The Secrets of the Glen (Scottish Highlands #2)

Chapter 10

‘Joe told me about the accident.’

‘He did what? I told him not to tell you.’

Robyn had heard David make his brother promise not to tell before he left, relieved that she wouldn’t come face to face with that horrible man again.

And now here he was.

I still don’t have to meet him again , thought Robyn. She slowly, carefully, quietly relaxed her grip on the door handle. But what am I going to do, stuck in the bathroom? Well, it won’t be for long. David will get rid of him, thought Robyn. He didn’t want his father there either.

She heard someone else walk into the room. ‘Ah, you’re awake. How are we feeling?’

‘A bit groggy. Knee is sore, but the painkillers are working wonders.’

Robyn slowly nodded her head. David had finally been given the meds he’d wanted.

‘Good god, woman!’ Robyn heard his dad exclaim. ‘Can’t you see he can manage himself? He’s not a goddam invalid!’

‘Actually, I do need a hand. Thank you, nurse, you’ve been very helpful. Sitting up is a bit of a struggle. Ignore my dad, he’s just being he’s usual recalcitrant self.’

There was a gruff response, which Robyn couldn’t make out. Then she heard the door to the room closing.

Silence.

Robyn listened, wondering if they’d all left the room, and David was alone again. She was about to reach for the door handle once more when she heard David. ‘What the hell did you treat her like that for? She was only doing her job.’

There was the brief sound of a chair scraping along the floor, and then a few short footsteps. She guessed that his dad had got out of the chair and walked over to his bedside.

Then she heard David say, ‘Go on then, do it. I know you want to. What are you waiting for?’

Robyn stared at the door, frowning. She didn’t know what to make of that remark. She listened intently, wishing she knew what was happening on the other side of the door. She really ought to announce her presence; the longer it went on, the worse it was going to look. Robyn really wasn’t feeling very proud of herself, skulking behind doors, listening in on people’s private conversations. If she discovered this was the type of person she really was when her memory returned, then she wasn’t going to like herself very much at all.

Robyn looked down at the door handle and grasped it, taking a deep breath; whatever the outcome now, it could only get worse if she continued to skulk behind the door. What if one of them needed to use the bathroom? Robyn took a deep breath, intending to flush the loo before she opened the door. His dad hadn’t been there all that long. If she did it now, it wouldn’t look too odd when she emerged.

‘That’s right,’ she heard David’s voice again, ‘take a swing at me – why don’t you?’

Robyn took a sharp intake of breath. If she was hearing right, she expected that if she opened that door right then, she’d find David’s father standing over his bed, his hand raised, about to strike. For what reason, she had no clue. Is that the way he had treated his boys while they were growing up?

She was about to launch out of the door in a fury when another altogether more frightening thought stopped her in her tracks. If that was how Mr Gillespie senior behaved to his own son, in a hospital bed, what would he do to her? And David wouldn’t be able to protect her.

With that horrible thought, Robyn lost her nerve and started to back away from the door. What if he found out it was her fault David had been on the ice?

She looked about her for somewhere to hide. The shower had a blue shower curtain on a rail. All she had to do was step inside and pull the curtain. No one was going to come in for a shower.

She didn’t step into the shower cubicle. She wanted to hear what was going on. She sighed in relief when she heard footsteps, guessing it was David’s father retreating from the bed. ‘I guess your knee is really shot now,’ he said.

‘I told you it was, before this accident, and you wouldn’t believe me.’

‘I thought you were on the mend.’

‘Wait – you thought I’d be fit enough to return to professional hockey at some point down the road, didn’t you?’

David’s father didn’t respond to that. Instead, he said, ‘What in god’s name were you doing mucking about on the ice with those kids?’

‘I wasn’t mucking about, as you put it. I was coaching.’

‘Coaching?’ he scoffed. ‘Where did you get that stupid idea from?’

Robyn held her breath. Please don’t say it was me.

‘It’s not a stupid idea. It’s actually a great idea.’

Robyn smiled when she heard that. It wasn’t what she’d expected to hear.

‘But you busted your knee again.’

‘Yeah – and it wasn’t the first time, and no doubt it won’t be the last. Although next time I’ll have to pay for it.’

‘What are you talking about?’

‘I’ve just had knee surgery. I should have had it done in the first place, but …’

‘You wouldn’t have it done. I think just to spite me.’

David fell silent, until he said, ‘You wanted me to get back in the game. It was never about my health, and what I wanted. Always the game. Well, I’m glad I had the accident on the ice while I was coaching. And you know what? I’m going to do it again – not the accident, obviously, but coaching. I can help others make their dreams come true. I’m never going to play professionally again. Even if I’d had the knee surgery. I’ve come to accept that. Why can’t you?’

Robyn held her breath, wondering what his father was going to say to that.

She didn’t hear him say anything. All she heard was what sounded like a chair scraping across the floor.

Robyn put her head to the door and listened intently. What is he doing now? she wondered.

‘What are you doing?’ David asked.

‘I’m drawing up a chair to sit with you awhile.’

What – after you were about to go for him?

‘What – after you were about to start a fight again? Which would have been pretty one-sided, with me in this bed. Now you’re going to sit with me?’

Robyn nodded furiously, agreeing with David’s sentiments. She was just as confused.

‘You just drive me nuts, you know that?’ David said, sounding exasperated. ‘Always have.’

‘Yeah, I know, son. I’m sorry.’

‘You’re apologising now? Is this for just now, or … or for everything?’

There was a long silence. Robyn quietly put the lid down on the loo, and sat down, staring at the door, wondering what was going to happen next.

‘I’m like a walking reminder of her,’ she heard David comment. ‘Well, not a walking one, at the moment.’

She heard his father actually chuckle at that comment. But what Robyn wanted to know was what David was talking about.

‘Every damn day,’ said David’s father.

Robyn remembered that when she’d first met Joe, she had thought how remarkably different the brothers were in appearance. When she’d met their father at the Hogmanay party, she’d noticed he had the same broad, heavy build as Joe. But David took after his mother – he’d said so himself.

‘So, do you still want to punch my lights out?’

What are you doing? Robyn stood up anxiously. Don’t ask him that.

‘I never wanted to hurt you … but you’re doing it now.’

‘What are you talking about?’ David asked.

‘Looking at me just the way she used to.’

There was a long, drawn-out silence, during which Robyn wondered what was going on. She silently got up from the loo and put her ear right up against the door. She hoped to goodness neither of them needed the loo. Robyn looked at the knob on the door handle and wondered why she hadn’t thought about it before. Slowly, she turned the knob. It clicked, locking the door. She winced at the sound before putting her ear to the door once more.

Was someone crying?

She couldn’t hear great sobs; it was more subtle than that. But there was definitely someone crying on the other side of that door.

‘Dad, Dad. Don’t do that, please.’

Robyn stepped back from the door in surprise.

‘I can’t help it.’

‘Look, you wouldn’t want Joe to see you like that. I’m sure he’ll be here any minute. He said he was coming back this evening.’

‘Well, it would make a change, wouldn’t it?’ David’s father said in between snuffles, ‘to see me with a tear-streaked face for once.’

‘That’s all behind us now,’ David said reassuringly.

‘What about this?’

Robyn wondered what he was referring to.

‘It’s been fixed this time. You saw the X-ray. I may not be able to play professionally again – but having a knee replacement will make a vast improvement, and I will be in less pain. And it means I can get back on the ice and coach.’

‘Are you really ready for that – being involved in ice hockey when you can’t play professionally anymore?’

Robyn screwed up her face. Why wouldn’t he be? What a strange question.

There was a pause.

‘I think so. No, that’s not right. I know so.’

‘I just don’t understand,’ said David’s father. ‘All this time, you were adamant you didn’t want anything to do with it.’

‘Well, now I’ve seen the light.’

‘But you wouldn’t go through with the operation. It was as though you were punishing me, punishing yourself. So why now?’

‘I told you. I was doing some coaching, and I fell. It made sense, when I’d talked to the doctor, to go through with the op, especially if I want to get back out on the ice and coach kids.’

‘But what were you doing on the ice in the first place? I mean, I know for a fact you won’t go near a pair of skates.’

When David didn’t say anything, his father said, ‘You went skating last night at the loch – didn’t you? That’s why you wouldn’t tell me where you were going when you went out.’

‘You live at my house, not the other way round. I don’t have to tell you a thing.’

Good for you, thought Robyn, standing up to your old man .

‘It’s her, isn’t it?’

‘What do you mean?’

‘The girl you were with at Hogmanay.’

Robyn heard Mr Gillespie sigh heavily. ‘You think you’re in love with her.’

Robyn listened intently, hanging on their every word.

‘I know I am,’ David said forcefully.

Robyn gasped. She clamped a hand over her mouth.

‘But you don’t even know her.’

That was true. Robyn nodded her head in agreement.

‘What’s there to know? I love her, and that’s all that matters.’

‘Is it now?’ said Mr Gillespie, an edge to his voice.

‘What’s it to you, anyway?’

‘I don’t want to see you get hurt – again.’

‘Alright,’ David said slowly. ‘She’s not from around these parts.’

‘Tell me something I don’t know.’

‘Her mother is abroad, travelling.’

Robyn frowned. How does he know that? she wondered.

‘Yes – and?’ Mr Gillespie prompted.

‘Robyn is a student at St Andrews.’

‘What’s she studying?’

‘Something to do with art and design. She’s into interior design.’

‘So, she’s going back soon?’

Robyn caught the inflection in Mr Gillespie’s voice. She imagined he’d be very pleased to hear that, if that were the case.

‘No, I don’t think so. Gayle said she’s considering dropping out.’

So, David had asked Gayle a little about her. Robyn had been wondering how he knew all this. They didn’t exactly speak about their past.

‘Who is Gayle?’

‘Gayle is a friend of mine, lives at Lark Lodge.’

‘Ah Lark Lodge. I remember now, she’s Dr Belafonte’s youngest. How are the old couple doing these days? Are they still in the land of the living?’

‘For your information, Dr Belafonte died recently. His funeral is on Friday.’

Robyn frowned. She did not want David’s father at the funeral, and she was pretty sure Gayle wouldn’t want that mean old man there either. She guessed David wasn’t going to make it now. The doctor had said he’d be in for a few more days. The earliest he’d be discharged was over the weekend – if he was lucky.

David said, ‘It’s just her mother left now.’

‘How is the old fruitcake?’

‘I don’t want to dignify that question with an answer, but for your information, Doris has dementia, poor woman.’

‘So, Robyn is not going back to university?’ Mr Gillespie asked.

‘I hope not.’

‘That’s a shame.’

‘Look, I know you don’t like her, but you don’t even know her.’

‘I don’t trust her, David. I think she’s hiding something.’

‘Aren’t we all?’ David commented.

Behind the bathroom door, Robyn frowned at that comment. What did David mean? What was he hiding? And how come his father thought she was hiding something? She could feel the colour rising in her cheeks. They’d only met once, and he’d barely said a word to her.

‘I’m a good judge of character. You know that.’

There was another drawn-out silence. Then Mr Gillespie said, ‘What about her father?’

‘I don’t know. Do you expect me to know her life story?’ David said, exasperated. ‘God knows, she doesn’t know mine.’

‘How much have you told her?’

‘Nothing.’

‘Good. Keep it that way.’

Robyn bit her lower lip, wondering what he meant.

‘Why here?’ Mr Gillespie asked.

‘I’m sorry – now what are you talking about now?’ David sounded exasperated again.

‘Why is she here? It doesn’t sound as though she has family in the area, otherwise she wouldn’t be staying with Gayle at Lark Lodge.’

‘I hadn’t thought of that.’

‘She was on her way out of town, must have been travelling at a speed to lose control and drive into you. Where was she going on Christmas Day?’

‘I don’t know. We haven’t talked about the accident. Maybe she was just passing through on the way to family on Christmas Day.’

‘Maybe? So you don’t know what she was doing here, or where she was going?’

‘She didn’t say.’

‘Why not?’

‘I didn’t ask.’

‘Well, maybe you should.’

Robyn stood with her back to the door, listening to the conversation, listening to David talking about her, about what she barely knew herself, as though it was somebody else they were discussing.

She silently slid her back down the door until she was sitting on the floor. She drew her legs up to her chest, wrapped her arms around her legs, and rested her chin on her knees. Tears rolled down her cheeks.

David said, ‘She must have been spending some of the Christmas holiday in the area, and then she was on her way back to university.’

Robyn looked up. That was feasible.

‘On Christmas Day?’

‘Look, her mum’s abroad. Perhaps that’s all the family she’s got.’

‘So, if that’s the case, why hasn’t Robyn gone back to college by now?’

‘How the hell do I know? I’m just glad she hasn’t, and you know what? I don’t know why I’m even having this conversation with you. I don’t have to justify my choice of girlfriend. And why do you care?’

Robyn managed a smile. She hoped that marked the end of the conversation, and his father would just leave. The problem was that she would then have to walk out of the bathroom, and David would know she’d been there the whole time.

Was he leaving? She hoped so. Then she heard Mr Gillespie’s voice again. ‘What if she wakes up from this little holiday from her life and decides to go back, pick up where she left off?’ He paused. ‘Ah, I can tell by your expression that you haven’t considered that. Well, maybe it’s time you did.’

‘I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it. Who knows? Maybe I’ll follow her.’

‘What if she doesn’t want to be followed?’ He paused. ‘What is she running away from, I wonder?’

Robyn stared at the door.

‘What’s wrong with a local girl – someone like Annie?’

‘Look I’m really tired, so I think it’s time you—’

‘There’s Mandy – remember her? You used to be in the same class at school. I’m sure she’s still got a thing for you. I heard she and her husband split up. I see her checking you out whenever she comes into the store, always asking for you.’

‘Dad, please.’ David sounded mortified. ‘I’m not having this conversation with you.’ There was the sound of ruffling of covers. ‘I’m really tired. I’d like to get some sleep before Joe arrives, if you don’t mind.’

‘It’s not that late.’

‘Yeah, well I’ve just had an op. It really takes it out of you.’

David’s voice sounded muffled, as though he was speaking from under his covers. ‘I know what this is really about, Dad. Just because mum left you, you think all women are bad news.’

A chair scraped on the floor. Robyn imagined Mr Gillespie standing up in a hurry.

‘Don’t talk to me about mine – just take a look at what happened with your fiancée. She didn’t hang around, did she? As soon as you were out of professional hockey, and all the potential money that went with it, she was gone.’

‘Well, gee.’ David’s voice was clearer. ‘Thanks for reminding me. And what’s that got to do with anything?’

‘Maybe you need to be careful, in getting mixed up with Robyn, that it doesn’t happen again. You know, you could be setting yourself up for a big fall, son, and none of us want to see you hurt again, in any way.’

‘I want you to leave.’

‘Fine.’

Robyn listened to the sound of footsteps and the door opening. She breathed a sigh of relief. She was just thinking that at least now she only had to explain herself to David. Then she heard Mr Gillespie again. She guessed he was standing by the door because his voice sounded further away.

‘Just be careful, son. I’ve got a bad feeling about her.’

‘I’d like you to leave.’ David’s voice was sombre. ‘I’ll call for the nurse, if you don’t leave right now.’

‘You always were a sissy, hiding behind your mother’s skirts. I should have let her take you with her.’

‘But you didn’t, because it was the best way you could think of to hurt her – wasn’t it?’

‘Oh yes,’ he said bitterly. ‘And I hope she’s suffered. I hope that was compounded by seeing your name in lights, seeing your face on television playing ice hockey.’

‘My god!’ David’s voice sounded incredulous. ‘Is that why—?’

‘Do you really think I even liked ice hockey? When was the last time you saw me out on the ice?’

Never , thought Robyn thinking back to the conversation on with Annie.

‘You know, it surprises me that you never figured it out for yourself,’ he added.

‘You used me.’

‘Of course I did. It was just lucky that you were good at something that would garner such recognition. There was a while there that I was beginning to have my doubts.’

‘That’s why you pushed me.’

‘Uh-huh. Little league, junior league – all in the paper for the world and your mother to see. Then you were heading for the big time. Now that’s what I was waiting for – until you cocked it all up.’

‘The accident wasn’t my fault.’

‘But you know what really surprises me?’ David’s father mused, appearing to ignore what David had just said. ‘She must have known. It was in the newspapers. You could have died.’

Robyn hadn’t realised the accident that had ended David’s career had been that serious.

‘But you know what?’ Mr Gillespie continued.

David didn’t say a word.

Robyn guessed what he was going to say next. She really wished she hadn’t got herself into this predicament. She was already hearing too much for her own good. She thought about just covering up her ears with her hands, but she couldn’t help herself, and besides, she wouldn’t hear if anyone suddenly came in. But that was just an excuse. She really didn’t want to hear Mr Gillespie voice what she’d thought herself.

‘I thought she might come to see you. I was in that hospital with you day and night. I was expecting her. I was waiting for her ...’

David finally said something. ‘Yes, of course she wouldn’t come. She knew you’d be waiting for her. Do you think really she’d have risked it?’ he said scornfully.

‘For you, yes. I always expected her to come for you one day. Not Joe, though. You were always her favourite.’

‘That why you never let me out of your sight.’

‘She wasn’t going to have you,’ he said emphatically.

‘You’re a sick …’

Robyn put her hand over her mouth.

‘Twisted …’ David continued.

Robyn wondered what his father was going to do to him when he finished that sentence. Now she had to intervene. she put her hand on the door handle.

‘Fu—’

Before he could finish the sentence, someone else rushed into the room. There was a flurry of footsteps before someone said, ‘Excuse me, sir. We need you to step aside.’ A young woman said, ‘You pressed your emergency button!’

‘Oh, did I?’ David sounded genuinely surprised. Robyn guessed that perhaps if he was holding the buzzer, he had accidentally pressed the button in anger.

‘Sorry. This man was just leaving.’

‘Are you sure you don’t need anything while I’m here?’ the nurse’s voice appeared to come from the other side of the room, near the door.

‘No, thank you. Perhaps you could show him the way out.’

‘Er, right.’ The nurse sounded a bit confused. ‘This way.’

Robyn heard footsteps.

‘I’ll swing by tomorrow,’ David’s father said, his voice distant.

‘Why bother? She isn’t going to turn up this time.’

His father must have left the room, as he didn’t answer.

‘Nurse, I’m quite tired, so no more visitors this evening, please. Can you do me a huge favour and ring my next of kin – that’s my brother – let him know that I’m fine, but I need to rest. So perhaps he can visit tomorrow.’

‘I’ll see what I can do.’

‘Thank you.’

The door to the room closed.

The room was silent.

Robyn stood by the bathroom door, listening to David moving his covers around.

‘Son of a bitch,’ he said. Then all was quiet.