Two Kinds Of Truth(8)

Callum snatches the rolled-up magazine from my fingers and uses the flat of his hand to smooth out its kinks, then he flips through the pages.

“Hey, look at these photographs,” he says. “The location they’ve used for these shots reminds me a lot of the mountains around Camburgh.” He pushes the magazine that bit closer to me. “Can you see? In fact, the more I look, the more I’m convinced it is Camburgh.”

I do my best impression of being surprised, opening my eyes wide and saying, “Oh. Wow. I’ve never noticed that before.”

I drag the pages to the centre of the table, so we can both see the colourful images, and point to a worn track, almost hidden behind a posing cyclist.

“Yes, I think you’re right. The mountain range reminds me a lot of Loch Durrum and Inverness.”

Callum sighs. “You remember.”

I look up and smile.

“Yes, of course I do; how could I forget? It’s where you gave me my first sprig of lucky heather.”

Callum sits back and takes another swig of beer.

“We had a nice time back then, didn’t we?”

I nod. “Yes, we did. Those few days away were magical.”

Callum stares at me, and for a moment I’m worried he’s seen right through my ruse.

“Maddie, I know I’m not one for being spontaneous, but I’ve a bit of time owed at work and I think the break would do us both good. How do you fancy a wee trip to Scotland?”

I try not to jump up and down, but inside I’m doing backflips. “Well, I’ll have to speak to Keira, but if you’re serious, I can’t see it being a problem.”

“Good. Then it’s settled. I’ll speak to my boss and ring my grandfather tonight and get it all arranged.” He rubs his hands together and his mood lightens as the waiter brings over our meals. I want to jump up and tell the server how happy I am. I want to walk down the aisle between the booths in my husband’s arms and kiss his face.

Instead, though, I take a mouthful of food and say, “The lasagne is wonderful. How’s your burger?”

***

I watch Keira climb down a set of small stepladders, returning the twinkling set of fairy lights she’s been trying to hang without success onto the floor. She swings the “Closed” sign over the door and pulls down the blind. I find it odd when she comes and sits beside me, behind the counter, where I frown, sensing by her expression that there’s something she wants to get off her chest.

“Is everything okay?” I ask, trying not to panic, convinced she’s changed her mind about running the shop in my absence. I lick my lips and wait for the blow.

Kiera pulls her wooden stool a little closer.

“Maddie, I don’t want you to be angry or upset with me, but I’ve been meaning to give you a small gift.”

My frown deepens, and I shake my head. “Don’t be daft; why would you want to give me a present? It isn’t my birthday or anything.”

Kiera seems a little edgy.

“I know that, silly, but still, I have something here for you.” She reaches inside the back pocket of her jeans and pulls out an envelope with my name on it. I can see it’s full of money.

“Here, this is for you; I want you to have it,” she says, pushing it against my fingertips, but I snatch my hand away.

“What? No way. There must be a couple of hundred pounds in there, possibly more. I know I’m stony broke, but I can’t possibly take your hard-earned cash.”

Keira shakes her head and her eyes narrow.

“Sure, you can. I want you to have it.”

This time she thrust the envelope towards me, but I place my hands on my lap in protest, and Kiera lets out a sigh.

“But you’re missing the point, the reason why I’m offering you this gift.”

I fold my arms and draw my lips tight.

“It might help if you listen for a second and stop being stubborn,” she says. “You see, I’ve been saving for months. You know, in preparation for your, for the arrival of…” and for the first-time, Keira appears lost for words. She falters, but before I can speak, she regains her composure.

“What I’m trying to say is that I was saving the money for when you and Callum had your baby.”

I feel the bottom fall out of my world.

I eventually have to force the words out of my mouth, “But there is no baby, and there never will be.”

“Then make the most of this golden opportunity.”

I stare at her for the longest time, the ache in my breast spiralling slowly but surely into intense pain.

“Why are you always so kind to me?” I begin to cry. “I truly don’t deserve it.”

Kiera pulls me close, wraps her loving arms around me and hugs me tight.

“Because I love you like a sister,” she breathes into my hair, “and I just want you to have enough money so you can make the most of this trip.”

As Keira soothes me, I know I want a child of my own. Her hand strokes my face and she holds me tight, but it brings me little comfort.

I know I will never have children with Callum. I will be forever alone. And now, my marriage is a howling abyss.





Chapter 3


Our car races through the old town square and I take a moment to drink in my surroundings. Camburgh is one of the most medieval places in Scotland. The town has served as a trading hub since twelve-fifty-four, and many of the beautiful buildings date way back to before the clansmen suffered atrocities at the brutal hands of the English.