Chapter Twelve
Ezz had taken Wednesday and Thursday off this week, as Orla could be on duty to cover the phone and fulfil the needs of the Larssons, and had enjoyed driving up to Trotternish in the north of the island. Hiking the coastal path had soothed away some of the angst of the days before, sandwiches and a flask in her backpack, the snowy peak of the Storr on one hand and the rocky Rona and Raasay across the sea on the other. She wondered whether she could allow herself time off for similar outings once the rest of the Larssons arrived on December 15th, as Orla’s last day was the 13th. Grete had told Ezz she should continue to take her days off as usual, but it still felt wrong.
On Friday morning, the last-but-one day of November, Thea strolled into Ezz’s office with a cheerful smile. She wore a balaclava with a hat over it and gauntlet gloves that made her look as if she’d swapped hands with a lobster. Her cheeks were pink with cold. ‘Christmas trees at the bottom of the steps,’ she announced. ‘Dev’s here to help me and Sheena, and he’s made stands.’
‘Fantastic. I’ll come out.’ Ezz pushed back her chair and pulled her coat off the hook behind the office door, before scrambling into it. Anticipating that an extra pair of hands might be appreciated in manhandling the trees today, she’d dressed in trousers and flat boots. Orla had left the reception desk, where she’d recently added red-berried holly to the twinkle lights, and was at the open front door, huddling into her cardigan while she made admiring noises about the two luxurious spruces lying at the foot of the stairs. ‘They’re handsome trees, are they not?’
‘They’re gorgeous.’ Ezz squeezed past and then beamed at a grinning Thea, Dev and Sheena. A stepladder and tools waited nearby. ‘Thea, do you not mind cutting down your beautiful trees?’
Thea chuckled. ‘Trees need thinning out to let others grow. And they’re not actually my trees,’ she added as an afterthought.
A nearby sash window slid up and Mats called out, ‘Hang on and I’ll give you a hand getting them into the house.’ The window slid down again with a clunk.
By the time he appeared in a hat and fleece, Ezz was at the foot of the steps, inspecting the stands Dev had created from split saplings and inhaling the wintry perfume of freshly sawn spruce. She glanced up. ‘Mats, this is Deveron Dowie. He’s Thea’s partner and has kindly helped out with the trees.’
‘Thea’s a bit wee for this job,’ Dev observed, and winked at Thea.
Mats shook Dev’s hand and then Astrid and Alvin pelted out of the door, dressed like Mats in fleeces that looked suitable for a polar exhibition and shouting, ‘The Christmas trees!’ Grete and Josefin lurked more sedately in the doorway with Orla, very sensibly waiting for the trees to come to them.
‘Can we have the tallest in reception?’ Grete called. ‘The ceiling is higher there than the lounge.’
With many hands making light work, the stands and then the trees made it indoors with the minimum of huffing and puffing, and then outdoor clothes were shed in a colourful pile on Orla’s chair. Ezz had stored the decorations the children had chosen in her office and now she and Orla carried out box after cellophane-wrapped box, while Grete decided which decorations should be taken into the lounge ready for the second tree.
Mats, Dev and Sheena soon had the first tree in its stand. Alvin swirled the long string of lights around his hands when no one was looking and Ezz’s nimble fingers proved adept at untangling them, grinning at the little boy’s sudden Christmas joy as he chattered to Grete about the presents he hoped Jultomten would bring. Soon she found herself up the stepladder, threading the lights through prickly branches that smelt of winter and outdoors while the children danced around the ladder and laughed excitedly. ‘Look! There are so many colours.’
‘Can I turn them on?’
Mats chimed in. ‘Astrid can switch on the lights, and Alvin open the first box of decorations. But wait—’
Astrid didn’t wait. The galaxy of lights burst into life, half-blinding Ezz, who laughed and, blinking, stumbled back down the ladder. ‘I think they’ll have to go off again until the rest of the decorations have been hung.’
While Astrid did that, Alvin fell on the boxes and removed their lids to reveal a glittering rainbow of baubles. Mats and Dev hauled the other tree through to the lounge and Alvin promptly abandoned the Aladdin’s cave of decorations in favour of bouncing along behind them, squeaking and skipping with joy at the excitement.
Astrid remained in reception, enchanted by the baubles. ‘Here’s a star, Farmor. Josefin, look at the tiny reindeer! Ezzie, I chose these crystals for the tree, didn’t I?’
Gwen arrived and immediately called Peony and Georgia away from ironing bedding to bring vacuum cleaners. As they cleared spruce needles and sawdust, the two young women didn’t look much more than children themselves with ponytails and make-up-free faces, and let themselves be encouraged into admiring the shining baubles. Then Alvin ran back to investigate the noise made by the vacuum cleaners and immediately struck up a relationship with one of the machines – the kind with a face and a bowler hat.
Soon Ezz, Orla, Josefin and Astrid were hooking the dazzling, glittery ornaments onto the beautifully scented tree, the spruce needles brushing their fingers, while Thea and Grete moved on to the tree in the lounge. Candy canes hooked over branches, tinsel twirled madly up the trunk, and everybody chattered, buoyed by the simple act of bringing Christmas to the hall.
Finally, Ezz climbed the stepladder again, this time to top off the tree with the large silver star studded with tiny white lights.
Astrid was allowed to switch on the rest again and every coloured light sprang to life. Astrid jigged on the spot. ‘It’s Christmas, it’s Christmas, it’s Christmaaas !’
‘Christmas!’ Orla and Ezzie repeated, clapping.
Josefin laughed, cheeks ruddy. ‘We are early. It is not even December until Sunday. Then we will light candles and make Lussekatter – saffron buns – for first advent. Even though we should really wait for St Lucia Day, Lussekatter are always good.’
Not sure what first advent was, Ezz admired the finished tree, twinkling and shimmering between the connecting door to the family side and the staircase to the upper storeys. It was a jolly hotchpotch of colour.
Astrid arrived before her with a little jump. ‘We have our own tree in the playroom as well. Do you want to see? Alvin and I decorated it. Josefin helped.’
Ezz paused uncertainly. She’d spent all morning helping with Christmas decorations. Did Astrid’s invitation come before her waiting office work?
Josefin added her voice to Astrid’s. ‘Some of the ornaments are made of salt dough that the children made. Come up with us.’
Warmed by the fun of joining in, Ezz answered, ‘That would be lovely,’ and found her hand in Astrid’s as she was led into the family side, up the stairs and along the corridor to the playroom.
There, Astrid flung the door open with a triumphant ‘Look!’
A small artificial tree stood near the window – the kind with its own twinkle lights. Two long strings of tinsel, one red and one blue, threaded through the branches. Shapes made from baked salt dough had been inexpertly painted and liberally daubed with glitter. Others were cut from shiny red, blue or silver card. ‘Beautiful,’ Ezz said, charmed by the home-made decorations that twirled in the draught.
‘And now let’s go see the other tree,’ Astrid demanded, tugging Ezz’s hand once more.
Ezz wasn’t sure Grete expected her to turn up to inspect the tree in the lounge, but when she arrived Mats had joined his mother and was festooning the branches with a string of pretty silver bells. Peony, Georgia and Gwen were vacuuming up the last of the needles – carefully, as Alvin was riding the vacuum cleaner with the bowler hat.
‘Astrid wanted me to see the tree in the playroom,’ Ezz explained, in case anyone wondered why she wasn’t back at her desk.
Mats grinned. ‘Impressed?’
Ezz nodded firmly. ‘Very.’
‘I think Ezzie should be our guest for advent on Sunday,’ Astrid announced. ‘We have guests for fika on advent, and she’s the only friend we have here.’ Persuasively, she swung Ezzie’s hand. ‘Will you come? We’re going to make saffron buns. Farmor, Daddy and Josefin will drink gl?gg.’ She pulled a face. ‘In Sweden, Alvin and I like Julmust but the Co-op in Broadford hasn’t got any, so Josefin says we’ll have Irn-Bru. That’s Scottish,’ she added helpfully.
Flustered, though feeling a glow that the little girl saw her as a friend, Ezz said, ‘I’m not sure—’
But Mats chimed in. ‘That’s a lovely idea, Astrid. I’m proud of you for thinking of it. Would you come, Ezz? The Swedish often gather with family and friends on the Sundays of advent to welcome the season. Fika just means an afternoon treat such as coffee and cake.’
With so many pairs of eyes on her, Ezz didn’t think she could say more than, ‘Of course. That’s so kind of you.’ Incredibly touched that Astrid wanted her at advent, Ezzie squeezed her hand before saying it was time to return to her office. An extortionate quote for public liability insurance for next summer season awaited her negotiating skills.
Josefin followed her out. ‘How about the pub tonight?’ she asked tentatively. ‘But not if you don’t want to, of course.’
Ezz, halfway across the polished tile floor of reception, paused, wondering whether Mats had hinted to Josefin that Ezz had had problems with alcohol. ‘Sorry. Thea’s invited me for supper and to FaceTime our other sister.’ Although she’d discussed her disappointing meeting with Kay and Rick with each sister individually, she was looking forward to discussing it again with them both together now that her emotions were settling. What would they feel she should do next – if anything? What did they think of her having two stranger-sisters? It wouldn’t change how she felt about Thea and Valentina – that was for damned sure. They were her growing-up-together sisters. Loved-you-all-my-life sisters. More-important-than-anyone-else sisters.
Josefin’s face fell. ‘Sure.’
But having had a taste of loneliness recently and having enjoyed Josefin’s company and appreciated the occasional gift of hot chocolate or gingerbread, Ezz added, ‘How about tomorrow evening? We could eat at the pub—’
Instantly, Josefin was all smiles. ‘Fish and chips?’
‘Definitely.’ And Ezz found herself looking forward to it.
She’d barely settled down to wrestle with the insurance quote when her mobile phone rang. When she answered, she was surprised to hear Erik’s bluff tones. ‘Do you know is Grete home?’ he asked, the second that greetings were over.
For an instant, Ezz hesitated. Never before had Erik made such a call. ‘She was a few minutes ago.’
‘No answer from her phone,’ Erik grumbled.
Swiftly, Ezz explained about the tree decorating and the vacuum cleaner. ‘Perhaps she couldn’t hear her phone. Would you like me to—’
‘I call Mats, I suppose.’ Erik sighed, as if this was an enormous imposition, and politely said goodbye.
At about one, Ezz caught sight of Josefin and the children in reception, and Astrid called, ‘We’re going for a walk through the trees.’
‘Sounds great.’ Ezz waved back. She quite fancied a walk herself. Maybe after she’d eaten her salad sandwich. She’d just opened her desk drawer in search of it when Mats appeared through the connecting door and made a beeline for her office.
He presented her with a white-napkin-wrapped parcel. ‘Gwen made chocolate cake. I’m bringing you some to have an excuse to check you don’t mind about advent Sunday. Astrid’s not enjoying the solitude as much as Mum and me. She misses having more people around her – especially her mother, of course – but I don’t want you to feel obliged.’ He plumped down in the chair opposite.
To give herself a moment, Ezz peeped within the napkin. ‘Looks delicious.’ Now she was being offered a way out of what was plainly a family occasion of which she possessed only the sketchiest of understanding, she realised she wanted to be there. Tentatively she said, ‘I should mention that Orla’s off at the weekend, so I’m supposed to be working.’
Mats’ fair brows sank deep over his eyes. ‘Don’t start the “should I take my days off” thing again. I’m certain you work more hours than you’re paid for, and you’ll be our guest.’
‘Oh.’ She hoped she hadn’t gone too pink at his swift reassurance. ‘Then, thank you. I’d love to.’
‘Three o’clock.’ He jumped up. ‘Just come through the connecting door. It will only be family. Unless Alvin decides he wants to invite the vacuum cleaner,’ he added.
Ezz laughed. ‘Gwen, Peony and Georgia want to get in for a good clean. Gwen’s waiting to talk to Grete about it. Alvin can continue his friendship with the vacuum cleaner then.’
His eyes danced, but then he looked thoughtful. ‘Tell Gwen to clean on Monday. I’ll take the family out for the day.’
And then he was gone, leaving her watching the big white door shut behind him.
That evening, Ezz left her car behind and set off on foot for Thistledome, Thea’s cottage, toiling up the steep lanes to the top of the village. An overcast night meant no stars to twinkle down, and apart from exchanging greetings with a couple of the Regular Drinkers near the pub, she saw no more evidence of Rothach residents than lights at cottage windows.
Fraser’s dog Scotty barked as she puffed past his gate in Balgown, the roses in his garden bare but for their thorns. When she finally made Loch View, she paused to look over the cottage roofs marching down to the beach between trees that grew in the direction the wind blew. A sense of peace descended. If it meant that she and Thea could stay in this beautiful spot she’d done the right thing confiding the truth about the accident in Mats Larsson.
Then she rapped the bee-shaped door-knocker of Thistledome. Daisy barked indignantly. Since Dev had moved in, Ezz no longer felt free to knock and enter. Delighted though she was that her little sis had found her soulmate, she had no wish to stumble into the sizzling sex life Thea was so smug about.
The door opened to reveal Dev and Thea grinning, and Daisy exhibiting the springs in her paws. ‘Hiya,’ sang Thea.
‘Arf, arf!’ shouted Daisy.
‘Thought you’d never come. I’m hungry,’ said Dev.
Ezz stepped into their welcome. ‘Hiya. So am I. Shush, Daisy.’ Everybody talked across one another as Ezz hung up her coat then turned and caught Thea stealing a quick kiss from Dev. ‘You two are sickening,’ Ezz mock-grumbled.
‘We know.’ Thea laughed and swished her ponytail as Dev smiled at her, his heart in his eyes. Ezz smothered a pang of envy. It wasn’t as if she’d planned to be single after coming to Skye. It was just that small rural communities had no nightclubs or anonymous bars for casual meetings – which was where the dating apps had come in. She’d chosen to date mainly off-island to avoid running into erstwhile casual dates, but the flipside was a thirty-to-forty-minute journey from home, even before Henry the auctioneer and Major Magic had unnerved her.
‘We have stew and herby dumplings.’ Thea steered Ezz down the hall towards the kitchen table, which was laid for three. ‘Dev, can you carry the dish to the table? I’ll strain the green beans.’
Ezz watched the easy way they moved around each other while Dev used a towel to lift the dish out of a multi-cooker, and Thea lifted a pan from the hob. Finally, they were ladling stew onto plates, Daisy flopping into her dog bed with a sigh. Thistledome was strict in its no-dogs-fed-at-the-table policy.
‘Mm. This is gorgeous.’ Ezz cut into a dumpling with the side of her fork. ‘I wonder whether Valentina’s builder’s begun work. When I’m at the hall during daylight hours, it’s hard to spot what’s going on in the village.’
‘I saw his pick-up a couple of times.’ Dev lifted his cutlery. ‘But Valentina and Gary have to approve his plans before he can order materials. She’s only owned the cottage about three weeks. If she has to gain permission to change the windows, she might not achieve her goal of being here this summer.’
‘She will,’ Ezz and Thea chorused. Ezz added, ‘Big sis will organise the builder.’
‘She’ll find a way to get him to prioritise her job,’ Thea added with a wicked grin. ‘I’ll bet when we speak to her tonight, she’s made progress.’
It was only an hour later that they gathered around Dev’s laptop; Ezz squashing in with Thea and Dev on the sofa in Rothach, whilst Valentina sat in her elegant primrose-yellow dining room in Rosemarkie, Barnaby at her elbow. It was unusual for Dev to join one of these FaceTime chats, but Ezz thought maybe he wanted to hear who’d been right about Valentina’s builder.
Barnaby greeted them first, ready for bed in his pyjamas. ‘Yo,’ he said, standing beside Valentina’s chair.
Ezz burst out laughing, while Valentina’s jaw dropped. ‘Where on earth did you get “yo” from, Barnaby?’
‘Balbir at school.’ Barnaby’s brown hair fell in his eyes, and he flicked it out again with a cherubic smile. ‘Hello, Auntie Ezzie; hello, Auntie Thea and Uncle Dev. Dev, have you been watching footie?’ His eyes shone, having recently developed a love of football that his mum and aunts didn’t share. ‘Me and Dad watched Hibernian play Dundee. We support Hibs. It was two-two until Hibs scored in extra time.’
Valentina broke in. ‘Tell Auntie Ezzie and Auntie Thea what you’re looking forward to.’
Barnaby frowned. ‘Livingston being at home to Dundee?’
Valentina rolled her eyes. ‘Not football. We’re looking forward to visiting Rothach to see our new cottage, aren’t we?’
‘Yes!’ Barnaby’s eyes lit up. ‘We’re coming to stay, Auntie Ezzie.’
Valentina laughed. ‘It’s: Auntie Ezzie, may we stay with you?’
‘Oh, yeah.’ Jiggling impatiently, Barnaby repeated the question in its polite form.
‘Of course,’ Ezzie agreed, before the little boy had finished. ‘Separate to your Christmas visit, do you mean? When?’
Valentina answered for him. ‘Separate, please – the weekend after next. I know you might be working, Ezz, but the builder wants to talk to me. He’s getting the partition wall up, and he’s ordered the new windows, but he needs to get the drains inspected and first we need to finalise options for the new bathroom.’
‘Is Gary coming?’ Ezz turned to smirk at Dev, because she and Thea had been correct about Valentina having the builder working already, but Thea and Dev were whispering together. Dev murmured something about waiting but Thea made outraged eyes and hissed, ‘No, now.’ Ezz turned back to the screen.
‘I think Gary will come,’ Valentina answered. ‘Thanks, Ezz. I hope it’s not too much trouble.’
‘Never. I haven’t got round to changing the bed you slept in a week ago,’ Ezz said with cheerful pragmatism. ‘Barnaby can have the camp bed as usual.’
They chatted until Barnaby’s bedtime, and Ezz prepared to ask her sisters’ views on her suddenly reappearing birth parents now five days had elapsed. But, after exchanging goodnights with Barnaby, Thea spoke before Ezz could order her thoughts. ‘Actually, Valentina, you, Barnaby and Gary could come and stay at Thistledome that weekend, because we’re going “doon hame” to Dumfries to see Dev’s family. We have to tell them …’ With a pause as if for a drum roll, Thea finished, ‘… that we’re having a baby!’
After a moment’s thunderstruck silence, Ezz launched herself at the small, beaming woman at her side, and scooped her into a big hug. ‘ Thea! Oh, that’s amazing! How long have you known? Are you OK? Congratulations , Dev.’ She kissed Thea soundly on her cheek, then hugged Dev, too, aware of Valentina squealing from the computer screen, and everyone laughing and exclaiming.
Finally, they quietened enough for Thea to enlarge on her announcement, her brown eyes glowing like the polished bronzite sold in Skye Market. She leant into Dev’s embrace as if they were sharing their excitement through their skin. ‘I wanted you two to know first. I’m twelve weeks along, and we’ve had a scan, which shows things progressing as hoped. The due date’s June 12th.’ Thea pulled a face. ‘I’ll be the grand old age of forty-two by the time the baby’s born, so I’m a “geriatric” mum. I’ve met my midwife at Sleat Medical Centre at what’s called the booking appointment where the midwife checks how I am and takes my blood pressure and everything. Valentina, I’m sorry not to have told you in person but I couldn’t wait.’
Valentina waved the apology away. ‘Unimportant, except that I can’t hug you. How exciting.’ Her bottom lip wobbled. ‘And emotional. Wow, you’ll be such awesome parents.’
Thea wiped her eyes on her sleeve. She laughed. ‘The midwife gave me a list of things pregnant women shouldn’t eat and do you know what’s on there?’ She paused for dramatic effect. ‘Haggis!’
Dev joked, ‘Good job it’s just the mum. The Scottish assembly might make me turn in my kilt and sporran if I couldn’t eat haggis.’
Thea turned serious. ‘I must also avoid heavy lifting, and contact with certain chemicals, including herbicides and insecticides. And I should wear gloves rather than come into direct contact with the soil.’
‘We’ll work around it,’ Ezz assured her. ‘But now I see why Dev came with you to lift the Christmas trees. What about the ponies and the donkey? Are there areas for caution there?’
‘Blimey. I don’t know.’ Thea’s eyebrows curled in thought.
‘Well, Thea’s health and that of the baby is the most important thing,’ Ezz said hastily, not wanting to introduce negativity. ‘It might mean asking Sheena to work more hours or get the seasonal gardeners in early in the spring. Hopefully, Sheena can cover your maternity leave.’ She gave Thea another hug. ‘Honestly, I’ll be the only member of staff left at Rothach Hall soon. I’ll have to read up on the latest guidance for your maternity benefits and everything. I think you get a maternity certificate at twenty weeks.’
Thea clutched her rosy cheeks. ‘I can’t believe it’s happening. We knew our chances were reduced because of a woman’s eggs being poor quality after forty, and were prepared for disappointment really. Will you speak to Erik and Grete for me?’
‘Leave that to me.’ Ezz couldn’t stop hugging her little sister. ‘Just make me a new niece or nephew to love. Have you told Ynez?’
Thea beamed. ‘We’ve arranged to FaceTime her and Jean-Jacques later, after Ynez’s restaurant is closed. She’s working tonight because, though she’s semi-retired, she still covers her manager’s nights off. I’m sure she’s going to be thrilled, though.’ Thea’s relationship with her mercurial birth mum had got off to a rocky start, but now they were in touch regularly they’d developed a fond relationship.
Because of Thea’s wonderful, joyful, unexpected news, Ezzie didn’t mention her own birth parents at all.
Later, when the excitement was over and she was strolling home, boats’ mooring lights flickering in the darkness of the bay, Ezz’s mind circled back to her joking words about soon being the only staff member left at Rothach. The housekeeping crew of Gwen, Georgia and Peony were stalwart, but when Orla left, they’d be down to six, one of whom was Thea, whose role would have to be adapted to her maternity needs. Ezz never remembered staff numbers being so low. If the family hadn’t been in residence, it wouldn’t have been a problem. The answering machine would have picked up any calls Ezz missed and otherwise things would have gone on at the slow pace of previous winters until spring saw more visitors enjoying Rothach again.
She paused to watch the burn rush down the hillside and under the bridge, glinting in the sparse street lighting. But if the family wasn’t in residence, Ezz wouldn’t have Alvin and Astrid popping into her office to explain their dietary preferences, or Josefin inviting her to the pub.
And she would have continued to think Mats as entitled as his ex-wife Inger rather than unexpectedly kind and insightful, despite his tendency to rush into things.
A pair of headlights swooped up Bridge Road towards her, and she stepped aside, making sure she didn’t slip down the grassy bank in the process. The burn might not actually be frozen, but it would certainly feel like ice, if she slipped in. The headlights flashed, so she waved, assuming she knew the driver.
When it had growled up Glen Road, she resumed her walk, pulling her scarf higher. Her mind strayed back to Kay and Rick Colville. Presumably they’d left the island after she’d asked them to go. Told them to go. Demanded. Shouted … ? She wasn’t even sure. Perhaps they were home in Coventry, near Julia and Iona. She tried to summon the image she’d seen on Rick’s phone. They’d looked like Kay: rounded and with wavy hair.
Only Ezz seemed to have inherited Rick’s height. His straight blond hair might be long gone, but the blue eyes and sharp features he’d passed to her had been almost unnerving in their familiarity. Did he look like his parents? He hadn’t said much about them, except they’d supported him more than Kay’s family. But not enough to agree to take Ezz.
Were Kay and Rick hoping she’d contact them? Answer Kay’s letter? She supposed they might be, or Rick wouldn’t have left his card. They must have wanted to meet her to travel all the way up to Skye and pay for a nice hotel. But hadn’t the time for them to want her been forty-four years ago?
‘I don’t know why I feel so screwed up over this, because I’d always known I’d come from some angsty situation,’ she murmured to herself, as she turned into Chapel Road and saw the welcome sight of the lamp in her garden. ‘I couldn’t have had a happier childhood than Mum and Dad gave me, with music in the house, and cuddles every day.’ She turned up her path, fishing for her keys. Maxie, Vince, Thea and Valentina were her family even if they didn’t share the blood in her veins.
Kay, Rick, Julia and Iona did – but that only made them connected by DNA. Not by love.