Chapter 31
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
LEWIS
I’m checking through recent online reviews of the hotel—all pretty good, thankfully—when Emily wanders into the office, carrying Ru and Callie, one on each hip. They’re both now seven months old. She sets Ru down in the playpen that sits in the corner of the office—a new addition to our workspace—then takes a seat and bounces Callie on her lap. Ru immediately reaches out towards Callie with tiny, curious hands, and in response Callie giggles and kicks her legs.
It’s impossible not to smile at the pair of them. They already seem to be developing a sort of friendship. Of course, they remind me a lot of me and Iona. We became friends as babies, and our maws were best friends before us—just like Emily and Grace are. Even though it’s a silly thing to think given they’re so wee, I can’t help but wonder if, in his teenage years, Ru might find himself developing certain feelings for Callie, just as I did for Iona.
“Was there a good turnout for Grace’s yoga class?” I ask Emily.
Emily and Grace have an arrangement where they help each other out as working mothers. Emily looks after both babies whenever Grace is running a class in our function room, while at other times Grace cares for them when Emily needs to get things done around the hotel.
“Yeah,” Emily confirms, her voice a little flat.
Her usually vibrant eyes seem duller today, and she’s clearly distracted. I’m aware that being a mother to a young baby can’t be easy, and there must be days where she feels utterly exhausted. But having now worked with Emily for eighteen months, I know her well enough to be confident something else is up.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
“Oh, nothing.” She forces a smile but it’s unconvincing.
“Bullshit. You can tell me.” I stand. “Can I make you a tea? Coffee?”
She shakes her head and waves me back into my seat. “No, I don’t need a drink. It’s just...” She sighs. “Can I ask you something? In confidence? In other words, you won’t tell Ally?”
I frown, surprised by the question. “Aye, of course. Is... everything okay?”
“Oh, it’s nothing to do with your big brother—he’s perfect. In every way. It’s just...” She blows out. “Do you ever feel this is all a bit... much?” Cradling Callie with one hand, she gestures vaguely with her other. “Working here, living here, no separation between home life and working life?”
“Er...” I scratch my head. “Honestly? I grew up in the hotel, so it’s all I’ve ever known. I’m used to having guests around constantly—I feel pretty relaxed around them. But for someone who didn’t grow up the way we did, I can see that it might be a bit... draining to constantly feel like you need to be on your best behaviour.”
“That’s it exactly!” Emily says. “It’s draining . Don’t get me wrong—I love the hotel and I love working here with you. Moving to the Highlands is the best thing I ever did. But... whenever I go to Grace and Aidan’s adorable little cottage by the river—or David and Johnny’s, just a few homes along from them—it’s hard not to feel a little envious. I wouldn’t mind living in a place where I can nip to the kitchen to sort Ru a snack without having to make polite conversation with a guest or answer a question.”
From the playpen, Ru is now stretching his wee arms out towards me, so I lift him up then place him on my knee. I bob him up and down, occasionally tickling his tummy to elicit adorable wee giggles.
“I can see where you’re coming from,” I say to Emily. “And the truth is, Ally is probably like me on this. It’s what he’s always known so he might not appreciate how difficult it is for you. I reckon you should just talk to him. I can’t imagine him being upset with you about this. You know how he dotes on you.”
This time, Emily’s smile is genuine. “You’re right. I suppose the only reason I’ve not brought it up with him is because this isn’t just any building—it’s his childhood home.”
I glance down at Ru, checking he’s comfortable, then return my attention to Emily. “Since you opened up to me, can I confess something to you?”
“Sure.”
“Well... even though Ally isn’t responsible for the hotel anymore, he still likes to give me his thoughts on things every now and again, and I think that’s because he still lives here. He just can’t help himself.”
“Yeah, he does do that, doesn’t he?”
“It’s not a big deal. I don’t mind, really. But the other thing is... hmm, how to put this? Er, let’s say you and Ally have more kids. I’m not sure what your plans are! I’m just talking theoretically. Equally theoretically, and I know it’s pretty early to be talking about such things, but... let’s say Iona and I have kids at some point.”
At this, Emily’s tired eyes light up with a spark of excitement.
“Not any time soon!” I hurriedly add. “I’m talking somewhere down the line. Maybe. Or maybe it’ll never happen and Iona will just get a puppy. Like I say, this is all theoretical! The point I’m trying to get to is about... space. I mean, it seems incredibly unlikely, given his personality, but even Jamie might find a lass one day. If so, would she move in here with him? And Cat is in Wick at the moment, but she’s determined to get a job closer to home next year. Is she going to be moving back into the hotel? And what if she meets someone?
“Do you see what I’m getting at? This place was a great family home for my maw and da and four young children. But as we McIntyres start to fall in love and have children of our own... well, there just isn’t space for all of us, unless we convert all the guest rooms into family rooms, but then there’d be no business—and that’s how you, me, Elspeth, and Jamie make a living. Of course, I’ve no more right to this building than Ally, Jamie, or Cat, but...”
“Of the four siblings, you’re the one who’s always been the most passionate about the hotel, and so if anyone has to leave, you don’t think it should be you,” Emily finishes. She’s not being unkind—just stating what we both know to be a fact.
“Well... aye. I can’t imagine ever living anywhere but here. Ally, though? He’s never felt about the hotel the way I do.”
“So what you’re saying is, I’m not the only one who quite likes the idea of me, Ally, and Ru having our own place?”
“Not that I want rid of you!” I clarify. “You and I work really well together. But if, rather than living here, you’d prefer to live somewhere else—somewhere nearby, of course—and simply come here to work...”
Emily nods then gives me a small smile. “Yeah. Why don’t I have a chat with Ally, at least to float the idea?”
“Aye, like you say, to float the idea. In the meantime, though, I’ve got a suggestion for you.”
“Yeah?”
“You always loved doing yoga with Grace, but because you look after the babies while she’s running classes, you never get a chance to go anymore. I reckon a session would do you a world of good. Why don’t you go join in while I look after these two?”
She frowns. “You really think you can look after two babies and run the hotel?”
“Well, Jamie’s about too. And it’s not like you’ll be far—just in the function room. The class is only an hour, right? I’m sure I’ll manage.”
The babies will not stop crying. Rocking and singing to them hasn’t helped. I’ve tried my best—Jamie too.
Earlier, Emily assured me they’d both been fed recently, and as far as I can tell, their nappies are dry. If I don’t do something soon, Emily is bound to come through to see what all the fuss is about, and I really don’t want to disturb her yoga class. I reckon she needs it today.
That’s why, with Jamie’s help, I get the babies wrapped up for going outdoors. He secures Ru in the sling on my front, then we place Callie into her pram.
I’m going to take them for a walk. I can do this.
“You’re in charge,” I say to Jamie before setting off outside.
It’s a brisk November day but bright and dry. I’m fully expecting this to be a disaster, and to have to run back into the hotel and straight to Emily, conceding defeat. But actually, once I start walking along Main Street, both babies calm relatively quickly. I don’t want to get cocky, but... am I a natural at this?
I head down to the river and go along the riverside path for a while. The water glistens in the sharp sunlight filtering through bare branches. Ducks paddle serenely, leaving gentle ripples in their wake as they drift downstream.
When I come to a bench, I snap a photo of me and the babies and send it to Iona. She’s working, but she obviously has her phone on her because she messages back almost straight away.
Iona
Oh my God! I honestly didn’t think babies were as cute as puppies. But now that I see YOU with some, I think I may just have started ovulating.
Chuckling, I check how long I’ve been out for then decide I can probably start to head back, taking my time. I’d rather not continue along the path any further, just in case the crying starts again. I don’t want to take Ru and Callie too far from their mummies.
I retrace my steps. As I approach the old stone bridge, by which I got down to the river, voices reach me from up on top of it. Well, I say “voices”, but it’s mainly Morag the baker I can hear. Whoever she’s talking with can barely get a word in edgeways. Morag is a lovely woman, but a chatterbox and also quite the gossip.
It’s only when she says my name that I come to a stop and listen to the conversation more closely.
“I’m glad Iona has finally seen sense,” Morag continues. “For years, every time she came back to visit, he’d run up to greet her, happy as anything, but she had no interest in him whatsoever. And yet just look at the lad! What a specimen. How could anyone say no to him? Iona, meanwhile... well, yes, she’s certainly pretty in her own way, but he’s clearly the more attractive of the two.”
What? I think. She’s fucking gorgeous.
“She’s very lucky,” Morag continues. “Very, very lucky. Playing hard to get obviously worked for her in the end.”
I’m completely caught off-guard. Is this what people around Bannock actually think? Hell, even if it’s only what a few of them think, that’s not good enough.
It’s not the case that Iona is “lucky” to have me. Instead, it’s a bloody miracle that, after the way I hurt her, I’ve somehow managed to win her back. People don’t know the truth about what happened between us in the past, so obviously they’re creating their own narratives.
I’m about to head up to the bridge and confront Morag when I stop myself. No, correcting one person won’t nip the gossip in the bud. I need to go bigger. It’s not okay for anyone around town to think Iona is the lucky one. I need everyone to understand that I’m the luckiest man alive.
I have to set the record straight.