Highland Fling (28 page)

‘Is everything okay?’ Jane whispered. ‘Max seems a bit ... distant.’

‘Everything’s fine,’ Lizzie said, then glancing around the bar area and into the dining room, ‘Looks like everyone’s turned up.’

‘Yep! It’s been a fabulous day so far. Thanks for all the help with the food. That seems to be going down a treat too.’

‘Good thing Dougall’s so easy going. We’ve brought all the food and Max brought all the champagne, doesn’t leave much for him to make a profit on.’

‘Auch no – oh my God, I sounded just like Iain then – anyway, I don’t think Dougall cares about profit where his friends and neighbours are concerned.’

Lizzie laughed. ‘No. I suspect he makes enough out of the tourists.’

‘He said he made a fortune out of Jack and – oh sorry Lizzie, didn’t mean to mention his name.’

Lizzie put her arm around Jane. ‘Don’t worry about it. When are you going to cut the cake?’

‘Fairly soon I think. Iain says we’ll be leaving sometime around four. How’s your foot holding up?’

‘Not bad actually. I keep balancing on the other one when I can just to give it a rest but, so far so good. Don’t think I’ll be dancing any time soon though. In fact, if you don’t mind, I’m going to grab a seat now and have something to eat. I’m starving.’

‘Me too! Mind you, we haven’t had anything since you came over after breakfast to help me get ready so I suppose we would be.’

‘Unless champagne is a food group.’

At three thirty Iain and Jane cut the cake and Fraser made a short speech.

‘I just want to wish my dad and my new mum all the happiness in the world. They are two of the nicest people I know and anyone can see they belong together. Mind you, I didn’t think dad would ever get around to asking Jane out – and come to think of it – I’m not sure he ever did but I’ll spare their blushes and simply say that they finally realised they are crazy about one another. So please, raise your glasses in a toast to the happy couple. Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton. Iain and Jane.’

Everyone cheered and toasted them then Iain said. ‘I’m a man of few words as you all know and I won’t change that now but I just want to say that when Jane Munroe agreed to become my wife I felt as though I’d caught the moon in my hands.  Well, I cannae take her to the stars but I can, hopefully, take her closer to heaven – and not in the way you’re all thinking ... well, not until later anyway.’

Loud cheers and laughter reverberated around the pub then a whooshing sound from outside broke in on the jollity.

Iain took Jane’s hand and kissed her on the lips. ‘You carriage awaits,’ he said and led her outside.

‘Oh my God Iain!’ Jane screamed, laughing and crying at the same time.

In the field opposite the pub stood a hot air balloon, its basket covered in ribbons and bows, a few tin cans and a “Just Married” banner. Iain swept Jane up in his arms and strode to the basket where he gently deposited her inside, before climbing in himself.

Fraser handed his dad a bottle of champagne and three glasses. ‘Don’t drink yours until you’ve safely landed,’ he said to the balloon pilot, laughing. ‘Have a great flight dad, and you ... mum. See you in a few days.’

‘Don’t worry sweetheart,’ Iain said ‘we’re not spending our honeymoon in this. A car will pick us up wherever we land and take us to the airport.’

‘Airport! I thought we were just having a few days in an hotel.’

‘So we are – an hotel in Florence.’

Jane gasped in delight. ‘Iain Hamilton, I love you more than anything on earth.’

‘Even chocolate?’

Jane leant into him and kissed him softly, as the balloon slowly lifted off from the ground and the balloon company staff, released the restraining ropes.

‘Even chocolate,’ she said.

Lizzie waved them off, tears streaming down her cheeks.

Max came and gently put his arm around her as the rest of the wedding guests cheered and waved to the newlyweds.

‘Lizzie!’ Jane suddenly shouted from several feet above the ground and she threw her bouquet into the crowd.

Instinctively Lizzie reached out and, as Jane had aimed it directly at her, she caught it with both hands.

Max returned to London two days after the wedding as Lizzie had suggested. Neither of them mentioned the conversation they’d had on the way to the reception but there was a definite cooling off on Max’s part. It was as if he’d put a barrier up and no one would be able to knock it down, least of all Lizzie.

She was glad in a way and when Max said goodbye at the front door of Laurellei Farm, she felt as if they’d moved into an entirely new relationship, one of friendship and nothing else and she felt oddly relieved.

Fraser’s girlfriend Annie had come over the day after the wedding to learn how to feed the animals, as Lizzie still wasn’t really up to being barged by the pigs, Peter and Penelope or playfully pecked at by the chickens and Annie had taken over from Max with no effort at all.

 Just like Fraser, Annie seemed very sensible, which was why Lizzie got such a shock when Annie told her about a booking she’d taken, the day that Jane and Iain were returning from their honeymoon.

‘Lizzie I’m really sorry but I think I’ve screwed up a booking.’

Lizzie had just come downstairs after taking her shower and Annie was in the kitchen. She’d made a pot of coffee and some toast for Lizzie. She had the bookings print out for Easter weekend on the table in front of her.

Lizzie sat down and poured herself a mug of coffee. Spreading butter on her toast she said, ‘I’m sure it’s nothing we can’t sort out. What seems to be the problem?’ She bit into her toast and glanced at Annie.

‘Well, you know that a couple cancelled for Easter weekend, I mean next weekend, so there’s a room free.’ Annie took a swig of her own coffee and licked her lips nervously.

Lizzie reached out a hand to her and brushed her fingers. ‘I don’t bite Annie. Don’t look so worried. And next weekend is Easter weekend.’

Annie forced a weak smile. ‘Yes, that’s what I meant. I mean it’s next weekend and Easter. Oh Gosh. I wanted to do everything right and be a help to you and now I’ve ruined it.’

Lizzie’s brows shot up. It wasn’t like Annie to be a drama queen – that was more her own domain, Lizzie thought ruefully. ‘You have been a great help Annie and believe me, there’s nothing you could have done that can’t be sorted. What is it?’

‘Someone phoned while you were in the shower and asked if by any chance we had a double room over Easter. I said they were really lucky because we had just had a cancellation yesterday due to ill health so he said he’d like to book the room and he and his wife would arrive on Good Friday.’

Lizzie waited but Annie fiddled with her coffee mug. ‘That’s not a problem Annie. That just means we’re full again over Easter – and that’s great.’

‘Yes but ... my mobile rang and ... well I forgot to take any details. I just said that was great and we’d see them on Good Friday, then I answered the mobile and it was Fraser to say Jane and Iain have landed and will be home soon and ... well, it wasn’t until then that I realised I hadn’t taken a deposit or a contact number or anything. I’m so sorry Lizzie. Really I am –’ 

‘Calm down Annie! It’s not the end of the world. Did you get a name?’

Annie shook her head. ‘I don’t know what came over me I –’

‘Annie it’s okay. Really. I’ve done it myself. Don’t worry about it. Just see who the last caller was and call the number and explain. They won’t mind.’ Lizzie poured herself more coffee and held up the pot to offer Annie some. Annie nodded and Lizzie refilled her mug.

Annie dialled the last number on the calls list and held the phone to her ear. ‘It’s gone to answer phone,’ she said a worried expression on her young face.

‘Just say it’s Laurellei Farm about the booking and could someone please get back to us – and leave the number,’ Lizzie added hastily.

Annie left the message and hung up the phone, beaming at Lizzie. ‘Well at least I have their name now, it gave it on the machine,’ she said, writing it on the booking sheet. ‘It said the Drake residence so I suppose that’s Mr. & Mrs. Drake.’

Lizzie spat her coffee all over the table in shock.

‘Well Jane, I’ve got some news for you,’ Lizzie said when she and Jane were in the sitting room later that afternoon, and Jane had told her all about the hot air balloon flight, the honeymoon and Florence.

Iain had brought Jane over whilst he caught up with Fraser on the farm as he knew Jane would want to see Lizzie within hours of getting home. He was right of course and after having a cup of tea with them, he left them to chat saying he’d be back for his wife in an hour.

‘What? Please don’t tell me you’re getting back with Max,’ Jane said teasingly.

Lizzie snorted. ‘No. It’s worse than that. Annie took a booking today and forgot to take any details. When she called the number she got an answering machine so she left a message but ... guess whose it was?’

Jane shook her head. ‘No idea. One of the guys from the stag weekend?’

‘Yes but guess which one. I’ll give you a clue. He’s bringing his wife!’

‘His wife ... um ...Bloody hell! You’re kidding! Not Jack!’

‘Yes. Bloody Jack Drake! Of all the nerve!’

‘Well ... Actually, I don’t know what to say! Are you sure it’s him? Have you spoken to him? Did he call back?’

Lizzie gave her head a quick shake. ‘Hold on! One question at a time. I’m having trouble thinking clearly at the moment as you can imagine. I’m pretty certain it’s him because otherwise it would be an incredible coincidence. Jack’s the only person I know with that surname. No I haven’t spoken to him and no, he hasn’t rung back. I’m sort of hoping that he’s had second thoughts and won’t turn up. Surely he must realise how unbelievably awkward it would be for everyone?’

‘Awkward! It’s just downright cruel. Have you called again?’

Lizzie nodded. ‘I got Annie to actually. I told her to lie and say we’d made a mistake and that I had already confirmed another booking so we didn’t have anything available but she just got the answering machine again.’

‘Well, did she leave the message? If so, he wouldn’t need to call back would he?’

Lizzie shook her head. ‘No. I told her not to. He might turn up anyway and say he never got the message. I’d rather we, well she, actually spoke to him so that we know he’s got it.’

‘Are you going to call again then?’

‘We have, five times. Still the bloody machine. We’ll keep trying but we’ve only got two days.’

‘Two days? Why?’

‘The booking’s for Easter weekend.’

‘No!’

‘Yep! Perhaps he’s decided to have his honeymoon here as well as his bloody stag party.’

‘When did they get married then? Have you heard something?’

‘No. I’m just assuming. You know me. Why wait for facts when you can jump to conclusions?’

Jane giggled. ‘Yeah. I never did think that was a very good mind-frame for a solicitor.’

Lizzie smirked. ‘Perhaps that’s why I gave up the Law so easily. Not really cut out for it.’

‘Nonsense. You were a good lawyer. Mind you, you are better at making cakes ...’

‘I’ve missed you Jane,’ Lizzie said hugging her friend. ‘It’s so good to have you home.’

‘It’s good to be home and, of course, I’ll be spending my first night in my new home tonight. Talking of which, I think I can hear Iain’s Land Rover.’ Jane stood up and peered out of the window. ‘Yep. It’s my husband. Ooh, I just love saying that. I’d better go. Will you be okay?’

‘Of course I will. Stop worrying about me and go and make mad passionate love to your husband.’

Jane’s smile went all the way up to her emerald green eyes. ‘Oh I intend to – several times in fact. Iain’s paying for Fraser and Annie to go out for dinner and Fraser’s staying at Annie’s I believe, so we’ll have the house to ourselves. I’ll see you tomorrow. Not sure when. Depends how much sleep I get.’

Lizzie walked to the door arm in arm with Jane. ‘See you tomorrow evening then,’ she joked.

Jane waved at Iain and started towards the Land Rover then she stopped and turned back to Lizzie. ‘Keep trying that number, Lizzie. I still can’t believe Jack would do this though. He seemed so nice.’

‘They all do at first – but we know different now. Oh, with the exception of Iain, of course, he really is nice.’

‘And my new son too,’ Jane said, laughing as she headed towards her husband. ‘See you tomorrow.’

‘I’ve tried that number again but it still goes to the answering machine,’ Annie said from behind Lizzie.

Lizzie turned to her. ‘Okay thanks. You get off now Annie. I hear you’re going out to dinner tonight.’

Annie gave her a shy smile and grabbed her things. ‘Thanks Lizzie. We’re going to a restaurant in Aviemore apparently. Iain and Jane booked it for us as a treat.’

 She reached the door and stood beside Lizzie. Iain and Jane were waving and just pulling away and Annie waved to them.

‘I really am sorry about the booking Lizzie I –’

‘Annie please. Don’t worry about it. We’ll sort it out.’

‘But ... you seemed really shocked when I told you their name.’

Lizzie rubbed Annie’s arm. ‘Just a surprise that’s all. I ... thought it might be someone I knew. Forget it and go and have a great evening. Fraser’s a lovely young man.’

Annie blushed and lowered her eyes. ‘I know. I’m very lucky. My last boyfriend was a real sh... I mean, he wasn’t very nice.’

‘I know exactly what you mean Annie. Now go.’ Lizzie hugged her. ‘Say hello to Fraser for me. See you tomorrow but don’t rush in early. I can feed the animals for one day. You make the most of your evening and spend the morning with Fraser if you want.’

Annie laughed. ‘No chance of that unless I learn to drive a tractor. He’ll be back at the farm straight after breakfast and that’ll be at six if I know him. See you tomorrow.’

Lizzie waited until Annie had driven off then she took a deep breath and dialled the number Annie had written down. Annie had made all the previous attempts to get hold of the Drakes so Lizzie hadn’t looked at the number until now and she realised it wasn’t a London number. She didn’t recognise the area code and it suddenly hit her that she had no idea where Jack lived – not that there was any reason why she should.