Eleven
`Euan keeps asking when you're coming down to Ashburn for the weekend,’ Simon Kershaw told Roseanne as another weekend approached. `Could you manage to come, lassie, even if it's only for a night. I think he needs some young company to cheer him up. He gets on well with young McIntyre. They talk about computer programs and such like but it's not the same. Surely Binny can amuse herself for once?’ he asked. Roseanne smiled. He had always called her sister Binny when they were children. All shortened forms of their names annoyed their mother but Rob herself had refused to answer to Binny since she became a successful model. `It makes me sound like a dustbin man,’ she declared.
`Well yes, I suppose I could come down for the day on Saturday,’ Roseanne agreed slowly.`Robinia seems to be in brighter spirits this week for some reason. I don't want to intrude at Ashburn though when your sister is staying there.’
`But Ashburn is your home, lassie. It is where your heart belongs. I’ve always known that. If Aileen decides to stay in Scotland, and I hope she will, then she thinks she will settle up here, nearer my work. When Euan is better she’ll probably move into the empty flat while she looks around for a place. Anyway she is eager to meet you. She'll be as pleased as I am if you come to Ashburn. Better still if you stay all weekend. Besides the cattle records are getting behind,` he added with a twinkle in his eye. `You know I can never understand that damned computer program the government insist we must use to register all the births.’
Roseanne explained to her sister about needing to go to Ashburn to catch up with the cattle records. Robinia smiled and gave her a quizzical look.
`It's not worth going all that way for one night. Why don't you go on Friday and come back Monday morning.’ Roseanne was astonished at her sister's suggestion.
`If I didn’t know better I’d think you were trying to get me out of the way,’ Roseanne teased. She was surprised when Robinia’s cheeks coloured. `Why don’t you come with me?’
`Not on your life. You know I never liked staying at the farm. I admit I’ve been a bit grumpy since I came home. I wondered if I was doing the right thing buying this flat with you, committing both of us to a substantial mortgage, as well as giving up a job I’ve loved.’
`And now? Are you still unsure?’ Roseanne asked anxiously. `I’d hate you to be unhappy, Rob.’
`I think things are going to work out better than I could have believed,’ Robinia said with a dreamy sort of smile Roseanne had never seen before. `You said Euan would be getting out of hospital soon, didn't you?’
`Yes. If the tests are all satisfactory he expects to get out next Thursday so long as there is someone to keep an eye on him.’ Roseanne raised her eyebrows at her sister's speculative gaze, unaware that Robinia was making mental plans of her own. So far Rob had not mentioned her own particular friend, Jonathan Weston, to Roseanne but if she had the flat to herself for the whole weekend they could stay here together. He had landed back in Edinburgh three days ago. She hadn't realised how unhappy and restless she had been until he phoned her from the airport to say he had arrived in Scotland and couldn't wait to see her. She had travelled up to town as soon as Roseanne left for work the following day, and again the next, arriving back just before her sister got home from work. She couldn’t explain why she wanted to keep Jonathan a secret, except that she cared for him more deeply than she had ever cared for any man in her life before. Until she heard his voice and felt the warmth of his embrace again she had been filled with doubts. Even now she wondered if she was being selfish to allow Jonathan to give up a job he loved as a fashion photographer just because the time was coming when she would be forced to give up her own career as a model, or at least a model who could almost pick and choose her assignments. Besides her mother was getting older and several times she had hinted that running all three boutiques was too much for her on her own. She had been delighted when Robinia agreed it was time to quit her modelling career while she was still in demand, and take over one of the boutiques. She had also promised to help with the buying for all three boutiques, and she knew this was the part she could really enjoy.
When she had first explained to Jonathan that she was buying a flat with her sister he hadn’t seemed bothered, but when he realised she would also be giving up her modelling and settling down to run a boutique in Edinburgh he had gone very quiet. He had barely spoken to her for days. She had been so miserable. They cared deeply about each other. They were good together, as friends and as lovers. She had asked herself a dozen times since arriving home if she was a fool to throw it all away before she was forced into changes. It was true Jonathan had insisted on accompanying her to the airport and when she was almost ready to board the plane he had taken her in his arms and told her he didn’t think he could live his life without her. She knew he had meant it at the time but afterwards she’d had time to ponder. Saying good bye was always emotional. Would he still feel the same when she had been out of his life for a few weeks? Now here he was in Scotland, asking her to marry him, planning to change his own job and set up in a business of his own so that they could settle down together. She simply couldn’t believe all her dreams were coming true. Jonathan would have no difficulty getting other photographic work because he had built up a large portfolio and he had an excellent reputation with the glossy magazines both in the UK and abroad. Her big worry now was the flat she and Roseanne had bought together so recently.
Her mother had been adamant it was her duty to encourage Roseanne to buy a bigger and better flat, in a more residential area, but her elder sister had always kept her affairs to herself so neither of them had any idea whether she could afford a more expensive place. As usual Robinia had gone along with her mother’s suggestions, but she had not known then that her decision to settle down would set so many other changes in motion. The flat was lovely. How could she expect Roseanne to put it on the market again so soon? How else could she sort out the new complications which would arise if she married Jonathan? Yet, she knew now, that was what she wanted more than anything else.
***
Roseanne was delighted to discover Aileen Kennedy resembled her brother both in looks and nature. She greeted her with a warm hug as though they had known each other for years.
`I feel I know you, Roseanne,’ she said with a smile. `I’ve heard so much about you from Simon. I believe he regards you as the daughter he never had.’
`Thank you. He has been very good to me since my grandfather died.’
`From what I hear you have more than repaid him with your help and loyalty. He tells me you have a business brain as sharp as your grandfather had.’
`I suppose things have turned out to be to our mutual benefit,’ Roseanne agreed. `I’d have hated having to sell the farm but I couldn’t have made it pay on its own.’
`But together the two places make a viable unit?’
`Yes, they do, and it has been good for the reputation of Kershaw & Co to have some organic meat from our rare breeds. It seems to make a difference to some of the large London stores. A marketing image you know. How is Euan progressing?’
`He’s looking forward to seeing you. I know he sends you an email every day but he says that’s very restricting.’ She gave Roseanne a shrewd look which brought the ready colour to her cheeks.
`I er… I expect he means we can’t argue in emails.’
`Maybe that’s what he meant, though I don’t think so. I do know he has enjoyed some stimulating discussions with you. He’s impatient to get out of hospital now that I’m here to keep an eye on him and he’s feeling so much better. The headaches have almost gone and I gather they were what caused concern and why the doctors insisted on keeping him in for observation.’
Roseanne was surprised when Euan’s mother and Uncle both opted out of visiting while she was at Ashburn.’
`I told you he’s needing some young company, lassie. There’s not much fun in seeing two old fogies like us,’ Simon Kershaw said with a grin.
Euan was sitti
ng in a chair by the window when Roseanne arrived. He still had a room to himself which surprised her. He also had an extra table and chair with his computer set up ready for use.
`How did you manage all this?’ she asked, gesturing around the room.
`Oh a few strings here and there did the trick,’ Euan said waving dismissively. `I suppose there’s an advantage in being in a small local hospital where rules can be bent a bit. But never mind the room. Surely I deserve a greeting from you. I haven’t seen you since my mother arrived.’ He beckoned her closer and clasped her hand the moment he could reach it. She was surprised how strong he was as he drew her close and lifted his face for a kiss. As soon as she bent towards him he put his hand to the back of her head while his lips sought hers in a long kiss which left them both breathless.
`Y-you’re certainly recovering,’ Roseanne gasped, blushing furiously.
`I have not forgotten how quick and cool your kisses can be, Roseanne. I have to make the most of any opportunity which comes my way,’ Euan teased, grinning broadly. `How long can you stay?’
`Until the end of visiting, unless you turn me out,’ Roseanne said but her green eyes danced with mischief and Euan felt his heart lurch. God he wanted her.
`You know very well I meant how many days will you be at Ashburn.’
`I’m staying until Monday morning and driving straight back to the office from Ashburn.’
`And Rob doesn’t mind you being away so long?’ he asked carefully, his eyes never leaving her face.
`Apparently not,’ Roseanne shrugged, her thoughts flitting back to her sister. Robinia was up to something. She had always been able to tell but so far she had been unable to work out what it could be. She knew she had been up to town at least once this past week because their mother had telephoned Roseanne at work to say she had seen her walking past the boutique with a man but they had not called to see her and they had disappeared by the time she was able to leave her client. She looked up to see Euan frowning at her. He didn’t care for her going off into a reverie at the mere mention of the unknown Rob. He vowed he must make the most of the little time and opportunity he had.
`What have you been doing with your computer?’ she asked, `apart from sending me emails?`
`I have to restrict myself where you’re concerned, remembering how scrupulous you are about personal emails at work – we-ell er most of the time.` His grey eyes lit with golden flecks and she knew he was remembering the private email she had sent off to Rob which he had intercepted when he had first arrived. `I do love the colour in your cheeks, Roseanne.’ He chuckled and Roseanne wished she didn’t blush so readily.
`So? What else do you need your computer for? It looks very up to date.’
`Of course it is. What else would you expect considering my business is computers? As a matter of fact I have been able to keep in touch with most of the projects my company are working on and things are going very well. I’m making plans for some major changes.’
`I see. I suppose that means you will be moving on as soon as the doctors give you the all clear?’ Roseanne couldn’t believe how depressed that made her feel. They would probably never see each other again once he resumed his travelling far and wide. When the bell rang ending the visiting time her kiss was more lingering than usual and Euan made the most of it.
`You will come back again this evening, won’t you Roseanne?’ he asked and her heart filled with tenderness at the vulnerable look in his eyes. She felt like a mother deserting her child as she turned back to wave from the door. Her heart ached. She was going to miss him terribly when he was fully recovered.
They both made the most of each visiting time during the weekend. On Sunday evening when she was ready to leave Euan mentioned again that he had some serious decisions to make regarding his own business but Roseanne was too preoccupied to pay attention. Their parting kiss was long and passionate, only brought to an end by the gentle cough of the nurse.
It was only later, lying in bed, that she wondered what he had meant about his business. What had he been trying to say? She knew he was restless and often irritable on account of his lack of mobility. He had said there was still a lot to discuss before anything could be arranged. `I need to get on my feet again for one thing,’ he had muttered impatiently. As soon as his leg was healed and he had had the physiotherapy he would be off on his travels. Roseanne’s heart filled with despair. She would probably never see him again once he resumed his own projects.
When Roseanne arrived home from work on Monday evening she was feeling flat and depressed. She didn’t want to face Robinia’s teasing questions about Euan and the weekend so she fired off a few questions of her own instead.
`Have you been to Edinburgh again today, to meet your current boyfriend?’ she asked, taking her sister by surprise as she had intended.
`How do you know about that?’ Robinia asked.
`Mother told me she had seen you one afternoon last week. Is he the Jonathan you mentioned so often when you were doing assignments together?’ she asked.
`Ye-es…’ Robinia admitted slowly. `He’s a photographer. We worked together most of the time during the past nine months, but we’ve known each other almost since we both began in the fashion industry.’
`Did he like our new flat?’ Roseanne asked innocently.
`How do you know he’s seen it?’ Robinia asked quickly.
`I saw his aftershave in the bathroom.’ Roseanne grinned at her sister’s frown.
`There’s no hiding anything from you, is there dear sister?’
`Not a lot. I suspect there must be something special about this Jonathan? You’ve never brought any of your other men to stay.’
`Yes, he is special. He’s different. Oh Roseanne I really care about him, just as you said I would one day,’ Robinia confessed, her blush deepening. `I’m almost afraid to introduce him to you and mother.’
`He matters so much? Are we likely to disillusion him?’
`He might prefer you to me when he meets you. Looks wouldn’t count for anything because we’re so alike, but Jonathan has a more serious outlook on life, and you two would have a lot in common. As for Mother you know what she’s like for questioning people about their prospects,` she added dryly. `I mean in this day and age men don’t expect to be vetted by a future mother-in-law, do they?’
`I wouldn’t know. Does that mean you are thinking about marriage then? It’s that serious?’
`Yes,’ Robinia said in a small voice. `We’re thinking of having a quiet wedding in a registry office, then telling everyone afterwards. I hadn’t really meant to tell you that but you took me by surprise. Would you be terribly hurt, Ros?’ Robinia looked at her anxiously.
`No-o, I suppose not, if it’s what you both want, but I would like to meet him before you took such a serious step. I’m sure mother would be disappointed though. You know how proud she is of your glamorous lifestyle. She’d love arranging a wedding and making you the bride of the year. Besides it would be good publicity for you taking over the boutique.’
`If Mother is so proud of me why does she keep telling me I should be more like you?’ Robinia asked, almost accusingly.
`Like me? She wouldn’t want two of me. She’s always telling me I should pay more attention to my appearance and make more of myself, as you do.’
`Our mother is a wretch!’ Robinia said, almost angrily. `She persuaded me to help you buy this flat because she said yours was in the wrong area and too small to give you any status. As though you need status with all your assets and brilliant career,’ she scoffed. `But she wouldn’t listen.’
`I believe you,’ Roseanne said dryly. `The angle she used with me was that you frittered away all your money. She insisted that if I would buy a half share in a decent flat with you it would compel you to save some money and give you an investment for your future. She came down to inspect it you know before I signed on the dotted line.’
`Well!’ Robinia exclaimed indignantly. `I’ve never frittered
away my money. How could I after the way she brought us up? She worked so hard after Daddy died.’
`I know,’ Roseanne said quietly. `She must have had a struggle. She can’t get used to not being in charge of everything we do – like doling out our pocket money and withholding it if we were naughty. She still likes to think she has some control over us so she resorts to being a bit devious.’
`I suppose she means well,’ Robinia agreed with a sigh. `So you think Jonathan and I shouldn’t get married in secret? You think Mother will be mortally wounded?’
`I think you should at least introduce Jonathan to Mother. I’d like to meet him too, preferably before you get engaged, or were you planning to cut out that step?’
`I don’t know. I’ll discuss it with him,’ Robinia promised. `Speaking of meeting I’d like a look at your Euan now he’s nearly recovered.’
`He’s not my Euan,’ Roseanne denied hastily, too hastily for a sister who knew her so well. Robinia looked amused as she watched her cheeks fire up. `Anyway if he gets out of hospital this next week he’ll be more independent. He’ll probably not need me to visit.’ It was clear to Rob that her big sister was eager to see Euan whether or not he needed her. She didn’t want to play their old pranks on him either. That could mean only one thing - Roseanne really cared for Euan Kennedy. Rob frowned. Was he worthy of her beloved sister, or would he forget her as soon as he was well enough to resume his travels and take up his own affairs again? Robinia couldn’t bear the thought of Roseanne being let down and hurt. Although they grumbled between themselves when their mother tried to organise them the three of them had always looked out for each other. Rob decided she would like to meet Euan Kennedy and see what kind of man he was. It would be easier to pay him a short visit while he was still in hospital, rather than wait until he was convalescing at the farm. There was no time to lose if he was to be discharged soon.
A Question of Love Page 13
