Page 32 of The Moon Sister
I woke at seven to a silent cottage and immediately jumped out of bed. Beryl had assured me she could manage the brunch she would serve at noon but still, I went to the Lodge after feeding the cats to see if she needed a helping hand.
‘Only the host is up. I’ve served him coffee in the Great Room,’ Beryl said.
‘Right. Are you sure you don’t want me to stay?’
‘No. Alison’s managed to rouse herself from her sickbed and is laying the table in the dining room. She’ll be a bit of a come-down for the guests after your professional service last night,’ she added. ‘You know what they say, you pay peanuts, you get – well – Alison!’
‘Beryl, honestly, the poor girl had a terrible cold. So, if you’re sure there’s nothing else I can do, I’ll take Chilly’s lunch to him.’
‘Is there any more coffee available, Beryl?’ Zed appeared in the kitchen proffering a cup. He was attired in a jade-green turtleneck jumper and jeans and looked as fresh as a daisy.
‘Of course.’ Beryl took the cup and while she poured a fresh coffee, his glance turned to me.
‘Good morning, Tiggy. How are you?’
‘I’m well, thank you.’ It was ridiculous, but I could feel the heat rising to my cheeks.
‘Beautiful day, isn’t it?’
‘Yes. It’s always beautiful up here when the sun shines.’
‘I have never been to Scotland before, but I think I have fallen in love,’ he said, his gaze still upon me.
‘Here’s your coffee, sir.’
Beryl came to the rescue with her usual impeccable timing. Zed averted his eyes from mine in order to take the cup.
‘So,’ he said to her, ‘brunch at noon – then perhaps a tour of the estate? I think my guests could all do with a breath of fresh air.’
‘Of course. Cal will be happy to take you all out in the Land Rover,’ Beryl replied.
‘Excellent,’ he said, and I heard the definite tinge of a German accent. ‘If my guests are not up in the next thirty minutes, I give you full permission to throw a glass of iced water in each of their faces.’ He nodded formally at both of us and left the kitchen.
‘Is Cal back from Dornoch yet?’ Beryl asked me tensely.
‘He wasn’t when I left to come here, no.’
‘Then can you use the Lodge telephone to call his parents’ number and make sure he’s here by two? And sober enough to drive our guests around without hurling them to their deaths in the glen.’ Beryl indicated the number on the list above the receiver. ‘I’m off to deal with Alison.’
As I dialled the number, I was reminded of an English programme about an eccentric man running a hotel with only two members of staff at his disposal. I couldn’t help feeling that Cal and I had become reluctant members of the cast.
Having spoken to Cal’s mother, who promised she’d rouse Cal from his bed immediately, but that it’d been quite a ‘hoolie’, I went into the office and checked my emails on the computer.
There was a lovely one from my eldest sister, Maia, in Rio, wishing me a Happy New Year, and hoping that ‘all my dreams came true’. In many ways, she was the sister I felt I had most in common with – she too was a dreamer and out of all of us, had probably taken Pa’s death the hardest. But now, six months on, she was living a new life in Brazil and every word she wrote felt as if it had a spring in its step.
I wrote a quick note back to her, wishing her the same and telling her that we must organise a plan to bring all of us sisters together to lay a wreath in the spot off the Greek island where our sister Ally believed she’d witnessed Pa’s burial at sea. Just as I’d sent the email off, there was a ping as a new one came through.
1st January 2008
Dear Tiggy,
First of all, Happy New Year! Once again, I’m very sorry I wasn’t able to come and see you for a chat as I’d promised. I’m hoping that I will be able to find the time in the next two or three weeks to come up there. Meanwhile, I’ve posted the grant application forms to you with what I’ve already managed to fill in.
Also, I’d like to thank you for your kindness to Zara over the time she was staying up at Kinnaird. I know she’s tricky – all teenagers are, so I appreciate your patience. She sends love and says she hopes to see you very soon. As do I.
With very best wishes,
Charlie
