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Authors: Sara Craven
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made Angus’s Aunt Maggie a treasure. Pity she can’t sort out High
Gables for Simon, she thought, and wondered if he was missing her, at the same time disturbingly aware that she’d hardly
spared him a thought. That she’d been preoccupied with Raf instead, and to an absurd degree. Well, that would stop
right now.
When she rejoined Angus downstairs, the fire was already crackling in the grate.
‘The kindling’s kept in the cellar, too, for dryness,’ he mentioned. ‘And the log store’s in a lean-to at the side of the
house. There was a load delivered before Christmas, so don’t stint yourself. And it draws well, this fire, so it’s easy to
light.
‘You’ll have no trouble finding the village, either,’ he continued. ‘Just keep walking downhill. Auntie’s shop is only open
for papers tomorrow, because of the Sabbath. But, if you look in the fridge, you’ll find she’s left you a Sunday dinner, so
you won’t starve. I’m afraid that’s extra,’ he added a touch awkwardly. ‘Is that all right’
‘I’m truly grateful,’ Emily assured him. ‘Your aunt’s gone to a lot of trouble to make me welcome, and so have you.’
‘Och, think nothing of it.’ Angus stood up, dusting his hands. ‘Make sure you use the spark guard before you go to bed
and you’ll be fine.’
‘I’m sure I will. I’ll just have a quick supper, then sleep off the journey.’
His smile warmed her again. ‘Then I’ll see you around.’
And he was gone, and she heard the Jeep disappearing down the track.
At last, there was nothing but silence. Emily stood for a moment, looking round her new domain with profound
satisfaction.
It was settling in time. She would unpack, make her first meal, take her first bath, then let the stresses and strains of the
past week slide away in that big, comfortable bed upstairs.
It felt chilly in the bedroom. She felt the radiator, but it was cold, as was the one in the bathroom. Presumably the heating
worked on a timer and had switched itself off, she thought, putting away her clothes in double-quick time.
In the kitchen, she unloaded the groceries in the welcome pack. As Angus had indicated, there was a fresh chicken in the
fridge, along with some carrots and a small cabbage.
But, for now, she would make do with a can of soup, and tomato at that, she thought, operating the ring-pull on the can.
The ultimate comfort food.
When it was hot, she poured it into a large pottery mug and carried it into the living room. As she sat down one of the
logs in the grate collapsed, making her jump, emphasising her awareness of the cottage’s isolation.
It seemed strange to have no real idea of the landscape outside the dark rectangle of window, she thought with sudden
unease. Maybe it would help if she drew the thick woven cream curtains, closing out the darkness and the unknown
together.
But this is what you wanted—a hiding place with total seclusion, she argued inwardly. So why be a wuss about it
As she began tugging the heavy folds into place, she became aware of two things. That snowflakes were dancing in the
air, just as Angus had predicted. And that she could hear the sound of an engine and see a pair of powerful headlights
approaching the cottage.
Oh, God, she thought, groaning inwardly. Surely it wasn’t Angus paying another visit on some pretext. He didn’t seem the
type to make a nuisance of himself because she was female and on her own, but how did she know What did she
know
She would just have to make it perfectly plain that she didn’t need any kind of complication in her life. And, whatever
he’d said earlier, she’d keep that damned door locked.
But, even as she turned to do so, she heard a vehicle door slam and footsteps approaching on the gravelled area just
outside.
As the cottage door opened, she said breathlessly, ‘Whatever you have to say can wait until tomorrow. Now, I’d just
like you to go.’
‘But how inhospitable of
Gables for Simon, she thought, and wondered if he was missing her, at the same time disturbingly aware that she’d hardly
spared him a thought. That she’d been preoccupied with Raf instead, and to an absurd degree. Well, that would stop
right now.
When she rejoined Angus downstairs, the fire was already crackling in the grate.
‘The kindling’s kept in the cellar, too, for dryness,’ he mentioned. ‘And the log store’s in a lean-to at the side of the
house. There was a load delivered before Christmas, so don’t stint yourself. And it draws well, this fire, so it’s easy to
light.
‘You’ll have no trouble finding the village, either,’ he continued. ‘Just keep walking downhill. Auntie’s shop is only open
for papers tomorrow, because of the Sabbath. But, if you look in the fridge, you’ll find she’s left you a Sunday dinner, so
you won’t starve. I’m afraid that’s extra,’ he added a touch awkwardly. ‘Is that all right’
‘I’m truly grateful,’ Emily assured him. ‘Your aunt’s gone to a lot of trouble to make me welcome, and so have you.’
‘Och, think nothing of it.’ Angus stood up, dusting his hands. ‘Make sure you use the spark guard before you go to bed
and you’ll be fine.’
‘I’m sure I will. I’ll just have a quick supper, then sleep off the journey.’
His smile warmed her again. ‘Then I’ll see you around.’
And he was gone, and she heard the Jeep disappearing down the track.
At last, there was nothing but silence. Emily stood for a moment, looking round her new domain with profound
satisfaction.
It was settling in time. She would unpack, make her first meal, take her first bath, then let the stresses and strains of the
past week slide away in that big, comfortable bed upstairs.
It felt chilly in the bedroom. She felt the radiator, but it was cold, as was the one in the bathroom. Presumably the heating
worked on a timer and had switched itself off, she thought, putting away her clothes in double-quick time.
In the kitchen, she unloaded the groceries in the welcome pack. As Angus had indicated, there was a fresh chicken in the
fridge, along with some carrots and a small cabbage.
But, for now, she would make do with a can of soup, and tomato at that, she thought, operating the ring-pull on the can.
The ultimate comfort food.
When it was hot, she poured it into a large pottery mug and carried it into the living room. As she sat down one of the
logs in the grate collapsed, making her jump, emphasising her awareness of the cottage’s isolation.
It seemed strange to have no real idea of the landscape outside the dark rectangle of window, she thought with sudden
unease. Maybe it would help if she drew the thick woven cream curtains, closing out the darkness and the unknown
together.
But this is what you wanted—a hiding place with total seclusion, she argued inwardly. So why be a wuss about it
As she began tugging the heavy folds into place, she became aware of two things. That snowflakes were dancing in the
air, just as Angus had predicted. And that she could hear the sound of an engine and see a pair of powerful headlights
approaching the cottage.
Oh, God, she thought, groaning inwardly. Surely it wasn’t Angus paying another visit on some pretext. He didn’t seem the
type to make a nuisance of himself because she was female and on her own, but how did she know What did she
know
She would just have to make it perfectly plain that she didn’t need any kind of complication in her life. And, whatever
he’d said earlier, she’d keep that damned door locked.
But, even as she turned to do so, she heard a vehicle door slam and footsteps approaching on the gravelled area just
outside.
As the cottage door opened, she said breathlessly, ‘Whatever you have to say can wait until tomorrow. Now, I’d just
like you to go.’
‘But how inhospitable of
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