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

Chapter 14

14

ELLA

Ella spotted Alex as soon as she stepped into The Snug Tea Room on Mistletoe’s high street. It was warm and welcoming inside and ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’ was playing giving the space a wonderful festive feel.

The whole room glittered and there were multiple streamers hanging from the ceilings and bauble-laden Christmas trees wedged into each corner of the space, all twinkling with a multitude of fairy lights. Ella knew Blair McBride always went full out at Christmas, but this year she’d surpassed herself. Ella wandered towards the counter which was positioned at the far end of the room. She’d been here once today to collect her stepbrothers’ soup, so had seen the mouth-watering array of cakes, biscuits and sandwiches already. This time, her stomach grumbled, reminding her she hadn’t found time to eat.

She dodged past one of the many tables that were heaving with customers and waved at a couple of kids who were singing in the pantomime and were sitting in the café with their parents eating cake.

All the while Ella studied Alex from the corner of her eye. He was sitting upright in a booth to the right of the room, sketching. He looked completely engaged. His mouth quirked charmingly in one corner which made Ella want to leap across the rest of the tables so she could see what had put that dreamy expression on his face.

‘Ach, what a surprise!’ Blair said, clapping her hands as soon as she spotted Ella approaching the counter. ‘Our Cinderella is here just in time for lunch with Prince Charming.’ She winked, nodding in Alex’s direction. ‘I’m happy to see you in here again, lass. Did the two of you cook up a date?’ She waggled her eyebrows, her eyes glittering hopefully.

‘Nae, I think me being here will be a surprise – hopefully a good one.’ Ella chewed her bottom lip nervously. She’d come on impulse, but hoped Alex would be happy to see her. She wasn’t really sure why she’d decided to pop in, but Blair had mentioned earlier that he was supposed to be heading to the tea room at lunchtime and she’d felt compelled to see him again. She rarely gave into her desires – her life was too busy – but her feelings for Alex confused her and she wanted to see him to clarify them.

‘I’ll be late for my next cleaning job,’ she admitted, checking her watch and wincing. ‘But I’m starving.’ As if in agreement, her stomach grumbled again.

‘Then you’re in the right place,’ Aggie declared, appearing from the door to the kitchen, which was positioned behind the counter, carrying a couple of bowls of steaming soup. ‘Sit yourself down in the corner booth with Prince Charming,’ she ordered. ‘I’ve promised the lad a sandwich and some of my special soup, so I’ll bring you the same. Oh, and you left your cardigan at the village hall the other night – I’ve got it in the back. I’ll bring that over too. You’d forget your head if it wasn’t screwed on,’ she teased.

‘Thanks for bringing it,’ Ella said.

‘As soon as Alex has eaten, we’re going to get him to try on one of his costumes in the back room,’ Blair told her.

Ella nodded and then glanced over to see if Alex had noticed she was here. He was still sketching, clearly oblivious to everyone in the room.

‘Aye,’ Blair tutted. ‘The lad hasn’t stopped working like that since he got here this morning.’

‘I swear he doesn’t sleep,’ Aggie whispered, still standing beside them holding the steaming soup. ‘When I went into the Andy Warhol suite this morning to make his bed, I realised it hadn’t been slept in. It was the same when I popped in yesterday too.’ She looked concerned. ‘Henry told me he’s seen light under Alex’s door right into the early hours – and he’s sure the lad took Sprout for a walk at four am.’

She shook her head, her forehead wrinkling. ‘He’s going to make himself sick if he doesn’t give himself a break. I’ve no idea what would drive someone to work himself into the ground like that. Go and join him.’ She shooed the bowls in Alex’s direction, almost spilling some of the soup. ‘Get the lad to talk, make him laugh. You could both do with a little time off.’ She glanced down at the bowls suddenly and gasped. ‘Ach, I almost forget about these, he’s got me in such a lather!’

She turned and marched away in the direction of one of the tables and Blair folded her arms. ‘Off you go then, lass,’ she said sternly, waiting until Ella nodded and made her way across the tea room.

Ella’s heart was in her throat as she drew closer to the booth and Alex glanced up. Red swept across his cheeks, and he immediately slammed the top of the sketch pad shut.

‘Can I join you?’ She slid onto the bench opposite. ‘Are you working on something?’ She pointed to the pad.

‘I’m just playing around with a few ideas. Doing what Henry asked,’ he said, looking uncomfortable. He picked up the sketch pad and placed it on the bench beside him before absently drumming his fingers on the top. ‘Aren’t you working today?’ He glanced around. ‘You haven’t made it to our lessons for the last couple of days. Have your brothers been off sick again?’

Ella flushed.

‘Okay. That wasn’t a criticism.’ Alex held up a palm. ‘Aggie mentioned your brothers were ill today, so I assumed you’d been covering.’ His voice was gentler than it had been when he’d complained about her absences before.

‘They’ve been fine until today. But I’ve had—’ She paused, thinking about Lucinda’s shopping, which was the reason she hadn’t had time to visit Pinecone Manor. ‘Some other things to do. I’m sorry I’ve not been around.’

He shrugged. ‘It’s fine.’

Alex’s nonchalance bothered Ella. After their almost-kiss at the pantomime, she’d begun to fantasise that he’d want to see her. ‘You’re not upset?’

‘Well.’ Alex pulled a face. ‘Henry agreed to continue to teach without you since you’re rarely around.’

She frowned, absorbing the full punch of his words. Work was out of control, but she’d get back to her art soon…wouldn’t she?

‘But…’ Alex said awkwardly. ‘You should try to make the next session.’ His forehead squeezed and he looked pained. ‘You’re naturally talented.’ He cleared his throat. ‘You shouldn’t waste your abilities. That’s just my opinion.’ His cheeks grew pink.

‘Um, thank you,’ Ella said, touched. It had been a long time since anyone had complimented her and she drank it in. She’d needed to hear those words; she just hadn’t expected them to come from Alex. But the fact that he’d said them meant a lot.

He shrugged, still looking embarrassed, and looked down at the black coffee sitting in front of him before absently picking it up. ‘Ergh,’ he spluttered as he sipped. ‘It’s cold.’

‘I should think so,’ Aggie said, sweeping up to their table carrying a tray. ‘I left it there almost two hours ago, but you’ve barely looked up from that sketch pad, lad.’ She tutted.

Alex winced. He looked tired, and his cheeks were pale. Was the housekeeper right about him not sleeping?

‘I hope you’re both hungry,’ Aggie said as she quickly handed Ella the cardigan she’d misplaced and then put large bowls of soup in front of them, adding plates of sandwiches decorated with lettuce pieces in the shape of holly. ‘The soup is split pea.’ The older woman smiled wickedly. ‘I dropped in a saucepan for Henry earlier, and he didn’t look pleased.’ She chuckled. ‘Oh, I do enjoy torturing him – he deserves it, after what he did to Mae.’

‘I wish they’d sort things out,’ Ella admitted.

‘All in good time,’ Aggie said quietly. ‘They’re both stubborn, but things have a way of working out.’ She winked. ‘The sandwich is cheese. When you’ve finished, I’ll bring some cake.’ She glanced between them. ‘You both look like you’re losing weight which would be very inconvenient because we’ve almost finished your costumes. Speaking of costumes—’ She waggled her eyebrows at Alex. ‘After you’ve eaten, you need to try yours on.’

‘Good grief,’ he murmured as the older woman spun on her heels and headed towards the counter. ‘I’ve no idea how to say no to those women and that’s usually my favourite word.’ He stared down at the food. ‘I’m not really hungry.’

Ella picked up her spoon. ‘It’ll be easier if you just eat. Look at Henry, it doesn’t matter how much he complains about soup, Aggie insists on feeding it to him.’ She grinned because she secretly enjoyed watching the playful battle of wills. Aggie was the only person who’d ever won when it came to Henry – aside from Mae, who barely spoke to him now.

Wyatt whined as Ella sipped soup from her spoon, then he dropped to his haunches, and stared at them, his expression accusing.

‘Damn.’ Ella shuffled through her handbag. ‘I’m so sorry, I forgot to bring snacks. I wasn’t expecting…’ She glanced up and saw Alex watching her. ‘I mean, I wasn’t planning on coming here today.’

‘We’ll go back to the house for your lunch before we head to the next job,’ Ella told Wyatt. Another detour would make her even later and she already felt frazzled.

‘I might have a solution.’ Alex reached into his pocket and pulled out a couple of carrot sticks. ‘They’re for the dogs. I got them for Sprout,’ he explained as his cheeks turned a brighter shade of pink. ‘I needed something to bribe him with when he kept following me.’ He looked embarrassed. Wyatt sniffed the carrot suspiciously before glancing at Ella, clearly garnering her opinion on their safety. ‘They’re not poisoned.’ Alex sounded offended.

‘Aye,’ Ella said as her insides melted. She suspected he’d got the treats for Sprout because he was falling for him, despite insisting Henry’s pet was nothing more than an annoyance. She nodded at Wyatt who immediately gobbled them down.

‘Don’t read anything into me buying those. I still don’t like dogs,’ Alex said sharply to Wyatt. ‘But I promise to give you more if you agree to stop peeing on my car. Let’s call it a gentleman’s agreement.’

Wyatt made a snuffling sound which could have been a promise and Alex jerked his chin. Then he grabbed his spoon and scooped up some soup.

They ate in silence, but every time Ella glanced up, she caught Alex watching her.

‘How are you getting on with your picture?’ she asked eventually, her voice strained.

He shrugged. ‘I think I’ve found what I want to work on. There’s a lochan about a mile from Henry’s stables. I spotted it when I went for a walk with Sprout.’ He frowned. ‘I don’t really know how I feel about the view, but Henry’s agreed I can make a start.’

‘This painting is really important to you,’ she said.

‘I suppose.’ He took another sip of soup.

‘Why?’ Ella didn’t think Alex would tell her, but she really wanted to understand. Learn why he was here and what was driving him to work so hard…

Alex fell silent. ‘My da wants me to paint a landscape,’ he finally said. ‘He wants it to go in the reception area of our company’s head office.’ He paused and she saw something flicker behind his eyes. ‘I’m not sure why I told you that.’ He put the spoon down and picked up the sandwich and bit into it. It was obvious he was hungrier than he thought.

‘Perhaps you want me to know the picture matters to you?’ she guessed. ‘Because it obviously matters to him.’

He studied her as he swallowed. ‘Aye. I’m not sure there’s anyone else I know who’d “get it” like you.’ He narrowed his eyes, and Ella could see he wasn’t comfortable with that thought.

'I do understand,’ she said, leaning closer. ‘What my father thought always mattered to me.’

He let out a long breath. ‘Does your art really matter?’

‘Aye.’ Ella hesitated. ‘I know it doesn’t look like it at the moment.’ She leaned back on the bench and folded her arms. ‘I’m just being pulled in too many directions. I miss learning. I miss painting. It’s all I ever wanted.’

It was all her father had wanted for her. He’d been so proud. Her next breath came out as a hiccup and Ella rubbed a palm over her chest, aware Alex was still watching.

‘I’m not sure it’s exactly the same,’ he said sadly. ‘What do you think your da would say if he could speak to you now?’ he asked.

‘I…’ Ella swiped her tongue over suddenly dry lips. ‘I honestly have no idea.’ She wondered if she should. ‘Before he died, he asked me to stay in Mistletoe to take care of Lucinda, Dane and Clyde and that’s what I’m doing. I think he’d be happy with how things are going. The company is still going.’ Just . ‘My family are content.’

Alex’s forehead squeezed. ‘So he wanted you to live the way you are now?’

Ella shrugged. ‘Well.’ She thought about her stepbrothers’ behaviour earlier, about how rarely she got to paint. ‘Probably not. We didn’t get a chance to talk about the future or what should happen long term.’ She’d been happy to stay and help out, had always intended to return to her art course at college. They hadn’t formed a plan beyond the immediate. ‘Dad died so suddenly.’ He’d been here one moment and gone the next. Ella had been so focused on getting him well, on willing him to be okay, she’d refused to consider a different outcome.

But everything had suddenly changed and instead of getting better, her father had died. She looked up and caught Alex’s gaze. ‘What would you do – if your da asked you to do something for him?’ she whispered.

‘I’d do it,’ Alex shot back. ‘Whatever it took. Whatever I had to give up.’ He frowned as he gazed at her. ‘Making him happy is the thing that matters to me most.’

‘Why?’ Ella asked.

‘Because…I…’ He looked surprised. ‘He expects it.’ There was a shout at the other side of the tea room, then suddenly a dog was barking and Henry was barrelling towards them with Sprout hot on his heels.

‘Aye, I heard you were both here,’ the artist said thoughtfully, glancing between them as he indicated to Alex that he should shift up on the bench. ‘I thought I’d come and join you.’ He eyed their pea soup and shuddered. ‘That way I can eat what I want for lunch, and I get to see my elusive student while I do.’ He slid in next to Alex and raised a reproachful eyebrow at Ella.

‘I’m sorry,’ she croaked, just as Hunter came running towards them too. When he arrived, he eyed Wyatt and Sprout, before dropping to his haunches to give both dogs a boisterous stroke. ‘Nana said I should sit with you.’ He rose and glanced between Alex, Henry and Ella looking unsure.

‘Of course you should,’ Ella said, shuffling up the bench until she was facing Alex again, acknowledging her relief that their conversation had been cut short. He’d raised too many questions – questions she’d spent the last year trying to avoid.

The small boy climbed up beside Ella and carefully put his blue satchel in between them on the bench. Then he stared owlishly at Alex.

‘Aren’t you supposed to be in school, lad?’ Henry barked. ‘You’d better not be sick because I’ve got no time for bugs and neither have they.’ He eyed Alex and Ella.

The boy blinked and dragged his gaze from Alex towards Henry. ‘I’m not ill. School finished early today,’ he told him before focusing on Alex again. ‘I’ve been drawing more pictures. They’re in my satchel. Have you been drawing?’

Henry picked up Alex’s sketch pad which was sitting on the bench in between them and placed it on the table. ‘Looks like it, lad,’ he said gruffly. ‘Why don’t we take a look at what he’s working on now? I have to admit, I’m curious to see if any of my lessons have taken yet.’

‘It’s not ready!’ Alex flushed as he grabbed for the pad. But before he could wrap his fingers around it, Henry flicked it open and everyone fell silent.

It was a picture of a woman. Ella heard Henry clear his throat and leaned down so she could get a better look.

‘That looks just like you, Ella,’ Hunter said, sounding impressed.

Ella studied the figure with a feeling of delight that quickly turned to dismay. The woman in the picture was around the same height as her and the curves on her body an almost perfect match. Alex had got the exact shape of her chin and nose – and her mouth was full with the same top-heavy lip. He’d even added the dimple she’d inherited from her da, the one that usually appeared from nowhere whenever she laughed, although she wasn’t laughing here.

There were signs of strain around the woman’s eyes and dark shadows underneath them suggesting she was exhausted. The hair was about the right length, although it lacked any lustre or bounce. It had been shaded darker in pencil where Ella had streaked it for Christmas in red and green, but even that didn’t lift it. Instead, she looked flat and thoroughly miserable.

‘Wyatt’s there too.’ Hunter pointed to a huge dog with floppy ears sitting in the background glaring at a Volvo. ‘And look, this woman’s wearing your uniform. I can see the words Magic Mops here.’ He pointed to the logo Alex had doodled on the collar of the woman’s jacket. Only…’ The boy paused, his forehead smooshing as he leaned in closer still. ‘It looks just like Prince Charming’s costume, not Cinderella’s because she’d be wearing a dress.’ He bobbed his head at Alex clearly expecting him to explain.

When he didn’t, Ella leaned closer. The picture was teaming with details, all brilliantly crafted and devastating.

‘I think that’s Clyde and Dane,’ Hunter said excitedly, pointing to the two young men Alex had sketched in the background who were obviously supposed to be Ella’s stepbrothers. They were laying on the ground, eating grapes and they were laughing at her.

‘It’s really good,’ the boy added, but Alex just frowned.

‘Aye, I’d go as far as saying it’s brilliant and better than anything in that portfolio of yours,’ Henry said, glancing between them. Although his triumphant expression dimmed when he took in Ella’s face. ‘In fact, I think you’ve caught the lass perfectly – and I can see a lot of truth in this.’ He nodded at Alex, his expression sombre. ‘You’ve taken my lessons on board, lad,’ he said gruffly. ‘Well done.’

‘That’s not me. I mean it looks like me, but…’ Ella gulped as she gazed at the image taking in all the minutiae Alex had sketched – and the full implications of what they implied. Is this what he thought of her? She thought they’d connected, thought he respected her.

She tried to pull her gaze away, but couldn’t, so gave in and took in the woman’s billowy jacket and long, elegant gloves, the fitted trousers with the wide stripes up the sides and the tall, ridiculous boots. ‘I’d never wear that outfit at work,’ she said, her voice wobbly as she tried to ignore everything surrounding the woman who obviously was supposed to be her. Deliberately missing the point because she didn’t want to face it.

‘I think it’s a metaphor, lass,’ Henry said kindly.

‘But what’s the thing she’s holding supposed to be – it looks like she’s waving a sword. But it’s not a sword, is it?’ Hunter asked innocently, pointing to the duster the woman held which was topped off with an abundance of feathers. Out of the corner of her eye, Ella saw Alex wince and she knew .

‘Nana’s got one of those and she uses it to dust away cobwebs,’ Hunter continued. ‘Is that because Ella has a company that cleans houses?’

‘Ah, it’s…not exactly…’ Alex choked, but clearly couldn’t bring himself to explain the full horror of what the drawing meant.

‘It’s clever. I think it means our Ella is fighting a kind of battle with herself when she goes to work,’ Henry explained delicately, confirming her worst fears.

She’d hoped she was wrong, that the meaning she could see was only in her imagination. But there was sympathy in Henry’s gaze, compassion from a man who believed in showing the truth – and Ella felt like a blind eejit. Is this what everyone thought of her? Her wayward brain shifted to Dane and Clyde this morning – to her suspicions and eventual dismissal of them – and she shoved the image away.

‘She’s the heroine in this picture. Fighting to deliver whatever needs to be done, despite the fact that it’s a job that’s far too big for one. And despite the fact that it’s not all her responsibility and doing it is making her stressed and tired. Keeping up with it also means she’s having to give up one of the things she loves most. The thing that could become her future.’ Henry fell silent.

‘Wow, that’s a lot,’ Hunter said, his tone hushed as he gazed at it. ‘Clever…’

Henry nodded.

Hunter let out a sigh and remained silent while he continued to study the drawing, looking confused. Ella could feel the burn of embarrassment as it rippled across her skin, searing her to the bones. She grabbed the cardigan Aggie had given her and twisted it in a fist, her eyes darting towards the exit as she contemplated how she could make her escape. But Hunter was sitting on the bench, trapping her – and she couldn’t leave without asking him to move. If she did, everyone would know exactly how much the sketch had affected her. So she just sat in place and smiled, hating herself.

‘What’s the wastepaper basket mean?’ the boy asked suddenly, and Ella sank into the cushions, realising she was going to have to endure this agony until the very end.

Henry glanced at Alex, and Alex looked at Ella; his cheeks were pale, and she knew he hadn’t meant for her to see the drawing but couldn’t bring herself to feel any sympathy for him.

‘You might as well explain,’ she said, trying to keep the smile in place even though her teeth were gritted so tightly the enamel was probably filing off. ‘Finish what you started. It’s all there in black and white anyway.’

Ella could feel tears pooling at the back of her eyes and schooled her expression to remain impassive. She wouldn’t cry and she definitely wouldn’t let Alex – or Henry or anyone else in the tea room – see how much the picture had hurt her. She just had to let this run its course, until it was over; then she could make a dignified escape.

After that, Ella had no idea what she was going to do. Her world as she knew it had just cracked wide open – and she wasn’t sure if she’d ever be able to put it back together again.