I woke this morning to a covering of snow with more falling, this thrilled me no end. I quickly rushed to have a wash and get dressed, almost bursting with excitement for the day ahead. Being better now grandfather was already out so I didn't see him until I went down to breakfast.
It sounded like everyone else was already in the staff dinning room as I slipped quietly down the stairs, I'm not allowed to clomp like a cart horse! I hesitated on the lower part of the stairs because I could tell something was afoot. I wouldn't say that the conversation was heated but it definitely seemed loaded.
As I walked in, the room went quiet and the conversation turned to small talk. Mainly about a problem at the Ben More cabin. I must add that the previous topic wasn't necessarily brought to a close because they were talking about me. Being the rooky so to speak means that there are certain things that I'm not privy to. It doesn't bother me to much as it's usually something that is boring or doesn't affect me.
I got my porridge and took up my usual place at one of the long sides of the table. I noticed Ivan was missing but I just thought he hadn't yet arrived, which was of slight relief to me seen as how grandfather scowls at me if he thinks I'm the one who's late. The small talk quickly dried up and everyone fell silent again, I didn't know the cause but I could feel the tension. I hardly dare dip my spoon into my bowl for fear it made a noise and triggered the seemingly impending doom. I need not have worried to much about that though as it was simply eye contact with Cindy that sparked the explosion.
She started to ask, "Do you mind helping your granddad this...."
Grandfather interrupted her. "I've told you, she is of no use to me, she can't even dress herself properly half the time let alone assist with plumbing matters, just be told will you."
I was deeply upset and offended by this, I'd actually been thinking that since his illness we'd been getting on a little better but it seems not. I was about to retaliate when Ms Oliver chimed up. She never feels the need to be invited.
"That's enough Tom," she scolded.
"That heating needs sorting out today one way or another and you're the only one who can do it but after how ill you've been there is no way you're going all the way out there alone in this weather and Kate is the only one who is free to accompany you so the pair of you will just have to get on with each other for a couple of hours, like it or lump it." She added.
I asked why Ivan couldn't go but apparently he was in bed with the flu.
Grandfather grunted and got up from the table and took his pots through to the kitchen. Cindy also got up and as she did so she said she had just the thing for me and to stay where I was. She followed grandfather out of the dinning room, he going right towards the back door and Cindy climbed the stairs to her flat.
She returned just as I was finishing my coffee with a bright red all in one ski suit. She handed it to me and said to try it on. I put it on over the clothes I was wearing, which I managed to choose all by myself! The suit was on the large side for me but it was okay and certainly nice and warm. She said that I could borrow it and added that I was better dressed than he was now, meaning grandfather. I put my wellies on, said my goodbyes and went out to find grandfather.
I was sort of hoping that he might have disobeyed orders and gone without me but no such luck. He'd got his Land Rover started and turned round and was doing something under the hood. I didn't bother going to him, I just got in the Land Rover and slammed the door shut so that he knew I was there and waited for him. Soon he put the hood down and then climbed in beside me and without a word set off down the drive like his head was on fire. We didn't speak a word between here and there and it was truly awful.
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