Page 21 of Highland Games
8
Zoe’s plans for a quiet afternoon were ruined in the nicest possible way by the arrival of Fiona. She had left her car by the road and walked down the track to the cabin. She had a bag over her shoulder and was brandishing a bottle of wine and a bunch of flowers.
‘Housewarming gifts,’ she told Zoe as she stepped up onto the deck. ‘Flowers for the house, and wine for you.’
Zoe hugged her tightly. ‘Bless you, sweetheart, you don’t know how much I need this right now. Do you want a glass?’
Fiona put her hand on the top of the bottle. ‘No, save it for you. Duncan’s coming home later today so I can’t stay long. Mum’s got Liam so I could come and see how you’re getting on.’
‘Come in. I’ll put the kettle on.’ Zoe pushed open the door and invited her in.
‘Oh, Zoe, it’s lovely. That Rayburn doesn’t half kick out some heat. I love your tent. And the fairy lights – it’s like something out of Narnia.’
Zoe put the kettle on to boil as Fiona walked around the cabin.
‘Hang on, what’s in the cage? Holy mother of god. Is that a rat?’
‘Shhh… he’s sleeping,’ whispered Zoe.
‘Why have you got a rat?’ Fiona whispered back.
‘It’s a long story, but he’s extremely cute and well trained. He’s called Basil.’
Fiona looked dubiously at her. ‘Jeez, you won’t bring him tomorrow for Sunday lunch, will you? Mum hates rats. They give her the heebie-jeebies.’
Zoe grinned and spoke normally again. ‘Oh, don’t worry, I’ll keep him here. Although I think I’m going to have to buy him a friend for when I’m out. I don’t have any milk. Is that okay?’
‘I’m happy with whatever you’ve got. You know, I should have brought you some chairs as a housewarming gift, you’ve only got one and I don’t think it could support my post-baby weight.’
‘That chair couldn’t support Liam’s weight, I think it’s only good for kindling now. I’ve got some in storage I’ll bring up when I’ve finished the roof.’
The kettle boiled and Zoe poured water into two mugs. ‘We can sit on the deck, sorry I’m not more set up for visitors.’
Fiona waved her hand as if it was nothing. ‘Zoe, you’re doing grand.’
She took the big bag off her shoulder and emptied papers, files, and plastic envelopes full of receipts onto the table as Zoe finished making the tea.
‘I forgot to say I’ve brought my accounts for you. I know it’s not a big job, but Mum’s spoken to Chantelle who runs the posh dress shop, and Sally who runs the cafe, and they say you can do their accounts. There’s bound to be more work for you in the area. Mum just hasn’t got around to bending everyone’s ears yet. Oh, and as well as cash you get free haircuts for life from me.’
Zoe smiled and indicated her hair, currently making a bid for freedom from an unruly bun. ‘Good luck with this mop. Seriously, Fi, I really appreciate it. It’s going to cost me so much more than I thought to make this place a real home and my savings aren’t going to cut it.’
The two women walked out to the deck and sat on the top of the steps, cradling hot mugs of tea in their hands. The sun was setting over a clear sky. Looking down the slope to the loch, lost in their memories, it was a few minutes before anyone spoke.
‘Look at us, thinking about the past like we’re two old biddies. We’ve got our whole lives ahead of us,’ Fiona scolded. ‘And you’re young, free and single. What I wouldn’t give to be where you are now.’
‘Seriously? You’d rather be in this cabin on your own than have Duncan and Liam?’
Fiona let out a peal of laughter. ‘God no, I can’t think of anything worse than dating at my age and living somewhere I have to pee in a shed and can’t have a shower. Dunc’s the man of my dreams anyway. And you think the weather is always this nice? It’s normally sheeting it down twenty-four seven. Nah, I was just trying to make you feel better.’
Zoe smiled. ‘I think you’ll always make me feel better.’
‘And I doubt you’ll be single for long. Mum’s on a mission to marry you off to our Jamie.’
Zoe blushed. ‘Fi, he’s a handsome man, but I’ll always see the eight-year-old I knew all those years ago. He’s like a younger brother.’
Fiona snorted. ‘He’s still that eight-year-old! Liam’s more mature than he is. Mum’s just desperate to get him out from under her feet, although the moment he does leave she’ll immediately want him back. You’re far too nice for him anyway. I’m on the hunt for a total cow bag so I can inflict him on them and ruin both their lives.’
Zoe giggled and they clinked their mugs of tea together. They lapsed into a companionable silence and watched the sun disappear behind the hills beyond the loch and the first stars twinkling above them. Fiona shivered. ‘Full moon, and it’s going to be a cold one too. Better bank the Rayburn well tonight.’
