‘It’ll feed plenty. So then there’ll be turkey curry all round for when your guests get snowed in.’ He paused and squinted up at the sky through one of the high Velux windows. ‘The snow’s due in the next couple of days. They’re saying there could be up to twenty inches in less than twenty-four hours. The castle’ll be cut off, but at this time of year, I don’t need to say make sure you’ve got supplies in.’
‘As long as the castle’s not cut off before Christmas Eve, I don’t—’ Before she could finish she was interrupted by a yell from the other side of the shop.
‘John, do you know where Mrs McPherson’s order is? I canna find it.’
He huffed out an irritated sigh. ‘I have to do every bluidy thing round here,’ he muttered before striding off. ‘Merry Christmas to ye. Hope you have a good one and Rod’s in fine singing voice,’ he called over his shoulder.
Izzy rolled her eyes. Mrs McPherson had a lot to answer for.
Just as she and Jeanette had loaded their shopping into the boot of the car, her mobile rang and, juggling her car keys, she answered it without registering who was calling.
‘Izzy, it’s Duncan. There’s a mon here to see ye. Xanthe says he’s called Philip.’
Chapter Nineteen
Izzy’s heart was pounding as she walked into the castle, holding her head high. She’d made the short drive back as sedately as possible, deliberately not rushing, although her hands had trembled on the wheel. Philip could wait. She was not going to rush back. Though she couldn’t deny their meeting in Edinburgh had been on her mind. Until of course that kiss with Ross.
Her mother’s peal of laughter rang out from the morning room and for a moment Izzy hesitated, a small part of her wanting to at least run up and put on a quick coat of mascara.
‘I’ll take the shopping through,’ said Jeanette, her eyes alight with curiosity. Izzy had barely spoken on the journey home; inside her head it was like a gale blowing on bin collection day, random thoughts flying like empty crisp packets through her brain.
‘Thanks,’ she said absently, following the sound of her mother’s voice to the library, which was the current project. At the door she waited for a moment, still wondering what had brought Philip all this way.
‘I can’t believe you got a taxi from Fort William, darling. It must have cost a fortune. You must stay the night.’
She heard Philip’s voice respond in a low murmur but didn’t catch every word. ‘It’s … Izzy … feelings … forgive me.’
Forgive him. Could she? Her breath caught in her throat and a burst of hope ricocheted in her chest like a pinball wheel; crazy, random and manic. Had Philip come to tell her he loved her? And what about Ross? She couldn’t stop thinking about that kiss but what did it mean to him? Was he really busy or just avoiding her?
She pushed open the door, a tremulous smile on her face.
‘Izzy, darling. Look who’s here.’
Philip stood beside Xanthe, a shy smile on his face, the bright winter sun coming in through the window catching his blond hair.
‘Hi, Iz.’ He held out both hands.
‘Philip,’ she said, not moving from the doorway, as a stray thought struck her. How had she never noticed before that he had sloping shoulders?
He paused before walking across the room. ‘Iz, sorry to burst in on you but I…’ His eyes sought hers.
She swallowed.
‘I really needed to see you. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you since I saw you the other day.’
Xanthe clapped her hands. ‘Isn’t that lovely? Now come sit down, Izzy. I’ve been telling Philip all about the work we’ve been doing to the castle. You’ll have to give him the grand tour and he’s very taken with your walnut and coffee cake.’ She waved a hand at the coffee table, where the empty cups and cake plate sat. Izzy frowned as another irrelevant thought popped into her head.The cake was meant for Ross.
Like a feeble, hen-witted idiot she nodded and sat down.
‘It’s delicious. I don’t remember you baking before. Although just as well.’ He patted his flat stomach. ‘You’ve always been a feeder.’
Izzy stared at him. Had she? More often than not Philip had invited himself to her flat for dinner. But when she invited him, he was always busy doing other things.
He laughed. ‘I hear you were in Fort William, if I’d realised I’d have cadged a lift instead of getting a taxi from the station.’
‘Philip,’ Izzy said, her head finally clearing at the mention of Fort William. There was a car full of shopping to unload, which she should be doing instead of leaving it to Jeanette. ‘What are you doing here?’
Xanthe tutted. ‘He’s come to see you. Honestly.’ She rolled her eyes conspiratorially at Philip. ‘I think perhaps I should leave you two to it.’
