he knew his Uncle Simon was already booked to travel to Australia himself. Uncle and nephew had met briefly at the airport. Roseanne knew all about the plans but now Euan Kennedy was sitting in Mr K’s office as though he owned the place and he had made it plain he planned to stay until his uncle returned. So far he had been too busy installing and checking a new computer system in the offices to interfere with Roseanne’s work overseeing the factory, but she had noticed the way he cast his eye over them all whenever he passed by the glass fronted offices. Annoyingly his speculative gaze always seemed to linger longest on her. Roseanne wondered why, quite unaware that her polite reserve represented an irresistible challenge to any red blooded man, and Euan Kennedy was certainly that. He had one of those assessing sort of stares, as though his eyes could see inside your head, Roseanne thought irritably. She had never been easily influenced by the opinions, or attentions, of male colleagues, however charming they might be and she made it a rule never to mix business and pleasure.

  `Oh drat Euan Kennedy!’ she mumbled aloud, glad she had an office to herself. That was when she had acted on impulse and dashed off an email to her sister to relieve her feelings. Rob would understand her frustration.

  Euan contemplated his uncle’s parting words at the airport. `Whatever you do, laddie, don’t upset Miss Fairfax. I couldn’t run the business without Roseanne. Together we’re a good team – the best in fact. We complement each other. We’ve almost doubled the business since she joined the company.’

  There hadn’t been much time for chat but Euan could still hear his Uncle’s urgent admonition, making sure he knew how essential his PA was to him and to the company. It had surprised him. His mother had always maintained her brother was a confirmed bachelor who liked to do things his own way.

  `I believe you’re like him in many ways, Euan,’ she'd told him more than once. `You’re both successful in business, but you’re thirty now and you still have no serious girlfriends as far I know.’ He’d heard the wistful note and the faint question in her voice. He knew she longed to see him settle down and provide her with a brood of grandchildren.

  Euan’s mental picture of his uncle’s PA as a middle-aged woman dressed in a smart grey jacket and skirt, and with a hatchet face and grey hair worn in a bun couldn’t have been more wrong. He guessed Roseanne Fairfax was at least five years younger than him, tall and slim, with the fair skin which went with her auburn hair – well not auburn exactly because it shone like a golden halo when the sun came through her office window in the afternoons. If he ever got close enough he could wager there would be a smattering of freckles across the bridge of her small straight nose. Although her face was an almost perfect oval there was a determined tilt to her chin; her mouth tilted upwards at the corners as though ready to smile, except when she stared back at him, then it straightened and her green eyes seemed to shoot sparks at him, even before he began asking her questions about the way his uncle’s business was run. Her thick hair was coiled in a neat pleat around her head. He wondered what it would be like when she let it down to blow free in the wind. He imagined it would be like a glowing flame. If Uncle Simon had ever read his PA’s personal emails he might have changed his opinion about some aspects of Roseanne Fairfax’s character, he mused. His grey eyes glinted as he pressed the print button. He would keep a copy of this particular email and enjoy a bit of sport with Miss Fairfax. He watched as the printer sent out a sheet of paper headed - Kershaw & Co. – Suppliers and Processors of Fine Quality British Meat Products.

  Hi Rob –I’m writing this from work because I shall be busy packing this weekend ready for the move to our new flat. My own computer will be off until I get moved and sorted out again. Four weeks before you get back you said? I wish you were here now.

  Euan frowned. His mother had been at pains to warn him about Uncle Simon’s strict moral standards. What would he say if he discovered his prim and proper Miss Fairfax was moving in with her boyfriend while he was away? He read on.

  You’ll never believe it, Rob. We’re moving into the modern world at last. We’ve even got Broadband, AND a completely new computer system. It came with a hunk of prime meat too! No, not another of Mr K’s prize bullocks. This hunk is Mr K’s nephew. He’s Australian and his name is Euan Kennedy. Mr K. phoned from the airport to warn me of his arrival. He hadn’t expected him to come to visit until he returned to Scotland himself. He- the nephew - has been closeted in Mr K’s office every day so far. I can’t help wondering what he is delving into. Gladys and some of the girls keep casting hungry glances whenever he does come out so maybe he’s afraid of being processed too. I’m too busy to pay much attention to him but first impressions are that he’s a fair looking beast with a fine rump on him. I’d say he’s been around a bit so he could be ripe for a roasting, if you agree? I could do with a bit of fun.

  Must dash now. Miss you lots.

  Love Ros. XX

  ***

  Roseanne stared at Euan Kennedy as he sat behind his uncle’s desk regarding her with a smug expression on his handsome face. She was proud of her reputation for efficiency and integrity, and that of her staff too. He cleared his throat, drawing her eyes back to his face. He was eyeing her like a cat with a mouse before it pounced. What was he waiting for? Why was he looking at her so expectantly? She was not used to feeling at a disadvantage. She frowned. She had learned to control the temper that went with her auburn hair but she knew she was in danger of losing it with this infuriating man. Mr K admired her calmness in a crisis. It was one of the reasons he was happy to leave her in charge when he went on his buying trips.

  `Cat got your tongue, Miss Fairfax?’

  `Not that I’m aware of, Mr Kennedy,’ Roseanne retorted. She was tempted to stick it out at him but she knew that would be childish and spoil her image of the efficient and dignified PA she was determined to present to him. `Is there anything else you want to know?’

  `It appears a consignment of prime meat has not been entered in the delivery records.’ His expression was bland.

  `A consignment not recorded? Are you sure? Mary is meticulous in keeping a record of all deliveries.’

  `Maybe she is.` His mouth twitched and Roseanne stared at it, noticing the firm, well-shaped lips and the white even teeth as he favoured her with a wolfish smile. `Nevertheless the acquisition of prime meat, was mentioned – or was it rump?’ The twitching at the corners of his mouth increased and Roseanne couldn’t drag her fascinated gaze away. `Well hung? Ready for roasting?’ he prompted. Her eyes widened in dismay.

  `Oh no!’ she gasped as understanding dawned and she recalled her facetious description of him in her email to her sister. Somehow he had managed to read it. It was an unwritten law amongst the office staff that there should be no private emails or use of mobile phones during work. Ever since she had become a permanent part of Kershaw & Company she had set an example and the girls respected her for it. Now Euan Kennedy, of all people, had caught her out.

  `My email to Rob was personal,’ she said indignantly, but colour burned in her cheeks. She couldn’t deny she had used her work computer for a personal email to Robinia. She tried to recall what she had said. There was only ten months between them in age so they had always been close. As children they even had a language of their own - slang, bordering on rude, their mother called it, a disgrace to the beautiful flowery names she had bestowed upon them. It was true not everyone appreciated their humour, or forgave some of their more outrageous pranks. They were alike in appearance but their interests were almost entirely opposite, except perhaps for books and music.

  Robinia was a born flirt with her dancing eyes and infectious smile. Sometimes Roseanne wished she could be more like that herself but as the elder sister she had always been more serious, absorbing knowledge like a sponge, enjoying a challenge. She prid
ed herself on her organisation and self-control. That was the reason Rob had trusted her to buy the flat and arrange the move. How long Robinia would stay in one place after so much globe-trotting as a well-known model was debateable. Roseanne was not concerned about that. She liked to have her own space. It was one of the reasons she spent most weekends down at the farm near the Scottish Border. She had always felt she could be a free spirit at Ashburn, releasing her mane of red gold hair and shedding her inhibitions.

  She blinked, aware that Euan Kennedy was watching the emotions chasing each other across her expressive face.

  `Nobody could read other people's emails before,’ she protested. `Even if he could have read them Mr Kershaw would never have done so. I doubt if he’d be concerned about this one anyway.’

  `No? Obviously he is almost a stranger to me as we had not met since I was five years old, but from what I've heard of his strict morals I don’t believe he would approve of you moving in with your boyfriend the minute he’s out of the country for three months.’ Even to himself Euan knew he sounded like a lecturing old woman and that was not a part of the email he had intended quoting.

  `Boyfr…?’ Roseanne almost choked and her eyes widened. She lowered her lashes but not before Euan glimpsed the gold flecks dancing in their green depths. Was she laughing at him? He eyed her keenly, suspicious of her suddenly demure expression. Was she biting her full lower lip to prevent a smile? he wondered indignantly. Roseanne hoped he couldn’t read her mind. When Rob returned they would certainly play a few tricks and enjoy shaking his air of superiority. They had often swapped identities when they were younger. Rob was an expert at winding men around her little finger only to leave them confused when their next encounter was with herself, so much more cool and reserved.

  `The email was on your work computer,’ Euan reminded her. `I understood from Uncle Simon that you were perfection personified, Miss Fairfax. Perhaps it’s a case of when the cat’s away?’

  `No it is not! Damn you.’

  `Tut-tut. “Miss Fairfax is always calm in a crisis, she never loses control,” or so Uncle Simon informed me. “She never panics or forgets an instruction.” I guessed Uncle Simon’s description was too good to be true.’ He rose to his feet and came round the desk. She was five feet seven but he was taller. He looked down at her. Roseanne was tempted to swipe the smile from his face. Her green eyes sparked with temper. Euan Kennedy nodded with satisfaction. Miss Efficiency did have hidden depths – how could she not with that abundant flame coloured hair, even if it was pleated in an elegant coil on top of her neat little head. He looked forward to seeing it in wild disarray and discovering the passion behind that cool façade. Pity he only had four weeks before the return of Rob, the worthy boyfriend. He went into action.

  `Uncle Simon said you would fill me in on everything, including telling me about the farm and the rare breeds of animals he keeps. We’ll go down to Ashburn tomorrow morning. We’ll have lunch on the way. Don’t forget to bring your wellingtons and a change of clothes.’

  `I can’t do that! Besides…’ Her voice trailed away. She spent almost every weekend at the farm, except when Robinia paid a fleeting visit to Scotland. Although she enjoyed her job and the challenges that Kershaw & Company presented, she was a country girl at heart, while Rob regarded any time at the farm as rusticating.

  `Besides?’ Euan Kennedy prompted, his grey eyes scrutinising her face. What a determined chin she had – and what a kissable mouth.

  `I do spend weekends down there but I told Mrs Lennox, the housekeeper, I wouldn’t be down for the next two weeks so she has gone to visit her sister in Wales. She has taken the opportunity while Mr Kershaw is away.’

  `But you have a key?’

  `Yes,’ she flushed, `but…’

  `But nothing.’

  `It’s Friday tomorrow,’ she snapped.

  `So?’

  `It is one of the busiest days of the month.’

  `This place can tick over while you play hooky for once.’

  `I never play hooky!’ Roseanne straightened her slim shoulders even more. Euan’s temperature increased as he watched the white silk of her blouse tighten, emphasising the attractive curve of her breasts beneath.

  `Okay, so one day without you will be fine.’ She opened her mouth to protest but Euan Kennedy was used to being in command, how else could he have built up his business. `That’s an order.’ He watched her eyes narrow and heard her indrawn breath. The tension between them was almost tangible. `Look,’ he said pacifically, ‘While my uncle is away I am in charge. If anything goes wrong I shall take full responsibility.’ He had intended to sound reassuring but Roseanne’s eyes glittered like green emeralds, and just as hard. She had always been in charge any time Simon Kershaw had been away and he had never even hinted that things would be any different this time. He hadn’t even known his long lost nephew would be coming to Scotland until he himself was ready to leave.

  `When did you decide to come to Scotland, Mr Kennedy?’

  `I decided to stop off here when my uncle informed me he was planning to visit my mother in Australia. I am grateful to him for taking so much time with her when she has been ill. I hope to repay him a little by keeping a close eye on the running of his company during his absence. Also he mentioned modernising some of the processing plant. This will be a splendid opportunity to make an assessment.’

  `But you didn’t have time to discuss any details at the airport?’

  `No…’ Euan frowned as he met her steady green gaze. Her measured tones reminded him of being called before the headmaster at school. `I can’t see any reason why I should explain myself to you Miss Fairfax, but during the brief time we spent together at the airport my uncle did ask me to humour you.’

  Humour me! Roseanne was furious. He talks as though I'm a spoiled brat. She was sure Simon Kershaw would not have used such a demeaning phrase, as though she was a wayward child.

  `I gathered your meeting had lasted about forty minutes when your Uncle telephoned to warn me of your arrival,’ she said in a steely tone. `So, he had no time to explain to you the way we run things here? Or the –er... various arrangements?’

  `He knows I am used to running my own business.’

  `A business which is very different from a meat processing factory, yet you have assumed authority without knowing the first thing about our policy here.’ Inwardly Roseanne was seething at Euan Kennedy's arrogance, but she wished she was not so aware of his male attractions. Such things had never affected her before. She was unaware that to Euan Kennedy she looked as cool as any ice maiden he had ever visualised.

  `Since I am Simon Kershaw's only relative I consider it my duty to take charge and look after his interests, especially considering my mother is the reason for his absence.’

  `And you think you can do that knowing nothing about the business?’ Roseanne asked with a deceptive sweetness which would have sent warning signals to anyone who knew her. Euan Kennedy saw only a very attractive woman and he had never had any difficulty winning over any before. He gave her one of his charming smiles.

  `I’m sure the processing of meat products is pretty basic. I have installed machines far more complicated than Kershaw’s is likely to need. We had a brief discussion about more automation.’ Oh yes, thought Roseanne, and I’ve had several discussions, without success, but the man in front of her was going on smoothly, `I believe I have persuaded him that most of the processing can be done by computerised robotic machines.’

  `Computers are your line of work I believe?’

  `Yes, they are,’ he said with a slight smile. He had fallen into the world of technology by accident rather than by choice but he had been lucky and his company was worth a considerable fortune now. He had not intended to sound patronising but Roseanne interpreted his smile as smug and her temper flared.

  `In that case, Mr Kennedy, you stick to your business with computers and I shall stick to mine - taking charge of Kershaw and Company.’

 
; `You can’t do that, Miss Fairfax!’

  `You think not? I am always in charge in Mr Kershaw’s absence. I shall remain so until I hear from him directly telling me he has passed all responsibility for the firm over to you. If that happens you can be sure I shall be moving to pastures new immediately.’ And taking my forty five per cent share in the company with me, she vowed silently as she turned and left his office.

  `Well!’ Euan flopped into his chair and pushed his fingers through his thick brown hair. `Don’t upset her,’ his uncle had ordered. `Whatever you do, don’t get on the wrong side of Roseanne.’ And at their first real encounter they had crossed enough swords to make sparks fly. He had never had a problem getting his own way with people, especially women, even when he was a boy. His mother had always said he had inherited his father’s dancing blue-grey eyes and beguiling smile, which even old ladies found irresistible, but she was not without a certain innocent charm herself when it came to getting her way. The aloof Miss Fairfax certainly presented a challenge though, and he was fairly sure she had the passion and the temper to go with her vibrant hair. He loved the colour of it, and the thick tresses which crowned her head like a halo. He longed to draw his fingers through it and feel its silken length. He was not about to be thwarted without his best efforts to win her over.