Chapter Seven
They sailed back to shore and Mallory was relieved that the air had been cleared between them. They had apparently come to a mutual understanding and Mallory understood Greg much more. She really felt for him. His emotions were still raw which wasn’t surprising considering it was less than a year since Mairi had been declared dead – and although it had been a horrible experience, at least Mallory had the chance to cremate Sam; there had been some sense of closure for her. Greg hadn’t had anything like that. Eleven months had passed for this poor man since his love had left for her trip never to return and there were still unanswered questions. He had no peace. She admired the immense strength of his character and silently forgave him for his abrupt mood swings.
As they climbed off the boat and back onto terra firma, Mallory broke the ponderous silence that had fallen between them once again. ‘What are you up to this afternoon then? More leaking sinks to repair?’ She smiled warmly at him, feeling more at ease.
‘Nah… I’m away to pick up Angus and I think we might go for a long walk.’
First Rhiannon and now Angus. What instrument could this possibly be?Mallory scrunched her nose. ‘Angus?’
‘Aye, I don’t bring him on the boat too often. He can get seasick and sometimes he bothers the customers,’ Greg informed her.
Ah so it wasn’t an instrument. But Angus hadn’t been mentioned before. ‘Is Angus your son?’ she asked, hoping she wasn’t prying.
Greg threw his head back and guffawed loudly.
‘What’s funny?’ Mallory smiled but wasn’t sure why.
Greg shook his head, his laughter still erupting. ‘My son… actually, heisrather spoiled, so I suppose in a way he is.’ He glanced up at her. ‘He’s mydog. Stella looks after him sometimes when I’m out on the boat.’
Heat rose in her cheeks. ‘Ah right.’ She couldn’t help but laugh now at her earlier thought. ‘What type of dog is he?’ Mallory had always loved dogs.
‘He is a Lab-satian.’
That’s a new one on me.‘A what?’
He smiled fondly. ‘Labrador Alsatian cross breed. He’s bloody huge, greedy and daft as a brush.’
‘Oh lovely. I’d love to meet him sometime. I can’t believe you have a seasick dog.’ The thought made her giggle.
‘Aye, I wasn’t too impressed the first time I took him out I can tell you.’ They walked towards his Land Rover. ‘I used to hope he’d get over it but subsequent trips proved me wrong on that score.’
She smiled and shook her head as images of Greg carrying his poorly dog off the boat materialised in her mind. ‘Poor little chap.’
Greg laughed out loud. ‘Little? Did you not hear me describe him?’ A more comfortable silence descended between them as they reached Greg’s car. He opened the door and climbed in, closed the door and wound down the window. ‘I’ll have a word with Stella tonight and let you know what she says. Although I can tell you now that she’ll welcome the chance to have someone around who tends to smile more than I do.’ She smiled up at him, seeing a new side to his character. The fact that he was capable of self-deprecation helped warm her to him a little more.
‘Okay, thanks for that. Not sure how I feel about the prospect of facing so many new people but we’ll see.’
‘Well if it’s any help I think Ron will prefer your face to mine any day.’ He started the engine. ‘See you tomorrow then, eh?’
‘See you tomorrow. And thanks for today.’
He shook his head. ‘Nae bother.’ He raised his hand in a wave and drove away.
‘Bye for now!’ she shouted after him. She and Ruby turned to head for home.
As they walked, she replayed their conversations in her mind. Greg had opened up so much more and she appreciated his honesty. She knew that there was also a tale to be heard about why his marriage had ended, but that would wait. She felt she had found a little common ground with Greg; someone who understood and felt her pain. Maybe they could help each other to come through their grief. Maybe, just maybe, they could be friends…
She walked through her front door and glanced around.I do like this place, maybe I should give it a try?
The ashes still sat in their plain container on the mantle in the lounge. She knew that a decision would have to be made soon: she didn’t want to become one of those people whotalkedto the urn. Now that’s the type of thing Sam would have poked fun at for sure.
Mallory made herself a chicken stir fry and noodles and poured herself a glass of wine. After she had eaten she watched the first part of a movie on TV, but kept dozing off and so she decided to go to bed. It was only ten o’clock, but she was exhausted. It had been quite a day.
She was awakened by someone pounding on the front door. She sat bolt upright and looked at the clock. Wow, she must have been tired – it was nearly half past ten in the morning. She dashed out of bed and down to the front door, rubbing her bleary eyes and tugged it open.
Greg stood there, worried expression on his face, toolkit in hand, huge excitable dog by his side. ‘I was beginning to think you’d done a moonlight flit.’
She yawned. ‘Sorry, I must have slept really deeply. I’ve only just woken up.’Good grief, once again I look a sight when Greg calls round. He must think I live in my jim-jams.
