The Secrets of the Glen (Scottish Highlands #2)

Chapter 41

Chapter 40

Robyn twiddled the pen in her hand, trying to concentrate on the form she was filling in for a customer’s curtain order. She was standing at the counter, a large book of swatches open in front of her along with the measurements she’d taken at her customer’s house. The paperwork normally didn’t take her so long, but she was finding that she just couldn’t concentrate.

Robyn sighed. ‘It’s no use,’ she said to herself, lifting the cover of the swatch book and slamming it closed.

She heard the familiar jangle of the shop bell. She saw Annie walking towards her and smiled as she approached. ‘Thanks for minding my shop yesterday, Annie, while I had the day off.’ Robyn had finished the last of the painting in the hall. Apart from some fabric that was on order to re-cover the sofas in the lounge, and some new curtains and blinds, Lark Lodge was almost ready to open as a guesthouse.

‘Not at all, Robyn.’

Robyn glanced at the clock on the wall. ‘You’re early.’

Annie nodded. ‘I didn’t stop to chat to any of the parents this morning after I dropped Evie off at school.’

Duncan walked by, carrying a box of produce to put in the shop window. ‘Good morning, Annie.’

‘Hi Duncan. How’s things?’

Robyn caught Annie’s eyes roving up to the ceiling and guessed she was thinking about Duncan’s move upstairs.

Duncan replied, ‘I’m fine. I wish everyone would stop asking me that question!’

Annie turned to Robyn, wide-eyed, and whispered, ‘Someone got out of the wrong side of the bed this morning.’

Robyn sighed. ‘He’s like that every morning since he moved upstairs.’

Annie didn’t look surprised.

Robyn wasn’t either.

‘What about if he had some company up there?’

‘What do you mean … like a pet?’

They both turned to look at Olive, who was fast asleep on the large cushion that Evie liked to sit on and read. After collecting Evie from school, Annie normally brought her back to the shop for a bit before they went home.

For a while, Olive had been going to work with Nick, who would drop her off at Rose and George’s house, but now they’d made new friends who’d moved into their development, they were often out and about with them. The last Robyn had heard, they led quite the social life and were hardly ever home. Robyn found it quite amusing, considering she’d done up their home just the way Rose liked it, for her to enjoy – and now they were hardly ever there.

Doggy daycare for Olive switched between the shop and Lark Lodge – the latter when Gayle wasn’t out doing her mobile hairdressing; she rarely visited clients at their homes anymore.

Robyn rubbed her temples and put her pen down, casting the paperwork to one side.

‘Anything I can help with?’ asked Annie, taking her coat off.

‘Perhaps you could fill out this order for me. I just can’t concentrate this morning.’

Annie joined her at the counter. ‘You told her – didn’t you?’

‘What?’

‘Gayle – about you and David moving out.’

‘Oh, that.’

‘What did you think I was talking about?’

Robyn was thinking of Melissa. Her friend still kept in touch. She’d had a text that morning to say she was sitting her final exams soon and returning home. Part of her finals was a dissertation she’d researched based on an idea Robyn had given her. It was to do with someone falsely admitting to a crime to protect someone, and what would happen if the truth came out.

Robyn really hoped that Melissa was not still looking into the burglary and had done as she’d asked and dropped it. Not just for Annie’s sake; there was still something David wasn’t telling her about that night – she was sure of it. That was playing on her mind too. Whatever it was, she didn’t want Melissa to find out.

Annie said, ‘Are you okay?’

Robyn had more than one thing on her mind. ‘No, not really. You’re right, I told Gayle.’ Strictly speaking, she hadn’t told Gayle. Robyn eyed Olive. ‘How did you know I told her?’

‘David mentioned to Joe the good news, that you guys are moving into the boathouse together, and he mentioned it to me. Honestly, I thought you’d never leave, even though we’d done up the flat upstairs, ready for Duncan to move into.’

‘Well, things sort of came to a head when Duncan moved out. The boathouse is now standing empty, and David was worried about that. I mean I don’t see as there’s anything to be concerned about. He has got a burglar alarm.’ She looked at Annie, wondering if she was aware of that.

‘Yeah, I heard he had one fitted. I didn’t see the point. His house is really off the beaten track, and he left the place standing empty loads of times when he was playing away in hockey tournaments with no problems. Then he goes and has one installed when he’s living there all the time, and his dad was even there too. Doesn’t make sense.’

Robyn eyed her and pursed her lips. He’d had one fitted because he’d been burgled. What she had gleaned was that no one else knew about the burglary at David’s house.

Annie lowered her voice. ‘I think it has something to do with the burglary here at the shop, even though it was a couple of years ago.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘It shocked us, the community. I’d like to think that everyone knows everybody else, but I know that isn’t true; there are a lot of tourists who come and stay in Aviemore, but even so, they’re here for skiing and sight-seeing holidays, not going around robbing shops. That sort of thing just doesn’t happen round here.’

But it didn’t just happen at the shop , thought Robyn. How had they found David’s boathouse? Annie was right: it was in the middle of nowhere. Worse still, David had been so unlucky to have all that cash around when it had happened.

She eyed Annie but kept her thoughts to herself.

‘But anyway, I’m so happy for you. You’re going to love setting up home together. I think it’s about time.’

Robyn sighed. ‘I know.’

‘Lark Lodge is not that far. You can pop in and catch up with Gayle, Nick and Marty any time. I expect you told Gayle that.’

‘I did. She admitted she wasn’t surprised and had thought we’d have moved out sooner.’

‘You were redecorating her place, though. It was easier to come home after work in the evenings, and weekends, being on site, so to speak, to get it done.’

‘Yeah, I guess.’ Although it was true that it was easier being there to finish the decorating, it was also an excuse to hang on as long as possible. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to move into the boathouse with David. Of course she wanted them to have their own home together. It was what she’d realised she was longing for when she’d gone to Evie’s birthday party.

‘Well, now it’s all finished, you’ve got no excuses,’ said Annie, smiling.

Robyn nodded. ‘That’s what David said.’ She glanced over at Duncan, who was standing at the shop counter serving a customer.

Annie followed her gaze. ‘Duncan is going to be okay.’

‘I know.’ Her reluctance to leave hadn’t just been about Duncan having to leave the boathouse. It was that her reluctance to leave Lark Lodge ran deeper than she’d thought. It was more than missing the wonderful house, and its inhabitants – much more. They’d become her family. She thought of Melissa leaving home, making that break, and going to university, and imagined this was exactly how it felt – moving out of your family home.

Robyn wondered if that was how she’d felt when her mum had gone off travelling. She guessed her father had passed away. She’d seen the drawing of a funeral in her old diary. Had she rented out the family home – or sold it? Robyn didn’t know. She still couldn’t remember.

It was June next month, which would mean the end of the summer term at St Andrews, where her mum still thought she was. That meant her deferment would be coming to an end too. The university would be contacting her to find out whether she was returning in September. That wouldn’t be happening. Robyn had decided that when she moved into the boathouse, it would be time to stop avoiding her mum’s letters, along with the redirection she’d put in place for mail from her mum, which was still being sent to the university.

Robyn thought of the letter with a cheque enclosed she’d received just before Easter. She’d been right: it was another invitation for her to join her mother on holiday in a country abroad – Sicily, this time. Her mother was getting ever closer – she was now in Europe, a short flight away. Robyn hadn’t responded to the letter.

If her mum hadn’t been out of the country for so long, Robyn knew that she would not have got away with the deceit. She imagined her mum would have taken a trip to the university after her letters went unanswered. Of course, she could have flown back home anyway to check on her. But the fact that all those cheques she’d sent had been cashed, even though Robyn had clearly never bothered to take her up on the offer to visit her abroad – not once – said that things couldn’t have been exactly hunky-dory between them.

If that were the case, Robyn had resolved to change that. It was one thing in her past she wished she’d remembered – her mum, and what might have gone wrong in their relationship. How could she put it right if she didn’t know what had happened between them?

She imagined that her mum would write to her again, once the summer term ended next month, probably sending her another cheque and inviting her abroad again for a holiday. Robyn intended to reply to the last letter and tell her mum all about her new life, where she was, and that she’d dropped out of her university course. Perhaps her mum wouldn’t care, as long as she was leading the life that made her happy. Robyn hoped so.

‘So, are you all packed?’ Annie asked, giving Olive a stroke. Olive had woken up and run over to Annie, happy to see another person who would give her lots of fusses.

Robyn nodded. ‘Almost.’

‘When is the big day?’

‘Big day?’

‘You know … moving day.’

‘Oh, yes. Right.’ For a moment, Robyn had thought she was referring to a wedding day. David hadn’t proposed. The thought probably hadn’t even crossed his mind – although it had crossed hers.

‘You know, for a moment there, I thought you meant a wedding day.’

‘Oh, ha ha! That is funny. Why would I say that? I wouldn’t say that. No, not me.’

Robyn stared at her.

Annie had become flustered, looking anywhere but in her direction. Robyn’s mouth dropped open. ‘Oh, my god, he’s going to propose – isn’t he?’

Annie looked up sharply. ‘Who? What? I really have absolutely no clue what you’re talking about, I swear. I really don’t. I did not say a word.’

She was getting flustered again, Robyn could tell.

Annie’s shoulders sagged. ‘Oh, god, I’ve ruined the surprise. I really wish David had never told me. I was so excited about it, I knew I couldn’t keep my mouth shut.’

‘It’s true, then?’

‘Yes. That’s why I expect he’s been badgering you to move into the boathouse. It’s where he wants to propose, on the little balcony overlooking the loch.’

Robyn stared off into space. She could just imagine it.

‘I am so sorry for ruining the surprise.’

‘Don’t be.’ Robyn ran over and gave her a hug. ‘I don’t like surprises.’

‘But I think you would have liked that one.’

‘I know. Oh, I am so excited.’

When she stood back, Annie said in earnest, ‘You’re going to have to practise looking surprised.’

‘Huh?’

‘When he pops the question.’

Robyn grinned. ‘Oh, I can do that.’ She suddenly thought about the letter she was going to write to her mum. Just wait until she finds out her daughter is getting married , she thought . Then she’ll have to come home from abroad for the wedding.

Robyn had to ask, ‘Do you know if David has planned the big day too?’

Annie slowly shook her head. ‘No, thank god. I wouldn’t want to spoil that surprise either.’

Robyn laughed.

‘I get the idea that he thought you’d enjoy planning it.’

‘I would. Oh, but I would.’

Annie laughed. ‘I felt the same way when I got engaged to Joe.’

‘We’re going to be sisters – well, you’ll be my sister-in-law, but sisters all the same!’ Robyn never felt so happy. ‘I don’t think I’ve ever had a sister.’

‘You don’t think …?’

Robyn came back down to earth immediately. She shouldn’t have said that, although it just occurred to her that she may, or may not, have siblings. For some reason, she’d assumed she hadn’t. She looked sheepishly at Annie. David knew she’d lost her memory, but he clearly hadn’t shared that fact with anybody else. And Robyn didn’t want him to.

‘Um, just a figure of speech,’ Robyn said, quickly changing the subject. ‘I’ve been thinking about Gayle. It was her birthday last month, soon after Evie’s, and we didn’t have a party. Even though she said she didn’t want one, I feel bad that the day just came and went without doing anything special.’

They’d all had some wine and nibbles in the evening to celebrate while Gayle unwrapped some presents they’d bought her. Nick had been really thoughtful and had even bought a present for Gayle from Olive, which had been a nice touch. But it still bothered Robyn that she hadn’t done anything really special for her best friend. She said as much.

Annie disagreed. ‘You showed her the bedroom you’d redecorated, didn’t you?’

‘Yes, but I didn’t make an occasion out of her special day.’ Robyn sighed. ‘I’d like to make up for it.’

Annie patted Olive on the head and sent her back to her cushion in the corner. ‘What did you have in mind?’

Robyn grinned. ‘I was thinking I could organise a party to celebrate the opening of Lark Lodge as a guesthouse. I’ve got some curtains and blinds still on order, but the interior décor is finished. And Marty has just finished landscaping the back garden. It looks stunning.’

Robyn thoughts turned to the garden. She told Annie it was now full of colourful flowers. The borders were overflowing with bright clusters of hardy lupins. Tall foxgloves stood proudly along the edges, their purple and white spires attracting bees to the garden. ‘Marty also planted Scottish bluebells filling the gaps in the borders with their gentle blue hues.’

Annie said, ‘The garden sounds wonderful. What about a garden party? It’s nearly June. The weather is warmer, and we’ve had some lovely sunny days.’

‘A garden party.’ Robyn’s eyes lit up. ‘Oh, what a fantastic idea!’

‘You could invite all her friends and family. Make it quite the event.’

Robyn doubted Gayle’s brothers and sister would come, even if they were invited. Especially as the party would be a celebration of the new guesthouse in their former childhood home.

Annie said, ‘Everyone will love the garden. The little wooden summerhouse at the end of the garden is a lovely touch.’

That had been Robyn’s idea. It was painted sky blue, and looked a bit like a beach house, with double doors that opened on to a small veranda. Inside were some rattan chairs with flower print cushions and some throws. It was just perfect for sitting inside to read a book, or a chair could be taken outside to the little veranda to while away some time admiring the pretty garden.

Annie said, ‘I just love the neat lawn and deep borders full of colourful shrubs and plants. It reminds me of some National Trust houses I’ve visited, with their beautiful formal gardens.’

The garden reminded Robyn of one house in particular. Marty had got his inspiration and ideas for the back garden from the Rosses’ holiday home. Gayle’s back garden was nowhere near as big, but it still had the same look and feel, just on a smaller scale.

Annie said, ‘It’s like something out of a period drama. I can just imagine ladies from another era in their long dresses, strolling through the gardens or having high tea.’

Robyn smiled. ‘Yes, I can just imagine that too.’

‘I love period dramas. I think that was me in a past life,’ Annie said, smiling ruefully, ‘a lady living in a huge house, walking around a manicured garden and taking tea on the lawn.’

The thought of huge houses reminded Robyn that she had to be somewhere. She looked at her watch.

‘What do you think you were in a previous life?’ Annie asked.

Robyn found her handbag. ‘Oh, some rich, beautiful heiress to a fortune,’ she said off-handedly, putting her handbag over her shoulder and picking up her large notepad in case she needed to make some notes.

Annie giggled, ‘You wish!’

Robyn stopped at the front door. She turned to Annie, looking at her quizzically. ‘I wish what?’

‘It’s a figure of speech – as in, you should be so lucky.’

Robyn stared at her. ‘Why would I want to be an heiress when I’ve got everything I’ve ever wanted right here?’

‘But you just said ... oh, never mind.’ Annie looked at her. ‘Where are you going?’

Robyn opened the door to the shop. ‘I don’t know how long I’ll be. I’ve got a new commission.’

‘Sounds interesting, where is it?’

‘It’s at The Lake House.’

‘The Lake House? Why does that sound familiar?’

‘You’ve heard of the Rosses?’

‘Oh, who hasn’t? They’ve got a holiday home in the area—’ Annie stopped. ‘Oh, yes, I remember – that’s its name.’

Robyn nodded. She decided not to tell Annie that she’d been to the house before, because of the circumstances – Marty’s secret squatting.

Annie looked at her, wide-eyed. Robyn understood her surprise. The family were so wealthy that they were like celebrities in Aviemore, even though they weren’t models or film stars, or anything remotely like that.

‘You know, I think you’re right,’ said Annie.

‘About what?’

‘About being an heiress. It didn’t do Eleanor Campbell-Ross any good. Look where it got her. She came to stay for Christmas in their amazing holiday home, then went skiing and had an accident.’

Robyn stared at her. She remembered watching the news about Eleanor Campbell-Ross from her hospital bed and thinking, there but for the grace of god go I.

Annie said, ‘I heard they haven’t been back to The Lake House since the tragedy.’

Robyn wasn’t surprised. She’d heard that too from Marty.

‘How did the family know about you? Have they returned to The Lake House? Did they visit you here in the shop?’

Robyn shook her head. ‘No. It was Marty, the gardener. He’s still employed by them to look after the gardens. He must have put in a good word for me, if ever they need some interior design. And I guess they do.’

‘So, is one of the Rosses meeting you at the house?’

‘I presume so.’ For some reason, Robyn felt nervous about the meeting, most likely because they were very rich – which was so silly. Rich people weren’t any different to everybody else. But even so, she had butterflies in her stomach about finally coming face to face with one of them.

Robyn walked over to the shop door.

Annie called out, ‘Good luck.’

Robyn reached for the door handle and hesitated.

Annie noticed. ‘Everything all right?’

‘I feel nervous.’

‘Whatever for?’ Annie sighed. ‘They’re only people, albeit rich people. Don’t be intimidated.’

For a split second, she had a bizarre thought – that it wasn’t a good idea. She should send Annie instead. She dismissed the thought and l eft.