41

The girls heaved a sigh of relief when they were finally finished. The room had started to empty, and the girls helped clear tables and chairs and returned the normal empty hall back to its former glory. It was not an overly huge a room but large enough for most of the little clubs to meet and greet and some of the local schools to put on plays. It had nothing to the size of the rooms at the manor. Nothing she had ever seen could ever compare to that big old house.

It was still early in the day when they were done so Abby suggested they take Muffin up to the house and use the pool. Muffin had been occupied all day by eager fans and he looked ready to sleep for a week, his little head was bobbing with the effort to keep awake as Rose picked him up to stroke that tiny velvet muzzle. He was too tired to attempt any sort of licking and just rested his tiny face against her bosom.

‘You have a pool? Where? Rose laughed in disbelief. ‘I have been in your garden remember? In your house! I have never seen anything remotely pool like in all that time!’

Abby tilted her head. ‘That’s the beauty of the big house. So many secret places.’ She laughed, explaining there was a building fifty yards from the house on the grounds that sported a pool and sauna, concealed by trees. ‘It was one of dad’s indulgences, he practically lives in the sauna nowadays.’

‘Sounds perfect Abs, there is nothing I can imagine I would love more right now.’ She was attempting to peel her dress strap from her clammy skin.

Abby pulled Rose after her, towards the car. ‘Come on, we will take your car up so later you don’t need to come for it, we can leave Muffin with Alice, you know how she loves him.’ Rose could not argue. The thought of a nice cool swim in this sticky heat actually sounded amazing. She needed to cool off and relax after that hard shift as tea maid. Nothing sounded better than peeling off sticky clothes in this humidity and diving into cool clear water.

Well, something else would have sounded good but that ship had now sailed.

It did not take long to get the car out of the church car park and navigate along a side private road straight to the house with Abby’s direction. Realising this was where she had seen Morag drive earlier, it somehow felt wrong.

They parked up at the front of the house in the usual wide-open car park by the main entrance and Abby dashed inside to grab swimwear and deposit a now sleeping Muffin with Alice in the kitchen to be pampered some more. Rose made excuses and stayed outside, gesturing towards the red car next to Robs and Abby shrugged. She assumed Rose was hinting about the drama and their tiffle with Morag and dashed inside cluelessly.

She didn’t want to see him or her, if she was being honest, and she certainly didn’t want to see them together.

Rose meandered towards the flower bed and looked at the delicate white Roses all in full bloom waiting for her, lost in thought. Trying to keep her crazy pounding heart and trembling nerves under control.

‘Urge to climb in and take a nap?’ the humour of the familiar voice made her freeze, her heart crashing heavily into her rib cage. Slowly turning to see Rob leaning in the open door against the thick rustic frame lazily. He looked effortlessly masculine, his muscles on show under a t-shirt that did little to hide his body. One arm raised over his head as he leant in and made it even more pronounced. That little peek of skin at the waist line where the hem was pulled up.

‘Funny!’ Rose regained her equilibrium quickly as she wandered to the next bush, putting more distance between them, afraid he would see the way her body was starting to react.

‘I know you and Rose bushes...Flower baby.’ There was something unreadable in his voice, but Rose averted her gaze to some small pink Roses further along and tried to keep her voice steady.

‘Only when I’m under the influence.’ She shrugged ‘The rest of the time, I just like to admire them.’

‘You look nice today, really pretty.’ He sounded genuine, he was trying to be light and upbeat, but she could hear the deeper tone in his voice. He had already told her that at the church but the way he said it this time did funny things to her insides. There was a brief silence as they looked at one another for a moment before she lost her bravado and looked back at the flowers.

‘Rose?...’ The way he almost whispered her name caused her to turn without thinking, a soft unreadable look flashing between them, but he backed off as Abby came racing through. Stopping to throw a kiss on his cheek and waving two sets of bikinis in her hand and towels in the other

‘Darling brother, we’re going to use the pool!’ She was giddy and happy. Rob was eyeing up the skimpy costumes in her hand and looking back and forth at Rose. His expression unreadable once more and that dead pan mask back in place. His gaze lingered longer than necessary on her for a second and caused the familiar tingles and shivers to begin creeping over her.

Still he could affect her this way.

‘Sure, just as long as you don’t annoy dad. He went for a sauna about twenty minutes ago. I saw him trailing across the lawn in his white robe.’ Rob ruffled Abby’s hair and pushed her onwards out the door. She skipped down the steps towards Rose with a smile.

Abby grabbed Rose’s hand as she danced by, twirling her around and jerking her in the direction intended at the same time. Her skirt flying up lightly with the twirl she did and her hair following. She couldn’t help but give out a little squeal and laugh as she did so.

Abby the ever-fun loving child.

She caught Rob’s expression, just a fleeting moment.

Remembrance, maybe?

Clouded dark grey eyes and a pained expression. He watched them leave via the side of the house until they were out of sight, but she resisted the urge to look back at him, aware of his eyes still following them and wrecking her nerves once more.

The pool house was not far across the lawn, to the sheltered side of the house. Concealed by trees and bushes, it was almost like a secret little building and Rose could see why it was hard to find if you didn’t know it was there.

Once inside it reminded her of an expensive public pool. Tiled from floor to ceiling in hues of sea green and mint, with the unmistakable strong smell of chlorine and that echoing sound of water. The blue green pool was full to the brim with inviting cool clear water, Abby checked the temperature panel on the wall and smiled.

‘Perfect!’ She pointed towards the far end and two sets of doors. ‘Left is to the changing room. Right is to the sauna and my dad is most likely asleep in there, so I better go check.’ She handed the black bikini set to Rose with the towels and sent her towards the shiny white door while she took a detour and knocked on the other. A deep smooth voice so like Rob’s called out and invited her in and Abby slid in, casting a wave and gesturing one minute to Rose.

Rose opened the changing room door and slid inside, faced with a row of wood clad changing rooms with swinging doors. There was a bench along one wall lined with mirrors and silver hooks and a vanity with a couple of hair dryers, a basket of assorted toiletries, a single enclosed shower and bathroom in one corner. She opened the first door into one of the trio of small changing rooms and began to undress.

The bikini was a tad skimpy for her fuller figure than Abby’s, but it still covered her modestly. Catching sight of herself in the mirror she felt rather indecent. It was not her normal style for sure, riskier and naughtier than what she liked to throw on, but as she was in a private pool with her best friend, she figured it didn’t matter.

Abby walked in and wolf whistled

‘Check you! Sexy!’ ‘Thanks’ Rose laughed.

‘Think Rob would have some sort of caveman moment if he saw you in that.’ Abby winked devilishly, and Rose felt that moment of fear colour her cheeks.

‘Shut up.’ Rose laughed, trying to conceal her guilt and wondering why Abby would even think Rob would care. A small doubt about what she knew passed her mind fleetingly and she pushed it away as stupid. Abby obviously didn’t know, not that there was anything to know anymore anyway.

Abby picked the same dressing room she had just vacated and threw clothes over the upper wall beside Rose’s. Sporting a similar style of bikini in bright turquoise, somehow Abby looked more covered. Her slimmer figure and smaller bust made it less revealing.

‘My dad’s going to come for a wee swim for a few minutes to meet you.’ She grinned. ‘He says he’s sick of hearing about the amazing Rose and wants a face to the name, he remembers you as a kid but wants to know you as a lassie now apparently.’ She laughed childishly ‘Dunno, who’s been telling him nice things, cos I told him how boring you were.’ She laughed again, ducking as Rose threw one of the towels at her.

‘I have no idea why I hang out with you sometimes. You’re an actual brat!’

‘You cannot resist me sweetheart.’ Abby grinned cheekily. Blowing a kiss her way and patting Rose on the butt to get her out of the changing room.

‘Come on.’ Rose led the way back to the pool, keen to be submerged before this man saw her in all her curves and glory. She felt a little too naked as she slid into the cool water easily, loving how it felt on her clammy skin and weary bones. She would have to make Abby bring her here more often. This is exactly what she needed after everything in the last few days. Always a lover of the water; sliding under and relaxing to the cooler temperature, she swam an easy length before this long-awaited stranger made his appearance. He was not what Rose expected.

Memories of Hamish years ago had always seen him a big figure; huge grey beard, dressed in kilts and sporrans at dances. As a child, he had seemed like a big hairy bear of a man, always loud and alive, full of life. But the tall large man sporting bright red shorts, coming from the sauna, struck more of a muscular, older version of Rob than memory served her. His once huge grey beard gone and smooth-shaven face. Chiselled jaw line still evident despite his age and wrinkles. His grey hair tamed and shorter; he used to wear it shoulder length in all its curly wildness, and actually for a man in his later years, still handsome. Still full of life and vitality. The faded grey eyes were a shock to Rose. So familiar and so unexpected to see in a different face, looking so weary and dull.

Yes, he was aged and not so firm and fit as his son, but the resemblance was striking. He was so like Rob in mannerisms and voice too as he slid into the pool and approached the pair.

Brief introductions and small talk had them all relaxing quickly, the easy-going nature she remembered so well and deep hearty laugh. Rose could not stop being mesmerised by the similarities, wondering if this was how Rob would look in years to come. It was obvious both his children had inherited his genes, good looks, good bone structure. Abby’s green eyes, the only part of her mother that was obvious and the straight black hair of both her children. They both had Hamish Munro’s smooth confidence and easy manner. Rose liked him instantly. He had charm and a quick wit, a great sense of humour. His affection for Abby was obvious as the pair verbally sparred like a comedy act.

They splashed in the water for a good fifteen minutes just laughing and joking before he looked her in the eye, making her feel like a ten-year-old child again. A serious expression on his face as though he was scrutinising or appraising her.

Abby climbed out to go use the bathroom, leaving them alone for a few minutes.

‘He told me about you two, you know?’ Hamish didn’t hesitate, no sense of accusation in his tone, just a warm smile as he tread water, facing her.

Roses look of panic and confusion obvious, she began to try and formulate a response, but he put his hand up.

‘Hush now, I’m aware Abby has no idea, don’t worry; I will leave that up to you or Rob to tell her in time. I just wanted to say I agree with you. Ending it! That’s no way for you to live. No way to treat the girl he says he loves and that I think my son’s an idiot, I think he knows it too.’ He moved forward giving her shoulder a small squeeze and an apologetic look. Reassuringly fatherly and Rose sighed, relaxing a little.

‘I don’t know what to say.’ She truly had not expected this. ‘I didn’t see a happy ending the way things were going, or even a change in the future.’ She felt a tear hit her eye and a lump forming in her threat and pushed them down again.

‘Just tell me, lassie... Do you love him?’ He was still close, their voices hushed with a hopeful look in his eye.

‘Yes, I do.’ She looked forlorn but could not lie about this, especially not to this kind-hearted man. It felt good to finally be able to speak to someone about it, it had been ripping her apart inside for days.

‘Well, at least there is that. He knows he’s being an idiot. Just don’t rule him out forever. Sometimes Rob can be stubborn like his mother. Trying to do what’s best for everyone else.’ Hamish moved back a little, giving her space and glanced to the door to check Abby was still not returning.

‘You can say that again.’ She smiled sadly.

‘Sometimes it takes him a little while to figure out what needs to be done when it comes to his own needs. Don’t you wait on him! He needs to see that he’s lost you before he can really get that head out of his ass. Don’t make things easy on him, like you were... Won’t change otherwise.’ They heard Abby flushing the toilet and he moved forward to pat her again, warmly. She smiled as he reached forward and kissed her cheek with a wink, moving back before swimming to the side and climbing out with a backwards wave.

‘Now if you don’t mind, this old man needs to get back into the warm air before my legs give way. Not quite as virile as I used to be, and the sauna is much more my style.’ He grinned, throwing a wave and stopping to kiss Abby on the forehead as she emerged from the changing room once again.

‘Bye.’ Rose called after him, watching Abby slide back into the water gracefully.

Rose felt cold with the immobility in the water but a small warm glow inside her began to spread. A feeling of something fuzzy and gentle and hopeful.

He had told his father about them. Told his father he loved her. Talked about them despite all the secretiveness... He had told his dad! Surely that counted for something?

It had given her enough of a warm glow deep inside she felt her face warm and her limbs loosen up with some inner hopeful tingling.

* * *

They stayed in the pool for an hour. Seeing Hamish Munro again before he left, midway through splashing and carry on and laughing at his awful jokes. He really was a lovely man and the wink he threw at Rose made her feel for the first time in weeks a tad better. Like a warm gesture from a kind stranger that could brighten your day.

Maybe it was more than the wink. Maybe it was what he had said to her.