Sally’s Wedding: Book 3 Of A Contemporary Romance Short Story Series (2 page)

“Yes in fact I did see one.”

“Well that’s great Sally.”

“Yes, well that’s the good news. The bad news is that it was dead – and it was over the shoulder of a rather rough looking gentleman at the time!”

Robert froze as his tea-cup was halfway to his mouth.

“WHAT! Where on earth was this exactly?”

“Well I don’t think we have time just now Honey – you have to be going in a minute!”

“Never mind that Sally;
Tom will be interested to hear about this I know.
”

Sally recounted the story of what she had witnessed, only later though she realising that she had not mentioned the limp
.

When she had finished, Robert looked disturbed to say the least.

“Sally, I must ask you not to go these early morning walks for a while; at least not on your own.”

“What! I’m not going to let these characters ruin my walks Robert!”

“Sally please
listen
to me. The fact is that we have been after these men for some time now – and they are known to be dangerous.”

“What do you mean, dangerous?” Asked Sally, a little alarmed at Roberts sombre tone.

“Well late last year, we almost caught them red-handed but they escaped us by beating one of our workers
senseless; then escaping through the trees to a waiting boat on the loch.

“Oh that’s terrible Robert – is he all right?”

“Yes he is now, but he was a few days in hospital with is injuries
.”

Sally and Agnes looked equally horrified.

“But you never told me any of this Robert?” Agnes looked questioningly at her son.

“No mum. I didn’t want to worry you – I still don’t! The fact is that they are only interested in the poaching of deer and salmon on the estate; and should offer you no trouble – unless you accidently bump into them while they are about their illegal business!”

“I see.” Sally spoke out.
“So what now then?”

“Well now I will get back to the Estate office, and tell them this latest news. I’ll let you know more when I get home after work.”

“So do you think it’s safe to go outside at all? Agnes asked him nervously.

“Mum, please don’t worry. If they wanted to anything about us here, they would have done it before now! Right, I’d better be going – just remember to stay away from that track Sally – Ok?”

Sally kissed him farewell
,
as he headed out the door to report on the latest happenings on the Loch
An
Eilein Estate.
Suddenly remembering, she ran out to catch him as he got into the Range Rover. “Oh, just one more thing Robert – one of the men had a bad limp; he seemed to drag his foot a little in fact.”

“Ok, thanks Sally. I’ll be sure and tell Tom.”

Robert headed out
at some speed, to meet with his friend Tom and discuss just what the next step was in the hunt for the poachers.

******

It was turning into a fine day, as Sally and Agnes took the short trip into Aviemore. She had bought a two year old Jeep Cherokee, since arriving at her new home. It was not the well-favoured 4 x 4 Land Rover, but Robert declared it was nevertheless a good substitute as it was a ‘real 4 x 4
,
’
unlike the other ‘pedestrian options’ as he called them.

The plans for the wedding had still to be finalised, but the basic details were well covered. The wedding itself would be a relatively small affair, and Sally hoped to get the quaint little church she had loved at first sight – on the outskirts of Aviemore at
the
village
off
Coyl
umbridge
.
The wedding reception was to be held at the Coylumbridge Hotel, which was just a short drive away,
and was able to cater for wedding parties
.

Right now however, they had decided to go into town to collect some much needed groceries, and to have coffee and cake at an excellent café above a shop that sold outdoor clothing and hiking gear. Sal
l
y had found out on previous trips that the carrot cake was ‘to die for
,
’
and it was now a part of their shopping routine.

As for the incident with the poachers earlier that morning, they had both decided to put it from their mind until they seen Robert after work.

They soon arrived at the supermarket and stocked up on the essentials. It was a short stroll to the coffee shop from there.

“So what exactly are you going to do for work my dear, once all your paperwork is sorted out I mean?” Agnes asked as they entered the shop and climbed the stairs to the café above.

“Well
Agnes, that
is the one thing – thanks to my father – that I will not have to worry about for some time!” Sally said, settling herself down at a table that offered a fine view of the rolling hills opposite
; the peaks still capped with snow, shining brightly in the early spring sunshine.

“Oh, I remember. You said that he had left you a substantial inheritance; is that right?”

“Yes indeed Agnes. It means that I will not need a job for some-time, and my application for citizenship will be rushed ahead – especially since I am getting married anyway!”

“Some-times I have to pinch myself to believe I am not dreaming all this you know Sally. I’ll be forever grateful for you for loaning us the money to help with the mortgage – that much goes without saying – but the fact is that in a short time, you’ve become to me like the daughter I never had!” With that said
,
Agnes wiped a tear from her eye.

Sally leaned over the table and gave her a big hug. “Well Agnes, apart from giving me a
handsome hunky husband! I feel very much the same way towards
yourself
. My mother was never there for me, but now you have come along and I’m more than happy to call you ‘mum’ if you will let me that
is
?”

“My dear, I would be offended if you did not!” Agnes answered as she reached over to take her hand.

“On another subject my dear.”
Agnes as asked. “Have you given any thought as to who will give you away at the wedding ceremony?”

“Well
,
not yet Agnes.” Sally answered
. “But I won’t worry about it just now – let’s just enjoy our cake shall we!” She laughed lightly at Agnes’s frown.

They spent the rest of the morning In Aviemore, between coffee and browsing the
s
hops for spring bargains. Sally was particularly keen on acquiring some good waterproofs, for the wet summers that u
sually marked a Scottish summer
.
She final settled on a Gore-Tex jacket with a detachable fleece lining; that the sales assistant assured her was ideal for hill-walking and hiking trips in the area.

Before they knew it, lunch-time had arrived; signalled by Sally’s stomach growling!

“Tell you what Agnes; why don’t we go out to the
Coylumbridge Hotel
and get lunch there – my treat! I could have a chat with the events manager while I’m at it, and get some of the details sorted out with him?”

“Well, only if you’re sure my dear; but nothing fancy mind! A light salad would do me just fine.”

“No problem, we’ll maybe just get something at the bistro.”

That decided, they got back to the car and headed out the short drive to the H
otel
. They soon arrived
,
and
managed to
park  almost
at the front door of the hotel.

They were chatting away, when suddenly Sally recognised a familiar voice calling to her from behind them.

“Hello Sally!”

She quickly turned around
,
and was delighted to see that it was her traveling companion on the plane over from the USA.

“Malcolm…or should I say SIR Malcolm!”
She answered him with a smile.

“Ah my dear, I have been found out!” he chuckled deeply to himself. “I can assure you though; there was no intent to deceive. My friends just call me
Malcolm,
titles are so ‘last year’ I believe is the phrase?”

Sally laughed delightedly at his expression and the raised eyebrows.
Meanwhile a cough reminded Malcolm that his wife was accompanying him and had yet to be introduced.

“Ah my apologies.
Sally this is my wife Katriona.”

“So happy to meet you my dear; Malcolm has told me all about you – though he neglected to say just how beautiful you were – I wonder why that was?” She
turned to look mischievously
at her husband
,
with eyebrows raised accusingly.

“Now
now
my dear, you don’t want to be embarrassing the young
lady do
you?”
He
said
,
with hands raised in mock surrender.

Katriona gave him a light slap on the shoulder. “Do please
excuse my wayward husband Sally;
he tends to forget sometimes that the Zimmer is just a moment away these days!”

Katriona looked at her husband affectionately as she spoke, the love between them obvious - as was the fact the she was at least ten years younger according to Sally’s estimate. She was
herself  once
a real beauty – that much was obvious. Even now though in her early sixties
, she still
was a handsome woman with the self-confidence and bearing that was still able to attract appreciative glances where-ever she went.

Sally laughed. “Not at all Katriona, he was a perfect gentleman on the plane. I was just concerned that I had talked his ears off – I was so nervous
! However I don’t imagine that you would have any fear of him being led astray – not with such a beautiful wife waiting at home for him!”

“Why, that is very kind of you to say so Sally – but you know what men are like!” She smiled conspiratorially at Sally and Agnes.

“Really I must protest! We have hardly met, and yet I have three women to defend myself
against
..
It’s
quite intolerable I must say
!
”
He shook his head in mock admonishment, as they all headed inside the hotel.

As they walked,
Sally introduced Agnes, who was delighted to meet them both.

“Sally has spoken so well of you Sir Malcolm.”

“Oh please, as I said to Sally; just call me Malcolm. It is far more personal I think, don’t you?”

Agnes nodded her agreement as she turned her attention to Katriona. “Lady
Frazer
, I’m so pleased to meet your
acquaintance.

“And I yours Agnes;
b
ut please just call me Katriona –
I agree with my husband that
Titles are for balls and banquets, not for everyday use I feel.”

Sally spoke out. “Oh, how stupid of me, I never realised you had a title as well
– you must think me so rude!”

“Please, nothing could be further from the truth! Now can I ask you what you are doing for lunch? We would be delighted if you could both join us – wouldn’t we Malcolm?”

“It would be a real pleasure!” Malcolm declared without hesitation. “I have a
business
meeting to attend in an hour or so with the manager here, who is a good friend of mine
; so
we have time for a quick lunch;
what do you say ladies?”

Sally and Agnes jumped at the chance to share a lunch with them; so they set off to the restaurant where the couple were obviously known, and a table was set for the four of them.

******

The hour passed quickly
,
as
they all enjoyed a light meal in the Bistro. Katriona insisted on hearing all the details of Sally’s wedding plans, including of course the wedding dress, favours, and venues; and Sally was more than happy to oblige.
The wedding itself was to be conducted at the charming small white church in Rothiemurchus; but this had yet to be confirmed
,
as they possibly had a cancellation they could offer them.

“Oh, that is a beautiful little church Sally. It will make a fantastic back-drop for your pictures as well I’ve little doubt! I do hope you get it booked.” Katriona opined.

As for the reception;
Sally confirmed that this was actually why they were at the hotel this morning – to go over some little details of the booking at the Hilton itself.

It was not to be a large wedding, as both Sally and Robert’s family were somewhat diminished with the loss of three parents in total. Sally’s explained that her mother had left her in early childhood, to be reared by her doting father; until he passed away early the previous year.