A Christmas Wish on Arran (Scottish Romances #4)

Chapter Forty-Seven

Callum had now been floored with the virus everyone else had. Yet it seemed to hit him harder than Daisy and Beth, and he’d been in bed for several days.

‘That’s because you’re a man,’ said Daisy witheringly. ‘You always have to get man flu rather than just a wee virus. Murray’s dad was exactly the same.’

Despite her teasing him, Callum was grateful that Daisy was around to help. All the strength seemed to have seeped from his body. He had barely been able to move these past couple of days. Daisy let Ruby out, even though she was loathe to leave her master’s side. She had also taken over the feeding of the chickens, and went up and down to Maisie’s cottage to check she had all she needed. Fortunately, Maisie had dodged being ill, which she told Daisy was down to her daily cold showers and glasses of red wine.

This morning was the third day that he’d been in bed. Daisy brought him through a cup of tea and a bowl of porridge. He began to protest that he wasn’t hungry.

‘You need to feed a cold.’

‘Thank you, Daisy. And for looking after me.’

She looked at him thoughtfully as she sat at the bottom of his bed. ‘It’s the very least I can do. I guess I never really thought about it until recently. But you’ve done so much for me, and I probably haven’t ever said thank you.’

Callum’s mind was blank and he didn’t know what to say. He was choked up as it was — he hoped she wouldn’t see the tear that slipped down his cheek.

She frowned. ‘Are you okay?’

He nodded. ‘You don’t need to thank me. I wouldn’t have had it any other way.’

‘But I know it was the only option.’

‘What do you mean?’ he asked.

‘Someone asked me at school why I hadn’t gone to live with my gran, as she’s still alive, and it got me thinking . . .’

Callum’s stomach was knotted as he waited for her to continue.

‘I did ask Gran when I saw her at half-term, and she told me, very nicely of course, that living with her was never an option. She said she couldn’t have done it as she’s a pensioner. Though she’s not really that old, is she? I mean, she’s had her ears pierced three times and she likes Taylor Swift.’

Callum chuckled. His mum certainly was youthful for her age.

‘I guess I’ve been thinking about it and it made me think that she hadn’t wanted me. I know it’s silly, but it’s been on my mind for a while now.’

He nodded and thought carefully before he spoke. ‘Gran was devastated after your mum died. She took it really badly. I mean we both did. But she’s older and she’d already lost her husband suddenly. To then lose her daughter in the way she did was horrendous for her. She wouldn’t have coped with a young child, and she knew that wasn’t fair on you. She said she couldn’t look after you because she loves you and she wanted what was best for you.’

Daisy nodded. ‘I understand that now I’ve had a chance to think about it. I spoke to Freya about it too, when I was staying there, and that helped.’

‘Good. I’m glad it makes sense to you, Daisy. Life is never straightforward. Gran loves you with all her heart, and she felt awful that she couldn’t take you. But it would have been awful for you both. Anyway,’ he grinned, ‘would you have wanted to live in Crieff?’

Daisy shrugged her shoulders. ‘True. If I had to choose the location it would always be here. I love Arran, and I love that it’s where Mum grew up. It helps me feel closer to her being here.’

Callum nodded again. ‘She would be so proud of you Daisy. As we all are.’ He didn’t speak for a moment. ‘But I think your tea-making skills could be improved. You have put one of your weird vegan milks in my cup.’

She chuckled. ‘I wondered if you’d notice. We’re out of normal milk so it’s actually quite handy we have my long-life stuff in the cupboard.’

Callum pulled a face as she stood up.

‘By the way, I’ve let Beth know that you’re in bed with man flu.’ She gave a small smile. ‘I thought she might like to know. Is there anything you want to tell me?’

There was silence as he drank the strange-tasting tea, buying himself some time. ‘Um . . .’

She placed her hands on her hips and stared at him. ‘Um? What does that mean?’

‘We’re just getting to know each other again.’

‘Rubbish. I can tell you’re totally keen. And if you want my advice—’

‘I don’t think I do.’

She gave him a look . ‘Ask her out on a proper date. Or invite her for Christmas.’

Callum closed his eyes. ‘That would be totally weird. Anyway, she’s going to visit her dad at Christmas.’

‘I was joking about the Christmas bit actually. I just wanted to check you were listening to me. Ask her out on a date.’

He didn’t want to tell Daisy that he’d not been able to stop thinking about Beth since she’d been here. That memories of her dominated his thoughts. They had exchanged a couple of brief texts when she’d left, but they were polite and perfunctory. He wasn’t quite sure what to do next or what to say to her. Yawning, he pulled the covers up around him.

Then he remembered that she’d been in the pub with that guy from the hotel. ‘I don’t even know if she’s single.’

Daisy raised her eyebrows. ‘Seriously? She was here for two days and you didn’t ask her if she was single?’

‘No.’

‘Leave that to me. I’ll leave you to your dreams.’ Daisy chuckled. ‘No prizes for guessing who’s the main guest.’

Callum didn’t have the energy to challenge her. What she said was spot-on, but he didn’t want to make a fool of himself and muck things up again. He had once seen a future with her, but fate had intervened, and that life just wasn’t meant to be. Just then his phone buzzed. It was a text from Beth.

About that drink . . . let me know when you feel better and want to meet. Beth x

Could he allow himself to imagine and hope that the universe was giving them this second chance?