Chapter Seventy-Three
Iris had been flitting in and out of rooms all day, chattering excitedly. Flora put it down to the fact that she and Iona had made a plan to meet the following week. Even the parrots were picking up on her frantic energy and were chattering loudly.
‘Studio. I love you. Kilt,’ said Sidney.
‘Brodie is scorching hot. Twinkle,’ added Scrumpy.
Flora smiled as she looked at them fondly. They were crazy birds but impossible not to love. Though what was with all their new and random words. ‘Is there a full moon or something tonight?’ she asked as Iris danced into the kitchen.
‘Why do you ask that, dearie?’ Iris’s eyes lit up and she dug her hands deep into the pockets of her burnt orange dress.
‘Because you’re all acting a bit weird today.’
Iris laughed softly as she grabbed Flora’s hands and twirled her round the room.
‘Wedding bells,’ said Scrumpy fluttering over to join them. ‘Captain compost.’
‘G-r-a-n,’ she gasped. ‘Honestly. Will you stop.’
‘What do you mean?’ Iris’s face was the picture of innocence. ‘I have no idea what you’re talking about.’
‘What on earth is going on with you today?’
‘I am just so happy that you are here.’ She beamed, unable to hide her excitement. ‘And I am meeting my big sister next week.’
It was hard not to be swept up in Iris’s enthusiasm. ‘Anyway . . . I was going to ask you if you’d seen my blue sweater anywhere? Or my dress? I don’t know what I’ve done with them.’
‘Your dress is hanging in the utility room — I had a sense you may want to wear it to meet Gillian later and I gave it a wee press.’
‘Oh, Gran, you didn’t need to do that. I never iron anything.’
‘I know. No idea where your sweater is though. I’m sure it will turn up. Will you look at the time? You’d better get your skates on. Aren’t you due at the inn at four?’
‘Yes, but I don’t need to do much. Just give my hair a brush and I suppose I’d better change.’ She looked down at her jeans which she was planning to wear. ‘Given that you’ve gone to the trouble of ironing my dress.’
‘You young ones,’ teased Iris. ‘Aren’t you going to make a bit more of an effort?’
Flora shrugged. ‘I might put on a wee bit of lip gloss. What else do I need to do?’
Iris pursed her lips. ‘Flora, go and have a lovely shower and take your time for a change. I’ve put a new shower gel in the bathroom that you can try. I picked it up at the spa when I was there the other week.’
Flora sighed as she checked the time on her phone. ‘I suppose I have time. Okay, I’ll take your advice and go and pamper myself for a change rather than running out the door in a rush.’
An hour later, Flora had to admit that she did feel refreshed and relaxed even though she was just going for the quick drink with Gillian.
Gran had been right. Of course. She had even painted her toenails; her gran had left out her bright cerise nail polish on the bathroom shelf by the shower gel and she took it as a hint that she wanted her to use it.
‘You look lovely, dearie,’ said Iris, looking up from her book. Flora now mirrored her gran’s behaviour from earlier and twirled into the conservatory in her sundress.
‘And look at those nails. They look great.’
‘Pretty.’ Scrumpy stared at her. ‘Scorching hot.’
‘You were spot on. A bit of pampering felt good. I won’t be long, Gran, and then I’ll be back to make dinner.’
‘Don’t rush on my account. Just enjoy yourself.’
‘Enjoy. Mwah,’ said Sidney watching her.
Flora kissed the top of her gran’s head, gently scratched Sidney’s head then Scrumpy’s, grabbed her bag and then headed out the door and towards the inn.
Lily was behind the desk on reception and a bright smile spread across her face.
‘Flora, how are you? It’s so nice to see you.’
Was there something in the water in Rowan Bay today? Both Lily and her gran were acting as high as kites.
‘I’m good, thanks. I’m here to meet Gillian. Is she here yet?’
Lily shook her head. ‘I haven’t seen her . . . but I’m wondering if you could do me a quick favour, please?’
Flora tilted her head. ‘Of course. What is it?’
Lily pursed her lips slightly. ‘Um, there’s a bit of an issue with the curtains in the tree house. Nothing major,’ she said quickly, with a wave of her hands. ‘But I just wanted to ask you to check them. I’m so ham-fisted that I might end up pulling them down.’
‘Of course. What’s happened? Sometimes if they’re yanked too hard, it can pull them off the track. But I’m happy to take a look.’
‘You are a lifesaver. Do you want to just go ahead and I’ll be there in a minute? I just quickly need to make a call.’
‘No worries. If Gillian does appear, can you let her know I won’t be long. I take it there are no guests there?’
‘The coast is clear. I’ll see you in a minute.’
Flora walked through the bar area and out the doors into the garden where she walked towards the secluded spot.
She was still blown away by the view over the loch.
The water was flawless, like glass, and reflected the sky without as much as a ripple.
As she approached, she could see that the fairy lights were switched on which made the tree house look extra special.
Walking up the steps to the decking, she spied a bottle of champagne nestled in a silver bucket of ice with two glasses beside it.
Flora smiled, thinking how lucky the next two guests were.
She had better hurry up and check the curtains before they arrived.
The last thing she wanted to do was spoil the romantic moment.
Lost in her happy thoughts, she walked through to the open plan living room.
And there she came to an abrupt halt. She blinked in surprise at who was sitting there.