Chapter Thirty-Two
Even with plenty to keep her busy over the next few days, Flora’s mind kept drifting back to her brief drink in the pub with Brodie and how much she had enjoyed his company. She had to remind herself to focus on her tasks, aware of how easily her mind wandered back to him.
Now that the study was sorted, Flora was keen to do some more decluttering for her gran.
But when she’d floated it past Iris, who still wasn’t herself, she had suggested she focus on the sewing work requests that were coming in.
The girls had been right about word-of-mouth recommendations and she was becoming inundated with sewing requests.
She had soon found a rhythm with her routine and would rise early to run or swim or both before settling down to stitch.
The hum of her sewing machine was a constant background sound at the cottage.
Her gran would pop her head in, taking an interest in what Flora was working on.
She passed her pins, instinctively knowing when she needed them and shared snippets of advice and praise which gave her a warm glow.
But she also couldn’t shake the thought of revisiting kilt making again, especially as she had been so inspired by the rich colours in her gran’s garden and by the changing tones in the sky and the loch.
It would be another creative challenge for her on top of the alterations work, which came as second nature to her, and the new curtain commissions.
But what she was also realising was how much she had enjoyed the kilt-making classes and the feeling of being together with other people as they all learned the craft together.
The quiet encouragement, the shared cups of tea, the gentle rhythm of peer support that made her feel seen and part of something.
It was something she longed to recreate in her life.
Could she do it here in Rowan Bay? Perhaps offer some community sewing classes to bring people together?
She tucked the thought away for the moment to percolate for a while or at least until things had quietened down a bit.
A niggle at the back of her mind reminded her that she couldn’t do everything.
Especially if she wanted to get her academic career back on track.
Although deep down she knew if she did do that then the real creative work — the making which gave her such joy — would have to fall along the wayside again.
Which was why she was glad she and gran were going for a coffee this morning.
Flora had promised to treat her to something at the Coffee Pot coffee shop.
She needed to ask her gran’s advice about an unexpected email she had received earlier that morning.
Flora set aside her current project — some beautiful silk skirts she was altering for Jeannie — and went downstairs to check if she was ready.
‘I’m all set, dear.’ Iris smiled brightly.
‘‘Peekaboo.’
‘Coffee.’
‘Scorching hot’.
Flora could hear the parrots calling from the conservatory and she laughed.
‘I’ve put the boys in their house and they’re supposed to be having a wee rest.’ Iris shook her head. ‘But they’re not settling. Maybe as I’ve not sung to them.’
Flora couldn’t help but chuckle. She still couldn’t quite believe that her gran had to sing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star to the parrots every night before they went to sleep.
They had her wrapped around their little beaks.
At least her gran seemed a wee bit cheerier these days — and, in turn, so did Scrumpy and Sidney — though Flora couldn’t help thinking that she wasn’t entirely her usual happy self.
But she knew that she would likely open up to her in her own good time.
In the meantime, she had some news to share with her gran.
‘Hopefully they will settle down. I’ll just let Brodie know we’re popping out,’ said Iris, pulling the door shut behind them.
Flora hesitated by the patio and watched as Iris walked down the path towards the jetty where Brodie stood.
She was a burst of colour with her pale orange linen trousers and a cerise blouse.
Flora hadn’t seen Brodie since that night at the pub last week when he’d saved her from the date with Emmet.
Not that she was actively trying to avoid him — they were both just busy with their own projects.
He waved when he saw her watching and smiled after Iris who was now walking back up the garden towards her.
‘Aw, that boy is such a sweetheart. He never fails to put a smile on my face. I’ll miss him when he finishes. Though hopefully he’ll be around for a while yet.’
Flora flinched when she realised that she would miss him, too.
Somehow, it was reassuring to know he was outside and about the place.
She had allowed herself the odd sneak peek at him while she worked upstairs but that was it.
The attraction she felt towards him was undeniable but she had to keep telling herself that the last thing she needed to do was fall for her gran’s gardener when she was only here temporarily.
That was the type of thing that happened in romance books or a Netflix series.
‘Let’s go. I promised Brodie we would bring him back a wee sweet treat from the bakery for his break later.’ She linked her arm through Flora’s.
As they walked towards the high street, Flora filled her in on all the alteration requests she’d had. ‘I can barely keep up, Gran. It’s great. I’m not complaining but I wondered if you fancy giving me a hand?’
Iris frowned. ‘Mm, I’m not sure if I would be any use with my fingers the way they are, dear. I don’t want to be a hindrance.’
‘Och, Gran, you wouldn’t at all. I’m sure there’s plenty I could find that you could manage. Though only if you want to.’
‘Of course, I would love to help if I can. Though, did I tell you I’m away for a few days next week? Maybe when I get back?’
Flora nodded. ‘Of course. Your trip to Crail with Catriona and Jeannie?’
‘Mm, seemed like a good idea when we booked it,’ she said pensively. ‘But now I’m not so sure.’
Flora frowned. Usually Gran was game for any kind of adventure, especially if it involved Catriona and Jeannie.
Last year they’d gone to London to see the Abba Voyage show with a suitcase full of sequinned outfits and feather boas.
They’d all come back hoarse and exhausted but completely rejuvenated.
‘I’m sure once you get there it will be a nice wee break, Gran.
And at least I’m here to look after the birds .
. .’ Maybe she could even get the kitchen painted while her gran was away.
Iris gave a sheepish smile. ‘You’re right, dear.
I’m being silly. I’ll be fine once we get on the road.
And at least Catriona has offered to drive.
The last time Jeannie was behind the wheel it was like being on a Formula One circuit without any of the handsome drivers.
It was full throttle all the way and my nerves were shredded by the time we got there.
At least we were only off to the shops in Stirling.
I’m just glad we took the train to London. ’
Flora laughed and held open the door of the Coffee Pot, inhaling the lovely aroma of rich coffee. ‘You grab a seat, Gran, and I’ll go and order. What would you like?’
‘A flat white please, Flora, and something naughty to eat.’ Iris walked towards a table for two in the window.
After Flora had placed their order — coffees with a large slice of carrot cake for her gran and a piece of lemon slice for herself — she slipped into the seat opposite and looked at the view down the bustling high street.
She was so taken with the colourful hanging baskets and could just about make out a glimpse of the loch.
‘We have been so lucky with the weather so far this summer. We haven’t even had any squally showers. But I think it will change,’ said Iris, raising an eyebrow.
‘Do you think so?’
She nodded. ‘Yes, normally by the time we get into July then we are guaranteed a few downpours.’
Flora looked at her dubiously. The sky was bright blue, the sun was shining and even the grass was so dry it looked like yellow straw.
But she knew her gran was right. Things could change rapidly especially when you lived near water and hills in Scotland.
‘Gran, guess what? I’ve finally got some job news. ’
Iris clasped her hands together and looked expectantly at Flora. ‘Go on then, do tell me.’
‘I’ve got an email this morning inviting me to an interview for a job in Aberdeen. At the university there,’ she said trying to sound excited, though realising that she actually was less enthusiastic than she’d thought. The initial thrill of being shortlisted for an interview had quickly worn off.
Iris tipped her head to the side. ‘That’s good. Isn’t it?’
Flora frowned. ‘I thought it was but now I’m actually telling you I’m not so sure. What if I can’t do it?’
Iris coughed gently and cleared her throat. ‘Of course you’ll be able to do it, dear. Have more faith in yourself.’ She paused and looked at her questioningly. ‘But the issue is whether you want to do it?’
Elizabeth, the café owner, chose that moment to set down their coffees and cakes and Flora was grateful that she stopped to chat to her gran, too; it gave her a chance to think about what her gran had just asked.
She’d been delighted when she’d read the email telling her she’d been shortlisted for the interview.
It was a couple of weeks away but now that there was an actual possibility of another job in the offing, uncertainty crept in.
She couldn’t put her finger on why. Life in Rowan Bay had settled into something she was starting to enjoy, and the thought of a city — especially one so far away that she didn’t know — felt distant and uninviting.