When the Heather Blooms (ebook)

Argumento de When the Heather Blooms (ebook)

Following the death of her brother Victoria Pringle has lost touch with his fiancée so it is a surprise to learn that she has a nephew, Peter. In spite of his upbringing he has inherited his ancestor?s love of the land but he faces fierce opposition if he follows his dream.

Libby and Billy Lennox are eager to resolve the family feud with the Crainby?s in order to help Charlotte find the security and love she so desperately needs.

Willie Pringle is devastated when tragedy strikes. His daughter, Mimi, needs all her courage and determination to fight for her own future happiness.

Andrew Pringle leaned his sinewy arm on the open window of the cattle lorry while he waited for the red mail van to negotiate Langmunes narrow farm track.

Morning Kevin, he called as the van drew abreast, bringing us the usual bills, are you?

Theyre not all bills, Kevin replied, theres one frae Edinburgh. Over the roof of the van Andrew raised quizzical dark brows and his mouth twitched as he met the laughter his wifes eyes. The country postmen knew everybodys business.

Victoria had helped Andrew load up three heifers for the November sale at Lockerbie market. She shared his pride in the stock they reared and she gave a good luck wave before she turned to take the bundle of letters from Kevin.

Thats a new lorry, eh? he remarked.

Yes, its more convenient having our own transport now that we have a regular supply of heifers to sell. Andrew likes to get there early to get the cattle washed and brushed up ready for the ring.

Yell be hoping for a good trade today then?

We are, Victoria smiled, eyeing the letters. We shall need it with this lot.

His gaze followed hers.

The one frae Edinburgh is on top he offered, hoping she would open it. Victoria looked. She recognised the handwriting and her heartbeats quickened but she slid the letter to the bottom of the pile. Kevin sighed with disappointment. Victoria knew well enough what he wanted and she shook her head ruefully. At one time it had been Doris on the Darlonachie telephone exchange who knew everybodys affairs but there was a central exchange in the town now.

In the kitchen she drew the letter from the bottom of the pile. In sixteen years she had never received more than a Christmas card from Catriona Sterling. Why did she have such a feeling of foreboding as she slit open the envelope? Memories of her twin brother, Mark, came flooding back. They had shared a bond which neither distance nor deceit could sever. Mark had loved Catriona but he had been killed during the war.

Victoria was happily married and blessed with three children but she knew there would always be an ache in her heart for Mark. His last request to her had been a plea that she should befriend his fiancée, Catriona McTeir but Catriona had rejected her friendship. She had resented the bond they shared and which had been more precious because they were orphans and separated for the first ten years of their lives.

Doctor Grantly and his wife, Anna, had treated Mark as a well-loved, adopted nephew. They were proud when he qualified as a doctor and stricken with grief when he died fighting for his country. They had arranged a memorial service for him in Darlonachie village Kirk. The whole village had attended but Catriona, his fiancée, did not come from Edinburgh. Victoria had been stunned when she received a card the following Christmas with a brief message to say she had married Doctor Deane Sterling. She still remembered the shock and hurt she had felt. Last year, for the first time, Catriona had enclosed a snapshot of her three children, a tall dark-haired boy and two younger fair-haired girls, but why was she writing a letter after all these years?

Victoria scanned the single sheet. She gasped and read it again.

I have no right to ask any favours from you but I have had time for contemplation and regret in recent months. I pray you can find it in your heart to forgive me and allow me to explain before it is too late.

Rejecting your friendship was not my decision but it was weak and wrong of me to succumb to a stronger character than mine. I apologise with all my heart. I know Mark longed for us to be friends. I loved him dearly although we were so young. There are things I need to explain. I need your help. If you cannot pardon my conduct, for Marks sake, I beg you to come to Edinburgh and visit me here at the hospital. Time is running out for me0