“I think classics make people feel good.”
Elspeth entered in a pair of fuzzy bunny slippers. “Do I smell breakfast?”
“Nairie made some. I’ll get you a plate.”
I started humming the tune Nairie was singing and found Elspeth giving me a confused look. “What?”
“Nothing, I’ve just never seen you in such a chipper mood before.”
I scowled.
“That’s more like it. Did you have a nice dream last night or something?”
I brought her plate and took a sip from my coffee, silently nodding. Nairie turned from the window to watch us.
Elspeth turned to Nairie. “What about you? Sweet dreams?”
Nairie shook her head and then looked deep in thought. Her face screwed into a confused pout.
I quickly changed the subject. “We better get going to the pub soon, Elle. Finish your breakfast.”
Elspeth’s fork hovered by her mouth as she gave me an annoyed glare.
***
At the pub, Elspeth showed me all their paperwork for the past year in Lindsey’s messy office. I had my workcut out for me.
I looked over some receipts and noticed a recurring charge. “Elspeth, who’s Jerry, and why have you been giving him free drinks every month?”
“That’s one of our regulars. He did some work for us around the house, always comes by if there’s a plumbing issue, and we trade him for free beer.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose in annoyance. “This isn’t the Middle Ages. You can’t barter for services.”
Elspeth held up her hands. “Okay, okay. I’m willing to do anything it takes. I’m serious about turning this place around, Will.”
I looked at my sister with fondness. She was still so young, but I knew how determined a person she was.
After a few hours of going through more paperwork and creating a proper filing system, I taught her the right methods for keeping everything on track each month. It would take a while for me to teach her everything, and I’d have to spend late nights and early mornings catching up with the inn back home, but I was willing to put in the extra work.
We were still sifting through the office when Elspeth appeared with a glass of my favorite whisky. “Elspeth, I’m serious. No more free drinks or dipping into the inventory until we can get you out of this.”
Elspeth smacked my arm. “I know, I know. I paid for this with my own money. Just drink it.”
I leaned against the creaky chair and took the glass, sipping down the amber liquid with appreciation. “How are you feeling, Elly?”
She took a sip from her beer. “Honestly, I’m sad. Of course, I’m devasted. But I’ve been living with this grief for the past four years. I kind of learned to adjust. Nowthat she’s gone, I know she’s not in pain anymore, so it’s kind of comforting. I don’t think I could have gotten through it without Nairie. She was there for the late nights when Mom was too sick to go to the bathroom on her own and when I cried myself to sleep. To be honest, I’m more worried about her. She and I talk about everything, but ever since Mom’s diagnosis, she took on caretaker mode and hasn’t opened up to me about it. She keeps saying my feelings are more important, and I haven’t been able to convince her otherwise. I just wish she’d break down once so I could take care of her for a change.”
I felt like shit knowing I wasn’t there for either of them this whole time.
That moment with Nairie crying in my arms must have meant a lot. “Elspeth, I’m sorry I—”
Elspeth held up a hand. “Don’t even start. You were helping your own mom and running the inn, Will.”
I knew it was true. Building the inn required every ounce of time I had to get my mother a stable income. She’d never been well off, and this was my chance to set her up for life with honest work.
“You checked in often. You helped cover some expenses for her care. You did a lot.”
I smiled sadly. “You can always move to Scotland and live with me and Mum at the inn.”
