Chapter 44
44
J ust as they had the first time they’d been to Scotland, Cally and Logan sat on the train as it wound its way closer and closer to the estate. Cally had thought the journey before had been a good one when she’d been overawed by the spectacular scenery as the train had wound its way closer and closer to the estate. This time, though, there were no words. She gazed out the train window, her breath fogging up the glass as she pressed her face closer. The further north they’d travelled, the more the world outside had transformed into a winter wonderland. Landscape that had been saturated and lush back in the warmer months was now blanketed in a thick layer of pristine snow. It sparkled under a weak sun, covering everything in white.
Cally shook her head. 'I've never seen so much snow in my life!'
Logan glanced up. 'Just wait until we get to the estate. This is nothing compared to what you'll see there.'
Cally could hardly contain her excitement. 'I still can't quite believe we're here. Thanks for organising it.’
Logan shrugged. 'It wasn't that difficult. The estate's always ready for visitors, and everyone seemed keen for a bit of a pre-Christmas getaway. It was pretty easy.'
There it was again, the notion that going to an estate was a given in Logan’s life. Cally didn’t care as long as she was in on it. She was way past things bothering her. In fact, she’d decided to make the most of it. What had happened to Alastair had given her a tidy old slap to get on and enjoy her life. ‘Yep.’
‘It’ll be nice to get away, won’t it?’
‘Yes. It’s been a busy year.’
‘It has. What with everything that’s happened. On top of you know what, you’ve started a new job and got the mortgage and everything.’
‘Yeah.’
‘I think you made the right decision to put that on hold until the new year.’
Cally totally agreed. Parking the flat hunting had freed up her brain space to not do anything other than enjoy Scotland and the upcoming festive season. ‘I think it was for the best.’
Logan patted her leg. ‘Plenty of time for that. We’re in no rush…’
As the train rumbled along, Cally was mesmerised by the scenery. ‘It’s so pretty. I said that last time, but this beats it hands down.’
'Wait until you see it at night. When the moon's out and the snow's glittering, it's absolutely magical. The sound, or lack thereof, is amazing, too.'
The trees on either side of the track were heavy with snow, their branches bowing under the weight. 'It's beautiful. It’s going to be so nice tucked up by the fire.’
'I knew you'd love it.'
Cally smiled. ‘Oh, I absolutely do.’
A very fine few snowflakes fluttered down from a white-grey sky as Cally walked through the sunken garden at the main part of the estate with Logan. The garden, the house, and the whole landscape looked completely different covered in snow. The old house glistened with a thin sparkly topping of white, smoke puffed from its chimneys, a huge winter wreath tied with a tartan bow graced the main door, and the smell of winter in the Highlands carried on the air. Perfect real fir Christmas trees doused head to toe in thousands of white lights glittered on either side of the main door.
Just as they were getting to the front entrance, Logan’s mum, in an oversized Fairilse jumper, woollen hat, and a huge tartan scarf tied around her shoulders, came around from the side path.
‘Ahh, there you are. I was just making my way over to the cottage. Angus texted me. They’ll be here any minute now.’
Logan nodded. ‘Good timing. We estimated it would be about now.’
Anne kissed them both on the cheeks. ‘How was the train journey?’
‘Absolutely gorgeous,’ Cally answered. ‘I’m so pleased we decided on the train. It’s not a bad way to arrive.’
‘Nice if you’ve got time and you don’t have to worry about the weather.’
‘Do you know how their flight was?’ Logan asked and looked up at the sky. ‘Were there any delays?’
‘No, Angus said the weather was fine and there were no problems.’
Cally wiggled her phone. ‘Eloise said the flight was going to take off on time.’
Logan frowned. ‘I didn’t realise Eloise had texted you.’
‘Yes, I did say earlier. I didn’t think you’d heard me.’
Anne gestured in the direction of the drive. ‘They’ll be here any minute now. Cecilia and Reg shouldn’t be too far behind them.’
Cally shook her head as she thought about what Reg and Cecilia had been through since the last time she’d been at the estate with them. ‘How are they? I haven’t seen them for a few weeks.’ Cally pressed her lips together and made a wincing face.
Anne shrugged and shook her head slowly. ‘Not too bad considering the circumstances, I suppose. It is what it is. I think Reg will be hitting the whisky this weekend.’
‘I wonder how they’ll be?’ Logan mused.
‘Well, we’ll soon find out. They’ve only been up here once since the funeral. You know how much Cecilia has struggled. Some days, I don’t think she’s made it out of bed…’ Anne turned her palms up.
‘Yes. She didn’t look quite the ticket the last time I saw her.’ Cally noted.
Anne sighed. ‘Hopefully, being up here will do her good.’ She gestured in front of her with her hand and twirled her finger around in the general direction of the snow-covered lawn. ‘This place can work its wonders even in the most testing of times. It might help them a bit. I suppose you don’t really know.’
As the three of them stood chatting by the front door underneath the shelter of the portico, little fluffy snowflakes fell on the drive. Anne stamped her feet on the step, the lights on the Christmas trees twinkled, and Cally blew out little puffs of smoke into the air as they waited. When there was a crunch of tyres on snow-covered gravel and the sound of an engine, they looked in the direction of the main gate to see one of the old weathered estate Land Rovers come into view. Standing in silence, they watched as it wound its way up the long driveway, its dark green paint standing out against the pristine white landscape.
'Here they are,’ Anne said as she looked at her watch. ‘Right on time. It must have been easy traffic around the airport today.’
The Land Rover pulled up in front of the house, its engine rumbling to a stop. Angus hopped out of the driver's seat in a tweed flat cap, green trousers, and a thick cable-knit jumper. He hurried around to open the passenger doors as Eloise, Birdie, Nina, and Robby all hopped out.
'Welcome to Scotland!' Logan called out as he walked across the drive. ‘How was the flight?’
Cally kissed Birdie then Eloise. ‘So pleased to see you.’
Nina gushed. 'I can't believe how beautiful it is.’ She turned a slow circle to take in the full view. 'Look at those trees, all covered in snow! I’m sold already. Sign me up for a timeshare.’
Birdie kept shaking her head. ‘Nice, nice, nice.’
Nina nodded enthusiastically. 'The lanes as we were driving here were spectacular! All those snow-covered hills and lochs…’
Robby chimed in. 'I think I’ve taken about a hundred photos already!'
As they stood on the driveway getting the luggage, a light flurry of snow continued to fall. Tiny feather-like flakes danced in the air around them, and Birdie held out her hand, catching a couple on her hand. 'It's magical. Thanks so much for inviting me. I can’t believe I’m finally here.’
Cally laughed. ‘All Logan’s idea.’ She smiled at Birdie as she saw on Birdie’s face what she’d first felt when she herself had arrived at the estate, albeit around the corner at the cottage and not at the main house. She saw Birdie feeling the same thing: a combination of overwhelm at the startling beauty and a bit shell-shocked at the vastness at the same time.
As they all filed around the side to the boot room and then through to the kitchen, where a fire roared, Logan squeezed Cally’s arm. ‘All good?’
‘Yep, thank you for this. Couldn’t be better.’