Chapter 27 The Wild Girl, Chapter 17 #3
Iris held up a hand to interrupt. “What I want you to do is to go to Scotland first, then we can talk about the book. That way you’ll have a clear view in your head about where Melrose is and what happens next. So let’s think. What day is it?”
“It’s Thursday.”
“Thursday. All right. So she goes home tomorrow and has the weekend to get ready and settle up with her flatmates about rent and things. Then she can take the night sleeper to Glasgow on Sunday night.” She fastened her gaze on Tony.
“You’ve got that, dear boy? Money. Letter of credit.
Berth on the night train, oh, and find out what the best hotel in Glasgow is.
She’ll want to stay at least one night there, maybe more. ”
Tony shifted nervously. “If that’s all right with you, Emma?”
He gave her a questioning stare. “Don’t you think we’re rushing her a bit, Iris? She’s from another country. She probably hasn’t had the chance to travel by train here yet. And to go to Scotland alone . . .”
“Of course it’s all right with her. She’s made her way from Australia alone, dear boy.
And I’m sending her on a free holiday, aren’t I?
” Iris said loudly, and Emma realized that Iris might have consumed quite a bit of wine with dinner.
“Who would turn down a paid trip to a place she’s never been?
She doesn’t want to go back to Australia having not seen Scotland, the birthplace of her ancestors. ”
“My ancestors?”
“Callander is surely a Scottish name,” Iris said. “Did they never talk about it?”
“My family has been in Australia since the eighteen hundreds,” Emma said. “And my mum was proudly English from Kent. She even had a convict in her history, which everyone boasts about these days.”
“Hmmm,” Iris grunted. “Anyway, I want you to go and the sooner the better. I take it you don’t object, in spite of Tony stirring up trouble.”
“He’s not stirring up trouble,” Emma said. “It’s nice of him to be concerned about me.”
Tony met her gaze, making her blush and look away.
“And it is fine with me,” Emma said hastily. “I’m still not sure if I can do justice to your book and help you finish it, but I’m willing to go up to Scotland and get a feel for the place. Actually I’m keen to see Skye for myself now.”
“Good girl,” Iris said. “You see, Tony, she’s made of sterner stuff. True-blue Aussie grit.” She wagged a finger at him. “Tony will make all your arrangements until you get to Skye. Then it’s up to you to decide where you want to headquarter yourself.”
“How do I get around?” Emma asked. “Will there be regular buses? There weren’t in Melrose’s day.”
“Darling, I’m giving you plenty of money,” Iris said.
“You hire a car and a driver to take you where you want to go. It’s outside the tourist season.
There will be drivers wanting work. You’ll figure it out.
” She attempted to stand up. “So off you go then.” She waved them away as if she were shooing chickens.
“Come back for her at lunchtime tomorrow, and you can drive her to the station.”
“Very good.” Tony gave a mock bow and backed from the room, as one does for the queen.
“Cheeky monkey,” Iris said, laughing. “Now I think I’ve used enough energy for one day, and so have you, dear Emma, reading all that material.
There should be cocoa and milk in the cottage so you can have a night cap.
Do you want to take a glass of Scotch across with you to add to it and help you sleep? ”
“Oh no. I’ve drunk quite enough for one day,” Emma said. “Sherry and then wine. I’m not used to it. Can’t afford it.”
“Finish this book and you can afford whatever you damn well please,” Iris said, still sounding belligerent.
“Good night then,” Emma said. “I hope this trust in me isn’t misplaced. I’ll try not to let you down.”
“Of course you won’t, dear girl. It’s all going to be wonderful, and we’re going to celebrate a bright future together.” She raised a hand to Miss Morton, who had sat silently, glaring, across the table. “You can help me to bed now, Cynthia dear. I’ve had enough excitement for one day.”
Miss Morton came around to help the old lady stand, then offered an arm to help her from the room.
Maggie was waiting at the door to assist her mistress to the stairs.
Miss Morton looked back at Emma. “By the morning she’ll probably have forgotten about everything she said tonight.
She may have no idea who you are or why she wanted you to go to Scotland.
She has good days and bad days, you know.
And the bad days are happening more often. ”
“So what would you have me do?” Emma asked. “If working on this book, with the hope of finishing it, is keeping the darkness at bay isn’t that a good thing?”
Cynthia Morton continued to look at Emma. “If you think you have a hope in hell of finishing it. I don’t know what she thinks a trip to Skye is going to do for you, but she’s insistent on it.”
“Maybe it’s a trip she wanted to take but knows she is not up to it,” Emma said. “Maybe for her, finding out about Melrose’s past feels like holding on to her own memories.”
“You’re a perceptive young thing, aren’t you?” Cynthia said at last. “Maybe you’ll do after all.”