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.’
Avery 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 theold 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?’
