A Christmas Wish on Arran (Scottish Romances #4)

Chapter Fourteen

Callum had driven to Lamlash this morning especially to pick up an almond croissant for his elderly neighbour, Maisie, who lived in the small stone cottage just along from Callum’s house. It was her birthday today and, at ninety-two, she showed no signs of slowing down. Even as he’d driven past her house earlier, she’d given him a wee wave and a wide smile as she’d pegged her sheets outside on the washing line. Despite the cold temperature, the sky was blue, the sun shone and there was enough of a breeze to ensure her sheets got a good airing. Callum often envied her boundless energy and razor-sharp wit.

He got out the truck, followed by Ruby, and smiled at the lollipop man, who was just packing his things away now the kids were safely in school. ‘Morning,’ he said as he passed and made his way towards Cèic, the bakery and café that produced the famous croissants that Maisie was so fond of. The slate chalkboard sign outside said, “ Come in and start your day the Cèic way. Furry friends are welcome. ”

Callum wasn’t a regular visitor to the café, mainly as he was usually busy working or doing errands and didn’t have time to sit around sipping fancy coffee. He just made do with the instant stuff at home, which he would quickly swig as he went about his task list. But this morning, as he admired the view and saw the basket of freshly baked scones that the owner, Cano, had just put on the counter, he decided to live a little and ordered himself a latte and a blueberry scone. ‘Oh, and I’d better not forget, an almond croissant too please. To take away.’ He watched as Cano reached for his tongs and put the pastry carefully into a paper bag.

‘No problem, take a seat and I’ll bring your scone and coffee over,’ he said cheerfully.

Callum walked over to a seat at the window. Ruby curled up and lay at his feet. He always felt uncomfortable in some of the super trendy coffee shops he’d been to in Glasgow, with their hard-edged chairs and fancy interiors. But this morning, as he sat there and people watched — something he never usually did — he realised it was like the hub of the community as people passed in and out to collect their coffee and morning pastries. A long wooden table ran along the front of the huge floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the bay. The oak floors were lightly scuffed. Plants were dotted around, offering bursts of vivid green. There was a constant sound of chatter and laughter above the noise of the coffee machine whirring in the background. Wonderful smells of nutmeg and cinnamon wafted from the kitchen, which he inhaled.

‘Hey Callum.’ Fergus, who worked at the outdoor centre in the village, was clutching two takeaway cups. ‘I wondered if it was you. Long time no see. How’s tricks?’

‘Alright.’ Callum felt slightly mortified that he had been caught sitting in a café. Especially when he had been keeping a very low profile lately.

‘There you go.’ Cano arrived with his coffee and scone, setting them on the table before returning to his post.

‘Treating yourself?’ asked Fergus light-heartedly.

‘Aye something like that.’ Callum felt his cheeks colour.

‘Quite right. You deserve a break. You work too hard man, been ages since we’ve seen you. When was the last time you got out on a kayak?’

Callum shrugged. Fergus was right. It had been months, possibly more than a year since he had been out on his kayak. ‘Aye, it’s been a while. There never seems to be a minute with everything that’s going on. And the weather hasn’t exactly been encouraging.’

‘I know.’ Fergus nodded. ‘It’s been rubbish. How’s things?’

‘Aye good.’ Callum took a sip from his cup, realising how much he enjoyed a coffee that someone else had made for him. ‘Mum came over a couple of weeks ago and that was great. Daisy loved seeing her. How about you? Things still going well with Amelia?’

Fergus grinned in response. ‘All good thanks. Work is fine and Amelia is great.’ He rubbed his hands together. ‘Getting a bit chilly now, isn’t it?’

Callum nodded and gestured at the scone in front of him. ‘This is not my normal routine, honest. It is very out of character for me. Just thought, well, why not?’

‘Quite right,’ said Fergus. ‘Mind you, if I start seeing you here every morning, I would think that was strange, but you are allowed a break Callum. Listen, how about you come out with me and Grant for a beer one night? Do you fancy it?’ Fergus put his cups down on the table and bent down to scratch Ruby’s ears.

‘Sounds good.’ Callum had got used to uttering these words over the years to people’s invitations when he rarely followed up on it. But this time he genuinely meant it. He knew he had neglected his friends these past few years. They’d been great about stepping in to support and help with Daisy when she was younger. But he’d been so overwhelmed with everything that sometimes it felt easier just to withdraw. He couldn’t blame his friends for getting fed up with him when he never replied to their texts or cancelled plans at the last minute. But now Daisy was older and more independent, he knew he really needed to make more of an effort. Otherwise he was going to end up friendless. Fergus had moved back to the island a couple of years ago, and Callum had met him through his old friend Grant who worked at the outdoor centre. Fortunately they were both very laidback and didn’t seem to mind their erratic friendship, or that Callum would drift in and out of their lives depending on what was happening with his.

‘Right, I’ll give you a shout and we’ll plan to do something soon? I’d better get back to the centre. Grant will be raging if I don’t get his coffee to him. He likes it piping hot.’

Callum laughed at his sarcasm. Grant and rage were two words that couldn’t have been more mismatched. He watched as an older woman, who looked like Edie, approached Fergus from behind and placed a hand on his shoulder.

‘Good morning, Fergus.’ Her dog, a spaniel, wagged its tail so furiously at Fergus that her whole bottom moved back and forth.

‘Edie.’ He turned and beamed at her in delight. ‘Nice to see you. Oh, and you too Molly.’ He laughed as she settled herself at his feet and stared up in adoration.

‘Oh Molly,’ said Edie. ‘You are a shameless flirt.’

The dog wandered over to sniff Ruby’s head — she raised it briefly before sinking it back down between her paws.

‘Molly come here and stop bothering the poor dog. She looks like she’s quite happy as she is.’ Edie smiled warmly at Callum.

‘Edie, you know my mate Callum who lives up near Maisie in the old cottage. And Ruby his dog,’ said Fergus.

‘Ah, yes, of course,’ she said. ‘Hi Callum.’ She looked at Callum and chuckled. ‘Maisie always speaks very highly of you.’

Callum had always had a soft spot for Edie, and he immediately warmed to her again this morning. She had twinkling eyes and a bright orange coat. A yellow scarf was draped round her neck and she looked like a burst of sunshine, with her vibrant energy and kind smile. ‘Nice to see you Edie.’

‘Right I’d better be off,’ said Fergus. ‘Or Grant really will be raging. Callum, you enjoy your five minutes’ peace and let’s arrange to catch up soon. See you.’

Callum gave his friend a wave. ‘Nice to see you too Edie.’

She paused and Callum waited, fully expecting her to say goodbye. But she suddenly sat down. ‘I know this is a bit forward of me dear, and I hope you don’t mind, but I need you to be my decoy. I’m trying to avoid Doris over there.’

Callum glanced over at the door and raised his eyebrows questioningly.

‘She’s in charge of the Christmas fair and she’s driving me mad. I can’t bear to listen to her rant on about Santa’s grotto yet again. Or debate how many mini-marshmallows should be sprinkled on the cups of hot chocolate. Once she gets going there’s no stopping her. And if you’re not careful she’ll have you signed up as Santa. She managed to rope Fergus into it last year.’

Callum chuckled. ‘Yes, I remember that. Looks like the coast is clear. She’s away.’

‘Oh thank goodness for that. Actually, while I am sitting here, and I know this is a bit cheeky of me. But, well, I’ll strike while the iron’s hot and all of that . . . It’s just that I’m looking for someone to do some nice shelves for my study. I’ve books all over the place and I keep tripping over them. Well, I know you’re a bit of an expert with joinery and woodwork . . .’

Callum smiled at her. ‘I’d love to help. Just give me a call and I can come and have a look.’ He passed her a business card.

‘Oh thank you dear, I’m so glad I was bold enough to ask. It’s been on my to-do list for yonks! Anyway, I’d say it’s time for me to get my coffee. Otherwise I’m going to expire. Toodle-oo. I’ll be in touch.’ She grinned. ‘And thanks for being my decoy.’ With that, she gave Molly’s lead a gentle tug and turned to make her way to the counter.

Callum took a bite of his scone and chewed. The thought of making some bespoke shelves for Edie had left him feeling excited. It had been a while since he’d done anything other than the usual joinery jobs, which had involved a lot of window frames lately. This would make a nice change — he could be more creative. Feeling buoyed, he realised he really needed to make more of an effort to get out and connect with people. It felt good just to chat. He should make more effort to come here and socialise. There was kindness and authenticity to Edie’s smile, and her request for help and the interaction with both her and Fergus this morning was a reminder that there were genuine people out there who cared for him.

He glanced at the door and did a double take when he saw an attractive woman exiting with her takeaway coffee. There was something familiar about her and he watched her through the window, frowning as he tried to place her. Then his heart skipped a beat as he realised who she reminded him of. It had been years since he’d thought about Elizabeth. He couldn’t. She was from a different lifetime — a lifetime that was very different to where he had ended up. Realising he was getting wistful, he gave himself a shake. She was long gone and firmly in the past. He picked up the paper bag with Maisie’s croissant. ‘We better get this to the birthday girl.’ He stood up and Ruby jumped to her feet.

Stopping at the café that morning had been a nice reminder that, even though life could be tough, he did have friends and he wasn’t alone.