Sally's Destiny - A short story of Love and Romance in the Scottish Highlands (8 page)

“What could she possibly mean?”
He wondered to himself
.

She gave Agnes a big hug as she entered the cabin, then immediately announced.

“Agnes
..
I have a plan!”

“Ha, well I’m certainly glad someone has! Let’s be having it then – I’m all ears!”

“Ok, well the fact is that when my father passed away he left me some money – well quite a lot of money actually; and I think I am in a position to help you out, I
..”

“No way on earth Sally, just stop right there – I’m not going to take money from you, if that’s what you’re thinking!”

Robert blurted out from a face looking angry and humiliated.

Sally just fixed him with a cold stare equal in ferocity to his own.

“Do you remember what I said about a ‘stumbling block’ out in the car
Robert!
”

“Well yes but…”

“And what did I tell you about the ‘but’? I hate to do this to you Robert – The fact is however I am not some ‘silly wee girl’ for you or anyone else to bully – and I will be heard!”

Agnes looked on, both pleased and bemused, that this attractive slip of a girl could harbour such determination and intensity – enough to put her stubborn son in his place.
“She’ll do!
” she thought to herself.

“Robert! 
Let’s
just hear what Sally is suggesting shall we?”

“Thanks Agnes.” She fixed Robert with another stare daring him to speak.

In a slightly softer voice – her voice of reason, she spoke again to them both.

“Now what I am suggesting is this. I know you will not take the money from me, somebody’s pride might choke them first!” She looked at Robert.

“However I am prepared to make you an interest free loan for as much as you need – to either pay back the loan entirely, or to pay back enough of it so that you are able to make the monthly payments.”

“Sally, that’s an incredibly generous offer!” Said Agnes tearfully; while Robert just glowered at them both.

“Robert; stop glowering, and let’s hear your objections!”

Said an emboldened Sally.

“Al
l
right
..
first
of all the sum owed to the bank is £1
50,000 or about $24
0,000 if I’m not mistaken – so you see it is far more than you could possibly afford!”

Sally sat still and expressionless.

“Secondly, even if we agreed to your admittedly generous offer, then how on earth would we meet the payments to yourself – we’re back to the same old problem!”

“Ok Robert.” She said with a firm but gentle touch to her voice.

“The first problem
does not exist – because I have more than enough to cover the monies involved!”

Robert and Agnes looked at one another, the look of shock and disbelief evident on their faces.

“Ok, the fact was that my father made some very astute investments on the stock market, meaning that although he led a quite austere life; he left me with a small fortune. So you see
,
it is not a problem.”

Robert just stood with his mouth opening and closing, not quite able to put his thoughts into words.

“As for the second problem – it too does not exist. I am quite prepared to accept no regular payment at all to the capital sum owed – other than that which you choose to give. It would be interest free and only payable on the sale of the house if it ever was sold. That is my offer – now…what do you both think?”

Agnes just stared at her, tears freely rolling down her cheeks. Robert stood as if dumbstruck. Finally it was Agnes who spoke up.

“But Sally my dear…why would you do this – you only met us a couple of days ago…it makes no sense!”

Sally reached over and took Agnes by the hand, which she could feel trembling. She felt herself welling up with emotion.

“Agnes…It may be only a few days since we met – but I feel I’ve known you both for years!” She looked across at Robert as she spoke.

“You said yourself it is like destiny, I truly feel that we have all been brought together at this particular time and place. This is meant to be; maybe The Lord is involved; I must admit I have not prayed so much since I was a little girl – and I feel that this is the right thing to do; for all of us. Robert…
tell
me you have not felt it as well? We just fit, that’s all there is to it.
”

She broke off with a sob
as she looked anxiously from one to another.

Robert was the first to break the tension; he shuffled his feet and could not look Sally in the eye.

“Well Sally…I don’t know what to say; except your right inasmuch as I feel exactly the same way about you, but..”

“Oh no – here it is again!”

“Please listen to me Sally, I appreciate your offer,
I
really do.
However you must see that t
his would be placing our relationship on an entirely different footing,
why
..you
would virtually own me – and Agnes!”

“Absolute nonsense!”
Sally spoke out furiously.

“I expect nothing else from you; I will even get the lawyers to set it all up, so that there is no misunderstanding at all – you will owe me nothing but the initial sum, and that only when the property is sold – if ever! I for one will never mention the matter again, as God is my witness!
Even if you dump me the day after – the agreement will stand!
”

Agnes finally broke her silence, her chair scraping the floor as she stood up.

“Sally, as far as I am concerned you are an angel sent from heaven! I for one can see that your heart is right, and the offer genuine.” She held out her hand across the table.

“I for one would like to accept your offer – however Robert must also agree if we are to all stay friends!” She said this last, with a look towards her son.

“Well Robert? Please my love, I just want to help out the two people I hold most dear in the whole world
, and who have brought sunshine into my life once again – even in the midst of a Scottish winter!”

Robert looked up through a veil of tears, and opened his arms wide. Sally rushed to him and wrapped herself in his embrace; both overcome with the joy of the moment. Agnes gave them space, and then came over so they could all share a group hug.

Robert blurted out. “As if I could ever dump you! How could you say such a
thing!
”

Agnes and Sally laughed aloud
at his shocked expression. It was over, the house was saved and Agnes in particular could live without ever again worrying about being ‘put out on the street.’ A traditional celebration was called for – Agnes went and put the kettle on for a cuppa.

******

Three
weeks later
, with the Christmas celebrations and a traditional Scottish Ceilidh behind her; Sally was preparing to leave for her home town in Wisconsin. She stood at the customs check at Edinburgh Airport, ready to board her aircraft for the long journey, first to Iceland then down over Canada to the USA.

Robert was already on his way home, having accompanied her to the airport and waving her a tearful farewell at the customs. She played absent-mindedly with the ring on her finger, and dreamt of the return journey in two months’ time.

Fate had intervened ‘big time’ to get her life back on an even keel, and she was ready to make the most of the opportunity.

“Never mind Sally, just time to get everything in order back home,
quit your job
,
sell the apartment
and come back to a new life in Scotland with a man who means the whole world to you – and new family and friends to make you welcome!” she spoke quietly to herself.

“Sorry mam, did you say something?” The customs officer was looking at her strangely.

“Ha
ha
..
no it’s nothing – I was just talking to myself; I’ve been told it’s a sign of intelligence!”

“Well, if you say so!” The officer said with a smile.

She followed the rest of the passengers onto the plane with a light step – her mind already on the return trip
;
and the wedding plans that had to be made. It promised to be an exciting year!

******