A Christmas Wish on Arran (Scottish Romances #4)

Chapter Fifteen

Later that night Beth pulled on her pyjamas and warm socks, curled up on the sofa and called her dad, letting him know she had now moved all her things into the flat. She had barely spoken to him since her arrival on Arran as she had been so busy settling into the new job. But she really did want to let him know everything was okay.

He picked up in two rings.

‘Hey Dad. How are you?’

‘Better for hearing you dear. Tell me how are you? Are you all settled and enjoying island life?’

She smiled at the sound of his reassuring voice. ‘Yes, I am, and sorry I haven’t been in touch. It’s been hectic trying to get settled and learn the ropes. But you’ll be glad to know that I am now in the flat above the office. I moved in this afternoon.’

‘That’s good news. You said in your message that the boiler was broken. I hope it’s been fixed now. Is it nice and warm?’

She looked around at the sparsely decorated room and chewed her bottom lip. It was definitely a contrast to her surroundings in the lodge at the Brodie Hotel. The flat was charming. It had a bright and airy sitting room, neutrally decorated. The bedrooms were off the living room, and there was a small galley kitchen.

‘Yes, it is nice and cosy, and once I’ve added a few bits and pieces it will definitely feel a bit more homely. And guess what? There is even a spare room for when you come and visit. Mind you it is quite small.’ She wasn’t quite sure what the deal was with Margaret, and whether she would also want to come along.

‘Oh that’s good. Though I don’t want to put you out Beth. You just get yourself all settled and I will come over when it suits you. That’s if it’s okay with you of course.’ His voice was full of uncharacteristic enthusiasm.

Beth nodded, as her eyes filled with tears. ‘Of course you can come over, Dad. In fact, what about if you come over for the last weekend of the month when the Christmas lights are switched on?’

‘Sounds good, let me just check those dates.’

She listened as he flicked through the large desk diary that he kept by the phone. ‘You’re in luck. That weekend is free, dear. The Christmas events kick off on the first of December. But it’s a Christmas charades night and I could definitely do with avoiding that.’ He chuckled.

‘That’s great, Dad. You could come over on the Friday and stay until the Monday? There’s a Christmas fair on in Lamlash that weekend as well as the light switch-on in Brodick.’

‘Wonderful. I can’t wait to see where you are and what it all looks like. It’s been years since I was in Arran.’

‘Tell me how you are and what you’ve been up to?’ Beth listened as he told her about the latest news from the retirement flats, which included an in-depth description of the latest Bridge tournament, plans for several Christmas lunches and a golf game he had planned for later in the week — all dependent on the weather.

‘What about you?’

‘What do you mean?’ She reached to the floor for her glass of water and took a sip.

‘I just hope that it’s not all work. You deserve to have some fun too Beth. Have you met any nice people yet?’

Beth knew he was right. Pausing before she answered, she put her glass back down on the floor. But her dad continued before she could speak. ‘I know I may be speaking out of turn, but you have always worked so hard. Just please look after yourself Beth. You only get one life you know.’

Beth wasn’t quite sure what to say. Everything he said was correct, and yet she felt annoyed. She couldn’t help but take his words as criticism. ‘Okay, you don’t need to lecture me,’ she snapped.

Then she immediately felt remorse for being so insensitive, especially when she knew that her dad was only trying to help. And had been such a huge support these past few weeks, even when she had been such a crap daughter for years.

‘Sorry Beth. I’m just trying to help. I worry about you.’

Beth took a long breath and silently reprimanded herself again. ‘No need to apologise. I am the one who is sorry, Dad. I didn’t mean to snap at you. Everything you said is true and I know you’re trying to help . . . I’m just not very good at taking advice.’ Her face softened a little as she thought about her dad, who was probably standing scratching his head as he paced around his flat, wondering what he should be saying to her. Her mum had always been the one to dispense the parental words of wisdom. ‘I really appreciate all you’ve done to help me, and I know I owe you an explanation. I’ve not been a very good daughter for a long time now. But I promise I will make that up to you. I will tell you what happened one day. When I’m ready.’ Though at this moment in time she didn’t know if she would ever again want to rake up the details of what happened with Tim. Aside from anything else, she knew her dad would be livid and want to hunt him down and throttle him.

‘Beth.’ His voice was calm. ‘If I was there beside you, I would give you a hug and remind you that I am always here for you and I love you. Please never forget that.’

She wiped away a tear that had rolled down her cheek. ‘I know. Thanks, Dad.’ She forced back the choking sob rising up the back of her throat. ‘I promise I will make sure it’s not all work and no play.’

‘Good,’ he said. ‘I’m glad to hear it. Oh, and before I forget, Margaret sends her love and hopes the car is behaving.’

Beth smiled fondly. ‘Tell her it has been a lifesaver. I’m not quite sure what I would have done without it.’

‘I will tell her. She will be delighted to hear that.’

‘How is she doing?’

He chuckled. ‘She is just fine and keeping me on my toes. And tell me, what’s on the rest of the week for you?’

Beth gave her dad a vague rundown of some of the meetings she had lined up for work. ‘I’ve also been familiarising myself with all the local coffee shops. I might even make the effort to go to an exercise class in the community centre.’ She had no intention of doing this, but wanted to make sure that her dad wouldn’t be worrying about her sitting alone in the flat night after night.

‘That sounds nice. And outside work is there anyone to socialise with?’

Thoughts of Alessandro floated through her head. He had popped into the office that morning, although she had been out on an errand, and left a message with Jim asking her to call him sometime. Jim had merely raised an eyebrow as he relayed what Alessandro had said. She still wasn’t quite sure that getting involved with him, even as friends, was a good idea at this stage. He was the type of guy who thought he had the gift of the gab. Beth wasn’t convinced that his charm was genuine.

‘It’s still early days for that.’ She tried to reassure herself as much as her dad. ‘But don’t worry, I will keep you posted.’

They chatted for a few more minutes and then she ended the call, promising to be in touch again soon. For a moment she wondered if she should drop Alessandro a text, but then decided there was no rush. In spite of her initial misgivings, Alessandro had been really welcoming and friendly to her and she didn’t want to let things that had happened with Tim cloud her view on men for the rest of her life. But she needed to give herself some time and space before she reached out to anyone.