Page 18 of A Scottish Love Story
‘Thank you, and the same to you, Mr Jamieson, and your family.’
‘Merry Christmas, Walter,’ Amy said with a smile as they passed. ‘He is an elder,’ she told Roxie. ‘And a very genuine man.’
Later, Ciaran chuckled when he told Roxie Mr Jamieson was indeed a very nice man. ‘He is a widower now and there was a spell before Mum had her accident when he came visiting regularly. I expect he was lonely. That was before Mum had her accident, but he visited her several times while she was in hospital.’
‘Then he is a genuine sort of man,’ Roxie said. ‘They’re obviously still friends.’
They all made their way slowly into the annex where tea and coffee were being served, along with a selection of mince pies, shortbread and small savouries. Most people were standing around in groups, but Ciaran found a small table and three chairs so that his mother could sit down.
‘What would you like, Mum? I will bring it over. There’s too much of a crush for you to choose your own.’
‘I will have tea, please? Coffee at this time might keep me awake. I would like one of the mince pies with a star on top instead of a lot of pastry. Roxie made them this afternoon. You could bring me a finger of shortbread as well, please. There is always a surplus of food.’
‘I think I had better come with you to carry the drinks,’ Roxie said, glancing questioningly at Amy.
‘Aye, you do that, Roxie. Leave your scarf over one of the chairs and I will put my bag on this one to show they’re taken.’ Roxie knew what she meant when she turned around and saw Joan Smith heading in Amy’s direction. Amy need not have worried. Joan lingered only long enough to thank her for her contribution of mince pies for the teas.
‘They are Roxanne’s contribution,’ Amy told her.
‘But you are paying her to do such things.’ Joan didn’t bother to lower her voice so all those around could hear her.
‘No, I didn’t,’ Amy said. ‘She volunteered of her own accord. It is the sort of thing she was used to doing for her own church.’
‘You pay for the ingredients, so I am thanking you.’
Ciaran met Roxie’s amused glance and winked.
‘No wonder the younger members of the congregation don’t bother,’ he muttered, shaking his head. ‘I don’t know why some people need to be so pedantic.’
They all enjoyed the hot drink and refreshments, but it was very cold outside after the heat of the small meeting room.
‘If you two wait inside, I will bring the car to the gate,’ Ciaran said as he headed off.
Amy, of course, refused to wait. She pulled up her collar, so Roxie buttoned the top button of her own coat and took Amy’s arm, seeing the determined glint in her eye. ‘I’m quite capable,’ Amy said. ‘As you well know. We’ll walk to meet him.’
Roxie hoped Ciaran would not be too annoyed at her for ignoring his instructions, but Amy was a strong-minded woman and also her employer. As it turned out, they arrived at a convenient place as Ciaran brought the car round and he simply shook his head.
‘I should know better than to expect either of you to listen to me.’
‘Of course you should.’ Amy chuckled.
* * *
Roxie was up in good time on Christmas morning, even though she had little to do except prepare the turkey for roasting. After their late night she had offered to give Amy breakfast in bed, but she had refused, as Roxie suspected she would.
They were both surprised when Jenny arrived by mid-morning with her arms full of packages to put under the Christmas tree, including something resembling a giant-sized Christmas card in a black-and-gold envelope. She was full ofgood cheer and gave them both a warm hug as she wished them happy Christmas.
‘I have dropped Don off at Ciaran’s. They will come together about twelve o’clock, or so Ciaran said, but he knows lunch is not until one so I expect the pair of them will get involved in some job, or preparing ahead for milking this afternoon. Ciaran says it’s his turn to do it this year, so he will have to leave around four.’
‘Yes, Ciaran was off at Christmas last year, so it’s Billy’s turn to be off this year,’ Amy said.
‘Billy doesn’t deserve to be off for Christmas after being off so long with a broken leg,’ Jenny said.
‘It’s custom to take turns. Somebody has to milk cows and feed animals, just as nurses and doctors have to work,’ Amy said. ‘Ciaran will be off at New Year so Billy will milk then.’
‘Oh, yes! That’s more important this year,’ Jenny said quickly. Roxanne learned later why Jenny considered the New Year so important this year.
* * *
