A Highland Family Affair (Highlands #3)

Chapter 2

2

Olivia sat at the kitchen table with Brodie, Mirren and Dougie, waiting for Kerr to return from his shower. They talked in hushed tones for fear of being heard by the subject of their conversation.

‘I cannae believe he’s been sleeping rough in Glasgow. How did he even get back here? It’s a fair trek with no money or transportation,’ Dougie said as he stroked Marley’s head. ‘And with that great big smelly furball too, it’s a wonder anyone agreed to take them anywhere.’

Mirren said, ‘I cannae believe the dog’s called Sir Lancelot. Whoever named him must’ve been a wee dafty.’

Brodie chuckled. ‘I’m saying nothing.’

‘I’m guessing he hitchhiked,’ Olivia said with a shrug, getting back to Dougie’s original point. ‘Unless he acquired money for a train ticket somehow.’

Mirren shivered. ‘Well, I hope it wasn’t theft. We don’t want to end up with the police here again. We can do without the drama. People talk and it won’t endear visitors if they know the coppers are always coming round. Even if PC Sherburn is lovely.’

The last time they’d had the police at the castle was a few months earlier when a guest in the stable-block apartments had caused a ruckus with his poor pregnant wife. He was a well-known author and a bit of a love rat as it turned out, dating other women behind his wife’s back; one of whom was Bella, Olivia’s best friend and former PA. The author had subsequently been arrested for affray and socking the police officer who had attended the scene, and he’d been taken away in handcuffs. In another strange turn of events, Bella was now in a relationship with the arresting officer, Harris, who had recently relocated to the Isle of Skye for work.

How crazy and unexpected things can be at Drumblair Castle, Olivia thought with a half-smile.

Olivia clung to her mug and stared into the brown liquid therein. She shook her head. ‘I don’t know, Kerr’s been a rat in the past, yes, but I doubt he’d steal. It’s just not how we were brought up.’

Mirren shook her head. ‘Treating people like dirt on your shoes wasn’t the way you were brought up either but that didnae stop Kerr from doing so. If you ask me, you’re too easy on him, hen. He doesn’t deserve the benefit of the doubt after what he put everyone through, especially you, his own sister.’

‘Mirren’s right,’ came a voice from the doorway. Everyone jumped and turned to look at Kerr. ‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.’ He held up his hands in apology. ‘And Olivia was right, I hitchhiked. I didn’t steal. No police needed.’

Olivia noted the sadness in his expression. Now his face was clean-shaven, and his shaggy hair had been somewhat tamed with shampoo and a comb, he almost resembled the brother she once knew, only with a pallid complexion, hollow cheeks and dark circles rimming his eyes, which was quite unsettling. ‘Come and sit down.’ She gestured to an empty seat at the table. ‘Mirren has warmed up some soup and there’s bread.’

Mirren stood from the table. ‘Aye, and I’ve put some dog food in a bowl. It’s over by the stove. Didn’t want to put it on the floor yet and risk Wilf or Marley getting it.’

Both dogs were now up and sniffing their new guests, especially Sir Lancelot. The shaggy dog, who was wet through from his bath, was standing still, ears back on high alert as the other two checked him out. Kerr had found a hair tie and had bunched the dog’s fringe up atop his head so he could see better. He had the sweetest brown eyes and the cutest face, and his dirty grey patches were now a little whiter. Once Wilf and Marley had completed their interview, Wilf bounced down onto his front legs with his tail in the air and let out a playful yip. Sir Lancelot’s tail began to wag furiously, and he too bounced around excitedly.

Brodie stood from the table. ‘Come on, you two, I’ll take you out so Sir Lancelot can eat in peace. Wilf, Marley, come!’ The two cream canines followed but it was clear they were doing so reluctantly. Sir Lancelot was far more interesting.

Kerr placed the bowl of food down for the dog who waited patiently for Kerr to say, ‘Okay!’ before diving in, nose first, to his first meal in goodness knew how long. Kerr then sat, and Mirren placed a bowl of soup in front of him along with a plate of bread and the butter dish.

He sat for a moment, just staring into the creamy liquid before clearing his throat. ‘Mirren, Dougie, I owe you both an apology. I know you may not wish to accept it and I can’t say I blame you, but I mean it. You’ve both been so good to me throughout my life, and you didn’t deserve to be treated with such disrespect. I’m sorry for what I put you through. I have no excuses. Just please know that I intend to do better from now on.’

Dougie’s jaw ticked under his skin, and he remained silent, but Mirren turned her back and dabbed at her eyes. ‘Eat your food afore it gets cold,’ she replied in a wobbly voice.

‘I bet you feel better after your shower,’ Olivia said with a small smile.

Kerr swallowed a mouthful of the soup and nodded. ‘You have no idea. Sir Lancelot does too, don’t you, lad?’ The dog walked over and sat beside him, his damp tail swishing along the floor as it wagged happily. ‘You’d have laughed, I don’t think he’s ever been bathed before. He was a bit freaked out, but I think he enjoyed it in the end. It was nice and warm, so it must’ve been soothing for him. I’m going to need to find a groomer, though. His coat’s in a state.’

‘I think that would be a good idea. He can’t be comfortable with all those knots,’ Olivia said. ‘But he seems happy enough. He clearly adores you.’

‘The feeling’s totally mutual. I meant what I said about him saving me. I was at my lowest point when Michael died. I’d hurt all of you, so I didn’t feel able to come back and I felt like I had nothing worth living for. But when Michael asked me to take care of Lancey, I knew I had to get through it. I had to stop wallowing in self-pity and find the strength to carry on. He has no one else.’ He reached down and stroked the dog’s head. ‘Do you, lad? It’s been just us, hasn’t it? You and me against the world.’ His affection for the animal shone through his eyes and his soft tone of voice. Sir Lancelot’s tongue lolled out and he panted happily, his rancid breath wafting across the room, causing everyone to pinch their noses.

‘Bloody hell, his breath smells worse than Marley’s and that’s saying something,’ Dougie said with a laugh.

‘Aye, maybe get him to a vet too, eh?’ Mirren said in agreement. ‘I think his teeth need cleaned.’

Kerr smiled and his eyes lit up as he pushed away his bowl and patted his stomach. ‘Good idea. Thanks for the soup, Mirren. It was delicious. And the bread… wow. Just how I remembered it. And I see you’ve some more ready to go in the oven.’ He licked his lips.

‘Aye, would you like some cake?’

Kerr rubbed his hands together. ‘What do you think?’

Olivia observed the interactions and smiled. Family , she thought, it’s all I’ve ever wanted, for us to be a real family. Maybe it’s about to happen? But she still couldn’t help the niggle of doubt that sat in the periphery of her mind. He had a lot of proving himself to do before she would be able to relax completely in Kerr’s company. That one thing was for sure.