Page 47 of From Scotland with Love

Tammy and Jean supported her on either side, and helped her out to the car. Lori thanked the now-familiar nurse, and soon after hopped in the car homewards to Arlochy. Gran sat in the front seat, gazed out the window quietly and dozed from time to time, while the sisters chatted.

“Alan said he went in to see Callum today.” Tammy said breezily from the backseat. “He thinks Callum seems strange, looks a bit distracted.”

Jean raised an eyebrow. “Isn’t that just Callum? Mr Brooding - always looking like he’s thinking of deep, serious things!” She sniggered, but was cut short by Lori’s stern look in the rear-view mirror.

“I’ve been trying to see him. He’s not forgiven me for Michael turning up out of the blue. He must think I'm some sort of a cheater.”

“We can go rough him up then!” Tammy nudged Jean. “Eh sis, we’ll get him to talk to Lori!”

“No! I don’t want either of you interfering.” Lori snapped. “I will speak to him eventually, just leave him be, OK? There’s been enough damage done already.” She glanced at Jean, who sheepishly looked away.

After some hours of steady travel, they finally began to approach Arlochy. The sweet smell of trees and the sea hit them almost tenderly, and Lori slowly parked up outside the house. The sisters supported their gran and led her inside to her bedroom.

“Oh - it looks lovely in here, you cleaned!” Gran chuckled and positioned herself on the bed. Her eyes squinted at what was hanging up in the wardrobe. “That’s new?” She pointed at the item, and Lori pulled it out into view with a wide grin on her face.

“You don’t miss anything!”

“I raised you three girls didn’t I? Kept me on my toes!” she joked, and touched the tweed fabric that was presented to her.

“Do you like it? I made it for you, thought it might be nice for winter.” Lori pulled the grey tweed cape off the hanger and swung it around Gran’s shoulders.

“It’s beautiful, Lori. You made this for me?” Her eyes reddened as she nuzzled into its soft velvet collar.

“You’ll be the most glamorous woman in the area!” Jean said admiringly, sitting next to Gran.

“She already is!” Declared Tammy, and sat on the other side of Gran. Lori went back into the wardrobe, pulling out two scarves and handed them to her sisters; one in deep green and one in pale blue.

“I got a wee bit carried away with sewing, thought you guys might like these too.”

“You have been busy!” Jean remarked and wrapped the green scarf with fleece lining around her neck.

“Just like your mother,” Gran mused, beaming at her granddaughter.

“OK Gran, enough of the fashion show” Lori clapped her hands together. “What do you want to do? Shall we leave you to rest?”

“I’d love to see the kids.” She said with a sparkle in her eye, and Lori knew in that moment she was making the right decision to stay.

Lori set up the table in the garden and switched on the twinkling fairy lights. She was pouring out wine and juice just as her two nieces came bundling out to meet her with a hug.

“Aw my wee darlings! I told you I would see you again soon!”

“We missed you so much!” Anne said, bobbing up and down on the spot.

“Have you come back to take us to Disneyland?” Maggie cried out, smudging her hair back from her face.

Lori laughed and rolled her eyes. “Not quite yet, but I’m back – and that means more disastrous biking, ice creams, and hot-chocolate duvet days!” She ruffled Maggie’s hair. “Now away you two, go get Gran – she’s been looking forward to seeing you.”

The two girls ran off in the direction of Gran’s bedroom, pushing past their mother who came out carrying paper bags, with Karen at her side.

“I got a bit of everything – but mostly fish and chips!” Jean unpacked the newspaper packages gleefully before laying them down on the table. The smell of fried batter and sticky salt and vinegar made Lori’s mouth water, and hastily she shouted for everyone to come out for dinner.

Karen sat next to Jean, and Lori caught a look pass between them. Ever since they had started seeing more of Karen, Jean had seemed so much more relaxed. Karen was proving to be a good friend, and Lori was thankful to have her there at this time as a part of the family.

Gran appeared at the entrance to the verandah, with walking stick in hand, about to descend just as Alan and Tammy arrived in a flurry.

“Only us!” Tammy shouted, and Alan marched up to help Gran down the steps. She gratefully took his arm as he steadied her.

Lori and Gran sat at either end of the table, with the chattering group in between them. Lori took in the scene - everyone together, enjoying their meal, a usual family dinner, but this time, she was here with them. A proper part of it too.