The Secrets of the Glen (Scottish Highlands #2)

Chapter 14

Robyn answered the phone, watching Rose pick up a tea tray with a pot of tea, two cups and saucers, milk, sugar and scones, and head out of the kitchen to the lounge.

‘Gayle?’ Robyn said into the phone.

‘Try again.’

‘David!’ Robyn exclaimed. She was so happy to hear his voice. ‘How did the physio go?’

‘They’re very pushy, but I get it. I’ve been down this road before.’

Robyn presumed he was referring to his last injury.

‘Now seriously,’ said Robyn, ‘how did it go?’

Rose began to speak in a loud voice from the kitchen so that Robyn couldn’t hear David’s answer. ‘Why don’t you ask him ...’ she began.

‘Gayle said you’re working today, so I won’t keep you,’ David continued. I’m just glad to know you are out and not moping about the house because of me.’

‘Because of you?’ Robyn shook her head. She walked over to the kitchen door and closed it. ‘You know it’s because of me that you were on the ice in the first place.’

‘Uh-huh. That’s right,’ David agreed.

‘But you were being a bit of a show-off,’ Robyn joked. David was a really good skater, and from what she’d seen when he’d skated with the puck, and hit it into the net, it was no surprise he had been almost at the top of his game, on the cusp of joining the ice hockey big leagues.

‘Steady!’ David groaned.

‘Sorry, David, I didn’t mean ...’ Had she gone too far?

‘Don’t be silly. I lost my balance, not my sense of humour. Besides,’ he added, ‘everything has worked out just fine. Great, actually. I’ve had the op, and my dad actually apologised. Not sure for what, exactly, but it’s a start. That was a bit surreal.’

The start of what? Robyn thought. She recalled that his father’s visit had ended in a row over David’s mum. It sounded as though she’d wanted to take David with her when she’d left.

Robyn pursed her lips. He hadn’t brought that up when the two of them had talked about his mum, so he obviously didn’t want her to know.

She promised to visit him again soon . ‘As long as it’s OK with Gayle – you see, I seem to have lost my ride,’ she said playfully.

‘Oh, don’t you worry about that. Gayle and I have it all worked out.’

Robyn put the receiver down, wondering exactly what David and Gayle had been saying. She assumed he was talking about Gayle giving her a lift into work while he was getting back on his feet.

‘Everything alright?’

Robyn turned around. George had popped his head around the kitchen door.

Robyn nodded.

‘Rose sent me to fetch you for a cuppa and a scone.’

The door suddenly flew open, and an exuberant Olive came lolloping into the kitchen.

‘Ah, there you are.’ Robyn hadn’t seen the dog since Gayle had brought her back. She guessed George was keeping the playful dog out of the lounge, leaving Robyn and Rose in peace to go over the colour schemes for the house. She knelt to give Olive a fuss. ‘Oh, you’re all wet.’

George stepped into the kitchen with a towel. ‘She’s been outside in the garden, frolicking in the snow. It’s not that deep, but she does love to roll around in it.’

Robyn could tell.

‘Here.’ George handed her the towel. ‘Would you give her a rub down for me? My old knees, and my back, don’t take kindly to getting down on the ground.’

‘Of course.’ Robyn took the towel and started to dry Olive’s wet fur.

Olive thought it was a game and grabbed a corner of the towel.

‘No, Robyn is not playing tug-o-war with you, Olive,’ said George, smiling affectionately at the dog.

Robyn laughed, and prised the towel out of Olive’s jaws, giving her a gentle tap on the nose. ‘No, Olive.’

Olive clamped her jaws shut, and then sneezed.

‘God, you’re so cute,’ said Robyn as she towelled Olive down. Olive rolled onto her back, big paws in the air, as Robyn dried her and gave her a belly rub.

Robyn sat back on her knees. ‘There – you’re all done.’

George was watching from the doorway.

Robyn looked up. ‘Do we leave her in the kitchen while we have tea?’

‘I think so. Otherwise she might get into mischief. I’m sure she’d thinking nothing of stealing a freshly baked scone or two in the lounge.’

Robyn thought so too. From her experience over the last few days, living with Olive at Lark Lodge, the dog did love her food. Like most dogs, she thought nothing of stealing food, even bacon and sausages, straight from your breakfast plate on the table, if you weren’t paying attention.

‘I have something for Olive that will keep her occupied.’ George walked over to a kitchen cupboard.

Olive suddenly got to her feet and hurried after George.

‘You know where the treat cupboard is, don’t you, girl?’ George patted her on the head, opened the cupboard, and turned around with a treat.

Olive settled herself in the middle of the kitchen floor, paws holding the bone-shaped dog treat as she chewed.

‘Right, let’s go and have that tea,’ said George.

In the lounge, Robyn wandered over to the bay window and looked outside. ‘They’re certainly getting a move on with the houses opposite.’ The last time Robyn had been there, the houses opposite had just been footings. Now, the property was up to the first floor and was starting to look like a house. ‘I bet you’re looking forward to having neighbours.’ Robyn knew it was lonely for them, being the first occupants on the development. The show home next door would probably be the last property to be sold.

‘I’ve met some of my new neighbours already.’

Robyn turned from the window, surprised. ‘You have?’ She caught George nodding his head.

‘Yes, when they came round to view the show home. I saw them with the estate agent, standing on the pavement outside, so I nipped out to introduce myself. They’re lovely people – aren’t they, George?’

George picked up a scone. ‘Oh, yes.’

‘They’re local,’ said Rose. ‘Just like us, they’re downsizing from large, old properties to something brand new where they don’t have to worry about whether their old boiler will pack up, or what the next maintenance issue will be.’

Rose poured three cups of tea. Robyn walked over and took a seat on the sofa next to Rose.

‘I told them all about you.’

‘Pardon?’ Robyn spluttered into her teacup.

‘Oh Robyn,’ she laughed, ‘don’t be alarmed. With all this wonderful work you’re doing, I couldn’t say a bad word against you. Unless there’s some big bad secret you’re keeping.’ She wiggled a questioning finger at Robyn.

‘Of course there isn’t.’ Even though she was aware by Rose’s expression that it was meant as a joke, she was suddenly feeling uncomfortable. Of course they didn’t know about her memory issues – perhaps it was that secret that was making her feel nervous. Or the fact that she had no formal qualifications in interior design. Rose knew that – but did her new neighbours?

‘I suspect you’ll be around for a long while yet.’

Robyn opened her mouth to ask what she meant by that, when Rose added, ‘You’ll pop in and see us, won’t you, dear? Better still, perhaps our new neighbours will invite us over for tea, and we can see what you’re doing.’

‘Huh?’ Robyn really had no clue what she was talking about.

Rose looked at her strangely. ‘You must promise that we can pop in and see you, and see how you’re doing at our neighbours’ houses.’

‘Oh, I see. The thing is, Rose, I’m not sure if they’ll want me to—’

‘My, my, we are slow on the uptake today,’ Rose interrupted. ‘That business with David has really got to you, hasn’t it, dear?’ She reached for the teapot. ‘Now, drink up. I’ve got plenty more tea.’

Robyn obliged.

‘Remember I said that I told my neighbours all about you …’

Robyn nodded.

‘It’s all arranged,’ added George.

‘What is?’

‘You’re being hired by Number 2 and Number 3,’ said Rose impatiently, pointing at the window. ‘I told them they could come here, while their properties are being built, to discuss with you what they’d like to be done in terms of wall and floor coverings, curtains – that sort of thing. I get the impression they’re keen to see how ours has turned out when you’ve finished work. That way, they’ll get to see your work first hand. I know they won’t be disappointed.’

Robyn gaped at her. She hoped not. ‘It sounds as though I might have two more commissions.’

‘You certainly have.’

‘I hope they like what I’m going to do here.’

‘Don’t you worry about that, Robyn. We’ve got faith in you – isn’t that right, George?’

George leaned forward in his chair and helped himself to another scone. He pointed it at Robyn before he took a bite. ‘Our place is going to knock spots off the show home next door when you’re finished, Robyn. They’ll wish they hired you for the interior design of the show home instead.’

‘Oh, I can’t imagine that,’ she replied modestly.

‘I can,’ Rose quipped. ‘Now, would you like another scone, Robyn, before there’s none left?’ Rose eyed her husband disapprovingly.

Robyn had just helped herself to a scone when she heard the sound of a car drawing up outside.

Rose glanced over at the window. ‘Oh. That’s Gayle come to pick you up.’

‘So soon?’ Robyn asked. She looked at her watch, wondering where the afternoon had gone.

‘I hope she’s got time for tea and a scone before she leaves, unless you are going straight to the hospital to visit David.’

‘I was hoping to, yes.’

‘Well, in that case, I’ll wrap up some scones that you can take for David, and some for Gayle to take home too. I hear you’re not the only new arrival at Lark Lodge. Nick tells me he’s moved in there with Olive.’

‘Yes, that’s right. It was my idea. I kind of sprung it on Gayle when I found out he’d been kicked out of his bed-and-breakfast. The said they were pet-friendly, but apparently not Olive-friendly.’

George laughed. ‘Yes, that doesn’t surprise me. She can be a bit of a handful, seeing as she’s so big but still a puppy.’

As if on cue, there was a woof, then a whine, and finally a howl from the kitchen.

George cast his gaze at the door, and sighed. ‘I think someone has just finished her dog treat and has finally realised she’s been shut in the kitchen. I’d better go and fetch her.’

‘Will you fetch me a Tupperware pot from the kitchen, George? I’m going to send these scones back with Robyn.’

George frowned.

Rose sighed. ‘Don’t worry, there’s another batch cooking in the oven.’

George grinned. He left the room to fetch Olive.

Rose looked at Robyn. ‘Now, where were we?’

‘I’m not going to ask Gayle to take me to the hospital. I’ll phone David this evening instead.’ Robyn held up her new mobile phone.

‘It won’t be the same,’ said Rose.

‘I know. I do want to see him, but I’m not going to ask Gayle to take me back to the hospital. Then she’ll have to hang around, or come to collect me later. And that isn’t fair. She’s got a lot on, what with the funeral tomorrow.’

Rose slowly nodded. ‘Oh, yes. That’s right. We’ll be there. I expect half the town will be too.’

‘And her relatives,’ Robyn added. She frowned.

Rose noticed. ‘Don’t you want to meet them?’

‘Yes, of course. She’s got three older siblings, and I’d love to meet them. I’m just worried they might not like me, or Nick and Olive, staying at Lark Lodge.’

‘I don’t see what the problem is. In fact, Lark Lodge would make a lovely little guesthouse.’

Robyn managed a smile. ‘Those are my sentiments exactly.’ Robyn lowered her voice. ‘Can I tell you a secret?’

Rose’s eyes went wide. ‘Oooh, yes – please do.’

The doorbell rang.

‘I’ll get it!’ George called out.

Rose looked expectantly at Robyn. ‘The secret?’

Robyn moved along the sofa, closer to Rose. ‘I think Lark Lodge would make a wonderful guesthouse. I’m going to redecorate the place, restore it, get it ready for more guests. I haven’t told Gayle yet. I want to surprise her when I’ve finalised my plans.’

Rose clapped her hands. ‘How wonderful.’

‘The problem is that Lark Lodge is Gayle’s family home, but it doesn’t belong to Gayle.’ Robyn told Rose what she’d found in the basement – the boxes full of items that the three older siblings had already chosen to keep for themselves before their mother passed on.

‘Well, that’s just awful.’

‘I know. That’s what I thought. They’d obviously taken things from around the house that they wanted, and of course their mum has dementia, so she wouldn’t even notice.’

She looked around at the door to the lounge. It was still closed. They could hear George talking to Gayle as she stepped in the house.

Robyn whispered, ‘I think her siblings might have something to say about me and Nick staying at their mum’s house. And, of course, my idea of Gayle running a guesthouse. I think it’s a wonderful idea on paper. She needs the money. She can’t return to nursing and look after her mum, so all she has coming in at the moment is the money from her mobile hairdressing, and her mum’s pension, I guess. Nick is paying money. He told Gayle that he’ll stay there as her lodger – that way I believe she can earn at least some money tax-free. Gayle won’t take any money from me, so that’s why I want to redecorate for her instead.’

Rose nodded.

Robyn didn’t know why she was telling her all this. But she continued, keeping an ear out for Gayle. ‘The thing is, it’s not her house, so realistically, turning it into a bona fide guesthouse …’ Robyn trailed off. She didn’t have to state the obvious, but she said it anyway. ‘The house would eventually be split between all four siblings.’

‘Is that a fact?’ said Rose.

‘Oh, yes. I expect so. At least, that’s what Gayle has said.’

Rose turned to Robyn. ‘Now I’ve got a secret to share. Actually, it’s not mine, it’s Dr Belafonte’s secret – Gayle’s dad.’

Robyn knitted her eyebrows. ‘What do you mean?’

‘Well, this was something Dr Belafonte just happened to mention to George during an appointment not long before he finally retired.’

Robyn thought that by the sound of it, he had worked well past his retirement age, but as soon as he’d stopped, he’d unfortunately suffered ill health, and had never recovered.

‘Go on,’ Robyn prompted.

They both looked towards the lounge door before Rose continued. ‘I don’t know why, but during his last GP appointment with Dr Belafonte, George happened to mention that we were struggling with whether to make amendments to our wills. You see, the children and grandchildren have nothing to do with us. We understand they lead busy lives, but … well sometimes we just feel like cash cows, and that they’re waiting in the wings to cash in when we go.’

Robyn pursed her lips. ‘Oh, I’m sure that’s not—’

Rose held up her hand, stopping Robyn in her tracks. ‘It’s how we feel. And I can’t escape the fact that although they send us expensive gifts at Christmas – the phone is a case in point – it feels like they are just going through the motions. It would be nice if they visited once in a while. But no. So, I broached it with George whether we should leave our money to a worthy cause. My children and grandchildren are comfortable, settled in their lives.’

Robyn didn’t quite see what this had to do with Gayle’s father.

‘So, to get to my point,’ continued Rose. ‘George happened to mention what he was thinking to Dr Belafonte. He has grown-up children, and grandchildren too. George wanted to know what, if the good doctor were to find himself in our shoes, he might do.’

‘What did he say?’

‘That he had a similar dilemma. His older children, who had been born in Trinidad and who had come over to live in England with him and his wife, were all financially secure. The twin brothers had done very well for themselves in their chosen professions – I think one of them is a lawyer, and the other followed his father into the medical profession. I believe he qualified as a surgeon.’

Robyn nodded. ‘Gayle told me that Xavier is a surgeon, and Jerome became a lawyer. Her older sister, Dinah, has her own estate agency selling upmarket property.’

‘Well, anyway, to cut a long story short, like George, Dr Belafonte was struggling with what to do about his will. He happened to be contemplating changing it at that time. I believe that, like us, he and Doris had originally had wills that stipulated the house was left to the surviving spouse, and thereafter on both their deaths, the estate was to be shared equally between Gayle and her siblings. However, back when Doris was first diagnosed with dementia but still had mental capacity, she had decided to sign her share of the property over to her husband to keep things simple once she was unable to manage her own affairs.’

‘And did he change it?’

‘I don’t know.’

‘So, what was he thinking of changing, do you think?’

‘George told me that Dr Belafonte was worried about his youngest. He regretted not pushing her like the others. By the time she had come along, they had been settled in their house, he had a job he adored, and life had fallen into place. But she hadn’t married well, like the others, and with no children, or responsibilities, he could envisage she would be left taking on the caring responsibilities for them when they got older.’

‘Well, he was right,’ commented Robyn.

‘Yes, he was. From what George has said, he got the gist that Dr Belafonte was considering changing his will in her favour.’

‘What does that mean?’

Rose raised her eyebrows. ‘I would imagine it means he might have left Gayle the house, with a caveat regarding his wife still living in the house until she passed on.’

‘Oh my god – really?’

Rose nodded solemnly.

‘And Gayle doesn’t know? Her siblings don’t know?’

Rose nodded again. ‘I don’t know whether Dr Belafonte went ahead and changed his will. But you must keep this a secret. The truth will out soon enough when they read the will. But until then …’

‘My lips are sealed,’ Robyn said. ‘Oh my god. I’d be so happy for her if—’

‘You’d be so happy for who?’ Gayle asked. She’d just opened the lounge door and caught the last thing Robyn had said. Fortunately, Olive came bounding in at that moment, creating havoc.

Robyn stood. She looked at Olive, who was running circles around the coffee table. She tried to grab her.

So did Gayle.

George said, ‘I think she needs a walk.’

‘It’s all right, George.’ Gayle grabbed Olive by the collar. ‘I’ll take her out when we get home.’ She clipped the lead to the dog’s collar. ‘Good girl. Come on.’

As Robyn followed Gayle and Olive out of the lounge door, Rose said, ‘Ah, Robyn. Just one more thing. Shall I arrange for you to meet your new clients? This is turning out to be such fun – I am so pleased we moved here after all. I can bake some more scones, and we can have tea and scones, and we can all get to know one another.’

Get to know on another? Robyn wanted the work, but she wasn’t looking forward to meeting her new clients. What if they asked her searching questions? What if they found out she’d dropped out of university? Robyn plastered a smile on her face as she waved goodbye to Rose and George.

‘I overhead Rose. What’s this about new clients?’ Gayle asked as they walked out of the house.

Robyn explained about Rose’s new neighbours, who would be moving in once their properties completed. ‘They’re interested in my interior design services.’

‘Well that’s great news – isn’t it?’

Robyn offered up a tentative smile, trying to be positive and not to think about what she imagined would be a job interview over tea and scones.

‘You know, you’re going to have to start thinking of a name for your interior design business. And have you thought that you might need premises?’

‘Premises – what do you mean?’

‘A shop. It’s taken you time to source materials, and you’ve had to take a lot of materials, swatches, that sort of thing over to Rose’s house. Well, what if your clients could come to you? If you had a place, a shop where people could come in, browse materials, fabrics, catalogues. You could still visit clients in their homes, measure up, fit their curtains and blinds, redecorate. But wouldn’t it be handy if you had a shop to run your business from?’

Robyn brightened. ‘Yes, that makes perfect sense.’ Her face dropped.

‘Ah, you’re wondering where you’d get the money. You could set some of your earnings aside to invest back into the business. I know it will take time …’

Robyn knew it didn’t have to; the wads of cash in the bottom of her bag back at Lark Lodge and the money in her savings account came to mind.

‘But where would I find a suitable shop?’

Gayle opened the car door, and Olive jumped on to the back seat. As they settled in the front, and Gayle started the car, she said, ‘I’m sure something will come up. I believe things happen for a reason. And sometimes life can surprise us – in a good way.’

Robyn smiled at her best friend. It sounded like another line from one of those self-help books Gayle loved to read. She happened to glance at Rose’s house and saw Rose and George standing at their front door, waving. She waved back, thinking of what Rose had said about Gayle’s father considering changing his will in Gayle’s favour. Robyn had a feeling he had gone ahead and done just that. She looked at Gayle as they set off.

‘What?’

‘I was just wondering when will you find out about your father’s will? Sorry, I know it’s an odd question.’

‘No, not at all. After the funeral tomorrow, and the wake, the local solicitor is going to stay on at the house where me, mum and my siblings will gather for the reading of the will.’

Robyn suppressed a smile, thinking of what Gayle had said: things happen for a reason . Gayle was there, looking after her mum, just as her father had predicted. And along the way, Lark Lodge was now home to three more occupants – herself, Nick, and Olive. Lark Lodge, the guesthouse, was only an idea just then. It would never happen – but for one thing – what was in that will.

Gayle said, ‘But I already know what’s in it – we all do.’

Robyn hoped that the next evening, life was going to surprise Gayle in a positive way.