‘I can’t believe you wanted to comehere, after doing all of that exciting stuff,’ said Murray. ‘Won’t you be bored?’
‘Ah, well, things tend to change as you get older.’ She shrugged. ‘I was ready for a quieter pace of life.’ Beth wasn’t quite ready to talk about or dwell on her past. She rested her fork on her plate and looked at Murray and Rory appraisingly. ‘Now, tell me what you like to do when you’re not at school.’
Jim cleared away the main course and brought the crumble dish to the table, scooping large helpings into bowls.
Beth listened intently to both boys as they talked about their hopes for the future and things they did at the weekend, including football and rugby and kayaking when the weather got a bit warmer. They also said they were hopeful that the year ahead might involve a trip to see Scotland win a rugby game at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh.
‘You may have a long wait,’ said Jim drily. ‘They’re not doing so well right now. I think just be content with watching them play a game at Murrayfield rather than them necessarily winning.’
Beth raised her eyebrows, smiling as Jim and the boys started to debate, in impressive detail, the strengths and weaknesses of the national squad.
Freya shook her head. ‘You see what I have to put up with? If it’s not rugby, it’s football, and I know it’s clichéd but I don’t like either.’
Beth chuckled and realised how much she was enjoying being part of this household that was full of love and chatter and stories. She took a final mouthful of crumble and put her spoon back in her bowl. ‘I’m absolutely stuffed. That was delicious. Thank you so much. I insist that you let me help with the washing up.’
‘Not at all. That’s for Murray and Freya to sort. We have a rule in the family that whoever cooks doesn’t do the tidying,’ said Jim.
Freya grinned. ‘Yep, and when Murray and I cook we also, very thoughtfully, don’t use absolutelyeverysingle dish in the kitchen.’
Murray nodded in agreement, then turned to look at Beth, focusing his dark brown eyes on her. ‘I wondered Beth . . . would you be able to help me with a school project please?’
‘Of course — well, as long as it’s not maths.’ Beth couldn’t help smiling. ‘I’m afraid it was never my strength.’
He shook his head. ‘No, it’s not maths, don’t worry. A few of us are keen to start a school newspaper and I wondered if you might come in and speak to the group and give us some advice, please. We have started trying to make a plan but we’re a bit stuck.’
‘Of course I will,’ said Beth carefully. ‘Though you do have a bit of an expert here in your dad. Don’t you want to ask him? I don’t want to step on his toes.’
Jim had a huge grin on his face. ‘It’s not quite the same when it’s your old man though, is it? You can imagine how embarrassing it would be for him to have me traipse into school and lecture them. I mean, what do I know about anything?’
Beth gave Murray a conspiratorial wink. ‘That is very true. I can totally see what you mean. Look, don’t worry, we can’t possibly have your dad embarrassing you. I would be delighted to help. Just let me know when and where and I’ll be there.’
Murray jumped up from the table with a huge smile on his face. ‘Brilliant. Thanks so much Beth. When can you come in?’
‘As soon as you would like. Next week if that helps? You have a chat with the group and the teachers and work out when would suit. I am assuming that I would need the headteacher’s permission to work with you? I actually have my DBS, the English criminal record check, if they’ll accept that?’
Jim nodded. ‘Don’t worry, it’s all fine as I forgot to tell you that I did the Disclosure Scotland check for you when you accepted the job. Your certificate should be in your desk drawer in the office.’
Beth raised her glass. ‘Thank you. Thanks for making me feel so welcome. It’s been such a lovely afternoon and I am happy to help with anything that I can. Same goes for you too, Rory.’
Freya, Jim, Murray and Rory clinked their glasses against Beth’s.
‘To a new beginning and a brilliant New Year on Arran. Cheers everyone,’ said Freya.
‘Cheers,’ said the rest of them unanimously.
Chapter Twelve
Beth walked into the small kitchen in the corner of the office and filled the kettle, feeling a mixture of positive emotions. Her happiness felt heightened, as though the screen had been pulled back on her grey world and she was rediscovering colour for the first time. It was like being in the opening scenes ofThe Wizard of Ozwhen everything began in black and white and then became vibrant. As she waited for the water to boil, she thought back to the day she spotted the advert for the new job. Since then it seemed as though things were now slotting in to place, bit by bit, and the overriding feeling she had was one of joy. She was truly grateful that she was here doing a job she loved.
The plumber had deemed the flat almost fit for purpose, and tomorrow it would be ready to move into. She had been scouring previous editions of the paper to get a feel of what mattered most to locals, and Jim had introduced her to some of his key contacts on the island.
This morning she had noted possible ideas for future editions, jotted down some thoughts around audio and video content to contribute to the online edition, as well as checked the diary for significant dates and events — it was due to be really busy thanks to the time of year — while Jim chatted to her in between calls and queries.
Jim was very much the hands-on type, which Beth respected. Even though he had a senior position he wasn’t afraid to roll up his sleeves and just get on with what needed to be done, whether that was writing up stories, interviewing locals, taking photos or making the coffee and running out to get milk when they ran out. He was a breath of fresh air compared to the many bullying editors she’d worked with who had monstrous egos. All the design and advertising for the paper was handled at the company’s Glasgow headquarters, which also oversaw therunning and production of six other local newspapers across Scotland. That meant she and Jim could focus on the content.
‘There you go.’ She placed a mug of coffee on Jim’s desk.
‘Thank you.’ He lifted it up and curled his hands around the warm cup. ‘Just what I needed.’
