The Secrets of the Glen (Scottish Highlands #2)

Chapter 25

Ten minutes later, they arrived at Melissa’s favourite spot for a cup of coffee.

Robyn halted.

Melissa noticed. ‘Ah – you’re wondering why I’ve brought you to a bookshop.’

The sign read Open . The last time Robyn had been there, the bookshop had been closed. Gayle had taken her to Wilbur’s Bookstore, hoping it would jog her memory because she’d told Gayle that she had a sketch of the bookshop in the diary she’d found in her suitcase. The shop hadn’t brought back a single recollection about being there, and she still had no idea why she’d drawn the bookshop. There might have been no significance to the sketch at all; maybe she had just liked the appearance of the old shop.

In her sketch, there were two women sitting at the table in the window. Gayle had asked her if she thought perhaps it showed her and a friend, although nobody had visited her in hospital after her car accident on Christmas Day apart from David and Gayle.

Gayle had then suggested that perhaps it was just two strangers she’d seen sitting in the window.

Standing outside the bookshop, Robyn was still none the wiser as to why she’d sketched the bookshop and who the two people sitting in the window had been. Perhaps she’d find out now the shop was open.

‘Are you all right?’ Melissa had opened the bookshop door and had noticed that Robyn was hanging back, hesitant to step inside. ‘Would you rather go somewhere else?’

‘No, it’s fine.’ Robyn took a deep breath and followed Melissa inside the bookshop.

‘Why don’t you take a seat at the table, and I’ll go grab a couple of coffees?’

Robyn stepped up to the little table in the window and stared at it. She had a strong sensation that she’d been in the shop before and had sat at this table with someone. She lowered herself into a chair and sat staring at the empty seat opposite, thinking who was I with, and why didn’t they come and visit me in hospital? Her car accident had been in the local paper.

‘Wilbur not here today?’

Robyn turned in her seat at the sound of Melissa’s voice. She saw a young, good-looking man, around her age, stacking some books on to a bookshelf. Robyn couldn’t help but smile. Now she had an idea as to why it was Melissa’s favourite place for coffee.

Melissa came over with two cups of coffee. ‘I love the little old bookshop. It’s been here ever since I can remember.’

Robyn nodded knowingly, casting her gaze over at the young man. ‘Who’s the guy?’

‘That’s Wilbur’s grandson. He’s at university too. We’re not at the same one, though.’

Robyn caught her frown. She guessed that Melissa wished they were.

‘So, you only see him during the holidays?’

‘Yeah, when he’s working in here. He wasn’t around at Christmas – he was away with his family, including his grandparents. Someone else was minding the bookshop, apparently. They were meant to be here until New Year, but they disappeared on Christmas Day, and never came back.’

‘That’s not good. Who were they?’

Melissa shrugged. ‘I don’t know. I didn’t visit the shop over Christmas.’

‘But I thought this was one of your favourite places?’

‘Um, yes … well, it is.’

‘When Wilbur’s grandson is around.’

Melissa looked at her, wide-eyed, and cast a furtive glance over her shoulder.

Robyn lowered her voice. ‘Your secret is safe with me.’

‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’

‘I think you do.’ Robyn picked up her coffee. ‘When are you going to tell him?’

‘Tell who?’

‘Wilbur’s grandson …’

Melissa shook her head. ‘I still don’t know what you’re—’

‘That you’re in love with him.’

Melissa stared at her. She didn’t deny it.

‘How long has it been?’ Robyn asked.

Melissa furtively glanced over her shoulder once more, then put her coffee to one side, and leaned forward in her seat. She whispered, ‘Like, forever.’

‘Have you asked him out?’

She shook her head furiously. ‘No, of course not.’

‘Why? Does he have a girlfriend?’

‘Well, no. But look at me. Why would he go out with such a dork?’

‘A … dork?’ Robyn didn’t understand. She looked at Melissaa for a moment, at her green jumper and her dark hair tied up in a bun.

Melissa moved her large glasses up the bridge of her nose. ‘He’s just so cool. And I’m … well, I’m not.’

‘Who says?’

‘I do,’ Melissa said glumly, reaching for her coffee.

‘Oh, right.’ Robyn drank some coffee, and put her cup down. She studied Melissa intently.

‘What are you thinking?’ Melissa asked.

Robyn was thinking that Melissa was a very pretty girl, and that she shouldn’t put herself down just because she was bookish. What was wrong with that? But perhaps changing her clothes and her hairstyle would make her feel more confident to approach the young man in the bookshop. ‘What is his name?’

‘Brodie.’

‘Okay. I’ve got an idea. How about a makeover?’

‘Like those TV shows?’

Robyn wasn’t sure what she was referring to. ‘Uh, yeah – I guess.’ She looked at Melissa’s hair. ‘When was the last time you had a haircut?’

‘It’s hard, being a student …’ Melissa trailed off.

Not in the recent past, then , thought Robyn. ‘My best friend is a hairdresser …’

‘I can’t afford to go to a salon.’

‘You won’t have to. She doesn’t work at a salon. She’s a mobile hairdresser. She could come to you.’ Robyn had an idea. ‘Or, better still, come over to her house.’ Robyn had a lot of clothes she didn’t wear, and Melissa was her height and build. And there was a whole trunk full of clothes in the attic. There might be some clothes she could choose that would make a nice outfit.

Melissa shook her head. ‘I don’t think the fact that she’s a mobile hairdresser will make a difference. It’s still going to be costly.’

Robyn had no idea. She said, ‘It will be my treat.’

‘Really? But you barely know me. Why would you pay for me?’

‘Call it paying it forward.’

‘Huh? Oh, you mean like someone helped you out, so you’re going to help someone else out in return.’

‘Exactly.’

‘Then I’d like to pay it forward too. What can I do for you?’

‘I don’t think that’s the idea.’

‘Well, it is for me.’

‘All right,’ Robyn said slowly, wondering what she could ask of Melissa. Her attention was drawn to the railway station opposite. She mumbled, ‘I’ve always wanted to go on the steam train that leaves Platform 3.’ That’s what she’d told Gayle when they’d visited previously and the bookshop had been closed. As Gayle had pointed out, she’d actually had a memory – of sorts. How had she known there was a steam train that left from Platform 3?

‘That’s expensive, even without the afternoon tea,’ Melissa said apologetically. ‘I don’t think I could afford the ticket for you.’

‘Oh, I wasn’t expecting you to pay for a ticket for me to do that.’ Robyn shifted her gaze to Melissa. ‘I’ve got another idea.’ When she looked back at Melissa, she had taken her glasses off to reveal striking green eyes set in a delicate porcelain face.

Melissa caught her surprised expression. ‘Yes, these glasses really are dreadful, aren’t they?’ she said, using a cloth in her handbag to clean the lenses. ‘I’m as blind as a bat without them.’

Robyn looked at the glasses in her hands.

‘I know what you’re thinking. Why on earth don’t I get some contact lenses?’

Robyn sipped her coffee, staring at Melissa and guessing that it was because money was tight. She wouldn’t find contact lenses among her clothes, or the one in the trunk in the attic.

Melissa said, ‘Were you saying you had a better idea?’

‘Pardon?’

‘You know, because I can’t help you out with a ticket for the steam train.’

‘Oh yes – right.’ Robyn put her coffee cup down and moved it to her left. Putting both forearms on the table and leaning forward, Robyn asked Melissa if she would like to do some research for her.

‘You want me to do some research? What sort of research?’

For a split second, she imagined telling Melissa about her memory loss, and asking her to find out all she could about her life. But the wads of cash in her possession that may or may not have been stolen from David immediately came to mind and stopped her in her tracks.

‘What is it?’ Melissa asked.

The realisation that she should be cautious about how much she revealed didn’t stop her asking Melissa to find out what had happened to David after his arrest. She checked her watch. She didn’t have time to return to the library and start searching the web again.

Robyn looked at her. ‘I’m sort of involved with some guy. We haven’t long known each other, and I like him, I really do.’ That’s an understatement , she thought. ‘He’s keeping secrets from me, I know it.’ She winced, knowing she was doing the same.

‘That’s who you were looking for in the news articles?’

‘Yes. His name is David Gillespie.’ She paused, expecting Melissa to say she recognised the former ice hockey player’s name. But there was no sign that she was familiar with it.

‘He was an ice hockey player. Quite well known around here.’

Melissa apologised. ‘Sorry – never been into the game.’

Robyn went on to explain the circumstances surrounding his injury that ended his sports career – what she knew so far from the article. ‘The thing I want to find out is what happened after the confrontation in his father’s store, when he was taken to hospital.’

Melissa knitted her brows. ‘I don’t get it. Why don’t you just ask him, or his dad?’

‘Well, that’s the thing. They won’t talk about it.’ Something occurred to Robyn. She voiced her thoughts. ‘Now, if I bring up the fact that I know about the burglary, they’ll think I’ve been trying to find out things behind his back.’

‘Which you have.’

Robyn sighed. ‘Why won’t they just tell me?’

‘So, you want me to find out instead.’

Robyn nodded.

‘It seems to me that he’s got something to hide, otherwise he would have just told you. I think they’re all in on it. That’s why his dad won’t talk about it either.’

Robyn hadn’t thought of that. ‘You think there’s some sort of conspiracy?’ Even as she was saying this, she thought that it sounded ridiculous. Maybe it’s just the fact that it was a painful episode that they’d rather forget , she thought.

‘Could be,’ said Melissa, nodding her head. ‘So, what did that article say?’

Robyn went over the details.

‘So that’s what they told the police had happened in that shop. That doesn’t mean it’s true.’

‘Why would David lie?’

‘Good question.’

Robyn rubbed her forehead. This conversation was going to unexpected places. ‘I just wanted to know what had happened after the burglary, whether he’d been arrested.’

‘Oh, I’ll get to the bottom of it. When I’ve finished, you’ll know everything there is to know about David Gillespie. I’m really good at research.’

Robyn was relieved she hadn’t mentioned her own predicament. She would not want Melissa digging into her own past. Who knew where that would lead, or where she might end up – like being arrested as an accomplice for stealing a lot of money. Unfortunately, she couldn’t get the memory out of her mind of sitting in a car outside David’s house, waiting for someone. No matter what she told herself, or how she tried to explain it away, she knew she’d been there before.

‘Are you all right?’ Melissa asked, reaching across the table to rest a comforting hand on her arm.

Robyn suddenly had a flashback. She had been sitting right there, in the same seat, and a young lady – not Melissa, but another young woman – had asked her that same question.

Robyn snatched her arm away, looking at Melissa wide-eyed.

‘What is it? What’s wrong?’

‘I need to go.’ What she meant was, I need to get out of here . She had a strong sensation that when she’d been there before, that had been what she was thinking. But it had not been to do with leaving Wilbur’s bookshop. It had been about getting out of Aviemore.

Melissa stood up. ‘All right,’ she said slowly, peering at Robyn. ‘I’ve got to get back to the library.’

Robyn was relieved that Melissa didn’t question her further over her sudden strange behaviour.

They stepped outside the shop. Melissa closed the shop door and lingered for a moment, staring in through the shop window.

Robyn stared through the window too, although she wasn’t looking at the cute guy. She was looking at the table where they’d just been sitting. She had been there on Christmas Day – she was sure of it. But how could that be? The bookshop would have been closed. She turned to look at Melissa, thinking, I must have arranged to meet someone here – but who?

Melissa turned from the window and caught her staring. ‘Don’t worry. I’ll get to the bottom of what happened.’

For a split second, Robyn wondered what she was talking about. ‘Oh, you mean David?’

Melissa looked at her a moment. ‘Well, of course. What else would I be talking about?’

Robyn shrugged, avoiding eye contact.

‘And if there’s been a miscarriage of justice, I will find out.’

‘What do you mean – a miscarriage of justice ?’ All Robyn wanted Melissa to do was look for some more newspaper articles online, reporting what had happened – had David been arrested? That might explain why he didn’t want to talk about it. Perhaps he thought she’d look at him differently if she found out he’d shot a man. What if he’d had to spend some time in prison? She told Melissa her thoughts as they walked along the street together. Duncan’s shop and the library were in the same direction.

‘Yes, I get that, but here’s another scenario …’

Robyn pursed her lips, wondering if she was going to regret getting Melissa involved.

‘Whatever happened in that shop when David and his friends came across those burglars, the story they told the police—’

‘Story?’

‘Whatever went down in there that left one of the burglars dead, well, someone had to potentially take the fall for that, once it was reported to the police. What if …’

Robyn had an idea what she was going to say. ‘David was protecting someone?’

‘Yes, from going to prison if they were charged.’

Robyn stared at her. ‘Why would he do that?’

‘I’m not saying he did. I’m just looking at it from all angles. Until I know the facts …’

Robyn hoped David wasn’t protecting someone, because if Melissa found out …

‘Can you imagine if I solved a miscarriage of justice as a student?’

‘You mean if he didn’t shoot that burglar, and someone else did?’

‘Yes.’

Robyn didn’t like where this was going. That meant David would have lied – didn’t they call that perjury? He’d get into trouble.

‘But it still would have been self-defence.’

‘I know. But if David was charged with something he didn’t do, wouldn’t you want to clear his name? I mean, I would if it was Brodie. If that did happen – and I’m not saying it did – but just for a moment suppose something like that had happened, what sort of friend would have let David take the rap for it?’

Robyn eyed her. She had a point.

They’d reached the library. Up ahead was the grocery store. They stopped in front of the library. ‘How can I get in touch with you?’ Melissa asked.

Robyn wasn’t sure she wanted her to. A saying came to mind – let sleeping dogs lie . She really hoped she wasn’t going to stir things up. She reluctantly gave Melissa her mobile phone number. Then she had a thought. ‘Look, I’m setting up an interior design outlet in Mr Gillespie’s general store—’

Melissa raised her eyebrows. ‘Where the burglary took place?’

‘Yes. I’d rather you didn’t visit me in the shop and talk about … you know, the research.’

‘Oh, of course not. I’ll text if I find out anything.’

Robyn breathed a sigh of relief.

Melissa turned to go. ‘Oh, wait. What about that makeover?’

Robyn had forgotten all about that. Her idea had been that Melissa came over to Gayle’s house, where she could have her hair done, and together they could find an outfit or two that might make her feel more confident. She frowned at the thought that David would be there. Gayle could go to Melissa’s house but then there would be no opportunity to have a rummage through some clothes and choose an outfit too.

Robyn sighed. ‘Have you got a car?’

‘Yes. It’s old but it gets me back and forward to university.’

‘Okay. I’ll speak to my friend and arrange for you to come over.’

‘Will you be there?’

Robyn knew she couldn’t stay with Duncan indefinitely, although he would love her to stay. But David would be back at some point. And besides, she missed Gayle, and her mum, and Nick, not to mention sweet Olive.

‘When? I’ll be going back to university soon.’

If she was going to stay on with Duncan at his son’s house for a few more days, she’d need to pick up some clothes. Robyn had an idea. ‘Are you free this evening?’

Melissa nodded enthusiastically. ‘Oh, yes.’

‘What time do you finish work?’

Melissa told her.

‘If I come by the library after I finish in the shop today, we could go back to Gayle’s together.’ And on the way, Robyn would have to tell her that David was there, and not to get into a conversation with him about the burglary.

‘Great. I’ll see you after work!’

Robyn hoped Gayle wouldn’t mind cutting Melissa’s hair. She thought she’d better call Gayle. Robyn checked her phone. She still hadn’t got a text – nothing from David asking her what she was doing that evening or whether she was going back to Lark Lodge, or telling her he missed her. Robyn frowned as she texted Gayle. She was not looking forward to seeing David when she got back.