The Secrets of the Glen (Scottish Highlands #2)

Chapter 19

‘Gayle, I’d like you to meet Marty.’

Gayle was back from shopping. She’d parked the car a little way down the street from Mr Gillespie’s store. She was standing at the back of her car with the boot open.

‘Here, let me help you.’ Marty picked up a carrier bag and put it into the boot.

‘Wow, what a car!’ Marty exclaimed, admiring the old Bentley.

‘It was Gayle’s father’s car.’

‘It’s a beauty.’

‘Do you like old cars?’ Robyn asked.

‘Yeah, grew up with my dad tinkering with vintage cars. It’s his hobby. Now he’s retired, he can restore them to his heart’s content. So, if you ever need a spare part, or if something goes wrong …’

‘Thank you, Marty.’ Gayle shut the boot. ‘I haven’t had any problems yet – fingers crossed.’ She loaded the last bag of shopping into the car and shut the boot. Gayle turned around and eyed them both. ‘So, is this the young man you were talking about who you’re going to be working with in the shop?’

‘Oh, no. That’s Alec. Marty is a gardener.’

Gayle looked from Robyn to Marty, clearly perplexed. ‘Okay. Do you mind me asking why you’ve introduced me to your, er, new friend?’

Robyn decided not to tell her the embarrassing story of how she’d met Marty.

‘Marty is going to come along and take a look at your garden.’

Gayle was just opening the car door. ‘Pardon me?’

Marty said, ‘As it’s winter, there’s only so much I can do. But I can start clearing the garden in preparation for planting in the spring, and we can talk about landscaping.’

‘Landscaping? I thought you said gardening?’

‘I landscape too. I’m at college part-time, studying horticulture and landscaping.’

Robyn turned to him and grinned. ‘Fantastic. I bet Gayle’s garden is going to look amazing when it’s finished.’

Gayle frowned. ‘Robyn, get in the car.’

‘Why? I don’t want to leave just yet.’

Gayle glanced at Marty. ‘I need a private word, please.’

Robyn turned to Marty. ‘Will you just wait a moment?’

He shrugged. ‘Sure.’

Robyn got in the car next to Gayle, leaving Marty on the pavement, admiring the Bentley.

They both slammed their doors shut.

Gayle turned to Robyn. She said in a hushed voice, ‘What are you doing? I can’t afford a gardener, and certainly not a load of new plants and landscaping.’

‘Yes, I know. But I can. Here’s the deal. As you won’t take any rent from me for staying in your house, I’ve decided to spend that rent money on a gardener – Marty.’ Robyn folded her arms. ‘And I won’t take no for an answer.’ Robyn sighed. Gayle could easily say no, whatever Robyn said.

‘Look, Gayle, if you’re going to turn Lark Lodge into a bona fide guesthouse, like we talked about, you need a good first impression when people turn up to the house. The front garden’s a mess.’

‘Don’t sugar-coat it, will you?’ Gayle said sarcastically.

Robyn didn’t add that the back garden was a mess too, and that she’d like to hire Marty to work on that next.

Marty tapped on the front passenger window.

Robyn wound her window down.

‘Look, I can provide references,’ Marty said to Gayle.

Robyn glanced at Gayle.

‘Well, don’t look at me,’ she said. ‘I’m not hiring you.’

Robyn threw her arms around Gayle and gave her a hug. ‘Thank you.’

Marty grinned too. ‘Great.’ He shifted his attention to Robyn. ‘I’m sure I can contact the Rosses and get that reference.’

‘You work for them?’ Gayle said, surprised. ‘Lark Lodge backs on to their place – The Lake House. In fact, the whole street does. Not that we can see much of it from ours, as they have a walled garden, and extensive grounds. Their garden must keep you busy, Marty.’

‘Yes, that’s true, it’s a lot of land – so your garden is going to take no time at all.’

Robyn pursed her lips. He hadn’t seen the state of it. She could just imagine that wealthy family’s manicured lawns and perfectly neat borders.

‘My garden,’ repeated Gayle.

Robyn glanced at Gayle and smiled. She looked at Marty. ‘So, when you can pop round to look at the garden?’

‘Whenever suits you.’

Robyn grinned. ‘I’ll be in touch.’ She got out her mobile phone. ‘Can I have your number?’