A Christmas Romance in the Scottish Highlands (Scottish Highlands #6)

Chapter 8

8

ELLA

Ella checked her watch for the fourth time as she finished mopping the kitchen floor in her client’s three-storey mansion. She’d been working here all morning, doing a pre-Christmas deep-clean, which had been booked and confirmed months before. Her stepmother had come to help too, but so far, she hadn’t even picked up a duster in between making a dozen urgent calls.

Ella hadn’t been scheduled to work on the house, but Dane had called in sick first thing, so she’d agreed to step in. Ella had only just managed to fit it in because she’d gone to her previous clients’ house three hours early – which had only been possible because the couple were away. But the early start combined with both cleaning jobs had left her feeling bone-tired and weary.

‘Are you almost done?’ Her stepmother, Lucinda McNally asked, sweeping into the room waving her phone. ‘Because I really need to get on, Ella. I can’t help out all morning.’ She sighed, sounding put out.

Ella sighed and nodded, too weary to mention that she hadn’t really helped. ‘It won’t be long now,’ she said, trying to smile. ‘Did you want me to make us both a cup of tea before we leave?’ Ella wouldn’t normally take a break, but she was parched and needed a hit of caffeine.

Her stepmother bunched her lips, which had been painted dark red. ‘I really don’t think we have the time,’ she said. ‘Your attitude to work has become increasingly lax, Ella. You need to be more committed to the family and Magic Mops.’ She shook her head.

‘Yes, Lucinda,’ Ella said, because she knew it was expected.

‘Talking of family.’ Her stepmother sucked in a breath. ‘I’m so busy keeping up with the boys’ illnesses that I’m not going to have time to do the Christmas shopping this year. I’ve made you a list.’ Lucinda dug into the pocket of her jeans and pulled it out.

She stared meaningfully until Ella realised what her stepmother wanted and took it. ‘Thank you, Ella, I know it won’t take you long.’ Lucinda smiled.

Ella grimaced at the list which was extensive. ‘I’m?—’

‘Don’t tell me you don’t have time,’ her stepmother snapped, reading her expression. ‘Honestly, Ella, you’ve got to start doing your fair share.’ Her blue eyes grew icy, and Ella held her breath. ‘Being a parent is hard work and I barely have time to myself most days. All the calls I just made were to consultants about your brothers’ health. I’m exhausted. You know your father asked you to stay in Mistletoe to help out. You’re not going to go against his wishes, are you?’ Her stepmother’s accusatory glare had all the air in Ella’s body leaking out.

‘Of course not.’ Ella lowered her eyes back to the paper. Lucinda was right, she had made her da a promise, one she intended to keep. But at times like these, she wondered if she’d ever escape her obligations; if she’d ever be free to do as she pleased.

She pushed the thought away as her stepmother’s mouth stretched into something resembling a smile. Lucinda pointed to the carrying case filled with sprays, cloths and polishes that Ella had placed onto the white marble breakfast bar when she’d arrived. ‘I’m afraid I need to get going soon, so you’re going to have to finish by yourself. I’m meeting a couple of my friends for lunch – it’s been booked for months; otherwise, you know I’d have cancelled when I heard from Dane.’

She frowned. ‘I’ve just remembered he was supposed to be spring-cleaning some of the bathrooms and bedrooms for Aggie this afternoon. It wasn’t on the schedule, but she mentioned it to him at rehearsals.’ She shrugged. ‘I was supposed to tell you, but what with the boys being sick, I forgot.’ She gave Ella an apologetic smile. ‘I’ve had so much on my mind – what with them and the pantomime rehearsals. Playing the stepmother is a huge responsibility and I want to get it right.’

Ella didn’t bother to mention to Lucinda that her part was important too, especially since she was on stage for almost every scene. But in her stepmother’s world, everything was always about her. It was one of the things Ella’s father had teased her about.

‘Can’t Clyde clean Pinecone Manor?’ Ella asked hopefully.

Lucinda frowned. ‘You know today’s his day off,’ she said apologetically. ‘It’s really not fair for us to ask him to give that up.’

‘I’ve got a lot of things I need to do,’ Ella said tentatively.

Lucinda’s eyebrows danced. ‘We all do, Ella. That’s why everyone in the family has to pull their weight.’ Her tone softened. ‘This is only temporary, lass. As soon as the boys are back on their feet, you’ll have a lot more help. Then you can take some extra time off if you like?’

Ella nodded. ‘That would be nice,’ she croaked, feeling guilty for making a fuss. Her stepbrother wasn’t well, and Lucinda was doing her best. ‘And yes of course I’ll clean Pinecone Manor.’

Her stepmother’s face immediately brightened. ‘Thank you, Ella. I’m so grateful that we can always rely on you.’ Her pretty brown eyes grew troubled. ‘Dane sounded so awful when he called this morning. The poor lamb gets the most awful backaches…’ She fluffed a stray strand of blonde hair out of her face. ‘It’s unlucky the twins have so much trouble with their health. I’m sure it’s because of all the time they had to spend in hospital when they were wee. They were so sick, I had no idea if they’d be okay.’ Tears shone in her eyes as she gazed at Ella. ‘Not everyone is as lucky as you. You never get ill.’

Probably because she didn’t have time, Ella thought and immediately felt bad. ‘They do get very poorly,’ she agreed.

‘Aye.’ Lucinda’s face creased. ‘And their aches and pains haven’t improved at all despite their trips to the chiropractor and the painkillers their doctors have prescribed. I do worry about them. They need time to recover…’

Ella was worried about them too. She only hoped they’d be back on their feet soon.

‘I doubt Dane’s been mobile enough to cook.’ Lucinda finally picked up a cloth and absently began to float it across the kitchen side that Ella had spent twenty-minutes cleaning. ‘And Clyde’s not much of a chef – even if he did think about feeding his brother.’

Her forehead squeezed and she continued, ‘I want to get Dane a lasagne…You know the one you make that he loves?’ Ella nodded and her heart sank because she’d mentioned to her stepmother earlier that she’d cooked one for herself. ‘I’ve no idea how I’m going to fit that in today what with lunch. I would buy one, but I know nothing would ever compare to your recipe, Ella; you’re a genius when it comes to Italian food.’ Lucinda gave her a pleading look.

‘Oh, well…’ Ella swiped sweat from her forehead as she unplugged the steam cleaner and wound up the cables before walking into the hallway and placing the machine by the door. Magic Mops used all their own equipment to guarantee a superior clean, but it meant she had to transport the larger items to every job.

‘You’re such a kind lass. Your da always used to say that about you – my Ella, she’d do anything for anyone.’ Lucinda paused and studied Ella for a moment. ‘I wouldn’t expect you to give it up, only your stepbrother is sick,’ she repeated.

‘Of course.’ Ella swallowed, suddenly feeling selfish for not offering straight away. Her brother was unwell, and it wasn’t Lucinda’s fault that she already had a lunch booked so couldn’t make something. ‘Of course you can have mine. If you want to drop by my house, the lasagne’s in the fridge. It only needs heating up.’

‘Ach, lass, you really are an angel,’ Lucinda said, beaming.

‘Of course.’ Ella smiled, but inside fought a rush of tiredness. Families pulled together when they were in need – and she knew Lucinda wouldn’t relax until she’d taken care of her boys. ‘I probably need to get on.’ She glanced around the kitchen. ‘I’ve got a lesson at the manor in two hours. If I pick up Wyatt on the way, I should have time to do the cleaning there before I meet with Henry.’

It would be tight, and she’d have to miss lunch, but Ella knew she could do it if she worked fast. Just so long as the van started. It had needed a lot of extra coaxing this morning when she’d left home.

‘You’d better get going then.’ Lucinda waved towards the door as Ella went back into the kitchen and grabbed the vacuum. She carried it to the front door and took off her slippers and housecoat as her stepmother pushed on her high-heeled boots and gripped the handle on the large front door.

Lucinda’s eyes warmed and she gave Ella a cheery smile as she opened it. ‘I’ll let you get on, you don’t want to be late for Henry,’ she sang before sweeping outside.

‘Aye.’ Ella sighed as she shut the door feeling weary, wondering how she was going to find the energy to take a lesson and then get on stage after cleaning Pinecone Manor too.

She let herself wallow for a couple of moments before opening the door, and picking up both the vacuum and steam cleaner. Then she stumbled into the snow. She’d figure it out – it was all about having the right attitude. Hadn’t her da always told her that?