Fortunes of the Heart (15 page)

When things were beginning to get a bit out of hand, and the
discussion was fast developing into a good-going family row, Pearce, in his
usual way, took total command of the situation. He clapped his hands once only,
and immediately, without a word spoken, his troops fell into line.

“Now then, here is what I would suggest ... Jenny wants to
make sand castles? All right, so she and Hannah can both go to the beach with
Mammy. And yes, since it’s a holiday, I’ll even give them all money with which
to buy ice cream.”

There were whoops of delight at this suggestion, for
perpetually befogged or not, Hannah knew the words ice cream. So, as soon as
she heard the magic words she started a none-too-rhythmic banging of her
bunched fist against the metal sides of her go-chair.

“Nice cream. Nice cream. Hannah good girl, Dadda. Hannah
like nice cream. Good girl, Dadda.”

The appealed-to Dadda cast her one of his usual looks of
utter loathing and distaste that he had fathered such a creature.

“Yes, yes, Hannah, my girl. I think we’ve all got that
message loud and clear, thank you.”

Just then, Kate happened to look over at Isabella who,
despite a brave attempt to keep her composure, nevertheless could not still the
trembling of her lower lip. Not wishing the slightest thing to mar this
wonderful holiday, Kate hastened to point to Isabella.

“And what about poor Isabella? Is she to be left out of all
these lovely treats? What about her, Dadda?”

At once Pearce’s face softened, and although he did not say
so in so many words, it soon clear he had left the best treat of all to the
last, as if wanting to savour it and hug it to his heart. He smiled at Isabella
and it was a smile such as he never at any time bestowed on the rest of his
brood. With the eyes of an adoring father, he at once stretched out a hand and
stroked his favourite daughter’s ribbon-held ringlets.

“Forgotten my wee Isabella? Of course I haven’t forgotten
her. What a question. No, here’s the master plan for her ... She has set her
little heart on seeing the Highland Dancing Display, so that is exactly what
she will do and have ice cream too. In fact, I myself will take her. I gather
it is being held at the little village of Port
Bannatyne
.
A pleasant walk on such a day, according to our esteemed landlady. So if we
walk there and back, see the display, and at that same time, see something of
this beautiful island, that will suit us both just fine and dandy. That not so,
eh, Isabella?”

Dadda chucked her under the chin. Isabella had no need to
reply to the hypothetical question, for her beaming face said it all. And best
of all, her delighted grin acknowledged how pleased she was that she ,out of
all the family, would have Dadda to herself.

As yet, nobody had thought either to mention Daniel or
enquire as to what his wishes might be. Painfully aware of this fact, the
unhappy boy, all the while toeing patterns in the stone path with his new
holiday sandals, was trying his best to look as nonchalant as possible. He
raised his head with a jerk the very moment he heard his father address him by
name.

“Right then, Daniel. I expect you would like to get off on
your own and do what most lads enjoy on seaside holiday – a spot of fishing.
How about that?”

At once Daniel blinked in utter disbelief at his own good
fortune and, as the full meaning dawned on him, his face broke into a delighted
grin. Go fishing, on his own, and in Mrs Graham’s wee cracker of a boat.
Perhaps his Dadda did trust him, did harbour some fatherly love for him after
all.

He opened his mouth and had started to stutter his
heart-felt thanks when the voice of his father overrode that of his own.

“As I say, Daniel, a spot of fishing. And who knows, you
might even catch a
tiddler
or two for our tea. Ha
ha
. How about that, eh? Mind you ...” Pearce wagged a
playful yet at the same time admonitory finger, “... just one thing to remember
... whatever fishing you do, is to be done from the pier. And not – I repeat
NOT – to be done from that boat of Mrs Graham’s. Do I make myself clear,
Daniel? You are to leave that rowing boat strictly alone. Now, do you
understand?”

Daniel, his face by now a picture of misery, could only
choke back his bitter disappointment, at the same time nodding in stunned
agreement with his autocratic father.

Seeing this reaction, so different from those of the other
children on being told of their respective treats, Pearce frowned.

“I must say, Daniel, a vestige of enthusiasm would go a very
long way, my boy. However, be that as it may, I shall of course, give you
sufficient money to buy a fishing net, and if you make your purchase prudently,
then who knows, there may even be enough money left over with which to buy an
ice cream wafer, for I think you are now rather too old for the childish
pokey-hat.”

Poor Daniel, with an obvious effort of will, tried his level
best to appear suitably grateful for such parental munificence. But even this
watery smile misfired, and his father fixed a beady eye on the hapless youth.

“On the other hand, instead of guzzling ice cream, you may
prefer to use any extra cash towards the improvement of your mind. Use the
money to pay for your entrance to Rothesay Castle. Learn something useful for a
change. I believe the castle dates back to something like the thirteenth
century.”

Kate had a pretty shrewd idea as to what her first-born was
mentally saying. That being so, she flashed a quick, sympathetic smile as the
boy caught her glance. She knew in her heart of hearts that poor Daniel would
have given anything for even a crumb of fatherly love or even attention. But
she knew also that the deprived lad was too unsure of himself and too certain
of his father’s quick temper ever to voice aloud such private thoughts. The
pity was she knew he never would.

Chapter
25

The rest of the week passed just as happily as that first
glorious day. As in sunshine, which seemed as if it would go on for ever, the Kinnons
played and relaxed together as a united family on the shores of Sweet Rothesay
Bay. Early on the Saturday morning, Kate stood at the bay window of their
bedroom and looked out over the already sun-dappled Firth, stretching her arms
luxuriously above her head as she thought: ‘How beautiful. Thank you, God, for
yet another lovely day.’

Later that same morning, as they sat round Mrs Graham’s
dining table, Kate exulted in the fact that for the first time ever they seemed
to be a real family at long last–even the tension between Pearce and Daniel
seemed to have softened. They had all just enjoyed a cooked breakfast and were
still on the toast and marmalade stage as Kate poured out extra cups of tea
from the elegant silver teapot. Pearce looked on approvingly at her dainty,
refined manner of playing the society hostess in such a rich setting, and
smiled fondly at his wife.

“Yes, Kate
Mavourneen
, we’ll make
a lady out of you yet.”

Kate stopped with the teapot poised over Daniel’s
still-empty cup and glimpsed up at her husband with twinkling, impish eyes.

“Well, now, Lord Pearce. If it’s all the same to you, kind
sir, we won’t be starting all that up again. What you see before you is all the
lady I’m ever likely to be. So, I beg of you, sir, let’s just leave that flea
stick to the wall.”

Pearce threw his head back and gave a great belly laugh
which gladdened Kate’s heart to hear. But it was his next words which brought a
beam of delight to her face, and an even greater lift to her heart.

“Kate, I’ve been thinking. I’ve just had a wonderful idea.
Kate my girl, how would you like it if we were to get a little flat, or cottage
even, down here in Rothesay, or at least somewhere on this lovely island? Then
for future holidays, it would be so easy. We could come and go as we pleased.”

Kate’s grinned and could hardly speak, so surprised and
delighted was she.

“Pearce, do you really mean it? Could we possibly do such a
thing? You’re not just teasing me, are you? Not just giving me a touch of the
old Irish blarney now, are you? But how could we afford it? Where’s the money
to come from?

Pearce nodded sagely.

“I’ve been keeping it as a surprise and this seems as good a
moment as any to mention it. You see, I’m doing well at my job now. In fact,
recently there have been strong hints of a possible promotion. Between that,
and a bit of extra overtime on other nights besides Fridays, I’m sure we could
take on that lovely little cottage which Isabella and I saw yesterday.
Isabella’s quite fallen in love with it, you know. Isn’t that right, Isabella,
my dear?”

Isabella beamed from ear to ear. Seeing this, Pearce leant
across the table and patted the child fondly on the hand.

Kate did not doubt his words for one moment, but even so,
there were a. dozen questions which at once sprang to mind.

“But Pearce, where is this dream cottage? And how could we
get it?”

Pearce held up a hand.

“No problem there, my dear. It had a TO LET notice on it.
And to tell you the truth, had today not been a Saturday, I would have been on
the estate factor’s doorstep at dawn, down on my bended knees, begging to be
allowed to become their new tenant.”

The idea of Dadda ever having to beg for anything, far less
abase himself in such a way, was too much for the family. The mental picture of
their strict Dadda on his knees in supplication made them look first at each
other in amazement, then burst out laughing.

At this point kindly Mrs Graham came back into the room to
see if they wanted more toast or a fresh brewing of tea. Having ascertained
that more would be welcome, she said: “My and it’s just grand to see you all
enjoying yourselves so much. The Rothesay air’s certainly doing you all a power
of good already. Surely these nut-brown bairns can’t be the same, wee
peelly
-wally city sparrows that arrived here only last
Saturday? If you don’t mind me saying so, it sounded is if you were all having
a right good laugh a wee while since. So tell me this and tell me no more, is
it a private joke, or can anyone join in?”

Pearce beamed, then at his most gracious and without a
moment’s hesitation, said to the rotund and jovial landlady: “No secret at all,
Mrs Graham. I was just telling the family about the fact that I’d seen a lovely
cottage to rent. Then I said I would even go down on my bended knees in order
to get the keys of that particular little kingdom.”

Again everyone laughed noisily and as Mrs Graham wiped the
tears of laughter from her eyes, she said: “Your family’s right, Mr Kinnon,
sir. You are much too distinguished a gentleman ever to have to beg for
anything. Now, if you don’t mind my asking, sir, which particular cottage would
that be?”

“Let’s see now. I’m afraid I don’t know the name of the
road, but I could take you to it. Turn left from your own garden gate and walk
on out past the Thomson Fountain and it’s a wee cottage in the second line of
buildings overlooking the sea front.”

At once Mrs Graham clapped her hands.

“I ken exactly where you are, sir. It’s one of the original
old fisherman’s cottages. I ken fine the one you mean.”

“Right then, first thing on Monday morning I’ll be on the
doorstep of that factor.”

“Yes, my wee pets,” Kate said. “It’s all going to be
wonderful. We’ll be able to spend whole summers down here, like lots of other
families already do, with Dadda coming down on the last boat on Friday nights
for the weekend. It’s wonderful. A dream come true. And our life together is
all going to be so different.”

Chapter
26

Still bouncing about on a wave of euphoria, the family set
about making plans for that day. Jenny had already entered her name for a
special sandcastle building competition. As a result of her improved
relationship with Pearce, Kate had persuaded him they should both accompany
Jenny and give her some moral support on this highly important day in her young
life.

“It would be a real treat for her, Pearce, especially since
you went out with Isabella yesterday. Anyway, the other children will be just
fine. They can play around on that bit of private beach over the road. Mrs
Graham’s very kindly given them her permission. Honestly, she’s so kind,
anybody would think that they were her own
grandbairns
.
She’s told them to look on that stretch of beach as their own wee hideaway.
Would you believe it, she even promised to give them a wee picnic to take with
them. Now isn’t that kind? So, they’ll be fine over there. Within shouting
distance of the house, I can’t see that any harm can come to them.”

Pearce, having heard his wife out in silence, was still
undecided and chewed at his lower lip in hesitation and perplexity.

“
Mmm
. Can’t say I’m overjoyed at
the prospect. Still, let’s see.”

He turned to Daniel.

“Here’s what we’ll do, Daniel. I’ll place you in charge of
the other two children, right? Hannah will be perfectly safe sitting in her
go-chair at the sea shore, tossing stones into the water. She’d like that.
Isabella can amuse herself and play with Hannah. You can use the time to
improve your mind a bit – perhaps make a study of the tiny creatures in all
those fascinating rock pools.”

Daniel looked somewhat nonplussed at this, but nevertheless
nodded his head in ready agreement as his father went on: “Anyway, we should be
back around noon. So surely no harm should come to any of you in that short
time.”

Pearce then turned to his wife with a worried frown on his face.

“You know, Kate, I’m still not too happy about this. Look,
tell you what. You take Jenny to the competition and I’ll stay here with
Isabella and the others. Yes, more I think about it I’m sure that would be the
best plan.”