Sally’s Return: 2nd Book in this Romance Short Story Series (6 page)

Amongst all the crush of waving people trying to get the attention of their arriving friends and family, she at last spotted him rushing towards her. She pushed the cart out of the way, as he picked her up and swung her around like a child in the fairground.

“SALLY! At last …” He mumbled into her neck as he pulled her towards him. They kissed and hugged for a few minutes more, before finally he let her go and grabbed hold of the luggage cart.

“Your chariot
awaits, your ladyship!” He laughed as they headed out to the car-park.

They were soon in the car and headed out towards the fourth road bridge, and home up A9 to Aviemore. They both had a lot to talk about, and Sally was pleased to see that he time apart only confirmed her love for her handsome Scotsman.

“So Robert, how about Agnes – I take it that all is still well?”

She knew immediately from the hesitation, that indeed the opposite was the case.

“Out with it..is there something you’re not telling me?” She asked, getting more alarmed.

“Ok, but please don’t get yourself too upset. Agnes took a dizzy spell just yesterday,
and fell over. She has had to be re-admitted to the hospital for tests.”

He turned to look at her, the concern etched on his face.

“But that’s terrible Robert, how bad is it? Will she be ok?”

“Now
now, Sally. I said not to get yourself upset! Yes I will admit that I am a bit concerned myself; but until we know more, we might as well look to the positive – it might be nothing.” He said without conviction.

Sally immediately realised the effort he was making to try and stay upbeat, and decided that she would do t
he same.

“Your right of course honey, let’s just think good thoughts, and pray for a healthy result from her tests.”

She decided to distract Robert from his troubled thoughts, by telling him about her interesting traveling companion, Malcolm.

“Well he sounds like
a  real character Sally, what was his surname, did he tell you?”

“Yes he did, let me think…I think it was Frazer maybe.”

Robert; who had been staring ahead at the road all this time, only half listening to Sally chattering away; suddenly turned and gave her his full attention for a few seconds, before swiftly looking ahead at the road again.

“What…why did you look like that Robert?”

“No
way..it couldn’t possibly be him!” he said quietly.

“Couldn’t be who Robert? Tell me before I box your ears for you!”

“Just tell me one more thing first of all. Did he say his name was Malcolm Frazer or SIR Malcolm Frazer?”

“Oh, now I’m not sure. Wait a minute
though, he gave me his business card!”

She rummaged in her jacket and triumphantly pulled out the slightly crumpled card. It read Sir Malcolm Frazer.

“Who is he then? I take it from your expression that he is a ‘big wheel’ in Aviemore?”

“Ha, you’d better believe it. As wheels go, his is probably the bigg
est, shiniest wheel in the area! His family are large landowners and employers in and around Aviemore; in fact he is ultimately my boss, being as he owns the Loch an Eilein Estates.

“So is this a large estate then.”
Asked Sally innocently.

Robert was shaking his head in bemusement and unbelief.

“Well I’m not really sure of the actual acreage, but I can tell you it has to be the biggest employer in the area, especially with regards to tourism. They rent out cottages throughout the area, as well as offer a multitude of services for hiking, cycling, boating…it goes on and on – surely you remember Tom and I talking about our work last year?”

“Now that you mention it, yes I do. Hmm, so how do you feel about dropping by your boss’s place for lunch?”

“WHAT! You have to be kidding right?” He looked across at her smiling face.

“Sally…I just can’t believe you – What on earth would I have to say to a Lord of the realm?”

“Well now..Pleased to meet you might be a start!” She laughed at his look of discomfort.

“Seriously though Sally.
Tell me you are not invited to lunch or something equally silly!”

“Indeed I will not, for I was always taught not to lie!”

“Well I can tell you right now dearest – that is not going to happen!”

“Oh is that so sweetheart – well just let me tell you that it will indeed happen – whether you like it or not!”

It was the first time Robert had heard  steel in her voice, and it caught him off-guard.

“Hmm, well we’ll see!” Was all he could muster in
response.

They both decided to let the matter drop, and changed the subject on to the more mundane; both unconsciously omitting any reference to the wedding plans, knowing that it would only bring back the subject of Agnes’s health – and the possibility of postponing the wedding plans.

The rest of the drive ‘home’ was a little subdued, with Sally beginning to weary as the night rolled in, and her body informed her that she had been awake for nearly 20 hours. She eventually closed her eyes and let the hum of the engine lull her into a sound sleep.

******

They arrived at t
he Chalet around midnight, with Robert virtually having to carry Sally over the threshold. She was so tired that even he could see there was no chance of any romantic encounter happening – much to his chagrin.

“Do you mind honey, if I just go to bed? I’m absolutely shattered!” Was Sally’s
weary answer to his romantic overtures.

Overall though, he did not mind too much as he was just delighted to hold her in his arms again
, and breath in her sweet scent, filled with the hope and promise of a bright future together. As they fell asleep entangled under the duvet, he thanked God for his good fortune on meeting Sally, and prayed for his mother’s return to good health.

The morning came with a pleasant surprise for Robert however, as he was awoken by Sally arriving from the shower, and slipping under the warm duvet – as naked as the day she was born!

“Well now my love, so you are awake at last – how would you like an early breakfast in bed?” She looked lasciviously into his eager eyes, as she coiled one naked thigh around him, and raised herself so that her breasts were in full view.

“Hmm, well I suppose that would depend on what was on offer? But bacon and eggs would go down nicely I suppose!”

She gave him a playful slap, and made to get out of bed.

“
Whoa..where do you think you are going my pretty maid!” He cried out gleefully, wrapping his muscular arm around her slim waist and pulling her to him, relishing the sensation of her full firm breasts against his naked flesh.

“Well, if you prefer bacon and eggs to hot crumpet – I
must be in the wrong place!”

“Ha, touché!
You’re far too clever for me my love; but I’m sure I can make up in other ways!” He gazed into her smouldering eyes longingly, feeling his own body responding to the obvious desire he saw there, as his hands caressed her breasts and his fingers teased her erect nipples.

Sally moaned with desire when the fingers were replaced by
Roberts mouth, and he suckled on the treasure before him; as his hands reached down to explore the soft inviting area between her thighs.

They made love the first time with a passion – born of lust and urgency - that left them both exhausted and sweating. Later, with a gentleness and
eroticism, that confirmed their union at a level only experienced by those who have indeed found their life’s soul-mate.

La
ying atop the bedcovers, ardour finally spent, they slept for another hour before being awoken by the cold chill; and finally got dressed to face the trip up to Inverness and the results of Agnes’s examination.

It was pouring heavily as they drove up the hospital, which only exacerbated the sombre mood in the car; the heavy dark clouds seeming to warn of bad new ahead.

“Robert, I really don’t know how I will cope if there is bad news from the consultant.” Sally confessed with a lump in her throat.

“You’re not the only one honey, but let’s not dwell on the negative, who knows she might just be sitting up in bed waiting for us – and this will all have been a bad dream!”

Sally appreciated that he was trying to bring some levity to another-wise grim situation; and gave a rueful smile in response.

After patrolling the car park for what seemed an age; they finally managed to find a tight spot beside the pay-booth.

“These things really annoy me!” Robert declared disgustingly. “It’s bad enough that you get sick in the first place, but then everyone has to pay to come and wish you well ! – It’s an iniquitous situation and no mistake.”

He was still grumbling as he opened the door to Agnes’s room – and stopped dead in his tracts. Agnes was not there. The bed was empty of covers, and obviously waiting a new arrival.

Roberts heart skipped a beat as he considered the worst, and turned to face Sally who was looking aghast over his shoulder at the same scene.

“Ah, Mr Lindsey!
I tried calling earlier but you must have left the house already.”

“Doctor
..” He managed to get out, as his mouth filled with ashes. “My mother is she….”

The consultant looked beyond Robert to the empty bed, suddenly comprehending the question.

“Good lord No. Your mother is just fine! In fact that is what I called to tell you. She has made remarkable progress and has passed examination with no worries at all.”

Robert exhaled a great sigh of relief, not realising up till then that he had quite forgotten to breath.

“But what about the dizziness!”

“Nothing to worry about; though we did have to make sure.
It seems that she has maybe gotten up too suddenly, or something of that nature. The fact is that this morning she is fine and well – having a good breakfast in fact as we speak!”

He showed them to the new room that she had been allocated and left them to greet Agnes.

“Thank you so much doctor.” Sally said relieved at the news. “I thought I was going to faint for a moment there!”

“No
trouble at all miss. I will be along in a while, and hopefully we can have Mrs Lindsey discharged and on her way home.”

They opened the door and were greeted by Agnes propped up with pillows, and getting stuck in to her breakfast, just as the consultant had said.

She lifted up her head as they entered.

“Robert…and Sally!
Oh it’s so good to see you my dear!”

Sally rushed passed Robert and threw her arms around her.

“Oh Agnes…I can’t tell you how happy I am to see you again – especially with all that’s been happening! Your terrible son had me worried half to death!” She choked through laughter and tears.

“
Och wheesht Sally – Robert always was a terrible one for exaggeration!”

Robert walked over and wrapped his arms around them both. “Well it seems for once you are right mother – look at you! I think you are just keeping a good bed for some-
one who really needs it! And now that I think of it…I’ve just wasted good money parking the car!”

They all had a good laugh at
Roberts meanness, as the tension and worry of the past few weeks finally melted away, to be replaced by hope and the prospect of a bright new future.

“Now then my dear – I think we have a wedding to plan do we not?”

Robert found himself drifting away into pleasant thoughts as the two people he adored most in life, excitedly talked about wedding venues and guest lists, dresses and favours. The emotion of it all threatened to overcome him, and he steadied himself against the end of bed.

Both women stopped talking immediately as they noticed the movement.

“Robert!” Sally said slightly alarmed. “Are you all right?” He looked into their concerned eyes.

“All right?
I am more than all right. In fact I think I’m the luckiest man in the world ! I have the two people dearest to me, in good health and planning my whole future – what else could a man ask for!”

They laughed delightedly
, and the wedding plans continued; it was going to be a busy summer ahead.

******

The drive back to the cottage at Aviemore was a deal more pleasant for Robert and Sally, as they all chatted over the previous week’s events.

Agnes told Sally about the slippery step, and Robert received a smack on the head from her as she scolded him for not acting sooner.

Sally told Agnes about her conversation with Sir Malcolm Frazer, which excited her beyond measure and she rebuked Robert for
“Being such a bore!”
Informing him that Of course he would have to go for lunch – if it was offered, it would be rude not to!

“Robert you will really have to dump this attitude you have towards gentlemen like Sir Malcolm. It is hardly his fault that he was born into a position of privilege, and besides, he is not doubt working just as hard as you are to maintain the estates – and keep you in a job remember laddie!”
Agnes reminded him, wagging a finger in his face to make her point.