Chapter Eighteen
‘Hi, dearie,’ called Iris as Flora came into the kitchen, her face bright red. ‘How was your run?’
‘Really hot.’ She walked over to the sink to fill a glass of water, drank it quickly and gasped. ‘That’s better.’ Then she refilled it and drained the glass again.
Iris was aware of the parrots squawking in the conservatory which was just off the kitchen.
That’s where their house was and where they slept at night or if Iris was out.
But they also loved to fly around and play there.
This morning they were in a very boisterous mood and it was still fairly early.
Iris stood up and called through the door with a shake of her head, ‘Boys behave.’ Then muttered more quietly, ‘They are particularly noisy this morning.’
‘I love you. I love you,’ they both chirped back.
Iris laughed and shook her head in amusement.
Flora sighed loudly and took a seat opposite Iris as she sat back down at the table. ‘That was a bit of an effort. I keep thinking running will get easier but it doesn’t.’
‘Where did you go?’
‘Just down to the beach . . . I saw Brodie and Reuben at the sauna.’
‘Oh, that is good news. I am glad that Brodie has managed to fit a session in. I did tell him it would be good for him with all the physical work he’s been doing. He’s a grafter, our Brodie, and he was saying his back was sore.’
‘I was very impressed.’
Iris looked at her with an innocent smile. ‘I’m not sure whether you’re talking about his grafting, the sauna or Brodie, dear?’
‘G-r-a-n,’ she groaned, rolling her eyes. ‘Obviously I meant the sauna. Honestly, will you behave? You are awful.’
Iris threw her a look, as if to say, who me? ‘You must have a shot at the sauna. You’ll feel so invigorated afterwards. It’s made such a great addition to the village and the health benefits are immense. Maybe you could go with Brodie the next time he goes?’
Flora tipped her head back with a quiet groan.
‘What?’ Iris feigned innocence afresh and shrugged.
‘It would be good for you. I swear by it. Catriona, Jeannie and I tend to catch up there for our fundraising meetings or if we are swotting up for the pub quiz. We’ve tried to encourage Angus to come along and join us.
But he doesn’t seem that fussed. Though I think Catriona has managed to drag him along on the odd occasion. ’
Flora laughed. ‘I can’t say I blame him. Jessica did say he likes having the house to himself and having five minutes peace. It sounds like her mum runs a tight ship.’
Iris nodded. ‘She does indeed. Anyway, listen, tell me how your night at Jessica’s was.’
‘It was brilliant, Gran. They were all so lovely and welcoming.’
‘I knew they would be. I did think you would enjoy chatting to women your own age.’
Flora shook her head fondly. ‘Gran, you’ve got a younger mind than anyone I know.’
Iris burst out laughing. ‘I’ll take that as a huge compliment. I keep thinking that I’m twenty-five. Then I look in the mirror and see an old woman staring back at me.’
Flora frowned. ‘You’re not at all old, Gran. I mean how many pensioners dress like you do?’
Iris looked down at her bright yellow skirt, her T-shirt covered in daisies and bright green crocs. ‘Mm, I suppose so. This is the skirt you made me for my birthday last year.’
‘And it really suits you.’
She smiled and nodded. ‘I do love it, especially as it’s one of your designs. Anyhoo, back to the details of last night. How was it?’
Flora took a sip of water. ‘I was a bit nervous but honestly, they were great. Turns out Lily and I had already met at the Hogmanay party at the inn. And I’d met Gillian already at the bakery, as you know.’ She paused. ‘But . . .’
Iris raised an eyebrow. ‘Mm? This sounds ominous . . .’
‘Well, yes and no, it could be, which is why I wanted to ask your advice. They asked me if I had thought about setting up some kind of dressmaking or alteration service while I was here? It sounds like there could be demand for it now that you no longer do it. Lily also asked me if I could run up some new curtains for the treehouse at the inn. I’m going to pop over later to measure up. ’
Iris laughed and clapped her hands together in delight.
‘What a wonderful idea, Flora! I can’t believe that I didn’t think of that, especially as you brought your sewing machine, didn’t you?
It’s better than my rickety old thing. You could take over the study — it’s almost finished, so that could be your workspace. What do you say?’
Flora stood up, her eyes glittering with excitement. ‘I’m glad you think it’s a good idea.’
‘I do. In fact, I’m going to go up and have a wee gander at my things right this minute and see if there’s any fabric that you can use. I’ve got bags of stuff in the spare room.’ Iris jumped to her feet and made to leave. But Flora raised her hands as though to say, hang on.
‘Remember, I want to get the study painted and some of the other rooms cleared out, too. That’s one of the reasons I’m here.’
Iris dismissed her comments with a wave. ‘Tsk. All in good time, dear, all in good time.’
‘I’ll go and have a quick shower and then crack on with the painting. I hate leaving things half-done. I’ll feel better if I’ve at least got that room all sorted for you.’
‘Okey-dokey,’ said Iris, her mind now elsewhere and in full planning mode. ‘Oh, by the way, in case you forget, your notebooks are in the conservatory.’
‘Ah, thanks. I sat there for a while when I came in last night and started making some notes and sketching. The sky was beautiful. It’s such a lovely room with that light and the colours were stunning.’
Iris nodded as she walked towards the conservatory with Flora. ‘Yes, I often found my creative juices flowing in there too, back in the day. That view is amazing and always changing. It’s like an ever-changing photograph.’
‘I know what you mean. Like you’re just watching the same scene that changes with the seasons.’
Iris followed Flora into the conservatory.
‘Good morning, boys,’ said Flora.
Sidney was preening his feathers and looked up. ‘Hullo. I love you. A nice cup of tea. Maybe they’ll fall in love.’
Iris shook her head. Those birds. She watched as Flora eyed Sidney suspiciously.
‘Is this a new line they’ve learned? I’ve not heard them say that one before,’ Flora said with a frown.
Iris shrugged dismissively then looked out at the garden, glad to see the mist had completely disappeared.
‘Och, you know what they’re like. They can be a pair of wee blethers at times.
Anyway, it looks set to be another lovely day,’ she said, quickly changing topic and hoping the parrots would keep schtum.
Then she spotted Brodie pushing his wheelbarrow towards the old sitooterie obviously refreshed from his sauna session.
He glanced over and waved when he saw them watching.
Flora raised her hand and he smiled back.
Iris didn’t say a word but clocked that Flora looked slightly flustered. ‘Why don’t you go and have your shower, dear? You look like you could do with cooling off.’
‘I will. Thanks, Gran.’
As Iris walked out the room, she heard Flora mutter something under her breath.
It was just loud enough for her to hear.
She clasped a hand over her mouth to stifle a giggle.
She sincerely hoped the parrots hadn’t heard it.
But as Iris knew, from experience, their hearing was tremendous — especially for under the breath mutterings.
The juicier the better. But the last thing Flora needed was for them to repeat what she had just said. Especially if Brodie was in the room.