For once, Grete’s smile was nowhere to be seen. ‘I’m the best person for the task.’
Mats was left feeling like a naughty boy as she strode briskly out.
The gardeners’ room smelt of compost and chemical fertiliser. It was barely warmer than outdoors, but at least they were out of the freezing rain and blustering wind. Not having grabbed her coat before running out in search of Thea, Ezz huddled into her jacket. ‘If Mats insists on talking to theGarden Gladiatorspeople, I’ll go over his head to Grete or Erik.’
Thea’s dark eyes were stormy yet fearful. ‘Don’t. I’ve already been rude to him, but there’s no reason for you to compromise your job as well. I’m not going on the telly ever again. I’ll just leave Rothach Hall.’
Ezzie’s stomach turned over. She didn’t treat Thea’s threat as idle, even knowing that abandoning the gardens she’d worked so hard to establish would break her heart. ‘If you go, I go,’ she promised grimly. ‘I know the family has only been on this winter visit for a couple of days but there’s a funny atmosphere. I’ve hardly seen Grete and, gorgeous or not, Mats seems every bit as entitled as his ex-wife.’ She wished now she hadn’t let his attractions even enter her mind, because now it felt like a lack of judgement. Bitterly, she added, ‘Feeling safe here hasn’t lasted long, has it? Bloody Mats Larsson’s like Tavish was – grab an idea and sod how anyone else feels.’
Thea nodded, expression bleak. ‘Erik might be blunt, but he’s caring. He gave me support when I needed it.’
The wind rattled the door latch as if trying to get in. Ezzie sighed. ‘We’d better get back to work, or we’ll be sacked anyway.’ She scooped Thea into a wordless hug,exchanging comfort with the one person who understood absolutely everything about her.
Then Ezz opened the door, careful the wind didn’t bash her in the face with it, and dashed across the rear courtyard with her head dipped against needle-like rain. Once indoors, she paused to straighten her jacket and smooth her hair before crossing the lobby. Orla looked up with her customary pleasant smile, her grey cardigan and skirt teamed with a smart white blouse, her light brown hair drawn back in a tight ponytail. Ezzie paused, trying to recover her usual easy interaction with staff members. ‘I’ve not found ten minutes to chat today. Did you and your husband enjoy your time off?’
Orla’s eyes brightened. ‘Aye, we stayed in Drumnadrochit, where the Loch Ness monster tourist stuff’s based. We loved it. It’s very pretty.’
‘It sounds as if I ought to put it on my list of places to visit.’ They chatted for another minute, Orla visibly buzzing after her winter break, then Ezzie returned to her office and tried to concentrate on the Rothach Hall website, intending to discuss updates with the designer. Instead, her attention strayed to the view through the tall, imposing windows, a vision forming of cameras and boom mics stalking Thea over the lawns like cats after a rat. Though it had once been an odd kind of thrill to see her composed, compact little sister on TV, chatting with another presenter or encouraging contestants in the gardening competition, that had been a different Thea, one who wore facial piercings and coloured streaks in a zany hairstyle. The idea of a more mature, natural Thea in the same role felt bizarre.
Never before had her personal loyalties intruded into her professional life, and she was frightened. Was theirtime on this glorious island to end? Wouldn’t Thea be here to see the flowerbeds bloom? Would Ezz soon be clearing her things from this burnished walnut desk? Would they move from Rothach village in search of new positions? The prospect of them finding jobs together again seemed slim. It had only happened here because Rothach had been recruiting hard after refurbishment.
A voice from the doorway made her jump. ‘Ezzie?’
Startled, Ezzie leapt to her feet, catching her elbow painfully on the desk. ‘Grete. I’m sorry. I didn’t hear you come in.’
Grete smiled, though her eyes behind her glasses were serious, her silver fringe sweeping her forehead. Carefully, she closed the door behind her and then pulled up a chair, seating herself before gazing expectantly at Ezzie.
Slowly, Ezzie sat too, her thoughts awhirl. Was Grete here to finally discuss Christmas? Ezzie’s pad was already full of suggestions about the Christmas visitor activities Grete had once seemed so keen to try out. Or was it camera crews? Was Ezzie going to have to take a stand againstGarden Gladiatorsthat would make all her fears come true? A lump lodged in her throat.
‘You must not worry,’ Grete began softly. ‘I will tell the television company that we at Rothach are not interested in their show.’
Keyed up to hear the worst, Ezz could scarcely believe her ears. Hot waves of relief made her dizzy. Her vision blurred with boiling tears.
Grete, clearly understanding the choked silence, reached forward to pat Ezzie’s hand. ‘Mats did not know the story. Erik sometimes grumbles about the costs of Rothach and the accountant in Mats responded.’
Ezzie nodded, in an agony of embarrassment at beingunable to offer a business-friendly smile and her usual ‘Of course.’ Instead, she rose unsteadily and crossed to the coffee machine in the corner. Searching through the pods for the cappuccino she knew was Grete’s favourite, she managed to grab a handful of the tissues and discreetly mop her eyes, glad of waterproof mascara. She made two cappuccinos and, by the time she returned to her desk, was in command of herself.
Taking her cue, Grete proceeded as if the last few minutes had never been. ‘If we are to offer Christmas events this year, we must approach hotels soon.’
Ezz pulled her pad closer. ‘I’ve selected six good hotels on Skye that offer Christmas breaks. And a list of activities that could be arranged in the time available, like a lantern walk with a special café menu to follow.’
They discussed their ideas, but, finally, Grete sat back with a grimace. ‘We have left it late to persuade people to travel here for a walk in the dark and haggis.’ She twinkled ruefully. ‘It is better left for next year. But I would like to see more of Rothach Hall dressed for Christmas. It is our first Scottish Christmas. A tree in the lobby, and another in the family lounge. A lot of lights.’ She swept an arc with her arms, as if encompassing a host of bling.
‘I’ll ask Thea to choose the trees from the grounds,’ Ezz agreed, unbalanced by how suddenly the usually rational Grete had dropped her business ideas for this year.
Grete’s expression lightened. ‘And ask Thea to join us now. Telephone her, please. Perhaps more cappuccino?’
Ezz made the call and in three minutes, Thea was knocking on the door, a polite mask not doing a great job of disguising her apprehension and anxiety.
Grete rose, looked straight into Thea’s angry, fearful eyes and apologised simply and sincerely, as she had to Ezz.
‘Oh,’ said Thea, every muscle in her body visibly relaxing. ‘Um, thank you. That’s a massive relief.’ The look she threw at Ezz was full of astonished delight. In no time, they were sipping cosily and discussing Christmas trees.
‘I look forward to a big family gathering in December,’ Grete said. ‘You have Christmas plans together perhaps?’ She motioned between the sisters with her finger.
Aware that her time off over the festive season bore a hovering question mark, Ezz just smiled, but Thea put down her cup and beamed. ‘Our sister Valentina will be here, and then we’ll go to her home for Hogmanay. We’re very excited because she’s bought a cottage in the village as a holiday home. She’s visiting one weekend soon, isn’t she, Ezz?’
Reminded that she hadn’t yet talked to Grete about having a weekend off, or to Orla about making herself available to fulfil any family requests, especially as Orla was presently rostered off on Sunday herself, Ezz answered, ‘That’s right.’
