Page 72 of The Midnight Secret

Effie flinched. She could see he’d been to the pub after work – everyone knew Norman was the first to the bar and last to leave most evenings – and there was a brazen, eyeballing quality to Norman’s stare that reminded her of Frank Mathieson on the night of the storm. He was unpredictable and belligerent. Slipper, leaning against her right leg, whined softly.

‘Because the butcher explained yesterday there would be a delay with the delivery, and you agreed to pick them up on your way home.’

‘...Well, I was working late. Being Deputy Manager comes with added responsibilities.’

‘I know that, but—’

Effie’s eyes slid over to David – perhaps they should go? – but he was watching the married couple intently. He looked like a cat about to spring.

Jayne sighed. ‘Never mind. I’ve some leftover lamb scrag I can use.’ She turned away.

The air seemed to suck out from the room.

‘Why are y’ so huffy?’ Norman demanded in a low voice, stepping closer so that he was right behind his wife. ‘It’s hardly m’ fault!’

‘I’m not huffy.’ Jayne was standing very still.

‘Well, y’ sound it.’

Effie watched as Jayne slowly turned and forced a smile. ‘...Really, Norman, it’s fine. It’s no bother, I can use the lamb just as easy.’ She wiped her hands on her pinny and put ahand softly on his chest. ‘Why don’t you take a bath? You must be tired after y’ long day.’

He stared at her for a moment, seeing how she wouldn’t rise. He glanced back, as if remembering they had an audience; Effie felt herself shrink a little under his gaze before he gave a huff of irritation, exiting the room with a mutinous look. Norman’s arrival home in the evenings was always her cue to leave and set to preparing dinner for herself and her father. David would usually stay until his mother blew the whistle down the lane, calling him home for his dinner.

There was a small silence, David watching Jayne as if expecting her to fall. She gave another of her weak smiles.

‘It’s been a big step up, moving into management,’ Jayne murmured to them, looking embarrassed by the scene they had just witnessed.

‘Aye, of course,’ Effie nodded quickly. She glanced at David again for agreement but he was silent, staring at his hands on the table, his jaw balling like a pulse.

Effie saw Jayne see it too, watching him with a worried look.

‘...Did I tell you they want him to go on another business trip again soon?’ Jayne asked as she saw Effie watching her.

‘Oh?’

‘The last one went so well—’

‘The one to Skye?’ Effie asked.

‘Aye. They’re talking about Perth this time.’

‘Are they now?’ Effie hadn’t forgotten her shock at seeing Norman in the library at Dunvegan. He had no idea she had been there, of course, and she’d kept her mouth shut, but it had sat in the back of her mind like a worm ever since, curled up and solid, impossible to ignore.

‘What exactly does he do on these trips?’ she asked.

‘Consults with the estate managers, he says. About forest management.’

‘Ah,’ Effie nodded, none the wiser. Did that explain his presence at Dunvegan? He’d been meeting with MacLeod’s estate manager to discuss planting trees, or cutting them down? But even if he had, why had he stolen into the library? She had seen and heard the way he crept about in there: furtive and stealthy. And it wasn’t as if he had been waiting to meet someone there. He’d been in and out within minutes.

‘Which estate in Perth, do you know?’ she asked.

‘I’m not sure, he hasn’t said. Probably several.’

Dupplin? Effie wondered. Or Blair Atholl? She wondered how many castles and estates there were in Perthshire. The lairds were all connected to one another, old friends and foes through historic allegiances and rivalries that spanned back through the centuries. Of course, the MacLeods, Hays and Atholls were all in the same circle – but was it just coincidence that Norman should be attending their estates on business, or something more sinister? A deputy manager of the Forestry Commission had no place being in any of their libraries.

Jayne stared down at the bunch of nettles on the counter. ‘These won’t work now; not with lamb,’ she said quietly. She seemed to Effie suddenly very small. ‘I’d best get some rosemary.’

‘I can get it,’ David said, getting up.

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