Page 12 of A Scottish Christmas Hideaway
‘It’s a stressful job, isn’t it? And you do work all the time, dear. There’s not much fun for you.’
That was so true. When did she last feel joy? She remembered the fizzing excitement she felt in New York lastyear when she got out the taxi at the hotel, and then the bubble of anticipation as she got ready for her date with Tim. Even during the walk to the bar she had been brimming with excitement. Then she remembered, all too viscerally, the disappointment and shock and utter heartbreak that came afterwards.
‘Och, will you look at him?’ said Catriona, tilting her head in the direction of Angus. ‘Looks like he’s trying to land an aircraft the way he’s throwing his arms around there.Honestly.What is he like?’
Jessica looked up as they walked through the trees and towards her dad, who was waving his arms wildly at them. She managed a small chuckle. ‘He’s taking it all very seriously.’ Then she turned and looked at her mum as she took one of Jessica’s hands in hers and gave it a squeeze.
‘Honestly, Mum. I just needed a break from London and from work.’From everything,she said silently.
‘Well, you know it’s okay to feel sad at times. You don’t need to feel happy all of the time. It’s okay to talk about your feelings. You’re only human after all. We all are.’
Jessica was grateful that her parents had always been open with their feelings — but perhapstooopen. It had the opposite effect on her. She had always been very private.
‘Will you two hurry up?’ shouted her dad. He was still waving his hands at them. ‘I’ve found the perfect tree.’
‘Come on, we’d better up the pace,’ her mum said, pulling at Jessica’s hand. ‘There is no need to bellow, Angus. We can hear you and see you. In fact, I think the folk on top of Ben Lomond can probably hear you as well.’
‘Stop exaggerating. Anyway,’ he said, his eyes sparkling in triumph, ‘this is an absolute beauty and someone else might get it.’
‘Who’s going to get it? You’re holding onto it for dear life and it’s still got its roots in the ground. And the place is empty,’ said her mum, throwing her palms in the air in exasperation.
‘Oh, Dad,’ said Jessica. ‘I am so glad you’ve not lost your competitive spirit.’
‘I will have you know that last year I found the perfect tree. It was an absolute belter. The perfect height and shape.’ He looked almost dreamy as though he was describing a lost love. ‘Then that wee numpty captain from the golf course steamed in and cut it down in front of me because you had the gloves and were taking so long.’ He threw Catriona an accusatory glance.
‘Okay,’ said Jessica as smoothly as possible, drawing on her best mediating skills. ‘It looks like we are the only folk here, Dad, so I think it will be fine. I don’t think you need to worry about it happening again. Mum, did you bring the gloves from the car?’
She clasped her hands over her mouth and gasped dramatically. ‘No, I forgot.’
‘Och,’ muttered Angus in disgust. ‘See what I mean. And it looks like a bus load of folk have just arrived.’ He jerked his head back towards the car park.
There were only two more cars than when they had parked ten minutes ago. Her dad had always been prone to exaggeration.
‘Angus, I’m winding you up. You would think you’d know that of me by now. We’ve only been married for forty years.’
Angus looked as though he was about to retort, but Jessica glanced at him and shook her head. Fortunately, he clamped his mouth shut, realising it was better to say no more.
‘Right, here you go. Here are the gloves, dear,’ said Catriona sweetly, handing them to him.
Jessica watched as he pulled the gardening gloves on as though he was about to perform life-saving surgery in a hospital theatre. Catriona glanced beyond Jessica and grinned. ‘Oh, lookwho’s here. He’s made it after all. Marvellous. Cooee. Over here!’ she yelled loudly.
‘Hey, guys,’ said a voice behind them.
Jessica groaned.Seriously?He was the last person she wanted to see. But as she turned, she felt her cheeks flame as she took in the sight that was Reuben. He wore black jeans and boots and anactuallumberjack jacket which would usually have had her chuckling as it was so clichéd for the setting. But he lookedextremelygood in it. Red and navy were obviously his colours, and he looked as though he was modelling for an outdoor clothing company. She half-expected him to have his axe with him for chopping wood. Why did he have to be so . . .manly? She managed to drag her eyes away from him before he clocked her staring.
‘Hi, Jessie,’ he said with a grin.
‘Isn’t this lovely? I’m so glad you made it.’ Catriona turned to Jessica. ‘I did offer to get a tree for the cottage as well but Reuben said it was on his to-do list today anyway.’
‘Oh,’ said Jessica, nodding and trying to look relaxed and nonplussed by his presence.
He nodded at the group and grinned at Jessica before turning his attentions to Angus with a chuckle. ‘Don’t worry, Angus. I can see that one is yours. I’m not going to cut it down and take it from you. You can stop holding onto it as though you’re about to take it for a jig.’
‘I’m taking no chances, pal,’ he said jokingly. ‘Not after last year.’
‘Please don’t start with that again,’ said Catriona, rolling her eyes. ‘Now, Angus, let’s crack on and get the tree sorted before you raise your blood pressure any more. Jess, maybe you can help Reuben get the tree for Primrose Cottage?’
Jessica’s eyes widened in horror at her mum, who was now busying herself with her dad. Annoyingly, her mum had alwayshad a way of making friendly suggestions that you knew were a directive, and there was no arguing with her. But the last thing she wanted to do was be left alone with Reuben. She just knew he was going to be as annoying as ever. She tried to catch her dad’s eye, but he was seemingly fascinated by the pine needles on his prized tree that he was now stroking. Hesitating for a moment, she swivelled her glance to Reuben. He was looking at her, with a look she couldn’t quite fathom but which quickly switched to amusement. ‘Er, okay, if you feel you need help?’ she said drily.
