They both grinned like Cheshire cats. ‘Well, we have something for you.’ Renee clapped her hands together like a teenage girl, making Mallory giggle.
Her excitement mounted. ‘Okay, what is it?’ She had already received some lovely gifts of perfume, a beautiful scarf and a beautiful white gold bracelet. What more could they have to give her?
‘Well, we figured that maybe you wouldn’t get around to booking a holiday this year…’ Cara began, but looked at Renee, gesturing for her to continue the story,
Renee handed her a long thin envelope. ‘Sooo, we got you this.’
Mallory opened it and removed the contents. She inhaled sharply and clasped a hand over her mouth. ‘You got me a ticket to come to Canada?’ Her eyes were wide and her heart was pounding. This was too much. ‘I can’t accept this, you’ve already bought me my birthday gifts… I don’t—’
‘Oh stop! Youcanand youwillaccept it. We discussed it with Stella and she’s happily agreed that a holiday would be good for you. Greg has offered to take Ruby for a few weeks. So, you’re all set.’
‘Wait, what? A fewweeks?’ Mallory couldn’t quite comprehend this.
‘Yes, Josie is fine with the shop, Ruby is dealt with and the pub will be fine too. You’ll come home with us on Saturday and stay for three weeks. Then you’ll return to Scotland in the middle of July. You’ll have time to go off and do your own thing but we’ll take you sightseeing too.’
Cara waved her hands around, her girly giddiness exuding from every pore. ‘Oh Mallory, it’ll be so much fun!’ she chirped. ‘Let me know if you need help to pack.’
Her stomach flipped with excitement at the prospect of returning to Canada. ‘I don’t really have much in the way of holiday clothing,’ Mallory admitted, feeling rather embarrassed.
‘Well, we can take you shopping when we arrive so just get yourself a few essentials.’
The three women chatted at length about the places they wanted to take Mallory and after a couple of hours they hugged her goodbye so she could pack. Once she was alone again she realised that today was Monday and she was flying onSaturdayso she didn’t have long to get organised. She reached her suitcase down from the top of the wardrobe and placed it on the bed. The luggage tag was still there from her last trip to Canada and her heart suddenly sank. Last time she was going to meet Sam’s family for the first time – to get to know the people who were responsible for making Sam the wonderful man he was. And now she was going alone. Her lip trembled as she conjured up images of Sam in her mind as she had often done in the past months but it pained her to know that she would be staying in his home without him.
On Tuesday morning, Mallory rose early, showered and dressed. She jumped into her car and set off for Oban. She needed to get some clothes to tide her over until the ladies took her shopping in Kingston.
She went in several shops and managed to purchase jeans, leggings, three new tops and some new undies. She had never really enjoyed shopping, but today was different – she was going on holiday and after everything that had happened lately she decided it might just be what she needed.
She arrived home after six that evening with bags full of new things, feeling quite pleased with herself. Greg was walking down her road towards her, wearing his usual combats, boots and a black fitted tee. She could see through his T-shirt that he was very toned. She broke her eyes away from his abdomen feeling guilty.
‘Hi, matey. You seem to have been busy today.’ He gestured to the bags she was piling up at the side of the car as she removed them from the boot.
‘Yes, I have. I think I’ve bought most of Oban. I only went for essentials,’ she admitted, cringing.
‘Are they for your trip?’ he asked solemnly.
‘Yes, they are.’ She was giddy. ‘Oh by the way, thanks so much for agreeing to have Rubes. Her and Angus will have fun.’ She smiled. ‘You coming in for a coffee?’
‘Aye, why not, as long as I can make it. You can do me a fashion show if you like.’
Mallory felt the heat rise in her cheeks. ‘Oh, I don’t think that’s necessary. You’d be bored. I only got jeans and tops. Apart from one dress that I couldn’t resist.’ Mallory took her bags into the house.
Greg followed close behind her. ‘Tell you what, you go put that lot somewhere and try your dress on. Maybe you need a second opinion, eh? I’ll make the coffee. Your coffee’s not as good as mine anyway,’ he teased.
‘Cheeky. Okay, if you’re sure.’ She picked up the bags again.
‘Oh, I’m positive; it’s probably the worst coffee I’ve tasted.’
Mallory smirked but feigned annoyance. ‘I meant about the dress, you cheeky sod.’ She stuck out her tongue at him and carried on up the stairs.
She dropped her bags on her bedroom floor and pulled out the dress that she had simply fallen in love with. Sam would’ve loved it which helped with the purchase.
She stripped down to her underwear and slid into the dress. It was red and swept over the curves of her figure. She wasn’t sure where she was going to wear it, but she loved how it made her feel. She slipped on the black strappy sandals she had bought to go with it and unfastened and fluffed up her hair before making her way down the stairs. She announced her arrival with a loud, ‘Ta daaaaaa!’
Greg turned to look at her but he didn’t speak. He just stared and swallowed hard, opening and closing his mouth like a fish out of water.
Mallory’s shoulders hunched. ‘Oh God, I look ridiculous, don’t I? I knew I shouldn’t have shopped alone. I always make stupid decisions.’ Her hands came around to cover her body as self-consciousness took over.
Greg cleared his throat. ‘Ah, no, no… ah… Mallory… you look… I mean… you’re… um…wow.’
