A Summer at Sea

by Katie Fforde

  Most of the women had gone now and so Emily went to the dressing table to fiddle with her hair.

  It was very well appointed. There was hairspray, deodorant, talcum powder, a selection of scent as well as cotton wool, loose powder and cleansing lotion. Fiona had obviously thought hard about what women might need apart from sewing kits and safety pins. There was even, Emily noted with delight, some tit tape! Scottish dancing, if done with enthusiasm, could easily cause a wardrobe malfunction, she realised.

  ‘Becca! Darling!’ said a loud, English-accented voice. ‘You’ve got your figure back. How wonderful!’

  Emily turned to see her friend being kissed by a tall dark woman in a long black dress.

  ‘Annie,’ said Rebecca. ‘Thank you for the compliment. Can I introduce my friend Emily?’

  Emily put on a smile, aware she was about to confront a woman who wanted Alasdair and who was annoyingly gorgeous. ‘Hello.’

  ‘This is Annie, an old friend,’ said Rebecca. The way she said it told Emily that she wasn’t an old friend in the way that she and Emily were old friends.

  Annie took Emily’s offered hand. ‘So you’re the midwife. The one who saved the day in an emergency.’

  ‘It wasn’t exactly an emergency,’ said Emily mildly.

  Annie held up a hand. ‘Don’t give me the details! I’m child-free and proud.’

  Emily laughed. ‘That’s fine. No contraction-by-contraction account necessary.’ She looked at Rebecca. ‘Is Nell OK?’

  ‘Oh yes. Although she might spend the entire evening being passed from kind helper to kind helper.’ Rebecca glanced at Annie. ‘Very keen on tiny babies in there. And the boys are in the rumpus room, getting high on ginger beer and Irn-Bru.’

  Another couple of women came in. They all knew Rebecca and they’d all heard about Emily delivering the baby.

  ‘Excuse me,’ said Annie, ‘if you’re going to talk about vernix I’ll go and get a drink. So not my bag!’

  The other women laughed in a shocked way. ‘She is awful,’ said one of them when Annie was out of earshot. ‘Did she even ask about the baby?’

  ‘No,’ said Rebecca. ‘But not everyone likes babies.’

  Emily nodded. If it hadn’t been for the Alasdair thing, she might have liked Annie.

  Then Emily was the centre of attention. ‘I heard in the shop that you were amazing,’ one of the women said.

  ‘She was,’ agreed Rebecca. ‘I couldn’t have done it without her. She’s Emily, and this is Nancy, Elizabeth and Meg.’

  Emily smiled and nodded hello.

  ‘So,’ said Meg. ‘Was it all One Born Every Minute and dramatic?’

  ‘No,’ said Emily, determined to keep to keep it low key. ‘There was no emergency and I was just doing my job.’ She decided she didn’t need to mention the slight problem with the shoulders. ‘Rebecca was brilliant.’

  ‘And Crinan’s answer to Dr Finlay was there too, I gather,’ said Nancy. ‘I’m surprised Annie could bring herself to speak to either of you. She must have been beside herself with jealousy.’

  ‘She could hardly be jealous of me!’ said Rebecca. ‘Having a baby is so not sexy.’

  ‘Oh, I don’t know,’ said Emily. ‘Personally I think it has a sort of primeval charm. Not that I’ve had one myself.’

  ‘A midwife who’s never had a baby?’ said Nancy. ‘I’m not sure people who haven’t had babies should be midwives. They don’t really understand the pain.’

  Emily wasn’t offended. ‘People have said that to me before but I think I do understand it. And it’s not that I don’t want a baby. I just haven’t found the right man, and if I do, and I have a baby, well, I’ll understand it better!’

  ‘Just don’t leave it too long,’ said Meg. ‘Some of us struggle to get pregnant.’

  ‘Well, in case any of you are planning to get pregnant tonight,’ said Rebecca, ‘we’d better join the party. Which means getting into shoes I can reel in. Honestly, I don’t know why I bothered with my heels. I could have just come in my wellies and then put my pumps on.’

  Once they were downstairs, Rebecca took Emily by the arm. ‘Come on. On to the dance floor.’

  ‘I’m not sure I can remember anything you and the boys taught me,’ Emily said, suddenly nervous.

  ‘Nonsense. People relish pushing you in the right direction if you look like going wrong. And they’ll start with the easy ones. They’ll save the foursome, when they swing the women off their feet, until later.’

  ‘Fun as that sounds, I’m an entry-level dancer, I couldn’t do anything like that!’

  ‘Well, you could, but you don’t have to. Now let’s find a set to join.’

  The band would have made the most reluctant party guest get on the floor and, although she was a bit anxious to begin with, Emily loved to dance.

  The first one was the Dashing White Sergeant, one of the dances she felt most confident with. Rebecca’s boys had known it well and made her practise and practise. Anxious not to let her teachers down (although they were away doing something quite else, and wouldn’t ever know if she messed it up) she was concentrating really hard. Then, suddenly, she was faced with Alasdair. And he was wearing a kilt. She’d thought him good-looking in jeans and a sweater; in full Highland dress he looked sensational.

  For a moment they looked at each other, and Emily realised she was smiling and smiling, every other thought pushed out of her head by the sheer pleasure of seeing him. Then they were separated again.

  She was still smiling when a new partner found her and seemed to appreciate the light in her eyes and the curve of her lips.

  She was enjoying herself. She liked the exercise, she liked trying to remember the steps and the general good humour the dancing created. And it was lovely coming across Alasdair from time to time; being swung round by him, setting to him, even doing a couple of steps of the polka.

  One thing that spoilt it was the presence of Annie, an experienced, efficient dancer. When Emily wasn’t thinking about her feet she couldn’t help regularly checking to see where they both were. And she couldn’t help noticing that Annie was also checking, except she only had eyes for Alasdair.

  After two long dances Rebecca found her. ‘Come on, I’m gasping. Let’s go to the bar.’

  Emily was halfway down a pint of lime and soda when Annie and Alasdair came in. Seeing her and Rebecca, Alasdair headed towards them. Annie, trying to smile, followed him.

  ‘So, was that your first go at Scottish country dancing, Emily?’ he asked.

  ‘Was it that obvious? I thought I did quite well!’ she said.

  ‘You did brilliantly! You must have been practising.’

  ‘The boys have been drilling her,’ said Rebecca. ‘Do you want to sit down, you two?’

  ‘No thanks,’ said Annie. ‘I want to dance some more.’

  ‘I’m exhausted,’ said Alasdair, finding a seat and pulling it up. ‘Can I get you two another drink?’

  Annie pouted. Emily realised she hadn’t ever seen a grown woman pouting before. ‘Well, if you can’t keep up with me, Al, I’ll have a gin and tonic.’

  Annie fiddled with her phone while they were waiting for Alasdair to come back with the drinks. Emily and Rebecca exchanged a quick eye-roll at her behaviour and then Rebecca saw someone else she knew and got to her feet, leaving Emily with Annie.

  Annie put her phone away. ‘So, how well do you know Alasdair?’

  It was a tricky one. Emily wanted to pretend she hardly knew him at all but his manner with her, relaxed and friendly, indicated she knew him a bit. But she wasn’t going to admit too much, not to Annie.

  ‘Well, I was the cook on the puffer. You know? James and Rebecca’s puffer?’

  ‘Everyone round here knows the puffer; it’s a local celebrity.’

  ‘Well, that’s how we met.’ That would do. It wasn’t too revealing but nor was it disingenuous. ‘How well do you know him?’

  ‘Oh, he and I go way back. I was friends with his fir
st wife. Lovely woman. Really beautiful, you know? Like a model.’

  Emily did not have issues with her body, she really didn’t, but she instantly felt dumpy. ‘Bit like you, then?’

  Annie did look a bit discomforted. ‘Well, we had loads in common. We used to play tennis together, all sorts of sporty things. She was very bright.’

  ‘You must miss her,’ said Emily. ‘Someone as lovely as that.’

  ‘Of course, but it’s been a while. I have other friends. Ah, here comes our hero with the drinks.’ She gave Alasdair a beaming smile. ‘Thanks.’

  Rebecca come back to join them. ‘Come on, Annie. It’s a drink, not the kiss of life! But thanks, Al.’

  Emily took the glass he handed her. ‘I feel I should say something incredibly grateful now. How about “You lifesaver, you”?’

  He smiled and inclined his head. ‘That’ll do. So, Emily, what do you think of our Highland entertainment?’

  ‘Brilliant! I only wish I could experience more of it.’

  ‘There are reeling classes at the village hall if you’re that keen,’ said Annie.

  ‘I would be, but I have to go home soon.’ Somehow she couldn’t say ‘tomorrow’ until she’d managed to say it to Alasdair privately. If only she’d managed to see him before now! She had a guilty conscience about him anyway and she didn’t want to surprise him in public.

  ‘Kate will be sad to hear that,’ said Alasdair.

  ‘Is she here?’ said Rebecca.

  ‘Oh yes. In fact, I ought to go and check up on her.’

  ‘She won’t want her old dad spoiling her fun. I bet she’s playing with all the boys,’ said Annie coyly. ‘At least, that’s how I’d feel.’

  ‘I’d still like to make sure she’s all right,’ he said, draining his glass and getting to his feet.

  ‘Can I come and say hello?’ said Emily, abandoning her lime and soda and standing up too. ‘I’d love to see her in her party dress.’

  ‘I’d like that too!’ said Annie.

  ‘I wouldn’t go now, Annie,’ said Rebecca. ‘Jimmy McWatt has been eyeing you. I’m sure he wants to ask you to dance.’

  Annie’s head shot round. ‘Are you sure? Jimmy McWatt? Maybe I’ll see Kate another time.’

  ‘Who’s Jimmy McWatt?’ Emily asked Alasdair when they were out of earshot.

  ‘Local millionaire.’ He was striding along, the pleats of his kilt swinging as she hastened after him. She allowed herself to speculate if it was true about Scotsmen not wearing anything under their kilts. It must be scratchy, she decided.

  ‘So where’s Kate?’ she said.

  ‘Having a sleepover with a friend. I just wanted a chance to talk to you without being interrupted. Here.’ He opened a door to what seemed to be an office. He held out a hand, offering her an old button-back chair to sit on. He leant back on the desk and looked down at her.

  ‘I’m going home tomorrow,’ she said in a rush. She was annoyed with herself for sounding apologetic.

  His brows came together. ‘Tomorrow? So soon! Why?’

  ‘I tried to come over and see you, and tell you. I’m needed at work. You knew about my job.’

  ‘I didn’t think it was starting so soon. I thought you wouldn’t be able to start until a new unit was built.’

  ‘I thought that too but they want me to look at plans for the building. And I have to recruit staff—’

  ‘Kate will be devastated! I told her you’d probably be here until near Christmas!’

  Just for a few moments Emily had thought that maybe he would be devastated but apparently not, only Kate. Although he did look pale and tight-lipped.

  ‘I’m really sorry you did that. I was never going to able to stay that long.’

  ‘It was thoughtless,’ he went on, ignoring her interjection. ‘She’s had enough people letting her down in her short life without you doing it as well.’

  Now Emily was angry. ‘I don’t think going back home – something that everyone knew I was going to do – quite equates with letting Kate down! And it wasn’t my fault that you misled her like that!’

  ‘It will seem like that to her!’

  ‘Well, you’ll have to explain!’

  ‘I’m a bit fed up with explaining things about women to my daughter! You of all people, Emily! I didn’t think you would put your career over other people’s happiness!’

  There was a silence between them like a glacier. Then they both spoke at once.

  ‘I’m sorry—’ he said.

  ‘I can’t believe you just said that!’ Emily said. ‘What do you expect me to do? Be late starting my new job to give Kate a bit longer to get used to the idea that I’m going? I’ve never heard anything so bloody ridiculous!’

  Any thought that he had been going to apologise vanished. There was only anger in his expression. ‘Does loyalty and trustworthiness mean nothing to you?’

  Emily had to fight for breath. ‘That is so unreasonable! There’s been no arrangement, no relationship! We both knew that from the start!’

  ‘So it was just a bit of casual sex for you, was it?’

  ‘How dare you!’ She could hardly speak for anger and frustration.

  ‘I’m the one who has to deal with this! I’m the one who’ll have to comfort a little girl let down by a woman – again!’

  ‘I’m sorry about that, but it is your job! You’re her father! There’s no one else!’

  ‘Please don’t think I’m not aware of that!’

  They glared at each other. Emily was on the verge of tears – angry ones this time – and he was a wall of anger and pride.

  Then he took a breath and cleared his throat. ‘Emily—’

  Someone pushed open the door urgently. ‘Oh, there you are, Alasdair!’ It was Annie. ‘They need you in the barn to do a soundcheck. You’re on in five minutes.’

  He hesitated, looking at Emily and then at Annie, as if he wanted to finish what he had started to say.

  ‘Come on, Alasdair! The band needs you. You can talk to Emily later.’

  A man joined Annie in the doorway. ‘C’mon, man! We need you now. There’s going to be a barn full of people wanting to hear some decent music!’

  Alasdair shot Emily another glance too quickly for her to interpret and left the room. Annie stayed behind. ‘Don’t dash your heart against those rocks, sweetheart. Better women than you have foundered on them.’

  Emily sighed and gave a rueful smile. ‘I won’t. I’m going back home tomorrow so feel free to put on your lifejacket and jump overboard. There’ll be no competition from me.’

  As Emily walked back along the corridor towards the sound of the dance music she tried to make sense of her feelings. Anger, regret, deep sadness with a good dose irritation churned inside her. She wanted to go back to James and Rebecca’s and wondered if she could find someone to give her a lift. Maybe James would run her home quickly? She didn’t want to drag Rebecca away from her first night out in a long time.

  She bumped into Rebecca. ‘Found you!’ said her friend, sounding relieved. ‘Come on. We must go and hear Alasdair’s band. They’re doing the soundcheck. If we don’t hurry we won’t get a seat at the front; they’re terribly popular!’

  There was no way out of it. She’d have to go and hear him but she was damned if she was going to sit at the front.

  ‘You go on. I’ve got to go to the loo, then I’ll get a drink and join you.’

  ‘Well, don’t hang about. I’ll save you a seat.’

  ‘No, don’t bother. I’ll take my chance. I’ve got to make a quick phone call first. I’ve had an urgent text.’

  Rebecca regarded her for a couple of seconds. ‘Oh, OK. I’ll see you in there.’

  In case Rebecca was watching her, Emily got out her phone. There was absolutely no coverage here at all. And Rebecca must have known that. Adding embarrassment to her list of unpleasant emotions she headed for the cloakroom upstairs.

  Chapter Twenty

  EMILY TOOK HER time. She did as much
to her make-up as she could with the stub of pencil and the mascara and lipstick in her tiny cross-body evening bag. Then she applied as many of the things laid out on the dressing table as she possibly could. Sadly, she didn’t manage to find a use for the tit tape.

  When she’d had a glass of water, used the loo and fluffed up her hair for the final time, she made her way downstairs. The sound of the crowd led her to the barn, where the band was due to play.

  She was pleased to see the space was crowded. She realised there were many more people at this party than had been reeling. The huge old house had swallowed them up. But everyone seemed to be here now although there were only a couple of people and some instruments on the stage.

  Because she didn’t want Alasdair to see her, she ignored the front, where she knew Rebecca would be saving her a place. She stood at the back, along with many others.

  ‘I don’t know what’s been holding them up,’ said someone near her. ‘They were supposed to start ten minutes ago.’

  ‘Musicians! You know what they’re like,’ said another. ‘No sense of discipline.’

  ‘I hope you’re wrong!’ said the first speaker. ‘One of them is my GP!’

  At last, Alasdair and a girl came on. Alasdair had changed out of his kilt and was dressed in jeans, with a shirt half tucked into them. He was at the front holding a fiddle and looked so sexy Emily felt a stab of emotion that almost hurt. The girl looked young and vulnerable and extremely beautiful. She went up to the mike and started fiddling with it. Others stood around, looking at each other and then out into the audience until suddenly, they began with a love song that seemed to be aimed directly at her heart. It hurt. Music was part of Alasdair in the same way that being a doctor was, and a father.

  She realised she couldn’t bear to stay and let his music torture her. She left the barn and made her way to the bar.

  ‘So, am I the only person not in the barn, then?’ said Emily to the young man behind the bar.

  ‘Not quite. It’s great but obviously’ – he nodded towards her – ‘not everyone’s cup of tea. What can I get you?’