Two Kinds Of Truth(2)

Keira clutches my arm. “Maddie, please, listen to me. Why don’t you let me run the shop for a while? Maybe you and Callum can get away somewhere? Somewhere nice. Give yourselves time to heal, both physically and mentally.”

I shake my head. “No, thanks, you’ve been a rock already; I couldn’t possibly.”

“But I don’t mind, and it isn’t as though I’ve not done it before.”

“Yes, I know, but things were different then.”

“How?”

“Oh, I…I…don’t know. It’s Callum… he’s been so distant lately, since…well, everything; and then there’s his job. He works so hard and—”

“Then all the more reason to get away. Perhaps you both need some quality time together.”

I lean against the edge of the sink as Keira finally reaches for the kettle. Absently, plucking a piece of white cotton lint from my jeans as I watch her pour boiling water into two mugs.

“I guess a few days away wouldn’t hurt. The weather’s mild for this time of year and a change of scenery might do us both good. I’m not sure where we’d go, though. The treatment’s pretty much taken care of every penny we have.”

Keira opens the fridge door and pulls out a carton of milk. “How about visiting Callum’s grandfather? Doesn’t he own a farm in the Highlands of Scotland somewhere?”

I nod, accepting the steaming mug Keira offers me.

“Yes, he does, just outside Inverness, a place called Camburgh. It’s beautiful up there, and there’s a stone built cottage at the back of the farmhouse where we stayed for our honeymoon.”

“Sounds romantic,” says Keira with a smirk. “Perhaps you can re-enact your wedding night there?”

I roll my eyes heavenwards. “Yeah, right; I wish. Those days are long gone.”

Keira jolts back. “God, Maddie, I didn’t mean… Oh, why can’t I learn to engage my brain before opening my big, fat mouth?”

I am not offended in the least, so I reach out and place a caring hand on her shoulder to demonstrate this.

“Relax; it’s fine, honestly. The last thing I want is for you to feel you’re always walking on eggshells whenever you’re around me. Besides, you know all my secrets, good and bad.”

Kiera shrugs. “That’s not the point; that was just plain tactless.”

“Ah, forget it. Just because Callum’s the one with the problem downstairs, doesn’t mean I don’t want to talk about it. The truth is, if I didn’t have you, I think I’d go insane.”

Kiera covers my hand with her own and gives my fingers a tight squeeze.

“Anytime, chick. You only have to say the word, and I’ll be there.”

Keira places her untouched cup of tea onto the draining board, then gathers stem tape and floral wire needed to prep the rest of the bouquets. Keira’s determination at her job and the devotion to our friendship moves and motivates me. I gulp a few mouthfuls of my own tea and then place the mug down inside the sink. Grabbing a pair of secateurs from off a shelf, I prune a bunch of baby pink roses that were lying waiting on a metal worktable in the centre of the room.

“Do you know, Keira, I think a break in Scotland’s a great idea. We both need to get away, to recharge our flattened batteries. I’ll talk to Callum tonight and see if I can convince him to go. You never know, he might actually agree with me for once.”

***

Later that same evening, I sweep a white linen cloth over the polished mahogany table in preparation for supper. It’s our best tablecloth, a gift from Callum’s grandfather, and usually only sees the light of day on special occasions. I study the row of vibrant lilac thistles hand-embroidered around the edging and hope it will instil something of that same ambiance of our wedding day. I set down an uncorked bottle of Callum’s favourite red wine, a fruity Merlot, which will compliment his much-loved dish of lamb stew with dumplings. Placing a small bowl of mint sauce atop the large flowerhead decoration I’ve set at the centre of the table, I go over in my mind how I’ll broach the subject of visiting Scotland.

The mere thought of the Highlands gives me a moment of inner peace.

Once the table’s set I make my way into the kitchen and empty the dishwasher whilst I wait for Callum to return from work. When I open the cutlery drawer to put away the clean utensils, I spot a dried-up sprig of white heather. My fingers curl around the silver paper holding the delicate flowers together, then I lift it to my face, close my eyes and try hard to relive the moment Callum picked it for me. Its scent is still present, and I inhale deeply almost smelling the sweet perfume of the fresh mountain air.

Sighing, I place the sprig back inside its resting place. It may have been a few years since we last visited his grandfather’s farm, but the memory never fades. I was made to feel so welcome on our honeymoon. Callum’s grandfather, Alasdair, fussed over me, nothing being too much trouble. He’d been interested in me as a person, and Callum’s twin brother, Jamie, had treated me the same way, too. Jamie still lives with Alasdair on the farm. He lost his wife, Claire, just before I met Callum. I too understand loss, and Jamie is such a gentle and loving soul. He doesn’t deserve to suffer such tragedy.

I light a candle and blow out the match, smiling to myself. Yes, to see him again, and Alasdair, too, that would be wonderful. Without doubt, the chance to be surrounded by close family is sorely needed right now.