Where the Heart Belongs (2 page)

The farmhouse where she eventually booked in for the night was set back from the road north of Newton Stewart. Her room on the first floor was large and airy with flowery curtains at the window.

Tired from the exertions of the day, she retired early after the evening meal and then lay awake, her mind full of the man who had accosted her at Ferniehope Castle. She wished how she had asked him if he were Felix. But what would his reaction have been? Total incomprehension of course. What else?

*   *   *

Sunlight slanting in through the long sash window woke Shona early next morning and she lay in bed savouring the luxury of being able to please herself in the plans she made for the day. Heady stuff, this total freedom after the last few traumatic months. Now that she was in the area she might as well do a little exploring to locate the place that Jodie was so keen for her to revisit. The simplest way to do that was to describe it to her hostess and ask her advice.

She sprang out of bed, eager now to get down to breakfast and to make her enquiries.
And
also to book in for another night's accommodation.

‘It's Leckie Shore you'll be wanting.'

‘Yes,' said Shona, light dawning. ‘Of course. I remember now. Can you tell me how to get there? Better still I've got a map in the car.' She ran to get it and then spread it out on the hall table for a close inspection.

She wasn't surprised that Leckie Shore wasn't marked on the map, but with help could pinpoint exactly where it was. She couldn't wait to get started. First, though, some shops in town for rolls, cheese and fruit for a picnic lunch. She had a couple of cans of lemonade in the car and would purchase more supplies of that, too.

*   *   *

The narrow twisting road she drove down to reach the shore of the estuary seemed to go on for miles. She passed a house and cottage that looked familiar and stopped the car for a moment to take a look. Yes, the very ones. Jodie would be pleased when she phoned her tonight.

The house had no sign outside advertising Bed and Breakfast as she had hoped. The cottage had a garage built to one side and a vegetable garden in the front. Other signs, too, showed that it was lived in permanently now and no longer a holiday let. Ah well, times
change,
she thought, and it was all a long time ago.

At last she saw the grey gleam of water ahead and reached the grassy edge of the land and the small curved beach on which they had spent so much of their time.

Out to sea half a mile away was the island they had thought of as their own with its small beach shining in the sunlight. This was it. This was where they had spent long summer days and where Felix had joined them, taking the lead in their games of exploration because he was the eldest.

The tide was in today, which was disappointing. She had imagined walking across the hard sand that divided the island from the mainland at low tide. Never mind, if she stayed here long enough the water would recede and she would be able to get across just as they did in the past.

She left the car parked in the shelter of gorse bushes and jumped down the steep bit to the beach. Someone had built a rough cairn of stones near the water's edge and she crunched over the stones and coarse sand to reach it and add a stone of her own.

Strange to think that others came here too when in her memories they had been the only ones peopling the area with their make-believe games. In her mind's eye she could see Felix striding along in his purple shorts oblivious of what people might think of his strange garb.

She
went back to the car to get out a rug and her bag of provisions. Finding a suitable grassy patch in a slight hollow she settled down for a long wait, revelling in the scent of grass and seaweed in the air. A gentle ripple on the water disturbed the calmness and a few drifting clouds darkened the sun for a few moments. At once the scene looked sombre, the low scrubby trees on the island a little gloomy. Then out came the sun again.

Now the sound of engines disturbed the quietness and two vehicles came bumping along the track towards her. They parked a little distance away. One, a car like hers, disgorged its four passengers who rushed to the rear of the other, a Transit van with a roof rack of canoes. The door was yanked open and four more people jumped out.

Her peace disturbed by laughter and shouting, Shona watched as they all got themselves sorted out with buoyancy aids before lifting down the canoes. They carried them down to the water's edge and in no time at all were on the water making for the island.

Feeling envious, she watched their progress until they landed on the small beach on the other side and pulled the canoes out of the sea.

*   *   *

Time went by and the cairn of stones was
nearer
the water now. The tide was still coming in. The rising breeze blew strands of hair into Shona's eyes. Behind her the distant mountains were disappearing into cloud. She shivered.

Raising her face to the sky she felt a drop of rain. Just as well to eat her lunch in the car in a place which was beginning to work its old magic on her. She wanted to stay here forever but the sky was grey now and the rain seemed to have set in for the afternoon.

Anxious about the canoeists, she ate slowly, gazing at the island that was now almost lost in the thickening mist. She had finished her meal by the time they appeared, laughing and talking, and made haste to pack up ready to depart. She would go, too.

She turned the key in the ignition and signalled to them to go first. With a wave the two vehicles were off and she followed them slowly along the track to the road.

Glancing at the passenger sea, she murmured, ‘I wonder where they came from, Toby? Surely not Ferniehope Castle? It seemed likely, now she came to think of it. Had Rake Man mentioned canoeing courses in his list of delectable subjects? Yes, she was sure he had.

It occurred to her, suddenly, that working at Ferniehope Castle would mean she could stay in this lovely area. There was nothing to hold her in Harrogate, except Jodie of course, living
in
her old home that meant she was homeless unless she turned them out. Maybe one day Jodie could come up here for holidays, but that would have to wait until Duncan had got himself into employment again, of course. That day might be a long time coming.

Meanwhile, what of herself?

She had always intended taking a look at the place where Harley de Los' friend lived and if she liked it, contacting Jack Cullen as he had suggested. And she had liked Ferniehope Castle in spite of Rake Man.

Instead of roaming the area first she could apply for the post of personal assistant right now if she felt inclined.

‘What do you think, Toby?' she said. ‘Let's have an opinion out of you for a change.'

He said nothing, of course.

SHONA SEIZES AN OPPORTUNITY

The rain was thumping down on the roof of the car now and visibility was poor. Shona slowed down and through the onslaught saw that the vehicles ahead were signalling right on to the main road. On impulse she followed them until they turned left again after a few miles. Definitely the way to Ferniehope Castle, which couldn't be far away. Instead of turning left too, she signalled and pulled across into
the
forecourt of a likely looking café that had appeared just at the right moment. Bessie's Kitchen was the sign above the door.

She leapt out and ran. Inside, the room was empty of customers but the atmosphere was warmly welcoming on this wet day. She sat at a solid pine table nearest the low picture window at the far end and looked out on to the dripping trees bordering the misty grey water.

‘It's a bad day to be outside,' said the short cheerful-looking woman in a mauve jersey and skirt who came forward to serve her. Pushing her damp hair back from her face, Shona agreed.

‘Now what can I get you?'

She ordered tea and scones and when they came found she was hungrier than she had thought and asked for a toasted cheese sandwich as well. When she had finished eating she saw that in the corner of the room was a stand of postcards. She got up to look at them. There were other cards, too, reproductions of original paintings.

‘These are attractive,' she said. ‘Are they all local scenes?'

‘Mostly,' said the woman, walking across to join her and bringing with her a faint waft of flowery perfume. ‘They run painting courses near here, you know, residential ones with excellent tutors. A lot of them get their cards made at the printing place they set up locally. The owner is an enterprising sort of man.'

‘Jack
Cullen?'

‘You know him?'

‘Not yet,' said Shona. ‘But I'm thinking of applying for a job at Ferniehope Castle as his personal assistant.'

‘You are?' The surprise in her voice was disconcerting.

Surely he hadn't filled the position already?

‘Accommodation is provided, so I'm told, and that's important.'

‘Good luck to you then. I'm Liz, by the way.'

‘Not Bessie?'

‘Bessie was my mother and I took over here when she died a couple of years ago.'

‘A lovely place to live,' said Shona wistfully.

Liz's round face flushed with pleasure. ‘Och yes. It's hard work in the season, of course, but hard work never killed anyone and I love it.'

‘I can see you do. I think you're lucky. I'm Shona, Shona Renison, by the way.'

‘And you're staying round here?'

‘Just for a couple of nights. Near Newton Stewart.'

‘A grand place.'

Liz put a card straight in the rack and then retired behind the counter again.

‘They're booked up after that,' Shona said. ‘I would have stayed on for a few days, but maybe I won't need to if I'm offered the job and Mr Cullen wants me to start at once. I do hope so.'

‘That would be fine for you, Shona,' Liz
said.

She sounded so interested that Shona smiled. ‘You see, my dad was almost an invalid at the end. I was so pleased to get a job I could do at home so I could be there for him. But now he's gone I've nothing to keep me in Harrogate.'

Liz nodded, her sympathy apparent in her luminous eyes. ‘So you decided to get about a bit and see something of the world before deciding what you want to do next?'

Shona nodded. ‘It seemed a good idea.'

‘There's a single room vacant here if you're ever stuck. I take guests every now and again and I'd be glad of the company.'

‘I may well take you up on that.' Shona smiled, delighted to have made a friend so soon. She liked Liz's friendly manner and the offer of accommodation here so close to Ferniehope Castle was welcome.

Rain was still falling when she left the warmth of Bessie's Kitchen and made a dash for the car. No more sightseeing today but straight back to the farm and a rest before the evening meal was served. She might even phone Ferniehope Castle and make enquiries about the job she hoped was still open to her.

*   *   *

Showered, and wearing clean shirt and jeans, Shona shook her damp hair away from her
face
and sat down on her bed to dial the number for Ferniehope Castle. Now that she had made up her mind to act she was impatient to make it happen as soon as possible.

The dialling tone stopped and a rasping voice spoke. ‘Ferniehope. May I help you?'

‘Can I speak to Mr Jack Cullen, please?'

‘You could if he was here.'

Shona sighed. Oh dear, another odd one. Ferniehope Castle was obviously full of them. Well, she was pretty odd herself talking to a toby jug. She should fit in well.

‘I'll ring back later then, shall I?' she said.

‘No need for that.' The voice sounded unfriendly. ‘Miss Shona Renison?'

Surprised, Shona hesitated.

‘Are you Miss Renison or not?'

‘Yes, that's me,' Shona said quickly.

‘You are speaking to the proprietor's secretary.'

‘I was hoping to speak to Mr Jack Cullen.'

‘Was it about something important?'

‘I'm phoning about a job I understand has been advertised as personal assistant to him. My ex-boss suggested I contacted him.'

‘Ex-boss?' The tone was definitely suspicious.

‘That's right,' Shona said, struggling to keep her voice even. Why should she explain to this unfriendly person that Harley de Los, the thriller writer, for whom she had worked as his
researcher,
had gone with his new American wife to make their home in the States? True, she could have continued to work for him long-distance, emailing her research results, but she didn't want that because his decision had provided the jolt she needed to make an important change in her life. Add to that Jodie and Duncan's housing problems and her decision was made.

‘May I make an appointment to see him very soon?' she added.

‘Mr Cullen went off to Edinburgh this morning.'

‘Oh.' The disappointment in Shona's voice sounded acute even to her own ears.

‘You may leave your number.'

Shona did so and then put the phone down, feeling as if she was being accused of pushiness and arrogance. Now that she had decided to make contact with Jack Cullen he wasn't available.

*   *   *

Next morning rippling shadows decorated the lawn and the branches of the trees swayed gently against the cloudless sky. A glorious morning but poignant too, Shona thought as she sat down at the breakfast table. Tomorrow someone else would be sitting here listening to the pleasant sound of birdsong through the slightly open window while choosing between
the
tantalising items on the menu.

Somehow the idea of travelling on somewhere new had lost its appeal.

But where was her sense of adventure, her pleasure in discovering new things while she had the chance? Toby would have something to say about it if she hadn't left him in the car.