Keepsakes from the Cottage by the Loch (Loch Cameron #6)

Chapter 22

TWENTY-TWO

‘It’s so good to see you, babe.’ Carla enveloped Tara in a hug in the doorway of the Loch Cameron Inn. ‘So, this is the hood? Very nice. I approve.’

‘Thanks. Come on in.’ Tara led her flatmate into the bar: it was a quiet night with just a few locals in. Eric was chatting to Angus, one of the regulars, a tall, greying redheaded Viking of a man who lived up on Queen’s Point.

‘Oooh. It’s so quaint. I love all the wood. And the beams.’ Carla pointed to the black wooden beams on the ceiling of the bar. ‘Original?’

‘I think so. There’s been an Inn here since the 1700s, I think. Not the same building – this got built in 1855 or so. Dad would tell you.’ She nodded to Eric. ‘That’s him, over there.’

‘Ah, I see a resemblance. Daddy Ballantyne. How’s it been, with your folks?’ Carla dropped her backpack and collapsed into one of the high-backed upholstered chairs.

‘It’s been okay. They’ve been keeping me busy. G there were a number of pieces of paper folded together. ‘More than one, in fact!’

‘Read them!’ Carla cried excitedly. ‘Mr Ballantyne! Come and listen to this!’ She beckoned Eric over, who had finished talking to Angus and sauntered over with an amused look on his face. ‘Hello. I’m Tara’s flatmate, Carla,’ she continued.

‘Ah, nice tae meet ye, darlin’.’ Eric nodded. ‘Yer stayin’ wi’ us fer a bit, aye?’

‘Yeah! If that’s all right. If you can fit me in.’

‘Aye, o’ course. Always room fer Tara’s friends.’ Eric smiled warmly. ‘Tara, what’s this aboot?’

‘Dad! I found some old letters in one of great-aunt Agnes’ books.’ Tara opened the browned, brittle paper carefully. ‘You know that I found that letter from her up at the school. And there are these mysterious notes in her books about this J that she seems to have been in love with.’

‘Oooh.’ Eric wiped a pint glass with a tea towel. ‘Read on, then. I’d get yer mother down, but she’s on the phone. Party line wi’ the crochet coven. I daren’t interrupt,’ he chuckled.

‘All right. This is the first one, I think.’ Tara read the letter aloud.

Dear Agnes,

I have never known a woman like you. Every day apart from you is torture.

I miss Loch Cameron. My time there was so unexpectedly wonderful, because of you. I never dreamed that my work would bring me anywhere as lovely as the loch, but meeting you made it all the lovelier .

Every day, I sit at my desk and dream of you. Your soft hair; your curious eyes; the way you smell like lilacs and fresh air. Our times together have been so very sweet, dear Agnes.

Please write so that I may touch the paper you have touched. That I may breathe in the ink that has been shaped by your fingers. I remain, eternally,

Yours,

John xxx

‘Wow.’ Carla swooned. ‘Loving John. John is a superhero. Oh my god.’ She fanned herself. ‘So that’s who J is.’

‘Very romantic.’ Eric nodded.

‘I wish we could see what Agnes wrote back.’ Tara turned to the next letter and handed it to Carla. It was another letter from John, though this one definitely had a sexier theme.

‘Oh, my.’ Carla put her hand to her chest and handed the second letter to Eric, who read it and raised his eyebrows.

‘Goodness.’ Tara’s leaned on the back of a chair and put the glass and tea towel down.

‘I know,’ Tara said. ‘Looks like Agnes and John were definitely an item.’

‘Ye could say that.’ Eric chuckled. ‘Can I show these to your mum? She’d like tae see them, I’m sure.’

‘Of course.’ Tara handed them to her dad. ‘I’m definitely going to look through the rest of the books now, just in case we’ve missed anything.’

‘Aye. But I’d suggest ye take yer friend up an’ show her her room.’ Eric nodded subtly at Carla, who was leaning up against the fireplace and had closed her eyes. She looked exhausted. ‘Mebbe that dinner’s taken effect, aye?’

‘Oh, right. Carla.’ Tara nudged her friend, who opened her eyes suddenly, looking hyper alert .

‘What? I’m here.’

‘Come on. I’ll show you your room. We can look at the books tomorrow,’ Tara said, gently.

‘Yeah. Okay, that might be good. I haven’t really slept well in a couple of days.’ Carla blinked and rubbed her eyes. ‘All that travelling and sex is catching up on me.’

‘Right, well, I better tidy up the glasses.’ Eric blinked and bumbled off.

‘Sorry I said “sex” in front of your dad,’ Carla whispered.

‘That’s okay. He’s heard the word before I’m sure,’ Tara chuckled.

‘Done it at least once,’ Carla whispered, giggling.

‘Ugh. The very thought.’ Tara picked up Carla’s bag. ‘Come on. Follow me.’