Page 54 of Grace on the Rocks

“CanIhave omelet?”Samasked brightly.

“No,”Caitreplied sharply, dropping back to her chair. “Grannyspent all day cooking this feast and you’ll eat every bite.”

“Don’t like mushroom,” the boy grumbled.

“This crust is so flaky,”Gracejumped in beforeCaitcould start really yelling at her son. “Howdo you get it so crisp?” she asked.

“That’ll be the egg brushed on the outside of the pastry,” his mother answered, relieved by the change of topic.

“Oh, of course,”Gracesaid. “Ialways forget the egg.”

“It has egg on it?”Sarawhined.

“It’s so delicious,”Wesraved. “Isit a local cow?”

“So, are you back for good then?”Camerondemanded, ending further discussion of animal products.

“That’s the idea,”Bryansaid, though right now he’d prefer the floor to open up and swallow him forever.

Cameron nodded. “Dàibhidhdown at the hardware store’s hiring.Iimagine you’ll need a job.”

Bryan didn’t answer.Hecouldn’t think of a single response that wouldn’t sound like a stammering ten-year-old.

“I don’t think the hardware store’s right for him,”AuntEilidhvolunteered.

“Well, he’s got to do something.SellingDa’shouse won’t bring in much, and with no degree and no trade to fall back on he’ll have to take what he can get.”

“I’ve a trade,”Bryanmuttered.

“You’re selling the house?”Elspethasked.

“No.”

“I’ll buy it from you,”Caitsaid. “Rightnow, before you wreck it any further.Howmuch do you want?”

“It’s not for s-sale.”

“IfGrandadwanted you to have it, he’d have given it to you,”ElspethtoldCait. “ButIdo hate the idea of selling it.”

“I’m not,”Bryaninsisted.Howcould he explain what the old house had meant to him over the years?Itwas the place he ran to after every argument from the age of six to sixteen.ThenTeàrlachhad returned fromGlasgowwith his wheelchair, andBryanmade himself stop running away—up until he ran away for good.

“Do you know football,UncleRy?”Samasked. “Weneed a new athletics teacher.”

“I’d prefer one who taught us tumbling,”Saragriped.

“Football sounds more upUncleEòghann’salley,”Bryansaid, although he’d picked up quite a bit fromDiego.

“Eòghann’s got a job,” his father said.

“Really,Cameron,”Mabegged.

“It’s not a judgment, it’s a fact.”

“ForChrist’ssake,I’mgoing to open a distillery,”Bryanexclaimed, and everyone fell silent.

ThenGracejumped up, and suddenly everyone was staring at her instead ofBryan.

“I just remembered.Ileft a candle burning!I’mso sorry, thank you so much for a… lovely dinner.ButIcould never forgive myself if my stupid candle burned down your ancestral cottage.”

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