Page 24 of A Scottish Love Story
‘I don’t think so, although I have heard of it.’
‘Save that for me. I will teach you the steps. One of my favourites is the Pride of Erin Waltz so if you hear it being announced, say you’re booked for that and I shall find you wherever you are.’
‘If Jenny wants to rest a bit between dances, I think I should keep her company. After all, it is due to Jenny that I’m here at all.’
‘We’ll see. She usually enjoys the dancing, but I suppose she might tire a bit now.’
The evening seemed to speed by and Roxie never lacked for partners. She was astonished to find herself tucked under someone’s arm more than once though, in line with Ciaran’s prediction. He was as good as his word and made sure he claimed her for both the dances he had mentioned and one or two besides.
‘I see Ciaran is keeping his eye on you,’ one of her partners said with a chuckle. ‘How about saving the last dance for me instead?’
‘I can’t do that.’ Roxie smiled. ‘I pr—’
‘Promised Ciaran! I should have known. Well, I can’t grudge him having the prettiest girl in the room. He has not had the easiest of times in recent years between his father being ill and then dying when they thought he was on the mend. Then his mother had a nasty accident and Ciaran has always cared deeply for his parents.’
‘That is a quality I admire in anyone,’ Roxie said quietly.
‘Yes, I guess you’re right, but it’s more of a responsibility being an only one. Now me, I have a twin brother and three sisters. Sometimes I could see them all far enough.’ He grinned.
‘Ah, I thought I had seen another blond-haired man very like you. Are you identical twins?’
‘We are, and I can see my shadow coming this way now, determined to claim you for the next dance.’ He gave a theatrical sigh. ‘Some things I would rather not need to share.’
All too soon the evening was coming to an end and people were getting their last drinks ready to welcome in the New Year. Roxie looked across to the table that Jenny and Donald had more or less claimed as theirs for the evening. Ciaran was moving in that direction, too, and he held up a glass for her with a smile and a nod. She nodded and made her way to join him the moment the dance ended.
‘It is only tonic water — is that all right?’ Ciaran asked anxiously, handing her the glass. She grinned happily and took the glass as midnight chimed. There were cheers and laughter, hugs and kisses, and Roxie knew she had never expected to feel so happy after the shock and grief of her father’s death. Ciaran wrapped his arms around her and tilted her face to his. Their eyes locked. She could see his intention. She smiled and nodded happily. It was no fleeting kiss. He held her tenderly as his mouth claimed hers in a lingering exploration. Roxie found herself responding in a way she had never done with any other man. She was sorry when someone she had danced with earlier interrupted them.
‘Give another man a chance, Ciaran, old boy.’ Ciaran grimaced at the man, but he had no option but to release her. Then Donald came and rescued her with a hug, and a kiss on the cheek.
‘It’s been a wonderful evening, Roxie. Jenny and I are both so pleased you agreed to come with us.’
‘I have thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you both for making it possible.’
‘We’re going to get away now if we can. Jenny is feeling tired, but we shall see you all tomorrow for dinner mid-afternoon?’
‘That’s right. Happy New Year, Jenny!’ She gave her new friend a warm hug and kissed her cheek. ‘Thanks for everything,’ she said softly. Jenny smiled and nodded. Ciaran had not moved far from Roxie’s side and he asked if she was ready to leave as well. His words were very slightly slurred and Roxie smiled. She had heard a lot of his friends pressing drinks on him, although he had declined several. She wondered if he would remember the way he had kissed her by tomorrow. She suspected he would have no recollection, but she knew she would not forget. It concerned her a bit that she had never felt like responding to any man as she had to Ciaran tonight. Perhaps it was the atmosphere and the season of goodwill, but in her heart she knew it was more than that.
Chapter 9
The celebrations were over and the weather had turned bitterly cold. Amy was less inclined to venture out when the pavements were slippery with ice or after snow, but Roxie continued to enjoy a brisk walk each afternoon, dressed in the woollen hat and matching mittens that Amy had knitted for her. She sometimes regretted leaving so many of her possessions behind in her bedroom at home, but was glad she’d brought her thicker trousers and her padded anorak to keep out the cold wind.
Even in the depths of winter the garden never looked stark or bare, with the golden leaves of the privet, the variegated holly and the euonymus, as well as the darker green of rhododendrons. A few of the winter heathers were in bloom and the first snowdrops nodded their dainty white heads.
She had felt a little self-conscious with Ciaran after the intimate kiss they had exchanged at Hogmanay, and she wondered if he remembered it quite as clearly as she did. Sometimes she caught him watching her with a puzzled look. He had taken to calling most days unless he was at the market or had other business to attend. It was usually around midday when he appeared, so Roxie got into the habit of making sure there was plenty of soup or pudding and whatever they were having for meat. Amy was always happy to see him and encouraged Roxie to prepare extra food. She was always generous, especially regarding money spent on food. She had explained that she kept a credit card specially for household expenses. When the weather was uncertain, she gave Roxie the card and told her to keep the supplies well stocked in case of snowstorms.
‘I have never grudged the money spent on good food so if you don’t mind the extra cooking, it will please me if Ciaran wants to join us every day for his midday meal.’
Roxie had been used to keeping a good stock of food for her father so was happy to continue doing the same for Amy, but she was meticulous about presenting the itemised bills. She had done the same with her father, even though he had never looked at them.
Gradually she had got to know Sam Green, the butcher in Thornielee, quite well, after Amy introduced her. He chattered all the time as he cut and weighed, wrapped and priced. He always told her if he had a particularly good joint of meat or some well-hung beef. He remembered Amy’s particular preferences well. Sometimes he butchered one of Ciaran’s own lambs or pigs for the freezer as a favour.
‘Amy was always a good customer with my father,’ he told Roxie. ‘We like to look after the folks who look after us, and don’t buy everything from the supermarket for the sake of a few pennies.’
One morning when she had gone in to buy bacon and some liver, he told her he had some good lamb chops if she was interested. He gave her a quizzical look, then remarked with a grin, ‘I hear Ciaran has his dinner at the bungalow most days since his mother got a pretty young housekeeper who cooks like an angel.’ Roxie knew she was blushing and cursed her fair skin.
‘I doubt if angels do much cooking,’ she mumbled. Sam winked at her.
‘Maybe not, but it’s true what they say, the way to a man’s heart is his stomach. Ciaran is a grand fellow. He would make a good husband for a lassie like yourself.’ Roxie didn’t know what to say in reply. ‘Iris told us,’ Sam went on conversationally. ‘Ciaran told her what a grand cook ye are. She’s glad about that. She never cooks for herself and Joe, except bacon and sausages. Joe enjoys our steak pies, aye, and a Scotch pie on Saturdays. Cooked roast beef or ham on Sundays in the summer.’ Roxie wondered if he knew the favourite meals of all his customers.Iris and Joe were a pleasant middle-aged couple and had both welcomed Roxie warmly.
