The Secrets of the Glen (Scottish Highlands #2)

Chapter 13

‘Gayle, I don’t know if I feel like going to work today.’

‘Well, it’s a bit late for that now. We’re nearly there.’

Robyn looked out of the car window. She could see the flags up ahead marking the entrance to the new estate. She did feel much better after she’d showered and changed out of the clothes she’d slept in. Gayle had insisted on cooking her a full breakfast.

Gayle glanced her way. ‘I think you’re doing the right thing coming here today. It would take your mind off … things.’

Robyn knew what she meant by things – David’s accident.

‘After all, what are you going to do with yourself, hanging around Lark Lodge all day?’

If only you knew . Robyn smiled to herself.

‘What are you smiling about, missy?’

‘Oh nothing.’ Robyn said innocently, avoiding her gaze. She was so looking forward to starting work on Lark Lodge, restoring the place to its former glory – Gayle just didn’t know it yet.

‘Besides, you won’t be working at Rose and George’s tomorrow.’

‘Yes, I know,’ Robyn said in a small voice. The next day was Friday, the day of the funeral.

They both fell into a sombre silence.

Gayle pulled the car up in front of Rose and George’s house.

‘Will you phone me straight away if you hear from David?’ Robyn asked again for the hundredth time.

‘You really ought to have a mobile phone, Robyn.’

‘I know.’

‘We’ll go shopping at the weekend, and you can buy one.’

Robyn could foresee a problem. She knew she had a savings account – which she couldn’t access just yet because she had no ID. But what about a bank account? Wouldn’t she have to set up some sort of monthly direct debit to pay for her new phone?

As if reading her mind, Gayle said, ‘Why don’t you start with a pay-as-you-go phone? That way you don’t have to tie yourself into a contract.’

‘I hadn’t thought of that.’

‘If your handbag and phone come to light – I assume you had a mobile phone, everyone does – then at least you haven’t signed up for anything.’

Gayle looked at the houses opposite Rose and George. ‘Well, this estate is coming on in leaps and bounds. Nick said it was. I’ll be sad to see him, and Olive, go when the estate is finished.’

Robyn followed her gaze. ‘It’s going to be quite a large development. I think Nick will be staying at Lark Lodge a while yet.’

‘I hope so.’

Robyn smiled some more. ‘Nick and Olive have settled in nicely over the last few days, haven’t they?’

‘I’ll say.’

A loud bark came from the back of the car. They both turned around and laughed as they reached over and patted Olive on the head.

‘Good girl!’ said Gayle, in a soppy voice. ‘You’re such a good girl.’

Robyn rubbed her ear, thinking that perhaps they shouldn’t encourage her to bark in the car. Olive had been dozing on the back seat the whole way there, enjoying the car ride. She always fell asleep in the car. But she must have heard her name – either that, or the engine being switched off had jolted her awake.

Gayle had told Nick the plan, that she’d take Robyn to work later that morning, so there was no need for him to drop Olive off at Rose and George’s for doggy day care; they’d do that too.

Nick normally took Olive to work with him, and dropped her off at Rose and George’s – Robyn had broached the idea with them, and unsurprisingly, like everyone else, as soon as they met Olive, they’d fallen in love. But Olive wouldn’t be going to work with Nick every day, enjoying doggy dare care at Rose and George’s house.

Nick and Olive had only moved into Lark Lodge a little under a week earlier, on New Year’s Eve, but in that short space of time, Gayle had grown quite attached to the Old English Sheepdog puppy. When she didn’t have any mobile hairdressing clients to visit, and she was home most of the day, Olive stayed home with her. But that morning, Gayle had a client in town. Her neighbour had already popped round to keep an eye on her mum before they left. But asking her to look after a boisterous young dog too wasn’t fair. Besides, her old neighbour had a little dog of her own, and it wouldn’t be fair on her dog either. Robyn could just imagine Olive thinking she had a playmate, and wanting to play with the elderly dog.

Fortunately, Rose and George had no pets of their own. She expected they spoiled her rotten. They had a lovely garden where Olive could frolic in the snow. Robyn could just imagine that come spring, Olive would enjoy lying in the sunshine in their garden. Nick had told her that he’d be working as a site manager on the estate for a good few months more, up to the summer and most likely beyond.

Like Gayle, Robyn would be sad to see him and Olive go. But she didn’t want to think about people leaving; least of all herself.

She knew that the spring term would be starting at St Andrews University soon. She imagined her room was still waiting for her after the Christmas break. Robyn knew she would have to do something about that – contact the university and see if she could defer. Not that she intended to return, but at the back of her mind was what her mum might think when she found out she’d dropped out. She’d have to let her know.

‘Robyn – are you okay?’

She’d been lost in her own thoughts. ‘Yeah.’ She told Gayle what was on her mind.

‘Ah, yes. I forgot about that,’ said Gayle.

Robyn explained that it felt as though that part of her life, being a student, wasn’t actually her life. Gayle touched her arm. ‘It’s because you can’t remember. You know, perhaps you should go back, just make the trip, go to your room, speak to your roommate, if you have one, or a lecturer on your course before you defer. Someone is bound to know you, tell you about yourself. And if you don’t meet anyone you know, then at least being in familiar surroundings might help you remember.’

But that was the point – she didn’t want to remember. Not now. Not ever. She liked things the way they were now, with her new friends.

Robyn looked at Gayle. ‘Is that what you think I should do?’

‘Yes, I think so. Going back to your old life is probably the most likely way you’ll remember.’

Robyn eyed her. She knew what she was saying made sense, but she was telling her what she didn’t want to hear.

‘But that doesn’t mean it’s something I want you to do. I don’t want you to leave, Robyn.’

‘Well, neither do I. And I don’t want my memories back, either.’

Gayle breathed a heavy sigh.

‘What?’

‘Sweetheart, you might not have a choice. If you think hiding out here will protect you from whatever it is you were running away from, at some point your past is going to catch up with you. It always does.’

Robyn stared at her. She did not want to hear that.

‘But right now you’re here, and that’s all that matters – to me, at any rate. Sorry, that’s very selfish of me.’

Robyn grinned. ‘Not at all. I feel the same way.’ She opened the car door, then turned to Gayle once more. ‘You’ll let me know if David gets in touch?’

‘I’ll do one better,’ said Gayle. ‘I’ll give him Rose’s phone number. Then he can speak to you himself.’

‘Oh Gayle. You’re so thoughtful.’ Robyn leaned over and gave Gayle a hug.

Robyn got out of the car reluctantly, even though she knew that Gayle was right: she should be there today, because she wouldn’t be there to work the next day or over the weekend. As the front door opened, she turned and gave Gayle a wave goodbye.

‘Ah, Robyn. I wasn’t sure whether you’d come today.’

Robyn fixed a smile on her face and told a fib. ‘Of course I was going to come.’

‘I’m so sorry to hear that David is in hospital again. How is he?’ Rose asked as she closed the front door behind Robyn.

‘He had knee replacement surgery last night. He was having physio this morning. Apparently, they are keen to get knee op patients up and about as soon as possible.’

‘Already?

‘Yes.’

Rose nodded. ‘Good,’ she said. ‘So, what happens next?’

‘Huh?’

‘I chose the fabric, and you’ve ordered my made-to-measure curtains, cushions, and blinds. Now, how do we proceed from here?’

Robyn looked around her lounge. ‘Today, we choose colour schemes and wallpaper.’

‘Wallpaper?’ said George, walking into the lounge to join his wife.

Rose said, ‘Remember, George? We discussed this and agreed with Robyn’s suggestion that wallpapering one wall in each room would add some depth, and colour, to the rooms. I still love the idea. Don’t you?’

‘Of course, of course,’ he mumbled, looking around the room.

Rose noticed. So did Robyn.

Rose asked, ‘What’s the matter? Have you lost something?’

George looked across the room at Robyn. ‘Where’s Olive?’

Robyn looked at George, and Rose. ‘Oh, god! Gayle has driven off with Olive in the back! Can I use your phone to call her mobile phone please?’

‘But she will be driving,’ said Rose.

‘Yes, but perhaps she will pull over and answer it.’ Robyn imagined Gayle would pull over all right if Olive barked at the sound of her mobile.

Rose didn’t point in the direction of the house phone in the hall. Instead she opened a drawer in the sideboard in the lounge, reached inside and handed Robyn her mobile phone. She said, ‘You know it’s very unusual for a person of your generation not to have one.’

‘I lost mine.’ Robyn took the phone and rang Gayle’s number. Gayle didn’t pull over and answer it. Rose was right: she was driving.

Robyn was just leaving a message when she heard a car pulling up outside.

Rose walked over to the window and moved the net curtains to one side. ‘It’s Gayle.’

‘Did she bring Olive?’ George asked keenly, joining his wife at the window.

Robyn heard Olive barking. ‘Oh, yes.’ She went to answer the door and grinned at Gayle, who was heading down the front path with Olive pulling on her lead. Robyn said, ‘I rang your mobile.’

‘I know. I was driving, and I couldn’t pull over. Guess who I forgot was in the back?’

‘Well, you weren’t the only one who forgot about her! She must have fallen asleep again in the back while we were chatting.’

‘Well, here you are.’ Gayle handed Robyn Olive’s lead, but the lead slipped through her fingers as Olive barged past, into the house, straight into George’s arms. He’d been crouching in the hallway, waiting for her.

Gayle heaved a sigh. ‘Right, well, I’ll be off again.’

‘You will let me know if you hear from David?’

‘Like I said, I’ll pass him Rose’s home phone number.’

Robyn looked at the mobile in her hand. ‘Actually, perhaps you wouldn’t mind passing him this number? I’m sure Rose won’t mind if I keep this close to hand while I’m here this afternoon.’

When Robyn closed the front door on Gayle, she turned around to find Rose standing there.

Robyn still had her mobile. ‘Oh, yes. Of course. Here.’ She attempted to hand it over, explaining that she hoped to hear from David, and she’d asked Gayle to let him have this mobile number. Robyn winced, thinking that Rose and George have been so understanding, but perhaps this was a step too far. ‘You’re right, Rose. I should get my own mobile phone.’ She looked at her sheepishly as she held out the mobile. ‘Sorry.’

Rose didn’t make a move to take the phone. Instead, she said, ‘Keep it.’

‘I’m sorry – what?’

Rose shrugged. ‘I don’t know why I need it anyway. My daughter gave it to me for Christmas, oh, years back, but it’s not like my family get in touch. No one texts. Besides, I’ve got a phone.’ She pointed at the house phone in the hall. ‘They know my phone number.’

Robyn looked at the phone.

‘So, I want you to have it. It’s a pay-as-you-go. You can text or phone to top it up. I’m sure a top-up card came with it too. You can just top it up in a shop.’

‘Oh, Rose that’s really kind of you, but let me give you some money for it.’

‘Don’t talk nonsense. It’s old, probably pack up soon.’

Robyn looked at the phone. It did not look old. It looked brand new.

Two hours later, after Rose had decided on some wallpaper and paint samples she’d like Robyn to send off for, the mobile phone rang. Robyn immediately got it out of her pocket to take it to Rose.

Rose was in the kitchen, making a pot of tea. There were homemade scones and jam on the kitchen counter. Rose turned around at the sound of the phone, looking as surprised as Robyn. She shook her head. ‘Nobody rings me on that thing. It must be for you.’

Robyn looked at the phone.

‘Aren’t you going to answer that?’ Rose said.