A Trick of the Light by Ali Carter (surface ebook reader txt) 📕

‘Aye?’

‘Pudding?’

‘Oh aye, I made youse all a wee trifle.’

She thrust a Pyrex bowl of colourful layers into my hands and Zoe pushed me back through the swing door. Yuck. I really dislike trifle. This one had a discoloured crust on top and when Zoe sunk a spoon into it – deciding it’d be easier to serve people than have everyone get up – the mixture didn’t wobble like it normally should. Unfortunately, I had to accept some. This food was made specially for us, and I hate to see things going to waste.

Rupert was holding up his spoon, calling down the table to Fergus, ‘Is this your family’s crest?’

Every piece of cutlery had a fish engraved on the handle.

‘Not ours,’ said Fergus. ‘That’s the Kelton family crest.’

Jane’s eyes narrowed as she stared at him. Crumbs, do I have a short-sighted artist on the course?

‘Then why do you have theirs?’ said Shane.

‘My father bought this silver when they sold it. He liked the association with salmon.’

‘The river Trickle is a salmon river,’ said Zoe, filling in the gaps.

‘Kelton,’ said Jane, joining the conversation, ‘a kelt is what you call a freshwater fish after spawning and before returning to the sea. And,’ there was no stopping her, ‘if it were me hosting a house full of strangers, I’d have locked up the silver.’ She glanced at Shane, which was embarrassing. It was far too early in the week for jokes like this.

After dinner, Jane and Minty went straight to bed and the rest of us piled into the sitting room, Fergus having suggested a dram. Haggis was curled up by the fire and as soon as I sat down in an armchair he jumped up onto my lap.

‘Oh Haggis, you naughty boy,’ said Zoe. ‘Just push him off if you don’t like it, Susie.’

‘He’s adorable.’ I patted his soft coat, pleased to have him on my knee, sharing his affection at last.

Louis was slumped in an armchair, watching my hand stroke the auburn fur. His arrogance rejected conversation so I didn’t even try.

‘Whisky, Susie?’ said Fergus.

‘No thank you.’

The wine with dinner had made me sleepy and I didn’t plan on staying up much longer.

Shane and Lianne both said ‘yes’ and Fergus convinced them it was best drunk with a slug of water. Then, I presume exhausted by the formality of the evening, they rushed off to watch TV opposite. Giles wasn’t exactly invited but followed too.

Zoe sat down next to me. She genuinely wanted to hear about my life. Here was a Countess with no airs and graces. She’d kicked off her shoes, snuggled her feet up under her kilt and asked me if I would draw Haggis this week.

‘Yes, I’d love to if I find the time.’

‘Great, that would be such a bonus. I saw the prices on your website. Such good value I thought.’

She went on to explain what she used to do. ‘I can’t tell you how pleased my mother was when I met the Muchtons again. My parents thought being an accountant was no way to find a husband. But, Susie, I liked working and that’s why having quit my job I’ve thrown myself into making a go of things here. My training is perfect for turning a profit. I have no doubt I’ll make this place work.’

Her enthusiasm was admirable but I cannot believe any of her suggestions at dinner will bring in enough money to sustain living here. Being an accountant, she must be fully aware of the sums involved. Now I’m thinking perhaps she has a much bigger plan up her sleeve? Even an idea she hasn’t actually shared with her husband yet?

‘You mentioned “met again”?’ I said. ‘Did you and Fergus know each other before?’

‘Ha, well. I don’t like to count it. But I did spend a night here when I was a child. My mother likes to constantly remind me, but Fergus wasn’t even born then.’

Our conversation was abruptly interrupted by Fergus. ‘Darling, listen to this, you’ll never believe what Rupert’s just told me.’

Zoe raised her eyebrows at me and turned to join in.

‘He knew the Kelton family.’

‘I didn’t know them,’ corrected Rupert. ‘It was my first job, I’d just started working for Walker & Mackintosh. I was the land agent for the Kelton family estate and my colleague managed the contents sale. When you mentioned them at dinner their name rang a bell and I’ve just twigged why.’

‘Father bought a lot of the contents,’ said Fergus. ‘It was thirty-odd years ago.’

‘How amusing,’ said Zoe.

‘I’ll never forget it,’ said Rupert, crossing his ankles while making sure not to crinkle the creases down the front of his trousers. ‘Hector Kelton was a tricky client.’

‘Ooh do tell us more,’ said Zoe, longing for a bit of aristocratic gossip.

‘I’ll fill you in later,’ interjected Fergus. He clearly did not want his wife asking any more questions.

Zoe stretched out her arms and ran her hands through her wonderfully thick hair. ‘I think I’m going to go to bed. Night, everyone.’

I pushed Haggis off my knee and got up to leave. But when Fergus asked Louis how he’d heard about this week, Zoe blocked the doorframe, waiting for his answer.

‘Ewen told me about it.’

‘Ewen?’

Haggis gave a little yap.

‘Yes.’

‘Fergus’s brother?’ said Zoe, which was confusing… surely she knew who he meant?

Even I knew. Before arriving here, in the north of Scotland, at a big house, with titled owners, I’d done some shallow research on the current generation of Muchtons. Just enough to start a very basic conversation if needs be. Nothing invasive, of course not, it would be unfair to form an opinion prior to meeting. But I do know Fergus’s brother Ewen is his twin – the younger twin. Imagine that. Missing out on inheriting all of this by a whisker.

‘Yes,’ said Louis.

Fergus stared at him. ‘Why didn’t you mention you knew my brother, at dinner?’

‘He’s barely been here a couple of hours, angel, give the man a chance,’ Zoe giggled. ‘Or maybe,