Page 8 of A Scottish Love Story
‘I’m not sure whether I should tell you this,’ Jenny said hesitantly, speaking in a low voice. ‘But I think if you stay, Aunt Amy will probably mention it sometime and I want you to know that Ciaran was one of the sunniest-natured people you could have found when we were younger. Even now, he is not usually as irritable and short-tempered as he was yesterday.
‘When Uncle James had a slight heart attack, Aunt Amy started making plans to build the bungalow so they could retire. She intended to leave Ciaran and Amanda — his girlfriend — here in the house, although they had made no plans to marry at that time. Eighteen months later, when the bungalow was finished, Aunt Amy kept urging Ciaran to pop the question. Eventually he agreed they would probably get engaged when Amanda came back from a skiing trip with some friends. Ciaran had meant to go too, but his father had had another heart attack, more serious this time, so he withdrew.
‘While they were away, the girls fell in with a group of young men. Later, they told Donald one of them was a bit wild. He seemed determined to gain Amanda’s attention. He knew she was a good skier so he challenged her to go skiing one afternoon, later than usual. There had been warnings there could be avalanches, but she went with him. It is believed they went off the main slopes. Whatever happened, we’ll never know. They were both killed.’
‘Oh, Jenny, how awful, and what a waste of a young life.’
‘It was a waste. I wouldn’t say Amanda had much interest in farming, or that she was the ideal wife for Ciaran, but she was a clever girl and she had a good job teaching French. She loved all kinds of sports. That was about six years ago now. Ciaran never mentions Amanda. He has had various girlfriends since, but they never last more than a few weeks. I think Aunt Amywould like to see him happily married while she is still around. He will be thirty next year.’ She smiled. ‘Come on, we had better take this coffee through.’
‘I’ll carry the tray of cups.’
The news was coming on as they entered the room.
‘Oh look,’ Jenny said, ‘they must be showing news of the accident which delayed Roxie yesterday.’ Roxie drew in her breath.
Surely they wouldn’t show the details . . . ? She set down the tray of cups hurriedly.
Chapter 4
Amy heard Roxie’s sharp intake of breath. She looked at her clenched hands. ‘Come and sit beside me, Roxanne,’ she said quietly, patting the settee.
The television showed the roads congested with traffic.
‘Goodness! That’s bloody awful!’ Ciaran muttered, clearly forgetting he was not alone. He cast an apologetic glance at Roxie, then kept quiet when a reporter began speaking.
‘Following our reporting yesterday from the junction of the A1 and the A66 roads where a road traffic collision between a lorry and a car at the roundabout caused at least two fatalities, we can confirm that the driver of the car, and a baby, survived. The driver sustained serious injuries and is undergoing treatment in hospital.’
‘I never saw a reporter — I was looking after the baby,’ Roxie muttered, more to herself than anyone else. Amy patted her hand where it lay clenched on her knee.
‘No, dear, I’m sure you were doing a very good job,’ she said quietly. ‘Caring for that poor baby.’ She chatted softly, distracting Roxanne from the television until Jenny switched it off.
‘I understand now why you were so delayed,’ Ciaran said. ‘The roads must have been jammed for miles. I’m truly sorry for giving you such an awful welcome. I hope you can forgive me and we can start again, as friends.’
‘I’m amazed that you managed to get back into your car and drive it,’ Donald said. ‘Especially on unfamiliar roads and coming to strangers.’
‘You did well,’ Ciaran nodded. ‘I really do apologise for being so bad-tempered. You had still taken time to worry about my mother in case she was in need,’ he added.
Amy raised her eyebrows, looking pleased at her son’s genuine apology. Roxie met Amy’s eyes and they shared a smile of understanding. Amy realised Jenny had wanted Ciaran and Donald to understand why Roxie had been so delayed yesterday.
‘I’m so glad you were able to help with the baby, Roxie,’ said Jenny.
Roxie was relieved to focus on something she could talk about happily. ‘Yes, I’m just glad I could do something. I helped my best friend with her twin baby girls for a while, when she wasn’t well. Her parents live abroad so weren’t around. I helped her whenever I could, especially in the evenings. I would get one ready for bed while she did the other one. I am their godmother,’ she added with a smile.
‘There you are, Jenny! When we don’t know what to do, you will be able to ask Ro—’ Donald suddenly clapped his hand over his mouth. His eyes were wide with dismay as he caught his wife’s accusing glare. ‘Sorry,sorree. . .’
Roxie breathed a sigh of relief now the interest had properly moved away from yesterday’s tragedy, even though she knew she would never forget it.
‘What is all this, then?’ Aunt Amy asked, seeing Roxie’s relief at the change of topic. Her bright eyes moved from Donald to Jenny and back again. ‘Do you two have some news for us by any chance?’
‘What were you saying, old boy?’ Ciaran asked innocently, then gave a burst of laughter. ‘You may as well spill the rest of the beans now or Mum will give Jenny no peace.’
Amy persisted. ‘Are you expecting a baby at last, Jenny?’
Jenny shook her head in despair at her husband.
‘He never could keep a secret.’ Ciaran chuckled, pretending to punch Donald in the ribs.
‘What do you mean “at last”, Aunt Amy?’ Jenny asked. ‘We have only been married two years. Anyway, we didn’t mean totell anyone until I couldn’t hide it — did we, dear husband?’ she added darkly, but they were both smiling.
