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

“My dear I am so sorry to hear that.”
Said Katriona.
“But what about your mother; do you know if she is still alive
, and wouldn’t she like to come to her daughter’s funeral if she is
?”

Sally bristled at the suggestion.

“As far as I am concerned my mother is dead!” Sally exclaimed with conviction. “She has played no part at all in my life – and she will play no part in my new life with Robert – even if she is still alive!”

An awkward silence followed, but Malcolm soon stepped in to ease the tension.

“Well I think it is quite understandable
Sally; and certainly no business of ours. Tell me though; how are you settling down to life in Aviemore – is it all that you expected?”

They were all relieved that he had changed the subject so adroitly.

“Thank you Malcolm. To tell the truth it stills feels like a vacation; sorry holiday, for the moment. As you can tell, I’m still picking up the subtle language differences like holiday instead of vacation!”

“Ha
ha
yes indeed. I have been to the United States several times now, and know to wait in a ‘line’ rather than in a ‘queue’ as you would here in the UK.”

“Yes, and what about ‘pants’? When I told Robert I had left my good pants behind in Wisconsin, he gave me the strangest look. I had to explain that I meant my trousers!”

Sally explained laughing.

“Well it does get worse my dear believe me.”
Said Katriona.
“In America men wear suspenders to keep their trousers up – but over here suspenders are regarded as sexy; being worn by women to keep their stocking’s from falling around their ankles!”

Agnes and Sally both laughed at this revelation, while Malcolm nodded his head in agreement.

“Yes indeed my dear, we both speak English – but with subtle and not-so-subtle differences!”

As the humour died down, Agnes spoke softly to Sally.

“Should you not tell Malcolm about this morning’s events Sally?”

Malcolm and Katriona immediately caught the change of tone, and the concern in Agnes’s voice.

“What is this, has there been some kind of trouble?”
Asked Malcolm, suddenly all serious.

Sally spoke up. “Well,
I don’t really want to bother
you with this; I’m sure Robert and Tom have it all under control after all?”

“My dear, please let me
be the judge of what is ‘bother
.
’
” Malcolm said gently. “Now; what happened this morning that has left you so concerned?”

She related the
mornings
events with the poachers, and what Robert had said about the situation as he knew it

Malcolm considered a moment,
then
decided to tell them what he knew, which was just a little more than Robert as it turned out. The police were on the track of the men, but they had eluded them so far.

“However your description might help us to get a better idea of who we are dealing with, as we have not got any real eye-witness to their crimes – until now!”

“But what about the worker who was beat up, did he not get a good description?”
Asked a worried Sally.”

“Unfortunately not.”
Relied Malcolm with a frown.
“It was fairly dark at the time so he was unable to see their faces. However one of them picked him up by his jacket and threw him like a rag-doll against a tree; which sounds just like your
brute
who
was carrying the deer I would say.” He rubbed his chin thoughtfully, as he mulled over this new turn off events.

“I’ll tell you what Sally. The chief superintendent is a good friend of mine; would it be all right if I contacted him with
this information? He may well ask if you could help with an artist’s impression, to help us track him down.”

“Yes
Malcolm, that
would be no trouble at all.”

“Good. Meanwhile I have no doubt that Tom
,
and your capable young man Robert
,
are coordinating as we speak
,
with the Estate factor
and my son Andrew
, to see just what else can be done.”

“Are these men
dangerous, do you think Malcolm?
” Said Agnes who could not hide her concern.

“Only as much as a rat is dangerous, if you corner it Agnes. Really though, I would take Roberts advice if I were you, and stay away from that trail until we have caught them – and catch them we will; you can take my word for it!” These last words were spoken with a steely determination in his voice that none of them – with the exception of Katriona – had heard before.

“Phew, He must have been a real fire-brand in his day!”
Thought Sally to herself as she looked with respect at this apparently gentle man before her.

Malcolm stood up, looking at his watch. “Well ladies I have to go to this business meeting now. Katriona, I will not be long I promise; are you all right to wait for me?”

“Yes my love, I will just wait in the lounge with a cup of tea until you return.”

“Excellent, but before I go – be sure to set a date for our friends to come to tea will you?”

“I will indeed Malcolm. Now be off with you, you are late already!”

Malcolm said his farewells, and promised to be in touch again regarding their earlier discussions.

Sally spoke up after he had gone. “Actually Katriona, I have to discuss a couple of details regarding the wedding reception, with the events manager. Would you like Agnes here to keep you company while I hunt him down?” She looked across at Agnes as she spoke who nodded in agreement.

“That is a wonderful suggestion
Sally,
I can get all the real gossip about you and Robert while you are gone!”

Sally
laughed as they both headed for
the  ‘comfy
seats’ in the lounge area; and she headed off to the reception to get the whereabouts of the events manager. Sally could tell they had a mutual respect, and no doubt with Agnes’s recent stint in hospital
, and the upcoming wedding, they would find plenty to talk about.

The conversation
with Malcolm
meanwhile
had relieved her fears somewhat about the poachers; however she could not wait to see Robert tonight and tell him of the latest encounter with Sir Malcolm – and their up-coming dinner invitation!

*****

As predicted by Sally, Agnes and Katriona did i
ndeed have plenty to chat about – despite the difference in their social circumstances;
though Sally herself was the subject of most of the conversation!

“She really is a very charming young woman Agnes.”
Said Katriona.
“And so attractive!
How I
wish that our own son would find
such a catch!”

“I count myself blessed Katriona
,
and no mistake
.” Agnes confirmed happily.
“
Though the
circumstances of their meeting
was
a little dramatic I must say!”

“
Oh,
and why was that Agnes?”

Agnes then went on to give a blow-by-blow account of the ‘kids’ meeting, and the subsequent transformation of her son from a depressed unhappy man; to someone who now looked forward to the future with excitement and anticipation.

“That is a remarkable story Agnes. Isn’t amazing how things work out sometimes?”

Sal
l
y returned within 20
m
inutes
, to confirm that all was ok with the hotel booking and the numbers of 50 could easily be accommodated for the sit-down meal, with a further 50 coming along later for a traditional Scottish Ceilidh.

“How exciting my dear.”
Said Katriona.
“And what about the evening buffet; do you have that all planned?” 

“Well.”
Said Sally.
“I have asked around, and it seems that the latest fad is for either a selection of Scotch Pies with
different fillings.
Or perhaps Stovies?
Which I believe
are
not unlike
what we would call corned-beef hash.”

“That’s quite right my dear, although
Stovies
can also traditionally be made with crushed potatoes and sausage as well.
Both are equally delicious in my opinion!”

“Thanks Katriona, however the hotel had another suggestion, and that was a posh version of ‘tatties haggis & Neeps’? Which I believe is another way of saying ‘potatoes haggis and turnips’. He said it was delicious but I’m not so sure. I had haggis once before and to be honest,
I loved it, but
when they told me the ingredients it almost made me gag!”

Agnes and Katriona clapped their hands together in delight at Sally’s face
, all screwed up at the memory.

They were still laughing together, when Malcolm arrived back from his meeting.

“Well, I see the children have been having fun!” He said happily.

“Hello dear. Can you believe it; we have someone in our midst that does not like haggis!
– or rather, she does not like the thought of it!
” She told a smiling Malcolm, who went on to explain that she had probably tasted one that had been shot out of season, meaning that the meat would be tainted and no amount of seasoning would make it taste good.

“Really my dear;
” Said
Katriona to a confused Sally’ “p
lease pay no attention to
him,
he is just
trying to ‘wind you up’ as they say. It is our national sport, to confuse the tourists as to the origin of the haggis!”

Malcolm laughed delightedly at Katrina’s frowning face.

“Have you invited our guests for tea yet?” he asked.

“Yes indeed I have; and we have set a date for next Friday evening – will that be all right for you?”

Malcolm
conformed  he
was free that evening, and that he was looking forward to meeting Robert, and hearing all about their plans to set up a new life together.

“This is such a small
community,
you will discover that your whole life will be known to everyone in no time at all!”

Sally thought he was joking until she saw Agnes and Katriona nodding their heads in agreement with Malcolm’s statement.

“Phew, I really had better be careful then
– hadn’t I Agnes!”
Agnes nodded at
Sally’s  inference
to the mornings caper in the bedroom. Looking at their new friends inquisitive faces, Agnes just said. “Some things better left unspoken – if you get my meaning!”

“
Ahhh
, yes indeed Agnes.
Though perhaps I might get more information from you
,
over a glass or two of sherry sometime!”
Remarked Malcolm; who was immediately rewarded by a slap on the arm from his wife.

“Malcolm really!
You are supposed to be a gentleman indeed! Poor Sally is blushing!”

“So she is my dear – it must be worse than I thought!” Malcolm exclaimed delightedly at Sally’s embarrassment.

“Men!
I wonder why I put up with you sometimes! Please excuse his bad manners Sally; something in his genes makes him think that pretty women like to be wound up I think!”

“No apology needed Katriona honestly; I’m sure I will get the opportunity to get my own back before too long!” She gave Malcolm a mischievous look that made him raise his hands in mock defence.

“Ok, I surrender! You have my apologies my dear – you do know that no offense was intended don’t you?”

“Yes indeed Sir Malcolm – but I will still get my own back at the first opportunity, so you had better be on your best behaviour from now on!”

“Ha, now you are in trouble old man!” Katriona laughed delightedly at Malcolm’s
comic face.

The group of new friends finally left the hotel, and headed back across the car park to their cars. An older, distinguished looking couple
, chatting companionably with
an attractive young American woman and an older, obviously local Scottish lady
; would not normally draw much attention in a place like Aviemore, packed as it was with tourists most times of the year.
 

On this occasion however, their presence was duly noted; and a pair of greedy eyes played over the shapely figure of Sally.
“
Clothes are no barrier to an active imagination my dear.”
He thought to himself as he mentally undressed her; and planned his next move.

Sally meanwhile felt a prickling on her neck, and swiftly turned around to look in the direction of the woods surrounding the parking area.