Epilogue
EIGHTEEN MONTHS LATER
‘I know, Lady Bellingham. But I’m sure you’re aware of the pressing need for more medical research to support better women’s health policy, decision-making and education.’
Elizabeth Campbell paced up and down in the spacious, open-plan kitchen diner of Heather and Matty’s brand new farmhouse, with her three-month-old granddaughter, Rose May Balhennie Campbell, over her shoulder.
Elizabeth wore a wireless earpiece, and, while she talked to a new investor for the Glenorchy Foundation on the phone, she patted Rose’s back gently. A cotton square of fabric lay over Elizabeth’s shoulder, protecting her expensive blouse from regurgitated milk.
Bluebell Balhennie sat at a large, marble-topped island in the centre of the kitchen space, tapping away at a laptop.
‘Yes. This does affect us all. I couldn’t agree more,’ Elizabeth said. Rose burped.
‘Oh, I couldn’t say… but, suffice to say, we have several high-profile names in the entertainment industry already committed as spokespeople.
Yes. Well, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Excellent. Thank you. If you’d like to have your team contact my assistant Bluebell Balhennie, she’ll take you through the next steps. Ciao.’
‘That sounded positive,’ Heather said. She sat in a comfy, modern mustard-yellow recliner in the corner of the kitchen with her feet up on a footstool.
‘The phone call or the burp? I think she’s still got more in her,’ Elizabeth commented drily. ‘Bluebell, dear, you should get an email from someone in Lady Bellingham’s team about making a donation, and coming to the presentation dinner. If you could send her the usual paperwork?’
‘No problem.’ Bluebell nodded.
‘The call,’ Heather chuckled. ‘Who’s Lady Bellingham?’
‘Nice enough woman. Just started to get involved in philanthropy. She made a lot of money in property.’
‘Not family money?’ Heather asked, reaching for a mug of tea on a side table, next to her.
‘No, surprisingly. One of those noble families that lost it all a long time ago, but she’s been canny. Kept the contacts. Used them. Ah. There we have it.’
Rose let out a long burp, and started to gurgle happily.
‘Aww. Good girl, Rose.’ Heather laid her head back against the chair.
‘How are you feeling today, dear?’ Elizabeth placed Rose carefully in a bassinette, then went to one of the long marble worktops and flicked on the kettle.
‘Okay. A little tired; she was up in the night a few times to feed.’
‘That’s the way of it, at that age. In another few months she’s more likely to start sleeping through. You’re sure that you don’t want me to get you a nanny? I had them for all the children. Invaluable.’
‘No, but thank you. Well – not yet. I will take a coffee, though, if there’s one going.’
‘You’re not breastfeeding?’ Elizabeth asked. ‘I know you were trying the formula.’
‘She loves the formula, and she fusses on the breast. So I’ve just given in.’ Heather closed her eyes. ‘It means Matty can feed her in the night too.’
‘Ah. Yes, that must be a help.’ Elizabeth started making coffee. ‘Bluebell, I assume you’d like one?’
‘Always. Thank you.’
‘I just can’t get used to the fact that a whole house stands here, where there was nothing before!
’ Elizabeth went to stand at the long bifold doors that stood open, letting in the warm summer breeze.
Outside, a wide garden surrounded the house – it was still in its infancy, but Heather and Matty had worked with garden designers to create something with play areas for Rose when she got bigger – and anyone else who came along – as well as a large patio with seating, a pool, a wildflower garden and a place for Heather to grow fruit and vegetables.
‘And that the three of you are your own little family now! It’s just remarkable.’ Elizabeth shook her head. ‘I really have to hand it to you.’
‘Well, we wouldn’t have done it without you. The gift of the land was incredibly generous. I don’t think I’ll ever be over it.’ Heather opened her eyes sleepily.
‘It was one of the best decisions we made. And now that the house is finished, I can come and stay and help you, as much as you like.’ Elizabeth beamed.
‘Though, if I’m in the way, you must tell me.
I won’t be offended. I don’t want to get in the way of the two of you – these early days with a baby can be a lovely time. ’
‘They are lovely, but part of the reason I don’t need a nanny is because I have you, Mum and my sisters.’ Heather laughed. ‘I don’t mind you being here at all. Move in! We’ve got plenty of room.’
‘This place is massive,’ Bluebell chuckled. ‘It’s almost like you wanted to make sure all your family had somewhere to come if they needed a place to stay.’
‘That’s exactly why it’s big. And Sorrel and Tam helped so much with the vision for the place,’ Heather said, looking around contentedly at the décor of the large, flexible living space.
Sorrel had spent hours with Heather, planning the décor of the whole place to be something that both Matty and Heather loved, as well as having a consistent style throughout.
They’d wanted a mix of quirky, traditional and cosy and with some girly, pretty details for Heather, who’d always loved flowers.
The kitchen was done in cream wood – modern and yet traditional – with white marble countertops and gleaming appliances.
A hanging egg chair – Heather had always wanted one – was suspended in a corner, and the living area held large, comfortable sofas, bookshelves, plants and floor lamps, making a cosy oasis.
The house – made from stone in the traditional way – had eight bedrooms, most of which were en-suite.
There were also two studies – one for Matty and one for Heather – as well as an outside bar and kitchen for entertaining.
However, Heather’s favourite room was Rose’s, which was painted dusky pink with a calm, pretty mural of white, pink and coral roses on one wall, and looked out over the moor to a beautiful waterfall.
It was the house of her dreams. Heather had seen it in her visions of the future; she’d seen herself and Matty grow old here, with their family around them. She was so very grateful for all of it, and she knew how lucky she was.
But the thing she was most grateful for was Rose: the first in a new generation of the Princesses of Balhennie.
On many nights, Heather had held Rose in her arms, looking out on the moonlit moor, murmuring to her all the stories that she and her sisters had heard when they were children: the Cailleach Beira, the kelpies, the mysteries of the loch and the Fair Folk who blessed the good.
She would raise her daughter to love fairy tales and romance as much as she did.
But she would also teach Rose May Balhennie Campbell to be strong: to follow her passion, to care for those around her, and to make her mark in the world.
She would teach her daughter to know what love truly was: not a simplistic ideal, but a life of commitment, community and care.
And for that, Heather knew that Rose could look to Elizabeth Campbell as well as all of the Balhennie women: and Annie Campbell, and even Clara and Estella.
Because they were all, in their own way, queens.
And Heather vowed to her daughter, under the light of the moon, that Rose would never have reason to doubt her own sovereignty.
Rose May Balhennie Campbell had a bright future. Heather could feel it: she’d always trusted her intuition. And now, her intuition told her loud and clear that her daughter would do great things in the world. She would travel. She would fight for the truth. She would be loved.
And Heather would always be there for her, loving her daughter with all her heart.
***