The Skye Collection, page 82
Lyle’s nostrils flared and he glared at Archie, jabbing his index finger towards his apparent rival. ‘You’re the reason this has all gone tits up, Sutherland.’
Archie stepped forward, and evidently unwilling to stoop to Lyle’s level, he kept his voice calm and even. ‘You’ve got it wrong, mate. You need to calm down and go home.’
Grace appeared at the bottom of the stairs. ‘Mum? Archie? What’s going on?’ Cleo was standing just in front of her at a diagonal as if creating a barrier between Grace and the brewing trouble.
‘What’s going on, Grace, is that your mother is sleeping with Archie behind my back,’ Lyle bellowed loud enough for the whole of Glentorrin to hear.
Archie stepped over the threshold; his hands held up as if Lyle was armed. ‘Right, that’s it. You need to leave, now! You’re behaving inappropriately and irrationally. What’s more, you’re scaring Grace and no doubt, Cora too. Look at your poor wee bairn’s face. She’s terrified. That doesn’t make you a great man in my book.’
‘Mum?’ Grace said, her voice wobbling.
Caitlin turned to face her bleary-eyed daughter. ‘It’s okay, sweetheart. Please go into the living room and wait there. Everything is fine, I promise.’
Grace nodded and backed away.
‘I’ll leave when I want to leave and not before,’ Lyle replied with venom, through clenched teeth. Cleo stalked forward, snarling and growling and Lyle stared at the sensitive, protective dog. ‘And you can sod off, you little rat.’ Cleo began to bark, and Caitlin lifted her up to try to calm her down.
Archie lifted his phone from his pocket. ‘Look, I’m trying to be reasonable here, which is more than you’re doing, pal. You leave the village now, or I call the police. And we both know they won’t let you into Canada with a criminal record, so I suggest you walk away.’
Lyle huffed, his face was red, and his brow scrunched. ‘I don’t know why you can’t just give me a second chance, Caity. We were so good together. We had something special.’
‘Lyle, we barely know each other. Just go and start your new life in Canada. You’ll meet someone new. We’re just not… we’re never going to happen. And I think deep down you know that.’
He tugged at his hair and bent double. ‘I’m such an idiot! Women are all the same! Users, manipulators, the lot of ’em.’ He stood again and glared at Archie. ‘Good luck to you, mate. You need it with her.’ He sneered in Caitlin’s direction and with his final words, he turned and stormed back to his car, got in and sped away, tyres screeching.
When Lyle’s car was out of sight, Caitlin heaved a sigh of relief, placed Cleo on the floor and almost collapsed against the wall.
The little dog fussed around Archie’s feet, so he bent quickly to stroke her. ‘You’re a brave wee mutt, eh? Yesh you are.’ Cleo wagged her tail frantically, clearly proud of her role in proceedings.
Caitlin inhaled a shaking breath. ‘Thanks, Archie. I don’t know what I would’ve done if you hadn’t been here.’
He stood and pulled her into a hug. ‘Hey, it’s nae bother. And I get the feeling the mention of him not getting into Canada with a criminal record may have put him off coming again. I don’t think he’d thought this visit through. But if he does come back, you ring me right away, okay?’
She nodded, still a little shaken by what had happened. ‘Thanks again.’
‘Look, I’ll be off. I think Grace might need you. But I’m on the end of the line if he comes back.’ The next thing he did was strange but sweet. He kissed the top of her head before turning and leaving the house. It was an affectionate gesture that made her smile.
‘Archie!’ she called out to him, and he stopped and turned his head. ‘You’re going to make a wonderful dad,’ she told him with a lump in her throat.
He didn’t reply. Instead, a wide smile spread across his face, and he somehow stretched taller as if empowered by her words, and he lifted his hand in a salute.
19
Just as Caitlin was closing the bakery at the end of the day on Monday, Archie walked in. He looked so different in his suit and tie. Ridiculously handsome, in fact. His hair was still wild and shaggy, and his chin still graced with stubble, but it was clear he had attended the meeting with his solicitor with every intention of putting across the best of himself.
She closed the door and locked it behind him. ‘So, how did it go?’ she asked eagerly.
He loosened his tie and held out his arms. ‘You’re looking at the father of a five-year-old girl,’ he replied with tears of joy in his eyes.
Caitlin flung her arms around him. ‘Archie, that’s wonderful! I’m so happy for you! How do you feel?’ She pulled away and held him at arm’s length.
‘Bloody rung out to be honest. It was fairly straightforward, because of the birth certificate and the letter in the will that mentions me, so I now have full parental responsibility. I’ve been assigned a social worker just to make sure Sophie settles in okay, but – and this is the scary part – she will be with me at the weekend. I’ve to go up to Edinburgh and meet her at her foster carer’s on Friday. And then I’ll bring her home Saturday or Sunday.’
Caitlin was astounded at how calm he seemed at the prospect of being thrust into a whole new lifestyle. ‘Wow. That’s all so fast. What about getting her room ready? And what about your work?’
‘The campsite isn’t too bad. It’s all tents, so they’re fairly self-sufficient, and I have a cleaner for the shower blocks and toilets, and Dex to do check-ins and maintenance now he’s back from his trip. The IT stuff, when it comes in, can be done from home. It’s the shop that’s the main issue, although Sophie will be enrolling in school, so I may just have to rethink my hours. If I need to get extra help in, I’ll do that.’ He shrugged.
Caitlin was impressed with the way he had just stepped up. He was putting the welfare of his child first, unlike Lyle, who put himself and his own desires before everyone. Archie was doing what any father should, but the fact that he didn’t necessarily sign up for the full-time dad thing from the start meant that everything he was doing was because he wanted to.
‘So, therein lies the reason for my visit…’ he said rather sheepishly. ‘I was wondering if you might come around to mine tonight and help me pick some things for her room?’ He winced and narrowed his eyes. ‘And Grace too?’
Caitlin laughed. ‘We’d love to. I think Grace will have some nice ideas. What time shall we come round?’
‘I’ve bought pizzas, so shall we say six? Bring Cleo too. I picked up some magazines when I was up in Portree, and I’ve got my laptop so we can order things online if necessary. Then, I’m going to close the shop from Wednesday and get the room done before I head up to Edinburgh on Friday. I’ve been put in touch with the foster carer and apparently Sophie’s favourite colour is blue, like the sky.’ He grinned. ‘Her words. And she loves stars and rainbows too, which is wonderful. I was worried she’d be a really girlie wee thing and into pink and fairies but apparently not. Anyway, I’ve sent a couple of photos of me and a letter that they can read to her to make things a little easier.’
‘That’s so lovely. She’s lucky to have you.’ She hoped her sincerity shone through because she couldn’t think of a better man to be the little girl’s father.
‘Aye, let’s hope she feels that way too. Oh, and apparently she has a dog. A pug called Bowie. So, looks like I’m getting two for the price of one.’
‘Bloody hell, Archie, you don’t do things by half do you?’ Caitlin laughed.
‘Apparently not!’ He turned and unlocked the shop door. ‘See you in a wee while then.’
‘You will. I’ll bring something sweet to treat us all.’
He rubbed his hands together. ‘Och, you’re a star.’
Once back in the house, Caitlin found Grace cuddled on the sofa with Cleo. The little dog wagged her tail as she walked into the room. She reached down and scratched the dog’s belly before bending to kiss her daughter on the head.
‘Hey, sweetie. How are you doing?’ Caitlin asked with concern. She knew that Grace had been melancholy all day and each time she had checked on her through the day, she had been cuddled up with Cleo.
Grace sighed and shrugged. ‘I’m okay. I phoned Cora, but her dad said she wasn’t in. I think she was, but I don’t think she wanted to talk to me. Or her dad didn’t want her to talk to me.’ Her lip trembled.
Caitlin flopped down beside her on the sofa. ‘Hey, come on, love. I hate to see you so sad.’ She stroked her hair. ‘I’ve got something that might cheer you up.’ She proceeded to tell Grace about Archie’s request for help and all about Sophie too.
‘Wow. Isn’t he scared? He’s never been a dad before. He hasn’t even looked after a dog, has he?’
‘No, and I think he is a wee bit scared, but I think he’s excited, too, and he needs our help. In fact, he specifically mentioned you. Anyway, go and get a good wash. We’ve to be there at six. He’s making pizza.’
Just before six, Caitlin, Grace and Cleo set off on their short walk along the road to Archie’s house. It had been a dreich, rainy day, but the gloom had finally cleared, and the sun was peeping through the clouds and forming a halo of light over the little coastal village. It was a tad chilly, and they had to dodge puddles as they walked. Although Cleo didn’t avoid puddles, ever. Instead, she trotted through them with a wagging tail as if they were her very own personal foot spa.
The village, on the whole, was quiet, with the exception of Jules, her fiancé Reid and his son Evin out for a walk with Chewie. They waved and shouted their hellos and Caitlin made a mental note to get the girls around for drinks again soon. She had so much to tell them.
At six o’clock sharp, Caitlin knocked on the door of the stone cottage along the road from Archie’s outdoor shop. He opened the door, and they were greeted by the smell of fresh herbs, baked cheese, and dough.
‘Come on in, guys. The pizza is just about done.’ He bent to fuss Cleo. ‘Hey there, girl, I bet there’ll be a sneaky bit of ham for you.’ As if genuinely understanding the word ham, Cleo yipped and wagged her tail.
Caitlin and Grace stepped inside and removed their jackets. Caitlin had only ever been as far as the hallway at the front of the cottage and had only glimpsed the living room once before. Now she could see that it was neat and tidy. There was a grey and cream tartan carpet, plain cream walls, two two-seater black leather sofas and a huge inglenook fireplace complete with roaring fire to take away the chill outside. Caitlin spotted Reid’s artwork on three walls, all depicting scenes from around the Isle of Skye, and the window on the fourth was adorned with a pale grey blind and sumptuous cream, jacquard curtains. It was fairly masculine, but she knew that would soon be about to change.
‘We’ll eat in the kitchen. Go on through,’ Archie told them as he hung their coats in the small hallway.
Caitlin unclipped Cleo’s lead and they made their way through to the back. The kitchen was a little more to Caitlin’s taste, with grey, shaker-style units and grey and cream marble worktops. A modern twist on a country classic. A cream-painted wooden table at one end was surrounded by four mismatched chairs. Again, a painting by their mutual friend Reid featured on the wall by the table. This one was of the Quiraing, the mountain range in the north of Skye on the Trotternish Peninsula, a place Caitlin loved but hadn’t been walking in for too long.
Caitlin and Grace sat, and Archie came in and removed three pizzas from the oven and placed them in the centre of the table. ‘I wasn’t sure what you’d like, so we have a veggie one, a chicken and mushroom, and a ham and pineapple. All home-made,’ he added with a smile of pride.
‘Fantastic. You didn’t have to go to so much trouble though. We’ll eat pretty much any pizza won’t we, Grace?’
Grace was already munching on her first piece, and she nodded effusively whilst mumbling, ‘Hmm, good!’ Cleo watched her every mouthful, licking her lips in anticipation of any tasty morsel that might come her way.
‘I forgot to show you this earlier,’ Archie said as he handed a photo to Caitlin. A beautiful dark-haired little girl smiled from the print. ‘It arrived in the post from Jackie’s mum, bless her heart. It’s a recent photo too. She’s in the garden at the foster carer’s.’
Grace leaned closer. ‘Oh, she’s so cute! Isn’t she, Mum?’
Caitlin beamed. ‘She’s gorgeous. I can definitely see you in her features, Archie.’
Archie’s cheeks coloured.
‘So have you got lots of ideas for her room?’ Caitlin asked as they ate.
‘I’m thinking maybe a navy-blue ceiling and bedhead wall, then lots of stick-on glow-in-the-dark stars.’
‘Yes! Oh, I’d love that!’ Grace interjected before Caitlin had a chance to reply. ‘Then a sky-blue on the other walls with rainbows. I’ve seen these rainbow wall stickers you can get online; I’ll show you. And there’s this really cool duvet set on one of the big shop websites that’s got galaxies on. That glows in the dark, too, I think,’ she added with enthusiasm, and it warmed Caitlin’s heart to see her daughter’s mood lifted. ‘And we’ll have to make sure we get things for Bowie the Pug too. He’s Sophie’s best friend, so we’ll need to make sure he settles in.’
Archie nodded. ‘That all sounds amazing, and you’re right about Bowie, this will be his home too. The carpet in the back bedroom is fairly neutral and there’s a single bed and wardrobe and bedside table, so that will all work. I’m so glad you guys are here to help me,’ he told them with a wistful smile.
‘We can’t wait to meet little Sophie,’ Grace told him. ‘I can be like a big sister to her.’ Her face paled a little and she glanced nervously as her mum. ‘I mean… like a big cousin… or something like that.’ Caitlin could see that Grace was still affected by the events that took place with Lyle. The hope she had been filled with at the start of the relationship had been dashed so harshly and it made her heart ache. All she wanted was for Grace to be happy and to help her get over it all.
‘I’m sure Sophie will be very excited and happy to meet you, Grace,’ Archie told her. ‘Especially when I tell her you helped to design her new room.’
Once their pizzas were finished, Archie and Grace cleared the table and then they all sat on the living-room floor in front of the fire with the interior design magazines laid out before them and the laptop at the ready. Cleo dozed off after her treats and began snoring loudly, much to everyone’s amusement.
After an hour, they had planned the whole room. They had also ordered toys and photo frames so Sophie could have pictures of her mum up in her room. Caitlin lost count of how much it was all going to cost, but Archie didn’t seem bothered. Then a bookcase was purchased from a huge online store, along with books to go on the shelves.
After Sophie’s needs had been addressed, they turned their focus onto Bowie, Sophie’s pet pug. A navy-blue bed with a plush cream cushion for the floor of Sophie’s room. Two bowls for food and water for the utility room, some chew toys and a huge sack of dog food that would no doubt last months.
‘Jackie was always a David Bowie fan, so it’s no surprise to hear that’s what they named the dog. Her favourite song was “Star Man” which also explains a lot I suppose.’ He gave a small, sad smile. ‘It’s amazing how many things I’d forgotten about Jackie and how many of them are coming back to me now.’
As they tidied the magazines into a neat pile, Grace asked, ‘Will Sophie have your second name when she comes to live here?’
Archie paused and frowned. ‘Oh… do you know, I hadn’t even thought about that. I could maybe add my name to hers so she can keep her mum’s name but also feel like she belongs here with me too. Sophie Fraser-Sutherland,’ he suggested with a smile.
Grace beamed. ‘I think she’ll like that.’
Caitlin nodded. ‘I think so too. It has a lovely ring to it. You’re going to have a busy few days ahead of you. If we can help on an evening at all, just say.’
‘Ooh, ooh, I can help through the day! School is finished and Cora is… Anyway, I’d like to help,’ Grace said.
Archie reached out and patted her shoulder. ‘I’d love you to help, Grace, if you don’t mind. How are you with a paintbrush?’
‘I’m an expert!’ she said, but then glanced at Caitlin and burst out laughing. ‘Okay… maybe not quite an expert, but I can paint!’
‘I’ll make sure to send her in old clothes,’ Caitlin said with a chuckle. ‘And I recommend covering the carpets. Last time she helped me paint her bedroom, she ended up wearing more than went on the walls.’
‘That’s it sorted then. I’ll go first thing Wednesday and collect the paint, then when I get back, I’ll call to your house for you. Deal?’ Archie said, holding out his hand.
‘Deal!’ Grace replied with a smile.
At the end of the evening, Archie walked them to the front door. ‘I bet the postman and the delivery drivers are going to be sick of visiting here by the end of the week,’ he said with a grin.
‘It’s going to look amazing. I can’t wait to see it all done. And I can’t wait to meet your little girl,’ Caitlin told him.
‘My little girl. It sounds so strange. But I love hearing it already. Thanks for all your help, ladies.’ He hugged them both and gave Cleo a good scratch behind the ears, then bid them all a goodnight.
As they walked the short route home, Grace stopped. ‘Thanks for bringing me to help, Mum. I’ve had a fun evening. Archie is so lovely, and Sophie is lucky to have him to look out for her, isn’t she?’
Caitlin hugged her daughter. ‘She certainly is, sweetheart. She certainly is.’
20
Grace helped with Sophie’s room for the rest of the week and when Caitlin was asked to pop round to see it, she was gobsmacked at how much they had achieved. It looked absolutely wonderful. Luckily, everything had arrived in time and the room now appeared like a bed on a space station. Sure enough, the wall behind the bed and the ceiling were navy-blue. Caitlin got the full effect of the glow-in-the-dark stars when Archie lowered the blind and closed the curtains. As if they weren’t enough, there was the soft glow of a night light that cast stars onto the rest of the walls. When the lights were on again, she saw that the other walls were adorned with rainbows – applied by Grace no less, who seemed to have had a brilliant time helping, judging by how excited she’d been each night telling Caitlin about what they’d done – and the bookshelf was built and stacked with all manner of stories and picture books befitting a five-year-old.
