Category:
Action/Thriller
Central London gets Kate and Greg Bailey down. The skills of a hair stylist and a health club manager seem transferable to the Scottish Isle of Arran. But the move turns out to be a disaster for them both. As their relationship tears apart, Kate must survive traumatic events. Can she turn her world around on her own? Can she possibly find contentment in her life as the wild sea churns over and the fresh sea breezes blow in her direction?
Chapter 6
Hardly a word was spoken as they continued up the west coast of the island. Despite the silence, Kate took a note of the number of homes en route. She was by now convinced her mobile haircut service was viable, necessary and desirable. The only stumbling block, and it seemed insurmountable, was her husband.
They were no sooner back at their B&B when Greg told Kate he was going for a walk. From the way he informed her it was a walk he intended to take on his own.
‘Not going out with Greg, then?’ enquired Mrs McSkimming.
Kate shook her head and raised her eyebrows. ‘No, he wanted to go alone.’
‘Men are often like that, they need space to think.’
‘I think Greg had better walk to Lochranza and back. He’s got a lot on his mind.’
Mrs McSkimming smiled then uttered a short laugh. ‘If he gets to the distillery at Lochranza, he might take a little longer. So, time for a cup of tea, my dear?’
‘Oh yes please. Just what I need, right now.’
Kate quietly stepped forward to see the bird feeder once more. She was still there when the teapot arrived.
‘What a selection of birds you have. At home we see starlings, blackbirds and a few blue tits and of course pigeons. But that’s about it.’
Mrs McSkimming settled the tea service and joined Kate at the window. She patted away nothing obvious from her apron. ‘The one on the left is a green finch, the ones pecking at the bottom are coal tits and blue tits; there’s a grey wagtail and a stone chat on the edge of the lawn. You’ll see the goldfinch in the morning. That’s when he comes. He loves the seeds of sunflower hearts in the feeder.’
‘Quite amazing, the selection of birds you have.’
‘You should climb Goatfell before you go. A different species of birds you will find up there. Hawks, falcons, you might even see a golden eagle. They are about. Now tea, come and sit down.’
‘Thank you. You are really thoughtful,’ said Kate.
‘So Greg has a lot on his mind? A holiday should unwind him, I’d have thought.’
Kate took the opportunity to off load her worries. She felt she could trust this homely host.
‘I think I’ve found the right house, the right job, in a wonderful setting; the list goes on. But Greg? He tells me he’s a city lad. He can’t see his business as being transferrable up here. One of us will have to stand down. And right now it’s not going to be me.’
‘I see. Well, perhaps the time is not right. Think about it again in a year or two, Arran won’t disappear.’
Kate welcomed her suggestion. She needed some time to think it through so she changed the subject.
‘Did you know Amal Zaidi?’
‘The Zaidis? Did I know them? It was such a pity they left last year for good. You know, they had a trout farm? They employed a lot of staff up near Lochranza. What a delight they were. But you knew them?’
‘Yes, Amal is one of my Chelsea clients.’
‘Oh of course, they live in central London, don’t they?’
‘Yes, they do.’
‘Well, what a co-incidence, the Zaidis. The community was very sad to see them go. They supported many initiatives over the years. They loved it here. I think Amal’s husband was much older. That was why they sold up and left. But the fish farm is still going strong. That’s where I get my trout. Now have a ginger snap. I don’t mind if you dunk it,’ she laughed.
Kate took a deep breath. ‘You know I can smell the flowers even from inside the house.’
‘That will be the roses underneath the open window. They smell beautiful don’t they?’
‘There’s such quietness about Arran. I’m sure it would be good for my blood pressure.’
‘Remember you have come here in summer. We have good springs, usually some really warm days in summer and wonderful autumn colours. Winter is a bit of a downer but I’ve the Guild, and a choir I sing in. Just a few of us but we enjoy it. Oh and not to mention the bridge sessions. That’s the serious side of me,’ Mrs McSkimming said looking over the top of her glasses and sounding off a grunt perhaps indicating her loss of form at the square table.
Kate took her last sip of tea and replaced her cup onto its saucer. Her thoughts turned towards the evening. ‘Where do you suggest eating tonight?’
‘Let me see. Are you looking for a quiet tête a tête or a boisterous background to provide distraction?’
‘My, stark choices. A bit of both perhaps? I’ve no idea how an angry bear eats in a restaurant.’ They giggled like schoolgirls.
‘Then I’d try the Crofters Music Bar for a distraction. Some fine traditional musicians play there. There are some snug tables too. Greg is bound to like that.’
‘I hope so.’
‘Mind you I have not eaten there myself but I’ve heard good results from their customers.’
‘Tell me where are they?’
‘Och they’re on Shore road. I’ll phone them up. Better book a table, they have only 40 places.’
The Crofters Music Bar was in full swing when they arrived. Their twosome table had been reserved and they had their backs to the sea. That meant they had full view of a country singing set of four musicians. They sang in tune and in harmony. They heard Country Roads to Mary Black’s Only a Woman’s Heart. It was while they were singing Mary’s song Karen drew close to Greg and whispered in his ear.
‘Perhaps it’s too soon to come to Arran. We can put it off for a couple of years.’ She kept her eyes on him as he contemplated her words. But he didn’t speak. He turned to her and kissed her cheek.
Kate was very pleased with her sacrifice. It put Greg in a happier mood. But in two years time, would she still want to move to the island and would he kick up a fuss once more? She dismissed her thought. It was time to make amends.
They walked arm in arm that night along the sea front. Some yachts had lights on and lights twinkled on the mainland over the dark-lined horizon. They drew closer as fresh cool wind circled their steps. Kate informed him of the ornithological discussion she had had with Mrs McSkimming and suggested a walk up Goatfell the next morning.
‘A walk or a climb?’ asked Greg
‘A bit of both I think,’ she replied.
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