Page 74
“What a day it’s been—and look at this gorgeous night to top it all off!” Granny Annag beamed, tilting her head back to drink in the moonlight.
“It’s been too long since we were all together at Christmas, eh?” Auntie Peigi said, wistfully pausing to appreciate the view.
“Too long, indeed,” Granny Annag agreed. “It’s been a fair few years since I was home for Christmas.”
Jenn always found it funny that, even after decades in Edinburgh, Granny Annag still referred to Hellisay as home. But maybe some places just got into your bones and never left. They were rooted in you.
“You know how it is,” mused Auntie Peigi. “Time just flies. Kids grow so fast. In fact, there’s no kids around at the moment—they’re all grown up.”
“True. Although maybe Jennifer might change that soon,” Granny Annag teased, winking at her cheekily.
“Haha! Stop!” Jenn flushed crimson, her hands giving a flustered little flap before she shoved them deep into her pockets.
Great. Nothing like a surprise fertility inquisition while she was still trying to figure out if Ruairidh actually liked her personality or just her Victoria sponge.
“Don’t worry, I jest, m’ eudail.” Granny Annag laughed, pulling her into a squeeze. “But I have to say, I’m so happy with how things have turned out for you up here. You seem more at ease. I can’t wait to meet Ruairidh properly. I think the last time I actually spoke to him, he was still a teenager.”
“I don’t know if I’ve met him at all, actually?” Jenn’s mum frowned. “Or his parents. Would I know them?”
“Probably not, actually,” Granny Annag said. “They’re over on the east side. You might recognise their faces when you see them—you know, just from visiting over the years.”
“But you know the family quite well, don’t you, Auntie Peigi?” Mary asked.
“Yes, I do. We’re friends with Shona and Seumas—his grandparents on his dad’s side. And I worked with Cairistìona for a few years in the surgery before I retired. Plus, Màiri—their mum—taught some of the boys when they were in primary school. A really lovely family, all of them. You’d be hard-pressed to find someone with a bad word to say about them. Well… maybe not Donnie!” Auntie Peigi smirked.
“Is that Ruairidh’s younger brother? The one at sea?” Granny Annag asked.
“Yes, that’s the one. Lovely boy and a good heart, really. Just a bit wilder than some folk would like. Although, to be fair, if I remember right, his dad, Seumas, was a bit of a lad too, so the apple certainly doesn’t fall far from the tree!”
Jenn chuckled to herself. She couldn’t wait to meet Donnie. He sounded like the sort of wild card who’d go on a night out in Edinburgh and wake up in London. Good job she’d gone for the responsible brother.
“But Ruairidh isn’t like that, is he?” Mary asked, a hint of concern in her voice.
Jenn almost laughed. Clearly, the overthinking gene ran strong in this family.
“Oh no, no worries on that account, Mary,” Auntie Peigi said quickly. “So, what day is he coming over, Jennifer?” She switched the subject with a grin.
“He’s coming on the 30th, as I’m off on the 31st. Means we can all have some drinks and relax a bit more,” Jenn said.
“That’ll be perfect. You’re on the next few days, aren’t you?” Auntie Peigi asked.
“Yup, I’m on until the 30th, so I should probably head back up and do some baking for tomorrow, actually.”
“Perfect timing. I’m happy to turn back—it’s getting a bit too wild out here!” Granny Annag said, linking her arm through Jenn’s as they turned back toward the house.
Her phone buzzed as they walked up from the beach.
“Oh my goodness!” Jenn squealed, skidding to a stop as she read the message.
“What’s up?” Auntie Peigi asked, immediately intrigued.
“Dol has asked Màiri to marry him!” Jenn grinned. Well, that was inevitable. Dol had basically been her golden retriever since day one.
“About blooming time!” Auntie Peigi shot back with a grin.
“Is this Ruairidh’s sister, Màiri?” her mum asked.
“Yes, it is,” Jenn said, scrolling through the flood of notifications lighting up the group chat.
