Where the Heart Belongs (15 page)

‘WHY DOES IT HAVE TO BE YOU?'

Shona's responsibilities to the history group were over for the time being once the minibus drove away. She stood on the doorstep to wave them off and then went into the office.

The group had planned visits to more archaeological sites today and wouldn't be back until late to make the most of a day that promised to be warm and drier than yesterday. Jack wasn't on the premises either because she had overheard him telling Mags to expect him back in time for lunch. So she had a free hour or two now to do what had to be done.

But before she could sit down at the computer her mobile rang. Jodie!

Her cousin was full of news of Duncan and the computer work he was getting. ‘It's snowballing, Shona,' she said. ‘He's even doing one-to-one tutorials now.'

‘I'm so pleased for him,' said Shona. ‘You too, Jodie. He'll be setting up his own business soon.'

‘He's researching the help he can get and
grants
and all that.'

Although Shona was thrilled at the news she had immediate things to think about too. She had to write the best resignation letter she could manage, explaining her reason for leaving Ferniehope Castle. She wanted to make the importance to her of the promise she had made to Tamsin quite clear to Jack so that he wouldn't think she had been unhappy here.

Of course she hadn't known at the time that her offer to look out for Tamsin would come to this. But it made no difference. She would be there for the girl as she had said even though it meant leaving Jack's employment where she had felt so much at home.

She leaned back in the chair and gazed at the yellow orchid on the high windowsill above the desk. The window faced north and that was ideal. She had learnt that much about orchids in her time here. It seemed happy enough there, its yellow flowers looked as if someone had formed them from wax. The dark green shiny leaves looked decidedly healthy.

She would take her morning coffee into the conservatory when she had written her letter and printed it out. There she could relax a little and feast her eyes on the array of exotic blooms. This might even be for the last time if Jack was successful in finding her successor swiftly.

A dull pain at the thought of this should be
squashed
at once. Opening a new file on the computer, Shona stared at the blank screen that would soon be filled with words she didn't want to write.

She wondered what Tamsin was doing at the moment . . . hopefully making herself useful at Bessie's Kitchen. With luck Liz would be prepared to keep her for a few days until Jack could sort something out about a replacement and she could leave Ferniehope Castle with a clear conscience.

With a heavy heart Shona raised her hands above the keyboard and began to type.

Engrossed, she wasn't aware of Jack's return until she heard the front door slam. Startled she stayed quite still and waited to see what he would do.

She heard footsteps in the hall, his voice calling for Mags and the kitchen door closing. A few minutes only and then he was opening the office door.

She felt his presence like a blast of cold air.

‘Shona?'

He towered over her as he read the words on screen. ‘What's the meaning of this?' he asked.

She couldn't say anything for the lump in her throat. But she didn't have to because the words were there in front of him, clear in black on white.

The silence was like thunder as she waited for his reaction. ‘So . . . what do you intend to
do?'

‘I'll think of something.' She wrenched a tissue from the box on the desk and scrubbed at her face. ‘I had to decide quickly, Jack. Tamsin needs someone to look out for her. She'll never be happy with Ingrid who hates her. I can't bear the thought of her not being wanted, feeling pushed out.'

‘But surely her father . . . '

‘I don't know about Felix any more. I think he'll listen to Ingrid.'

‘But why does it have to be you?'

‘I promised. She trusts me. She's so lonely and unhappy.'

Again the long silence broken this time by the ringing of the telephone. With an exclamation of annoyance Jack picked up the receiver, perching on the corner of the desk to answer the call, ‘Ferniehope Castle. Jack Cullen.'

His nearness was disturbing and Shona moved a little to be as far away from him as she could.

Suddenly he straightened and got to his feet, listening intently. ‘Which ward? Cree? Thank you for telling us so promptly. We'll notify the family of course. No problem there, Mark.'

Shona felt cold. Liz . . . Tamsin?

Jack was listening again and then he spoke. ‘Yes, we'll get something organised about getting them up here. And the rest of you will
carry
on as long as you feel able. We can lay on lunch here if that would help. It wouldn't? Afternoon tea then if you're back by then. Your decision.'

Shona let out the breath she was holding. Someone from the history group, obviously, perhaps badly injured. She looked up at Jack in concern.

For a moment after he put the phone down he stood with his hand on the receiver, deep in thought.

‘Can I do anything to help?' she said at last.

With a start he seemed to remember she was there, still seated at the desk. ‘There's been an accident,' he said.

‘An accident . . .where? Who is it?'

One of the group collapsed apparently, went down like a ninepin. The girl, Deirdre. Not unconscious for long, luckily.'

‘Where were they?'

‘They'd stopped at a viewpoint and were getting out of the minibus to look at the view. The paramedics were quickly on the scene and now she's in the local hospital. A couple of her friends are with her.'

Seconds later Shona had the file for the history group up on screen. ‘You'll need her details,' she said.

‘The phone number,' Jack said. ‘Good girl.'

She scribbled it down on the handy pad and tore off the sheet to give to him.

‘You'll need that,' he said. ‘There's
something
I've got to do.'

‘You want me to contact them?'

‘There's not much to say at the moment. Give them the hospital number. They may want to come up.'

She noted down the ward name and the name of the girl's parents who lived in Leeds. Then she found the number of the hospital so they could phone them for reassurance.

By the time she had done that Jack had gone. She felt a moment's dismay. But there was much to do and no time to wonder more than briefly why he had left her to cope with the arrangements on her own.

*   *   *

The history group returned in the middle of the afternoon by which time the injured girl's parents were on their way to Ferniehope and due to arrive in about an hour. Mags had organised a room to be put at their disposal.

‘It's on the ground floor, one we keep for our own guests,' she said.

‘Sounds perfect,' said Shona rather distractedly. ‘Is Jack home yet?'

‘Not a sign of him,' said Mags disapprovingly.

‘I'll phone the hospital now. They might be able to tell me if that's where he is.'

Shona asked if the girl's friends would like a lift back and found that they would. Calling
her
intention to Mags, she pulled on her jacket and went out to her car. It was the least she could do to collect them herself. Jack would have done the same, she felt sure, had he been here.

She found the two girls outside the main entrance of the hospital, clad in walking gear and looking anxious.

‘Thanks,' one of them said as they clambered in. ‘It was a shock Deirdre collapsing like that. She's never done anything like that before in her life.'

‘They're keeping her in for tests,' the other one said, clicking on her seat belt.

‘We'll get a coffee or something on the way back,' said Shona. ‘You look as if you need something hot and strong.'

‘We sure do. Thanks.'

Shona pulled in to a wayside café and was glad to see the colour returning to their cheeks as soon as they got the hot liquid down them. After that they became more talkative and they were back at Ferniehope Castle in what seemed a very short time.

‘He's not back yet,' Mags told her as she went through the kitchen. ‘Mr and Mrs Drew came but a minute or two ago. I put them in the lounge and gave them a cup of tea. The group leader, Mark, is putting them in the picture now.'

Shona felt exhausted by the time she had greeted Deirdre's parents and shown them to
their
room. Then she pointed out to them on the map how to reach the hospital and sent them on their way.

‘So that's done,' she told Mags, sinking on to a kitchen stool.

It was only when she had drunk the cup of tea that Mags poured for her that she remembered Liz at Bessie's Kitchen and her promise to be in touch as soon as she could. Whatever would Liz think of her neglecting her like this?

She pulled out her mobile.

*   *   *

Dinner that evening was a sombre affair. Talk of the day's events and no one seemed in the mood for the planned entertainment programme afterwards. Mark, the young leader of the group, looking more careworn than usual, decided that they would merely try to relax rather than take part in a quiz.

Mr and Mrs Drew returned later, unable to tell them any more about their daughter than they already knew. Since they had already eaten they retired early to their room.

At a loose end Shona joined Mags in the kitchen and helped with the clearing up so that the older woman could get off early.

‘You're not still worried about Jack, are you?' Mags said, as she wiped down the draining board.

‘Jack?'
said Shona, as if she hadn't noticed that he hadn't yet returned.

Mags gave her a knowing look. ‘He'll be ringing up soon to say he's staying the night wherever he is. There!' She looked triumphant as the phone in the kitchen came to life.

‘You answer it,' said Shona.

Mags did so. ‘Yes, of course I will, Jack. We'll see you tomorrow then.'

‘Where is he?' said Shona.

‘He didn't say exactly and I didn't ask,' said Mags. ‘Miles away anyway and not choosing to drive back tonight. But don't you worry yourself, lassie. He's booked into a hotel. He was checking that all is well here, that's all, that you're seeing to everything here and coping with that lot.'

Shona smiled, thankful to know that he was safe.

AN UNDENIABLE PASSION

Shona was up early next morning and had already made herself a coffee when Mags came bustling into the kitchen bringing with her an aura of chilly air.

‘The kettle's hot,' Shona said. ‘Tea, Mags, before you get going?'

‘Make one for Donald, too, will you, Shona? He'll be here in a while.'

‘Donald's
starting work this early?'

‘Just felt he should be around in case he's needed.'

‘You haven't heard anything more?' Shona said in alarm.

‘No, no, lassie. Stay there while I get started on breakfast.'

But Shona couldn't sit still. ‘I'll lay the tables.'

She was glad to have something to do. When she had finished she ran up to her room and took Toby from the bottom of her wardrobe where she had hidden him from prying eyes.

‘There's a much better place for you than hiding away in here,' she told him, giving him a kiss. Carrying him downstairs she headed for the conservatory. Jack's toby jugs up on their high shelf would be surprised to have another companion, but that was the right and proper place for Toby to be. He would like it there. Travelling about the countryside had never been his scene.

She reached for the stool and placed it in position so that she could climb on it to reach high enough to place him among his new friends. Then back on the floor again she stood looking up at him.

‘You'll be happy up there, Toby,' she said. ‘You can look down on Jack's beautiful orchids and know you're in the best place in the world.'

‘Better
than Leckie Shore?' said a young voice behind her.

Shona spun round. ‘Tamsin!'

The girl was in her short skirt again today with her thin legs encased in black tights. Her bright T-shirt accentuated the blue of her eyes. She looked glowing. ‘Pleased to see me, are you?'

Shona was still gaping. ‘But Tamsin, what are you doing here?'

‘I've come to stay if you'll have me.'

‘Did Liz send you?'

‘Not exactly. She wanted to phone you first but I wouldn't let her. I wanted to give you a surprise so she drove me.'

‘A shock more like,' said Shona. She felt weak at the knees. Events were spinning out of control. ‘Where's Liz now?'

‘Talking to Mags in the kitchen.'

‘I'd better go and see her.'

‘And leave me here all alone with Jack's precious orchids? Oh, look up there, Shona, another toby jug. Isn't he yours?'

‘Not any longer,' said Shona firmly. ‘Toby's where he belongs now.'

‘Like me,' said Tamsin, her eyes dancing.

Shona sank down on the stool. ‘Oh Tamsin, I don't know what to do. I don't know what's happening.'

‘But Jack does.'

Shona's head shot up. ‘Jack?'

‘He said to fetch you. He needs to talk to
you.'

‘He's back then. Where is he?'

Tamsin shrugged. ‘Somewhere. Come on. We'll find him.'

Still bemused Shona followed her. Jack was in the dining room looking out of the back window.

He turned as they came in, his face brightening. ‘Here you are, Shona. Let's find somewhere quiet to talk on our own.' He glanced at his watch. ‘This place will soon be a madhouse.'

‘I'll look after things here,' said Tamsin. ‘I can help Mags serve the breakfasts and everything. You can trust me.'