Just Rose

Chapter 42

in that.’ Abby winked devilishly, and Rose felt that moment of fear colour her cheeks.

‘Shut up.’ Rose laughed, trying to conceal her guilt and wondering why Abby would even think Rob would care. A small doubt about what she knew passed her mind fleetingly and she pushed it away as stupid. Abby obviously didn’t know, not that there was anything to know anymore anyway.

Abby picked the same dressing room she had just vacated and threw clothes over the upper wall beside Rose’s. Sporting a similar style of bikini in bright turquoise, somehow Abby looked more covered. Her slimmer figure and smaller bust made it less revealing.

‘My dad’s going to come for a wee swim for a few minutes to meet you.’ She grinned. ‘He says he’s sick of hearing about the amazing Rose and wants a face to the name, he remembers you as a kid but wants to know you as a lassie now apparently.’ She laughed childishly ‘Dunno, who’s been telling him nice things, cos I told him how boring you were.’ She laughed again, ducking as Rose threw one of the towels at her.

‘I have no idea why I hang out with you sometimes. You’re an actual brat!’

‘You cannot resist me sweetheart.’ Abby grinned cheekily. Blowing a kiss her way and patting Rose on the butt to get her out of the changing room.

‘Come on.’ Rose led the way back to the pool, keen to be submerged before this man saw her in all her curves and glory. She felt a little too naked as she slid into the cool water easily, loving how it felt on her clammy skin and weary bones. She would have to make Abby bring her here more often. This is exactly what she needed after everything in the last few days. Always a lover of the water; sliding under and relaxing to the cooler temperature, she swam an easy length before this long-awaited stranger made his appearance. He was not what Rose expected.

Memories of Hamish years ago had always seen him a big figure; huge grey beard, dressed in kilts and sporrans at dances. As a child, he had seemed like a big hairy bear of a man, always loud and alive, full of life. But the tall large man sporting bright red shorts, coming from the sauna, struck more of a muscular, older version of Rob than memory served her. His once huge grey beard gone and smooth-shaven face. Chiselled jaw line still evident despite his age and wrinkles. His grey hair tamed and shorter; he used to wear it shoulder length in all its curly wildness, and actually for a man in his later years, still handsome. Still full of life and vitality. The faded grey eyes were a shock to Rose. So familiar and so unexpected to see in a different face, looking so weary and dull.

Yes, he was aged and not so firm and fit as his son, but the resemblance was striking. He was so like Rob in mannerisms and voice too as he slid into the pool and approached the pair.

Brief introductions and small talk had them all relaxing quickly, the easy-going nature she remembered so well and deep hearty laugh. Rose could not stop being mesmerised by the similarities, wondering if this was how Rob would look in years to come. It was obvious both his children had inherited his genes, good looks, good bone structure. Abby’s green eyes, the only part of her mother that was obvious and the straight black hair of both her children. They both had Hamish Munro’s smooth confidence and easy manner. Rose liked him instantly. He had charm and a quick wit, a great sense of humour. His affection for Abby was obvious as the pair verbally sparred like a comedy act.

They splashed in the water for a good fifteen minutes just laughing and joking before he looked her in the eye, making her feel like a ten-year-old child again. A serious expression on his face as though he was scrutinising or appraising her.

Abby climbed out to go use the bathroom, leaving them alone for a few minutes.

‘He told me about you two, you know?’ Hamish didn’t hesitate, no sense of accusation in his tone, just a warm smile as he tread water, facing her.

Roses look of panic and confusion obvious, she began to try and formulate a response, but he put his hand up.

‘Hush now, I’m aware Abby has no idea, don’t worry; I will leave that up to you or Rob to tell her in time. I just wanted to say I agree with you. Ending it! That’s no way for you to live. No way to treat the girl he says he loves and that I think my son’s an i***t, I think he knows it too.’ He moved forward giving her shoulder a small squeeze and an apologetic look. Reassuringly fatherly and Rose sighed, relaxing a little.

‘I don’t know what to say.’ She truly had not expected this. ‘I didn’t see a happy ending the way things were going, or even a change in the future.’ She felt a tear hit her eye and a lump forming in her threat and pushed them down again.

‘Just tell me, lassie... Do you love him?’ He was still close, their voices hushed with a hopeful look in his eye.

‘Yes, I do.’ She looked forlorn but could not lie about this, especially not to this kind-hearted man. It felt good to finally be able to speak to someone about it, it had been ripping her apart inside for days.

‘Well, at least there is that. He knows he’s being an i***t. Just don’t rule him out forever. Sometimes Rob can be stubborn like his mother. Trying to do what’s best for everyone else.’ Hamish moved back a little, giving her space and glanced to the door to check Abby was still not returning.

‘You can say that again.’ She smiled sadly.

‘Sometimes it takes him a little while to figure out what needs to be done when it comes to his own needs. Don’t you wait on him! He needs to see that he’s lost you before he can really get that head out of his ass. Don’t make things easy on him, like you were... Won’t change otherwise.’ They heard Abby flushing the toilet and he moved forward to pat her again, warmly. She smiled as he reached forward and kissed her cheek with a wink, moving back before swimming to the side and climbing out with a backwards wave.

‘Now if you don’t mind, this old man needs to get back into the warm air before my legs give way. Not quite as virile as I used to be, and the sauna is much more my style.’ He grinned, throwing a wave and stopping to kiss Abby on the forehead as she emerged from the changing room once again.

‘Bye.’ Rose called after him, watching Abby slide back into the water gracefully.

Rose felt cold with the immobility in the water but a small warm glow inside her began to spread. A feeling of something fuzzy and gentle and hopeful.

He had told his father about them. Told his father he loved her. Talked about them despite all the secretiveness... He had told his dad! Surely that counted for something?

It had given her enough of a warm glow deep inside she felt her face warm and her limbs loosen up with some inner hopeful tingling.

* * *

They stayed in the pool for an hour. Seeing Hamish Munro again before he left, midway through splashing and carry on and laughing at his awful jokes. He really was a lovely man and the wink he threw at Rose made her feel for the first time in weeks a tad better. Like a warm gesture from a kind stranger that could brighten your day.

Maybe it was more than the wink. Maybe it was what he had said to her.