Chapter Thirty-Nine
It was after eight when they finally finished with the painting.
While Flora had been finishing the kitchen off, Brodie had also managed to paint the utility room.
As he pulled away the dust sheets and tidied everything away, Flora looked around proudly.
‘I do hope Gran likes it.’ They’d painted the kitchen in a soft grey shade and Flora had briefly wondered about refreshing the Roman blinds too.
But there was no need. The ones that she was about to put back up — mustard yellow — looked perfect next to the grey walls and had all the hallmarks of being made by Gran.
‘She will, definitely. It looks much fresher and brighter than before. And she’s been mentioning giving it a freshen up for a while. I was going to offer to come back and do it in the winter when the gardening side slows down.’
‘I’ve saved you a job,’ joked Flora. ‘Although she may need to get you in to do some of the bigger rooms. I’m not sure I can manage them on my own. Oops.’ Flora put her hand across her mouth when she felt herself yawning.
‘No wonder you’re tired. It’s been a full-on day.’
‘I couldn’t have done it without you, Brodie. Imagine if I’d been trying to do this all on my own? Thank you so much.’ She stood with her hands on her hips and looked at him. ‘Do you fancy a quick dip in the loch? It’s become my go-to after a long day. And then I’ll treat you to dinner?’
Brodie grinned. ‘How can I refuse?’
Flora hesitated as she realised what he might have thought she was suggesting.
Brodie winked. ‘Don’t worry, we can keep our underwear. And, yes, it might perk us both up. I’m feeling a bit knackered now too.’
Flora laughed then grabbed his hand and pulled him towards the door, lifting a couple of old towels from the cupboard next to the utility room on the way out.
She held his hand as she led him through the garden and down the new path to the jetty.
‘I can’t believe how much you’ve transformed the place,’ she said, looking around in wonder.
He really had turned it from an overgrown jungle into an oasis of calm.
It felt like a little sanctuary and she could smell the scent of lavender mingled with roses in the soft warm breeze.
It actually smelt like summer and sounded like it, too, with the birds’ chatter and humming of bees.
‘It’s worked out well, hasn’t it?’ he said, smiling proudly. ‘But Iris had a vision for what she wanted and hopefully this will mean it’s less maintenance for her to worry about. Though I hope she takes me up on my offer to help. It’s a big garden for her to look after.’
Flora was thoughtful as she took in the huge lawn that ran down to the water and the raised beds.
She knew Brodie was going to replace the old sitooterie by the water which would be a lovely place to sit on a warm day.
It was currently past its best and used as a dumping ground for old pot plants and broken bits of fence.
‘I know. It really is a huge space. I mean you could practically build another house and live in this garden.’ She frowned as a spark of an idea began to flicker inside her mind.
It was the start of something but she could feel the fizz of excitement as she started to visualise what might be.
But she didn’t say a word and kept it to herself.
Maybe, just maybe she could be onto something.
But it wasn’t something to raise now and especially not to Brodie.
Or maybe not at all. She was always full of crazy ideas.
But she could already feel herself formulating and planning.
Turning to Brodie, she teased, ‘Last one in the loch can buy dinner.’
‘Oi,’ yelled Brodie, racing after her when she dropped his hand and started to sprint towards the loch. ‘I thought you were buying it anyway.’
‘We’ll see.’ She laughed as he ran past her.
Flora wasn’t quite fast enough, especially as she got distracted; she couldn’t drag her eyes off Brodie who had kicked off his shoes, pulled off his T-shirt and shorts and slipped into the water.
She tried not to stare but how could he look that good? He was irresistible.
‘If you’re not fast, you’re last,’ he called from the water.
‘You’re right. Looks like dinner is on me after all.
’ She suddenly felt shy and exposed about undressing, even though Brodie had seen it all before, that day she was naked in the loch.
But he seemed to sense what she was thinking and he averted his gaze, turning to float on his back for a moment, allowing her the chance to take off her clothes.
This time keeping her underwear on. She wasn’t quite ready to skinny-dip with him.
Yet. The water was bracingly cold and she squealed as she slid off the jetty and into the loch.
‘It’s cold but you’ll be fine in a minute,’ he said, swimming over to her.
‘I know, I know,’ she said trying to steady her breath. ‘It’s always the first thirty seconds that are the hardest.’
Brodie was right and soon she was relaxed and enjoying the feel of the cool water against her skin.
Brodie’s hair was dark and slicked back and the water shimmered over his broad and muscular shoulders.
He splashed her and Flora began to flick the water back at him; he grabbed her hand and pulled her towards him.
‘I’ve wanted to do this all day,’ he said, gently leaning in and kissing her.
Flora wished they could stay in that moment forever.
Having their own private swimming spot was magical and all she could hear was their laughter mingled with the sound of the birds.
‘Come on.’ He tugged at her arm. ‘It’s time we got out.’
Flora swam after him and hauled herself out and onto the jetty, very aware of how exposed she felt in her underwear; everything felt very cold. Shivering, she wrapped a towel around her torso. ‘Thanks for coming in with me. I do feel so much better now.’
‘Me too,’ he agreed, standing there dripping and drying himself roughly with the towel.
‘Cold-water swimming is like champagne for the brain.’
‘Aye, I don’t think I’ve heard that phrase before but it’s very true.’ He pulled on his shorts and top then bent down to put on his trainers. ‘I’m so ready for that dinner now.’
‘Me too. Do you want to go home and change?’ asked Flora as she dried herself with a towel.
He nodded. ‘I won’t be long. Give me half an hour and then we can go wherever you want.’
‘What are the options? The inn or the Italian bistro?’ She looked at her watch. ‘Though I’ve a feeling their last orders are just after nine. So you’d better get a move on.’
‘Pizza sounds good to me. The restaurant also does a very good takeaway option.’ He grinned suggestively.
‘That sounds like a very good idea,’ said Flora as they walked back towards the cottage. Maybe it would be nice to have it here at the cottage. It would be more private and there would be less chance of people gossiping. ‘I’ll order it and meet you there?’
‘How about I just collect it and bring it here?’
‘Okay, so for about half an hour’s time? And don’t be late.’
Brodie kissed her on the nose. ‘As if. I’m never late . . . especially when there’s something I’m craving.’