Page 74 of The Moon Sister
‘Obviously, I’ll say no. I’m employed here to do a job. I can’t just go gallivanting off to goodness knows where, just because our precious guest wants me to. Besides, what would the Laird say? Or Beryl?’
‘Och, Beryl’s all for it. Says it will get him out from under her feet and she’ll be able to open the windows in the Great Room to give it a good airing from all that cigar smoke. His Lordship doesn’t like the cold, she says.’
‘Christ, Cal,’ I said, as I swallowed a mouthful of bread. ‘I feel like I’m being prostituted! I’m a wildlife consultant here, not an escort service! I’m sorry, but it’s a no. I’ll go up to the Lodge now and tell Beryl that I have a lot of work to do on . . . erm, investigating European elk. Or something,’ I added as I opened the fridge door to see what there was for supper, which wasn’t a lot, so I slammed it closed again in frustration.
‘Come on, Tig, it’s no’ like you to get so wound up. He’ll be gone soon enough and, let’s face it, you’re not exactly chock-a-block with things to do around here, are yae?’
‘And whose fault is that? I’ve been here almost a month and I still haven’t sat down and had a proper conversation with Charlie to discuss the future. I’m used to being busy, Cal, and I’m absolutely not playing hostess for some weird rich guy who thinks I can just drop everything to be at his beck and call.’
‘Tig, what’s wrong with you tonight? You’re in a real blather. Here.’ Cal indicated two bottles of red wine that had appeared on the worktop. ‘Beryl sent them down to thank us for our help on New Year’s Eve. I’ll open one now. Looks to me as if you need a drop o’ the hard stuff this evening.’
‘There’s nothing to go with it for dinner, Cal. I didn’t get out to the shops today, because I was with Chilly and . . . oh dear,’ I sighed, feeling the tears welling up. ‘Sorry, I’m just not myself tonight.’
‘I can see that,’ Cal said gently as he pulled the cork out of the bottle as easily as a plug from a bath, and reached into a cupboard for two wine glasses. ‘Now then.’ He proffered me a brimming glass. ‘You take that with you, go and have a wee soak while I pull something together for supper.’
‘But I’ve told you there isn’t anything and—’
‘Shoo . . .’ He propelled me to the door of the bathroom. ‘In you go.’
By the time I emerged half an hour later, feeling a little calmer, a delicious aroma was drifting from the kitchen.
‘Tatties, neeps – that’s potatoes and swedes tae you – an’ my granny’s secret gravy recipe,’ Cal said as he plonked two plates down on the table. ‘I’ve added chicken to mine, but I swear there’s nothin’ animal or dairy in yours.’
‘Thanks, Cal,’ I said as I gratefully plunged my spoon into the steaming bowl of vegetables, covered with a rich-looking brown sauce. Cal topped up my wine and sat himself down opposite me.
‘Actually, this is really good,’ I said after a couple of mouthfuls.
‘It may surprise you tae know that I did manage tae feed myself before you arrived. So now, who is it that’s upset you? Just Zed, or was it Chilly too?’
‘Both.’
‘Well, you’ve already explained your feelings about your billionaire thinkin’ he can buy your company, so let’s move on to the barmy gypsy.’
‘You’ll just say he’s crazy, Cal, which he probably is, and that I’m crazy for believing anything he says, but . . .’
‘What?’
‘He says he was told when he was younger that one day he would guide me back home. He also says he knows who my grandmother was. And he told me all about her today.’
‘Right. An’ you believe him?’
‘IthinkI do. There were things that he told me that my father told me too in his letter and . . . it’s all ridiculous really, but . . . I don’t know. I’m probably just confused and emotionally drained. Even if I’ve always believed in another level – I mean, a spiritual level – even for me, what happened this afternoon was far out. And the thing is, I just don’t know whether to trust what he’s telling me.’
‘I understand.’ Cal nodded, motioning for me to continue.
‘The bottom line is . . . I’m ashamed to say that I’m having a crisis of faith. I’m always the one who’s telling everyone else to trust the universe, tobelievein a higher power . . . and here I am tonight in a mess because I’m scared that all Chilly told me might only be the vivid imagination of an old and lonely man. Do you see?’
‘I do. Well now.’ Cal set his tray aside. ‘I’ll tell you something for nothin’; I may joke about Chilly being as mad as a March hare, but I cannae say he has a malicious bone in his body. My dad told me that in the old days, people round here flocked tae him, with their animals, for his herbal medicines and tae have their own futures told. And I never heard o’ him putting anybody wrong. And yes, now he’s old, and no one wants him and his ways any more, but he’s a good man. An’ if I believe anyone has a special gift for seeing and healing, it’s him. Plus it’s obvious for all tae see how fond he is o’ you. He would nae do yae any harm, Tig, really.’
‘I know all that, Cal, but what if hehaslost it in his old age? Maybe he just wants tobelievethat there’s some connection between us, that I’m the girl he was told about . . . that Iamrelated to him in some way—’
‘Sounds tae me like you’re almost too scared to believe him. You know what a cynic I am, but even I cannae see any reason why he would put you wrong. Remember, he is a gypsy, and how many thousands of people have trusted tae their skills o’ second sight? An’ if your daddy told you this too, why do you doubt it?’
‘Because Iamscared,’ I whispered truthfully. ‘Maybe it’s because it’s so very personal . . . I mean, my biological family, where I come from . . . it’s overwhelming.’
‘Mebbe one day you’ll tell me what Chilly said about your family, Tiggy, but I definitely think you should go an’ see wherever it is for yourself.’
‘Yes, but I can’t just up and leave my job, can I? What there is of it.’ I rolled my eyes at Cal and took another large gulp of wine.
