Chapter Forty-Five
It had been years since Flora had been to Crieff.
As Brodie drove through the market town to his sister’s house, Flora realised she’d forgotten how pretty it was.
Charlotte lived in a detached villa, close to Crieff Hydro, a place Flora used to visit as a child for weekends with her parents.
Happy memories came flooding back as she thought about swimming in the pool with her dad and horse-riding with her mum.
‘This is like a trip down memory lane,’ she admitted as Brodie pulled into the driveway. ‘I was just thinking about the times I used to come here with my parents.’
He laughed as he rubbed his hand across his jaw. ‘It’s a popular spot. Let me guess, you stayed at the Hydro?’
She nodded and smiled. ‘I loved it there. It was always so magical when I was little.’ She furrowed her brows as another memory floated into her mind. ‘Wasn’t there a sweet shop here? Maybe it still is. They used to sell incredible macaroon bars and sugar mice.’
He smirked. ‘Oh, yes, that is still very much open for business. In fact, my sister goes nuts when I take the kids there. They love the raspberry macaroon bars and are only allowed a wee bit as a treat. The first time we went I didn’t know that and they insisted they were allowed to have more.
They went full sugar-fuelled-monster mode. ’
‘I’m sure they must love you,’ said Flora drily. ‘An uncle who breaks all the rules.’
‘Oh-oh.’ Brodie looked ahead and pulled an apologetic face. ‘You’d better brace yourself.’
Flora laughed as she saw the front door open and a very cute girl and boy run out onto the drive. Brodie jumped out the van and scooped one up in each arm. Flora got out her side and gently shut the door as she watched in amusement.
‘Uncle Brodie,’ giggled Lucy. ‘You’re tickling me.’
‘Come off, kids,’ said a woman, who must be Charlotte, coming out to meet them. ‘Give Uncle Brodie a chance to get in the door.’
Gregor and Lucy stood staring at Flora who suddenly felt shy and a bit embarrassed to be there. Maybe Charlotte wouldn’t appreciate her brother just turning up out of the blue with a stranger.
‘You must be Flora,’ she said warmly. ‘I’m Charlotte. Welcome to the mad house and meet Gregor and Lucy.’
Flora gave them a small smile and wave. ‘Hello.’ She knew they may take a while to warm to her.
Charlotte stepped forward and hugged Flora which immediately put her at ease.
She had long blonde hair which cascaded in curled waves over her shoulders and even though she was wearing a tracksuit, she still looked amazing.
‘All ready for your night out then, sis?’ Brodie was looking at her suspiciously. ‘Is that really what you’re wearing?’
She sighed loudly. ‘Obviously I’ve still to put my dress on but I wanted to leave it until the very last minute.
’ She looked at Flora knowingly. ‘I’m trying to avoid anyone putting their mucky hands on me.
Come on in and get settled. I can’t thank you both enough for doing this especially when it was so last minute.
I hope you didn’t have to change your plans. ’
The twins ran ahead into the house and Flora followed Brodie and Charlotte into the spacious hallway.
‘Where’s Jack?’ Brodie glanced around.
‘Probably still doing his hair. He takes longer than me to get ready. He seems to have forgotten that the children actually need to be fed and watered.’
‘I heard that,’ said a voice and Flora looked up to see a man wearing a tuxedo walking down the stairs.
‘Hey, Jack, nice togs,’ said Brodie. ‘This is Flora. She’s come to help.’
Jack smiled at her, his eyes twinkling in amusement.
‘Good to meet you, Flora, and thanks for coming along. I thought I was going to have to go alone when the babysitter cancelled. So thanks for stepping in. It’s been a while since we’ve been out, just the two of us.
’ He slung his arm around Charlotte’s shoulders and grinned.
‘Right, guys, I need to go and get my frock on before I forget and I end up going out like this.’ Charlotte gestured at her casual gear.
‘The kids have been fed, as they were starving. I’ve left a lasagne for you two.
You just need to pop it in the oven and there’s salad in the fridge to go with it.
Gregor made you some cupcakes earlier and Lucy iced them.
’ She winced then lowered her voice. ‘They taste better than they look. But I’ve said they are allowed to have one when you get here. Just one mind.’
Flora’s head was spinning as she listened to Charlotte’s instructions and she glanced into the kitchen, just off the hallway, where Gregor and Lucy were running around the island laughing and whooping.
Charlotte disappeared upstairs, calling over her shoulder that she would be ready to leave in two minutes exactly.
‘Bet you’re glad you agreed to come.’ Jack raised his eyebrows and chuckled before pacing through to the kitchen to quieten the kids down.
Then Brodie caught her eye and winked. And, in that moment, everything felt that it would be okay.