Page 37 of The Moon Sister
‘True, but at least we can empathise, and be grateful, and try to use our privilege to do some good in the world,’ I countered.
‘I admire your altruism. You are living it too, by working up here and caring for the animals, probably for next to nothing.’
‘Yup,’ I agreed.
‘I warn you, Tiggy, that your good intentions may get lost somewhere along the way.’
‘Never.’ I shook my head firmly.
‘So,’ he took a sip of his wine as he assessed me, ‘are you wearing a metaphorical hair shirt?’
‘Not at all! I’m doing what I love in a place that I love, and there’s no other motive, certainly not guilt. I live on what I earn, and that’s the end of the story.’ I felt he was trying to make me admit to something that simply wasn’t inside me. ‘I’m just . . .’ I shrugged, ‘who I am.’
‘Maybe that is why I find you fascinating.’
I watched him snake his hand towards mine and thank God, there was a sharp tap at the door. I stood up to open it.
‘Your luncheon,’ said Beryl as she came in carrying a tray.
‘Thank you so much,’ I said as she marched towards the low table in front of the fire and placed the tray upon it.
‘Yes, thank you, Beryl.’ Zed smiled at her. ‘You are most kind and I am very sorry if I have disrupted your day.’
‘Not at all, sir, that’s what I’m here for. Do you wish me to serve the sandwiches?’ Beryl asked.
‘No, I am sure that Tiggy and I can manage. I must compliment you – and the Laird – on your superior choice of staff,’ he said, indicating me with a nod of his head. ‘Tiggy and I have much in common.’
‘I’m happy you’re happy, sir,’ Beryl said diplomatically. ‘Enjoy your meal.’
She left the room and Zed smiled.
‘She is not what she seems either.’
‘Sandwich?’ I asked him, as I transferred one onto a plate and offered it to him.
‘Thank you.’
‘So, what is it thatyoudo?’ I asked him.
‘I run a large communications company.’
‘Right, I have no idea what that actually means.’
‘Sometimes, neither do I,’ Zed chuckled. ‘Just think of it as an umbrella under which television, the internet, mobile phones and satellites, i.e., anything that allows the human race to communicate, sit.’
‘You’re a businessman?’
‘I am.’ He took a large bite of his open prawn sandwich and nodded in approval. ‘I must admit, being up here for the last couple of days has made me realise how much I needed a break. I spend most of my life in transit, racing across the world to meetings.’
‘That sounds very glamorous.’
‘Anything can look glamorous from the outside until you are living in it. Fast cars, first-class travel, the best hotels, wine and food . . . but it all becomes normal after a while. Being up here in this . . .’ Zed gestured towards the view of the mountains, ‘puts things into perspective, doesn’t it?’
‘Nature tends to do that, yes. Living here all the time, I have quite a lot of perspective.’ I smiled. ‘I take the day for what it is, try to live in the moment and enjoy it.’
‘Mindfulness,’ Zed muttered. ‘A life coach once gave me a book to read on the subject. It is definitely not something that comes naturally to me. But then, how can it, when I am always leaving on a plane one day and arriving in a different country the next? I have to prepare for it, look to the future, not just drift along in a haze of good intentions.’
‘Your lifestyle’s your choice though, isn’t it?’
