Chapter Twenty-Seven
Brodie had spent the past few hours lifting the old slabs on Iris’s patio, grateful for the cool breeze.
He was glad he stuck to just the one pint the previous evening at the quiz.
As a rule, he didn’t like to drink on school nights, as he called them, especially when he had such an early start.
He hadn’t slept well at all and spent the evening tossing and turning thinking about Flora.
He hadn’t seen her today and he wondered if she was avoiding him.
He gave himself a shake. He was giving all of this far too much headspace and he didn’t like it.
Why would she be avoiding him? Stretching his arms above his head, he sighed.
‘Fancy a cuppa?’ asked Iris from the back door.
‘Oh, you read my mind, Iris. Thank you.’
‘I’ll bring it out in a jiffy.’
Five minutes later, Iris set down a mug and a piece of shortbread on the patio table that he had moved up against the wall of the cottage, away from the slabbed area. He immediately noticed that Iris wasn’t her usual cheery self. ‘You’re quiet today, Iris. Is everything okay?’
She nodded a bit too quickly. ‘I’m fine, just a bit tired from last night.’
He frowned. Iris was a bit of a pocket rocket and he hadn’t known her ever feign tiredness or be anything other than uplifted and cheery. This wasn’t like her at all, especially as the usual spark she had in her eyes was nowhere to be seen. ‘Aye, it was a good night,’ he said gently. ‘We did well.’
Iris looked like she was going to say something else but then stopped.
‘Are you sure everything is okay, Iris?’
‘Och, I’m just having what my mother used to call an owrie day.’
He looked at her in confusion. ‘What does that mean?’
‘A bit out of sorts. Neither here nor there. I’m sure I’ll be right as rain tomorrow.’ She pulled her cardigan tighter around her, then her eyes lit up as she looked towards the gate. ‘Hello, dear. I wondered when you’d be back.’
Brodie turned to see Flora and he smiled, glad that her arrival had cheered Iris even if only temporarily.
‘I’ll get you a cup of tea and bring it out. You can keep Brodie company for a while.’ She disappeared back into the cottage.
Flora looked as though she was about to protest but decided against it.
Brodie opened his mouth to say something but the words were stuck. ‘How’s your day been?’ he eventually managed.
‘Good,’ she said brightly. ‘I’m almost finished the curtains for the new tree house at the inn. Lily asked me to help. I’m going there later to hang them.’
‘What’s it like? I’ve not yet had a chance to go and have a nosy.’ Brodie was curious and sincerely hoped recommending his friend Ross and his colleagues to build it had worked out. Ross had shared some photos of it in progress and it did look fantastic.
‘Absolutely amazing. I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s much higher spec than I thought it would be. I think I was expecting something quite rustic . . . but, wow. It’s something else. I would love to stay there. It’s magical,’ she said, flicking a fly off her arm.
‘I must go and see it for myself.’ His gaze settled on her.
‘Here you go, dearie,’ said Iris, walking towards her with a mug of tea.
‘Thanks, Gran.’ She curled her hands around the cup and looked quizzically at Iris.
‘I’m just away for a wee lie down. I’ll see you in a while.’
‘Okay.’ Flora’s brows knitted together as she looked at her. ‘Are you feeling alright, Gran? You do look a bit pale.’
She stifled a yawn. ‘Yes, just a bit tired. It was probably being out last night. I shouldn’t have had that whisky at the pub. I’ll be fine. Don’t worry.’
Brodie and Flora stood with their tea and he looked at her, wondering what she was thinking. She blinked, lips parting slightly before sighing.
‘She’s not really herself today, is she?’
Flora shook her head. ‘There’s definitely something on her mind. She’s not been herself the past couple of days . . .’
Her voice was flat now and the tension in her eyes was obvious. Brodie wished he could make things better. ‘Is there anything that I can do?’
Flora paused and bit her bottom lip then shook her head, all while not looking at him.
‘Well, I’m here if you need me . . .’
Flora now raised her eyes and her expression softened a little. ‘Thank you. I appreciate it, Brodie.’
He frowned. Flora was evidently very worried about Iris. He just hoped it wasn’t anything serious.