Page 96 of Journey to the Scottish Highlands

‘I wasn’t just trying to boost your ego, Cayla. I meant what I said about you being a very talented actor. I think you’d do young Florence justice.’

Gillian broke into the conversation. ‘And it’s a tour of the house, you say?’

‘Yes, and it’ll tell the story of what happened. There will be an entrance fee, of course, and if it goes well it’s hoped that the tour could be held two to three times a week with a rota of actors to play Florence, the piano teacher who teaches her to read and write, and the Lords.’ I exchanged meaningful looks between the two of them, mentally willing Cayla to get on board with this. ‘The script has just been written.’

‘Did you write it?’ asked Cayla.

‘Yes.’ I pushed out a smile. ‘With the help of Evan Lord.’

‘Alison and Bennett Lord’s oldest son,’ supplied Gillian to her daughter.

Cayla’s eyebrows lifted under her fringe. ‘Isn’t he the dark-haired one? He’s lush.’

Snapshots of lush Evan lodged themselves in front of me. I mentally batted them to one side. ‘So, what do you say, Cayla? Will you help us? Will you be our Florence?’

Cayla looked agonised. She fidgeted at the foot of the stairs, looking everywhere but at me and her Mum. ‘Thanks for thinking of me. Really. I am flattered.’ She hesitated. ‘But the answer is still no.’

My stomach plummeted to the floor and Gillian let out an audible groan. ‘But why, sweetheart? Daisy wouldn’t have asked you if she didn’t have faith in you. She thinks you can do it.’

Cayla’s eyes misted over.

‘You’ve almost finished sitting your Advanced Highers now, and it would look great on your CV.’

‘Don’t you get it?!’ erupted Cayla. ‘I’m not an actor anymore. I’m not interested.’

‘But why, love?’

Cayla turned and prepared to return back upstairs. She grabbed at her bun and wriggled it in frustration. ‘It was a dream, that’s all.’

‘That’s what it was for Florence, too,’ I chipped in, unable to remain quiet. ‘Except you’ve got far more chance of achieving your dreams than she ever did.’

Cayla gripped the bannister.

‘I thought you might be interested in giving a voice to someone who was just like you all those years ago.’ I offered a resigned smile to Gillian. ‘Looks like I was wrong. Anyway, I’ll be off. Thank you again. Bye, Cayla. Good luck with your exams.’

Cayla didn’t answer. She just remained on the stairs, all limbs and toenail polish.

‘Thanks again for coming, Daisy. We really appreciate you thinking of Cayla. Don’t we?’

The girl fiddled with her thumb ring.

I headed back off down their garden path, fringed either side with exploding, bright pansies. Now what? I’d have to have a word with the local amateur dramatics society and see if they could recommend anyone to portray Florence. I was sure Josie would be able to lend a hand too. She was bound to know a lot of the local acting fraternity. Or perhaps she could suggest another of her students who might be interested in the role? I just knew though that they wouldn’t have this girl’s star quality. Those bloody school bullies who’d drained Cayla’s confidence. If they’d been stood in front of me right now…

‘Daisy! Hold on! Wait!’

I turned around, startled.

Cayla was edging past her mum and heading towards me. She loped up on her long legs.

I could see Cayla turning over everything in her mind. Her hands pushed themselves back into her denim cutoff pockets. Then she shoved a stray hair back behind one ear. ‘She passed away at eighteen you said?’

‘Yes, she did.’

‘That sucks.’

She glanced over at Gillian and then back at me. ‘I guess you’re right. She didn’t have a voice.’

A kernel of hope started to grow. Was she going to change her mind? Had she had second thoughts? Maybe I’d been able to reach her after all? Make her see that she could make a difference with her acting talent?

I was holding my breath.

Cayla waggled her bare toes on the concrete path. Time seemed to stand still for a few moments. ‘Ok. I’ll do it. I’ll be Florence.’

And as I let out a delighted whoop and bundled a laughing Cayla into my arms, Gillian, who looked fit to burst with relief, held back tears and mouthed a grateful, ‘Thank you. Thank you so much.’