Page 121 of A Scottish Country Escape

Cameron dragged a tired hand through his greying waves. ‘I think there’s been enough misery. But it’s really down to these two ladies that we are here.’

Linda Carlucci flicked a brief nod of agreement.

Dexter was bewildered. His gaze softened as he looked across the desk at me. ‘You did all this for me?’

Elsa slid me a small smile. A pink blush rose up from my neck. I couldn’t think of a pithy reply. My heart was making far too much noise as it thundered in my ears.

Without taking his eyes away from me, Dexter asked, ‘And the curse?’

Linda murmured. ‘It’s gone now.’

It was like watching all of Dexter’s troubles fall away. His shoulders relaxed and an audible rush of air escaped from his chest. ‘Thank you.’

In fact, there seemed to be a collective sigh of relief in all of us, as the birds pitched in the sky outside and the lunchtime sun sent triangular shadows through the window.

‘There’s something else,’ erupted Cameron, making us all start. He got to his feet, pushing both his hands into the pockets of his long military-style coat. ‘The nature reserve. Well, I’ve been thinking about that and I think I might be able to help.’

Gathering himself, Cameron paced up and down. ‘I’m an art collector – and I’ve been lucky enough to be quite successful. I’m fortunate that I am in a position where I can help Fir Haven hang on to the nature reserve. I’ve been involved in a number of successful art transactions over the past few years, buying and selling some remarkable paintings, and the commissions have been very generous.’ Cameron hesitated, choosing his words carefully. ‘It won’t make amends for what happened, but…’ His voice faltered and faded.

I sprang up from the sofa. ‘Are you serious?’

‘Very.’

I buried a squeal. ‘But you can’t do that! I mean, it’s wonderful of you, but we couldn’t possibly ask you to do that.’

Cameron dismissed my protestations. ‘You aren’t asking me. I’m offering. And I want to fund a memorial,’ he added, his voice growing thicker. ‘A memorial dedicated to Ross Ronald. It will be erected at the entrance to the reserve.’

There was a collective intake of breath. We all swivelled to look Linda Carlucci, poised but silent in her chair. She cleared her throat and blinked back hot tears. ‘Thank you.’

Dexter clapped his hands together, still bewildered by it all, but with new light in his eyes. ‘Right then. There’s no time to waste.’

He began firing up his PC. ‘We need to contact Atticus Development and the council. Fast.’ He started pressing his mouse. ‘We need to make them an offer they can’t refuse.’

‘But what if it doesn’t work?’ I asked, hating myself for not sounding positive.

Dexter’s determination was evident. ‘Oh, it will. We’ll make sure of it.’

We sat, bubbling with enthusiasm, as Dexter demanded to be put through to the chief executive of Atticus Development first of all. After delivering a teasing outline of a proposal, John Gerrard agreed to come to Hawk West Hall to discuss the matter face to face. ‘Oh, and I suggest you bring a representative from Fir Haven Council with you,’ added Dexter.

Dexter rounded off the call and confirmed that Joshua Boyd from Atticus Development was attending too.

My stomach swirled around like whirlpool. ‘When?’

‘Tomorrow morning at 9:30 a.m.’

Cameron asked if any of us knew of a decent local bed and breakfast. ‘And if there’s somewhere I can buy a shirt and tie for the meeting tomorrow too, that would be helpful. I might as well just stay local and that will save me driving back here tomorrow morning.’

Dexter refused to hear of it. ‘You must stay here tonight. It’s the least I can do.’

Cameron gave Dexter a shadow of a smile and a firm handshake. ‘Thank you. That’s very kind of you.’ He gathered himself together, verbally running through his plans. ‘I’ll ring my wife now and tell her I won’t be home this evening,’ said Cameron.

Dexter sought assurance from Linda that she was all right with attending the meeting. ‘We are all involved in this,’ he said. ‘Every one of us, in one way or another.’

We all filed out of Dexter’s office in something of a daze over what had just taken place.

‘Elle.’

I was aware of Dexter standing right behind me.