A Christmas Wish on Arran (Scottish Romances #4)

Chapter Thirty-Four

Beth was sad to say farewell to her dad and Margaret at the start of the week. She wasn’t sure if she could get away from the office to walk them to the terminal — a hang up from her early workdays when you would be labelled a shirker for stepping away from your screen even to go to the toilet. However, as she was slowly learning, that world of work was not one she existed in anymore. Jim was a brilliant boss.

‘Of course you can go. No problem at all. Take your time,’ he’d said. It had been a fresh but sunny morning and she’d enjoyed walking at their slow pace towards the incoming ferry.

Beth’s arm was linked through Margaret’s. ‘It’s been just brilliant.’

‘It’s good to picture where you are now Beth. Means I can picture where you’re living and working.’ Her dad’s voice was warm. ‘Thanks for having us and showing us your haunts. We’ll see you at Christmas then?’

Beth felt her eyes fill with tears. ‘Of course you will. I’m looking forward to it, Dad. I can’t believe it’s just a few weeks away.’ She hadn’t failed to notice that her dad had started to slow down. She needed to make more of an effort to see him now she was living closer.

‘We’ll definitely be back over when it gets warmer too,’ said Margaret. ‘The Highland Games was quite the experience.’

‘Thanks for putting me up,’ said her dad, ‘and showing me the sights. It’s been grand.’

Once they arrived at the terminal Beth gave them both a warm hug. It felt so good to have them on her side. They accepted her and supported her for who she was rather than what she could do for them. She now realised that had been the case with many of the people in her London life. They wanted to be friends with her because of the free tickets to parties or the favours she could do for them. When she’d needed those friends, the silence had been telling.

‘I’ll see you in a few weeks,’ Beth added.

‘Great dear.’ Her dad hugged her again tightly.

‘Be good.’ Margaret winked at her. ‘And remember, do your job and ask lots of questions.’

It was clear what Margaret meant and Beth smiled at her. ‘You’ll be glad to know that I’m seeing Kirsty later in the week. I will keep you informed.’

‘Good girl.’

Margaret and her dad waved as they headed upstairs to wait in the passengers’ lounge.

As Beth had walked back to the office, she realised she felt content, but also curious. She was ready to find out a bit more about Callum.

* * *

Beth and Kirsty met in a café in Brodick on Saturday morning. Beth was there early and sat reading the news on her phone, glancing up and keeping an eye on the door. When Kirsty arrived, she made her way towards Beth.

‘Good to see you,’ said Kirsty.

‘You too. Thanks for this. I’ve been looking forward to catching up again.’

‘How was the visit from your dad and his friend?’

‘All good thanks. It was actually really nice showing them around. It’s been years since Dad was here. Margaret was over in the summer for the Highland games, and she was determined to track down some mugs by Edie . . .’

Kirsty burst out laughing. ‘I know the very ones. I’ve got some in my kitchen too. I think many folk do.’

‘I’m not surprised. They’re lovely. In fact, Margaret bought a couple for my flat too. They make coffee very pleasurable.’ Beth had been touched when she’d got back to the flat after waving them off on their ferry, to find a package that Margaret had left. It was a pair of bright orange mugs from the Wee Trove.

‘How has your week been?’ Beth asked. ‘Is Amy back now?’

Kirsty nodded. ‘Yes, thank goodness.’

Beth raised an eyebrow in surprise.

‘Oh, that sounds terrible, doesn’t it? I don’t mean it like that. I just realised how much I’ve come to rely on her when she’s here. Especially with Dad.’

‘It’s not terrible at all, just honest. It sounds like it can all be quite full on, especially with running the guest house too.’

‘I think it’s just that stage in life when I feel like I’m being stretched in loads of different directions. And feel permanently knackered. Anyway, I’m sure once we get into January things will slow down after the Christmas and New Year rush. We are fully booked as of next week. Everyone seems to want to get away.’

Beth looked at her with sympathy. ‘Well, it looks like you’re doing an amazing job of juggling a lot, Kirsty. Be a bit kinder to yourself.’

Kirsty waved her hand dismissively. ‘Ignore me. I’m fine. Sorry, I didn’t come here to offload.’

‘That’s okay. And anytime. That’s what friends are for.’ The waiter arrived at their table with a very enthusiastic grin. ‘What would you like Kirsty? This is my treat.’

‘A large Americano with some hot milk would be great thanks.’

‘I’ll have the same.’ Beth sat up straighter in her chair, practically hearing Margaret’s voice in her ear. Ask the questions . ‘You’ll never guess who I’ve bumped into a few times since I last saw you.’

‘Who?’ Kirsty frowned.

‘Callum. From way back.’

‘Ah.’ Kirsty nodded slowly. ‘I wondered if you might come across each other.’

‘Yes. Turns out I’ve been helping his daughter on the school newspaper.’

‘His daughter?’ Kirsty sounded surprised.

Just then their coffees arrived. Beth watched as Kirsty picked up her teaspoon and stirred her coffee. There was something she knew and wasn’t telling her.

‘Yes,’ said Beth. ‘Daisy.’

‘Mmm.’ Kirsty smiled faintly.

Beth looked at her quizzically. ‘Is there something I’m missing?’

‘Look, I don’t really want to be the one telling you. I think this is a conversation you should be having with Callum.’

‘What do you mean?’

Kirsty took a sip of her coffee and looked at Beth thoughtfully. ‘It’s easy to jump to conclusions . . .’

‘You might have to spell it out to me.’ Beth really didn’t understand what she was getting at.

‘I don’t like gossiping about folk, but I think you should know that Daisy isn’t Callum’s daughter. Daisy is Callum’s niece.’