1 #3
‘I’ll not be leaving my bedroom.’ Edina’s lips thinned into an obstinate slash. ‘I’ve slept in that bed for over fifty years – it’s seen me through a marriage, the birth of a daughter and the death of my husband. I’ll not have some wee bump on the ankle forcing me out of it now.’
Tavish put his hands on his hips. ‘Then you’ve got to find someone to move in, lass, because I’ll not be leaving you here alone.
I can carry you to your room at night, bring you down in the morning, but you’ll need more help than that – I’ve got my shop to run so I’ve nae got time for more.
’ He pulled his mobile out of his pocket and frowned at it.
‘I could organise a carer… someone from the village.’
‘I’ll not impose on a stranger.’ Edina’s face paled as she pushed herself up, leaning forwards. Belle suspected she was about to get to her feet so she could shake her fist at Tavish, and moved so she could stand between them.
‘I’m happy to move in for a week or two,’ she said slowly as an idea began to form in her mind. It would help ease her guilt at hurting the pensioner, and at the same time solve one of her biggest problems. ‘I know I’m a stranger, but you’ve met me now.’
‘Won’t your family miss you?’ Edina asked.
Belle frowned. ‘My da’s settled in Kenya.
I used to live with my godmother, Annie Gilbraith, but she died of cancer in January.
’ She cleared her throat as a lump formed inside.
‘I live in her house now – my house, I mean.’ Belle winced.
‘But I’m by myself so no one will know if I’m gone. ’ What a sad indictment of her life.
‘You don’t want to move in with a boring old woman.’ Edina looked sadly around the huge room.
‘In truth, you’d be doing me a favour.’ Belle sensed Edina might be more inclined to listen if the person in need wasn’t herself.
Edina cocked her head, still frowning. ‘Go on, lass.’
‘There’s a family of a wee bairn in my class at the primary school where I teach who need a place to stay for a while.
They’re about to be evicted from their house because the owner needs the property.
I’ve tried to fight it but there’s nothing to be done.
I’ve been looking for temporary accommodation, but there’s nowt available unless they move to Lockton – and that’s a long way from school for the lad. ’
Edina pursed her lips. ‘Lockton is a forty-minute drive.’
‘If I could lodge here with you, they could move into Annie’s—’ She stopped.
‘My house for a while.’ It would give them time to find a decent place without the threat of eviction hanging over them.
Okay, so she’d have to move in with a stranger, but compared to the things her parents had given up in their lives, it was nothing.
‘Just until you get on your feet. I can cook, chop wood, light the fire.’ Belle looked around the room, wondering when it had last been cleaned properly.
It could be beautiful, with a little love.
She could find some Christmas decorations in the loft at home to brighten the place up, or get the children in her class to make something.
‘I wouldn’t be here that much – I teach all day at the primary school and I’m organising the nativity.
But I’d be able to cook for you in the evenings, shop, do the washing, all the essentials. ’
‘I’m not used to company,’ Edina said, as Tavish let out a loud huff. ‘Do you have a boyfriend?’
‘Not anymore.’ Belle felt her cheeks flush, a little taken aback by the abrupt enquiry. ‘He moved to Australia.’
‘He broke your heart?’ Edina asked, and Belle swallowed.
‘Well… we weren’t serious.’ Which had been part of the problem, at least as far as he was concerned.
Edina stared at her for a few moments, her gaze penetrating. ‘Any pets?’
‘Um…’ Sensing this might be a deal breaker, Belle grimaced. ‘I’ve got a cat, Jinx, he used to belong to Annie. He’s house trained and very friendly. The lad in my class is allergic to cats, so Jinx would have to move in too.’
Edina pushed out her bottom lip, considering, but instead of shaking her head, which Belle had expected, she leaned further forwards. ‘Does the cat like donkeys?’ Her tone was serious.
Belle’s eyes widened. ‘I dinnae know – but he’s very laid back so I’m sure he would.’
Edina looked thoughtful. ‘Bob likes cats – he’s been going for more walkabouts recently, and it would be good for him to have company of the four-legged kind.
The poor wee lad is bored of me.’ She patted a hand on her chin and glared at Tavish who was still holding the mobile, poised to dial.
‘Aye, I suppose we could try it for a week or so. Bruise or not, my ankle is sure to be on the mend after that.’
‘Great,’ Belle said. ‘I’ll go home and grab a few things now – move in tonight if that works for you?
’ She could fit most of the essentials – including Jinx – into her old car.
But as Belle said her goodbyes and hopped back on her bike so she could pedal out into the snow and down Evergreen Castle’s driveway, she wondered if her latest attempt to do good might just be one step too far.