Chapter Twelve Kirkwall Airport #2
Evie felt a stress headache coming on. Maybe Amelia was just genuinely ignorant, but Evie’s voice was a few degrees cooler as she said, “They have electricity and everything, Amelia. There’s a regular ferry or a plane.
There’s a lovely hotel and a pub and shops.
It’s a beautiful island and they will make you very welcome. ”
Amelia made a gesture with her cigarette.
“Oh my God,” she yelled. “Look at that view! Stop the car, Evie. I have to get out.”
Evie pulled up sharply.
Amelia tippy-toed over the road on her high heels, making a car on the other side swerve to avoid her. Oblivious, she turned to Evie and exclaimed. “This is just darling. Look at the quaint little village and that cathedral in the middle! It’s just like Disneyland.”
Evie cleared her throat. “That’s actually our capital, Kirkwall, and it’s quite big really. I can show you around if you like. If you need anything at all there’s loads of shops.”
“I’d love to get a few selfies in there. But don’t worry about shopping for now, I’ve got everything I will need with me.”
Amelia’s phone buzzed. She read the text and pursed her lips.
“Actually, Evie, could you just drop me at the hotel after all? Turns out I have a few things to sort out.”
She tapped at her phone before adding, “Although I would still like to come and see you tonight but could we do it after dinner?”
“Of course,” said Evie, surprised at how relieved she felt that she wouldn’t have to babysit Amelia.
“I sent you all my numbers. Just ping me a message and I can come and get you. It’s no trouble.
You are only about ten minutes away, my house is just over there on the hill also looking over Scapa Flow.
It’s a tremendous view, don’t you think? ”
“Peachy,” said Amelia distractedly, with a tight smile.
Evie gave a running commentary for the rest of the short journey to the hotel, pointing out landmarks like the hospital and the Scapa whisky distillery, but sensed that Amelia was no longer all that interested.
Evie thought the tiredness must be kicking in after her long journey.
It was a lot to take on: travelling here on her own and meeting strangers, even if they do turn out to be family.
Instead of going straight home after she’d dropped Amelia off, Evie drove on to Freya’s cottage. Now that the gallery was such a success, Freya spent most days creating new jewellery, as well as encouraging new talent to come up with their own ideas.
As she went up the path, she heard Freya on the phone telling a young potter to bring in some more of her beautiful handmade green-and-blue vases. “They have the sea and the air in them, so delicate but also strong. You should be very proud of yourself, my love. See you soon then.”
As always, her door was open. She saw Evie and beamed.
“That was Fraser’s lass Helen on the phone. She’s a shy peedie thing but so talented. She just needs a bit of encouragement. Her work is lovely.”
She looked at Evie keenly. “You look a bit out of sorts. So, tell me everything – how did it go with Amelia?”
Evie shook her head. “She seems nice enough.”
She wasn’t sure what to say and could tell Freya was waiting, knowing there was more to come.
Evie blurted out: “She looks just like me. Apart from the fact she has dark hair and I’m a fair bit taller, we could be identical twins. Actually, because she had the most ridiculous high heels on, we were just about the same height.”
Evie was on a roll now and her words tumbled out in a rush, “Also, she admitted having ‘assistance’, as you call it, with the Botox and all, but she looks well under forty and not the older woman I imagined. To be honest she looked brand new, even after that long journey.”
Freya said slowly, “Go on.”
Evie did indeed go on, “She called Kirkwall quaint. She thought everything was cute! She wondered how to get to Hrossey and she asked if they had wifi there as though we were all barbarians.”
Freya raised her eyebrows. Evie wasn’t done yet, “She was all for coming back to my house when she got a text and couldn’t wait for me to drop her at the hotel and make myself scarce.”
Evie’s voice rose to a crescendo: “… And she smoked a fag in Florence.” Freya told Evie to sit down, made her some hot tea and a large slice of cake and watched her munch it down. Evie’s heart was pounding and her face was flushed.
“Feel better?”
“Actually, I do,” said Evie through a mouthful of sumptuous Victoria sponge.
“Good. Because I’m going to say something to you.
Put yourself in her shoes. She’s in a strange place and you know she’s not the first visitor to think we live in stone houses like Skara Brae and paint ourselves blue like Mel Gibson in Braveheart.
It’s annoying, I know, but come on, Evie. It sounds like she was a bit nervous.”
Evie winced. “Yes, you’re right. I’m being really judgemental. I did try to tell myself she must be a bit anxious and jet lagged. And she did say something along those lines herself.”
“There you are then. How did you leave it with her?”
“She’s coming to see me later tonight. She says she would rather stay up and be on Orkney time. I’m going to pick her up from the hotel after dinner. Freya do you think …”
Freya interrupted her.
“Don’t worry, I’ll come along tonight too. I can’t wait to meet this intriguing woman. And Evie, don’t take it upon yourself to have to entertain her. We will all help and there’s loads of things to keep her occupied.”
“You’re right and I will make a list. What about a visit to Jack and Delima’s sanctuary – I could call on them and see what day suits them best?”
Freya smiled as she watched Evie relax now she knew there was a plan and that everyone would rally round.
“Perfect idea. So, let me know what time tonight, and I’ll see you there.”