Page 5 of A Highland Family Affair

‘I promised Sir Lancelot I’d look after him always.’ He stood and fixed his gaze on her. She noticed his eyes had become glassy again. ‘I’ve never loved another living thing as much as I love him. And I know that’s probably a horrible thing to hear seeing as you’re my sister but… this dog has taught me what love is. He changed me, Olivia. Looking after him has made me a better human being. I was on a rapid downward spiral, but Lancey brought me back to my senses, didn’t you, boy? I owe him my life, so I have to protect his.’

Olivia had never witnessed such sincerity in her brother’s eyes. She truly believed him. She nodded. ‘Well, we have dog food too. And I’m sure you’ve plenty of towels in your bathroom, I think he could do with a bath, couldn’t you, Sir Stinksalot?’ She gave a good-natured laugh. ‘He’s lucky because I wouldn’t normally let such a smelly dog inside the castle. Wilf and Marley get bathed outside with the hose but it’s too cold for that.’

Kerr’s face lit up and he laughed too before saying, ‘Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Olivia. I know I’m sounding like a broken record, and I know I’m a pathetic emotional wreck just now, but that’s mainly because I’m very much aware that I don’t deserve any of this. I want you to know that I really do appreciate it, though,’ he told her before turning around and walking away.

Olivia watched him walk slowly and measuredly up the stairs with his canine companion trotting obediently by his side. Once he was out of sight, she covered her face with her hands and allowed herself to cry. Seeing him look so broken, acting so lost and defeated, hurt more than she could ever have expected.

Arms encircled her and she turned into Brodie’s embrace. ‘Shh, it’s okay, he’s safe now.’

She silently sobbed into Brodie’s shirt until she calmed again.

‘Was that… was that a dog with him or was it a furry suitcase?’ Brodie asked as she wiped at the dampness on her cheeks.

She giggled. ‘It was a dog. Sir Lancelot, the bearded collie.’

Brodie nodded and smirked. ‘Well, that’s certainly different.’

‘Says the man whose dog is called Wilf?’

Brodie grinned. ‘Fair point. Come on, let’s go get a cuppa.’

2

Olivia sat at the kitchen table with Brodie, Mirren and Dougie, waiting for Kerr to return from his shower. They talked in hushed tones for fear of being heard by the subject of their conversation.

‘I cannae believe he’s been sleeping rough in Glasgow. How did he even get back here? It’s a fair trek with no money or transportation,’ Dougie said as he stroked Marley’s head. ‘And with that great big smelly furball too, it’s a wonder anyone agreed to take them anywhere.’

Mirren said, ‘I cannae believe the dog’s called Sir Lancelot. Whoever named him must’ve been a wee dafty.’

Brodie chuckled. ‘I’m saying nothing.’

‘I’m guessing he hitchhiked,’ Olivia said with a shrug, getting back to Dougie’s original point. ‘Unless he acquired money for a train ticket somehow.’

Mirren shivered. ‘Well, I hope it wasn’t theft. We don’t want to end up with the police here again. We can do without the drama. People talk and it won’t endear visitors if they know the coppers are always coming round. Even if PC Sherburn is lovely.’

The last time they’d had the police at the castle was a few months earlier when a guest in the stable-block apartments had caused a ruckus with his poor pregnant wife. He was a well-known author and a bit of a love rat as it turned out, dating other women behind his wife’s back; one of whom was Bella, Olivia’s best friend and former PA. The author had subsequently been arrested for affray and socking the police officer who had attended the scene, and he’d been taken away in handcuffs. In another strange turn of events, Bella was now in a relationship with the arresting officer, Harris, who had recently relocated to the Isle of Skye for work.

How crazy and unexpected things can be at Drumblair Castle, Olivia thought with a half-smile.

Olivia clung to her mug and stared into the brown liquid therein. She shook her head. ‘I don’t know, Kerr’s been a rat in the past, yes, but I doubt he’d steal. It’s just not how we were brought up.’

Mirren shook her head. ‘Treating people like dirt on your shoes wasn’t the way you were brought up either but that didnae stop Kerr from doing so. If you ask me, you’re too easy on him, hen. He doesn’t deserve the benefit of the doubt after what he put everyone through, especially you, his own sister.’

‘Mirren’s right,’ came a voice from the doorway. Everyone jumped and turned to look at Kerr. ‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.’ He held up his hands in apology. ‘And Olivia was right, I hitchhiked. I didn’t steal. No police needed.’

Olivia noted the sadness in his expression. Now his face was clean-shaven, and his shaggy hair had been somewhat tamed with shampoo and a comb, he almost resembled the brother she once knew, only with a pallid complexion, hollow cheeks and dark circles rimming his eyes, which was quite unsettling. ‘Come and sit down.’ She gestured to an empty seat at the table. ‘Mirren has warmed up some soup and there’s bread.’

Mirren stood from the table. ‘Aye, and I’ve put some dog food in a bowl. It’s over by the stove. Didn’t want to put it on the floor yet and risk Wilf or Marley getting it.’

Both dogs were now up and sniffing their new guests, especially Sir Lancelot. The shaggy dog, who was wet through from his bath, was standing still, ears back on high alert as the other two checked him out. Kerr had found a hair tie and had bunched the dog’s fringe up atop his head so he could see better. He had the sweetest brown eyes and the cutest face, and his dirty grey patches were now a little whiter. Once Wilf and Marley had completed their interview, Wilf bounced down onto his front legs with his tail in the air and let out a playful yip. Sir Lancelot’s tail began to wag furiously, and he too bounced around excitedly.

Brodie stood from the table. ‘Come on, you two, I’ll take you out so Sir Lancelot can eat in peace. Wilf, Marley, come!’ The two cream canines followed but it was clear they were doing so reluctantly. Sir Lancelot was far more interesting.

Kerr placed the bowl of food down for the dog who waited patiently for Kerr to say, ‘Okay!’ before diving in, nose first, to his first meal in goodness knew how long. Kerr then sat, and Mirren placed a bowl of soup in front of him along with a plate of bread and the butter dish.

He sat for a moment, just staring into the creamy liquid before clearing his throat. ‘Mirren, Dougie, I owe you both an apology. I know you may not wish to accept it and I can’t say I blame you, but I mean it. You’ve both been so good to me throughout my life, and you didn’t deserve to be treated with such disrespect. I’m sorry for what I put you through. I have no excuses. Just please know that I intend to do better from now on.’

Dougie’s jaw ticked under his skin, and he remained silent, but Mirren turned her back and dabbed at her eyes. ‘Eat your food afore it gets cold,’ she replied in a wobbly voice.