Quaranteam Hebridean Hame Ch 09

This is a story set in CorruptingPower's Quaranteam Universe. I have been permitted to write in this setting.

Thanks to AgathonWrites, The_Licentious_Laureate, RonanJWilkerson, 2Charlie and BronanTheLibrarian for their editing and story input. Any remaining mistakes are mine.

Thanks as well as to the other QT authors who contributed to editing, made useful suggestions, and whose work I would recommend you check out:

BreakTheBar, AgathonWrites, BronanTheLibrarian, OtterlyMindblowing, SilverRyden, RonanJWilkerson, BirchesLoveBooks, The_Licentious_Laureate, DisquietCertitude, 32inch, Ranthoron, Percheron, EldritchMuppet and 2charlie.

This story, set in Scotland during the DuoHalo/COVID pandemic, is slower-burning than most of the other QT series.

Constructive comments are always welcome!

---IX---

Quaranteam: Hebridean Hame, Chapter 9

Evening, Tuesday, 29th September 2020

Eilean Arthriagh, Inner Hebrides, Scotland

Every other time that Callum had visited the Lodge this year, he'd let himself in via the kitchen entrance without any concern - he had treated the ladies' rooms as private but the Lodge itself as communal.

But tonight, things felt different. The Lodge was no longer a workplace where his employees lived; since the resignations earlier that day, it had become their living space. After briefly hesitating, he led Sarah past the kitchen entrance and around to the front door.

At the rarely used front entrance, he stopped in front of the door. Unsure whether the ancient-looking doorbell still functioned after a brief press, he rattled the old sea-air tarnished brass door knocker for good measure. Sarah stood behind him, briefly touching his lower back as he stepped away from the door. He wasn't certain which of them she intended to reassure with this fleeting contact, but was surprised at just how much it calmed him - leaving him puzzled regarding why he felt this way less than 24 hours after Sarah unexpectedly and rather explosively re-entered his life.

As these thoughts bounced around in Callum's mind, a confused-looking Alison opened the door, the warm yellow light spilling out and illuminating the gravel path.

When she saw Callum, Alison's confusion appeared to pass quickly. She smiled genuinely at him, her eyes reflecting the smile but still showing other emotions. Concern, hurt and perhaps hope. Then, she turned her attention to Sarah. Alison's smile remained, though it was suddenly much less authentic.

Callum spoke first, eager to set the tone. "Hi Alison, sorry for the confusion. I thought it would be best to use the front door tonight." The young woman's attention returned to Callum as he spoke. He could tell that she was trying to decide if his statement or his choice of door somehow reflected his answer to the question he knew would hang over the whole evening. He continued, "I felt that the kitchen might be busy and a little too informal, given that you are now my guests."

With this new information, Alison rallied quickly, and her years of working in the service industry allowed her to take on the role of host effortlessly. "No problem," she said with what might have appeared to strangers to be an easy smile. "Mira told me she heard someone at this door. I didn't even know this one still worked. I don't think we've ever used it!" Her delivery was flawless. But to Callum, who knew her well, Alison's laugh and smile appeared a little forced, further reinforcing his concern regarding how emotionally charged this whole evening could be.

Callum and Sarah entered the hallway at Alison's invitation, passing her as she stepped aside and closed the door behind them. Callum was already shrugging off his jacket, and Sarah followed his lead.

"I'll take those," Alison said, indicating the two jackets. Her focus had remained mainly on Sarah as she looked up at the taller woman with barely contained interest and... competitiveness. Callum watched as Alison subtly squared her shoulders and stood as upright as she could, as if trying to challenge the seven-inch height difference between her and Sarah. As Sarah was distracted by the removal of her coat, Alison glanced at Callum, casually touching her hair before straightening her clothing with a slight wiggle of her hips.

Now standing in the brightly lit hall, Callum could also see that Alison had made an extra effort with her appearance tonight. She wore the same light blue and white sundress as she had worn in her third profile picture, which he was sure had been a deliberate choice. Her hair was styled, having been layered and given a gentle, wind-blown look. The way it sat over her ears and shoulders hid her hearing aids.

She also wore light eye and facial makeup, as well as lipstick, none of which Callum had ever seen her with before. Thinking about it, he had never seen her style her hair before, either.

All these changes were offset slightly by the fluffy slippers she still had on her feet.

Noticing these, Callum grinned to himself. Other than the slippers, Alison's overall look was sophisticated.

Callum might have described Alison in her day-to-day clothes as a 'young' 24-year-old. However, seeing her now, he would have been hard-pressed to define her exact age. His best guess would have been 'older than 25' and 'younger than 30'.

"Thanks," He said as he passed her his jacket and then Sarah's. "You look lovely tonight. I recognise your dress from your profile picture."

In response, Alison grinned widely, if nervously, and did a little mock courtesy towards him as she placed the jackets over her arm. "I'm glad you like it..." She faltered for a moment, biting her lower lip uncertainly before continuing. "Was it ok? My profile, I mean."

In response, he gave her what he hoped was a reassuring smile. "It was a great selection of photos. It didn't show me much else, I'm afraid. I'd guess it shows a more limited profile, as you've said we are already in a relationship." The hurt look on her face pushed him to say more. "Hey, it's fine. You guys did the right thing, and I know it's crap that I've not responded yet. I don't want to keep you all waiting. There are just so many different things I need to get my head around. A few different conversations I need to have with people."

She nodded gently, though still looked downhearted. "I'm sorry for pushing. I understand that it's all a lot to take in. It has been for us as well. There's a lot we'll all still need to think and talk about..." She glanced at Sarah as if expecting resistance from her. Sarah, who had been trying to remain unobtrusive, responded with a sympathetic and genuine smile. Somewhat cheered up by Sarah's reassuring response, Alison continued. "We do understand that you want what's best for us. It's just frustrating when... well, when I... when we think that what would be best for each of us is you. And you were just willing to send me... us... away." The emotion in Alison's voice was evident, the hurt still fresh.

"I get it Ali, I really do. And I am sorry. I shouldn't have jumped into those decisions without consulting any of you. I'm sorry for upsetting you earlier. It's been a bizarre couple of days." Even as he spoke, seeing Alison's eyes glisten with emotion, he realised something else about his earlier behaviour. "Honestly, at that moment, I didn't want to be hurt by you guys choosing to leave here. So, while I was focusing on what I thought was best for you, I was also being selfish, trying to protect myself by making the decision rather than risk you choosing that path. Maybe not as emotionally driven as my reactions before, but still linked to that. I recognise that I hurt you, and I am sorry."

Much to Alison's surprise, he reinforced this apology with one of their customary sideways hugs. Her surprise didn't prevent her from melting into it, however, or holding it for longer than usual. Her arm movements were limited by her grip on the jackets.

"Are you sure you would want to give up on your career to stay here?" He asked quietly. "Are you sure you wouldn't resent me in a few years when you think about what you could have done?"

Alison, her head pressed against his chest and tilted upwards so she could watch his lips quietly responded. "This is where I want to be."

Callum nodded and gave her a final squeeze before stepping back. Behind him, Sarah subtly coughed, then touched his lower back as he stepped back, reminding him she was present.

"Oh, introductions. Alison, this is Sarah. Sarah, Alison." The two women, formally introduced for the first time, exchanged smiles and nods.

"A pleasure to meet you, Alison. Callum's told me so much about you," Sarah said, her smile the more genuine. "I just wanted to echo Callum's compliment: you look gorgeous. That colour suits you."

Alison's smile grew a little in response to the compliment. "Thanks, it's one of my favourites. I like your jumper." The jumper in question had belonged to Agnes, Sarah's mum, and wasn't the best fit - tight in places - especially around the chest - and short in the arms. As Alison indicated with her free hand that they should move into the nearby sitting room, she told them, "I'll go hang these up. Mira and Catherine are through there."

Sarah caught Callum's eye and shot him an impressed look.

Callum led the way into the sitting room as Alison hurried off. When they entered, they found the fire well-stoked and radiating heat, a pleasant change from the outside chill. The seating in the room had been arranged in a semicircle around the fire, allowing space for all of them to sit. Mira was the only one using this arrangement, although her body was angled so she could see the door.

On the other hand, Catherine stood near the hearth, holding a crystal glass containing an amber-coloured liquid. Her attention was on the flames.

Catherine's attire was as suitable for her as it was unusual. She wore a 1920s-style dinner suit that resembled a tuxedo. The navy suit featured bright blue buttons and a dark blue-and-white polka dot handkerchief in her breast pocket. Tailored to accentuate her curves, her white shirt had the top three buttons undone, revealing a hint of cleavage. Her dark hair was styled like something from a black-and-white film or a 1930s dance hall.

Mira rose gracefully from her chair as they came into her view, turning herself fully towards them. In doing so, she showed she had also dressed up for the evening. Her hair was styled in traditional Indian fashion, with braids and a bun that showcased her elegant neck. She wore a form-fitting black dress with thin straps and a tasteful triangular cut that revealed some cleavage - an outfit Callum would expect from Emma, not Mira. Her bold blue eye makeup matched Alison's dress and Catherine's suit. Dark red lipstick and golden earrings with blue gemstones completed her look.

The glass of dark red wine she held looked like she'd already had a few sips.

As he crossed the room, Callum could see Catherine's eyes flick from the fire to him, and then to Sarah, who was following a step behind. Catherine looked shocked, attempting to reconcile the previous night's battered and bruised face against the healthy woman now in front of her. Callum realised that Catherine had last seen Sarah the night before when she was still unconscious and injured. Only he and Mira had checked in on Sarah back at the house.

Mira, on the other hand, smiled thinly at Callum and Sarah. Like Alison, her eyes expressed concern and apprehension as they lingered on him. He could tell she was looking for any sign, positive or negative, that he had made a choice. Both Mira's and Catherine's body language conveyed stress and worry.

He stopped a few steps away, the furniture almost forming a barrier between the two pairs. An awkward silence emerged as Callum found himself lost for words. The awkward moment stretched for a few long seconds before Callum felt another gentle squeeze on his elbow.

He glanced at Sarah, who had stopped beside him and patted his arm reassuringly before addressing him and the two women with half a smile. "Callum, you'd better introduce me to your two gorgeous friends. They may not recognise me with my clothes on." The salacious wink she gave Callum as she delivered the last line set him up nicely for a melodramatic sigh and roll of his eyes.

He turned to Mira and Catherine, who were looking between him and Sarah in shocked surprise. He could see that Sarah's lack of shame regarding the previous night's events had unnerved them. Callum could only play along with the tone Sarah had set. "This is what I've had to put up with all day." He said almost apologetically. He appreciated that Sarah's attempt at levity broke the ice and the silence, even if it was at her - or his, he wasn't sure - expense.

Mira and Catherine couldn't help but chuckle together, recognising the combined effort to lighten the mood. However, their amusement appeared more out of uneasy embarrassment than anything else. Catherine sipped her drink, avoiding comment, while Mira looked at Callum expectantly, raising an eyebrow as her eyes flicked to Sarah.

"I'm sorry, where are my manners? Sarah, this lovely lady is Miss Mira Kaur," Callum gestured at Mira, who nodded and murmured a 'hello'. She and Sarah shook hands lightly over the furniture. Compared to Sarah, Mira was diminutive. At 5'1" and with a very petite frame, the contrast was extreme.

With a pleasant enough smile, Mira looked up at his companion. "Nice to properly meet you Sarah. I hope we'll have a chance to learn some stories about Callum's antics as a child. Perhaps even some embarrassing ones."

The way Mira glanced at him while she spoke emphasised her worry over the amount of time they might all have together.

If Sarah noticed any hesitancy, she ignored it, responding enthusiastically. "And Callum has told me so much about you while we were catching up today - about all of you. I've been so pleased to hear he's had good people with him during lockdown. And I'm sure I can think of a few things he'd rather no one else ever found out."

He grimaced. "That's a two-way street, you know." Callum responded, slowly raising an eyebrow at her. Sarah smirk quickly faded, and her eyes widened as she suddenly remembered some of the stories he might have about her.

She hastily raised her hands in an 'I surrender' gesture, but also winked at Mira.

With a somewhat victorious grin of his own, Callum turned to Catherine. "This sharply dressed individual is Ms Catherine Boyle-Menzies." Catherine offered Sarah a slight bow. "Ladies, this is M... err... Sarah."

Quick off the mark, both Mira and Sarah responded with the same query. "Merr Sarah?" they asked him in almost unison.

Callum winced slightly in embarrassment, turning towards Sarah apologetically. "Well, I wasn't sure what you wanted to be called now and only realised when I started speaking. Are you sticking with..."

"No." Sarah interrupted him firmly. "Sarah Buchanan is fine. Miss Sarah Buchanan."

As Callum mouthed a 'sorry' to Sarah, Catherine smoothly intervened. "Miss Buchanan, I hardly recognise you as the woman I met last night. And not only because you are now fully clothed."

Mira, who had been taking a sip of her wine, almost choked. Callum also let out a slight snort at Catherine's dry humour.

Catherine continued, barely glancing at her friend, who was now searching for a tissue. When Mira told me your injuries were healing, I hadn't grasped to what extent." Catherine passed her pocket-handkerchief to Mira before stepping forward and moving one of the chairs to create a gap between the furniture. "Please, come and join us. I understand dinner will be a little while yet."

In response to Catherine's comments about healing, Sarah's hand almost automatically went to the bridge of her nose - before she smiled self-consciously and moved her hand back to her side. "Yes, waking up without all those aches and pains was a pleasant surprise. And I did want to thank you both." She looked between the two women. "Callum told me everything you did for me last night, and I appreciate that beyond words. I know my arrival here, and the news I brought must have been shocking. And I was very sorry to hear about your loss, Mira."

Mira acknowledged Sarah's words with a sad nod.

Seeing that the conversation had reached a natural pause, Callum guided Sarah through the gap in the furniture. As he did so, he gently touched Mira's arm to acknowledge her ongoing grief. Surprised, she looked up at him with genuine sadness. There was a hopelessness there he hadn't seen before.

That look hurt him. It was as if she had accepted that she had lost him, too. Callum hadn't realised that their previous discussion had such a significant impact on her. He knew she'd been annoyed at him, but not that she'd been so deeply hurt. He'd recognised that in Alison's reaction but just hadn't been aware of how hurt Mira had been.

In that brief moment, Callum cursed himself, recalling the conversation they'd had that morning. 'I'm pretty sure you've also broken her heart', Mira had said to him when Alison left. He'd noticed the choice of words then but hadn't circled back to them with everything happening.

"Can I get you a drink while we wait? Sarah? Callum?" asked Catherine as she stepped back to allow them to find a seat.

"I'll fetch them," Mira stated. "I'd better check if Alison and Emma need any help."

"I'll have whatever red you're drinking if that's ok, Mira?" Sarah responded, looking to Mira, who forced a smile and gave a single nod before turning to Callum.

"Just the usual Calvados for me, please." Mira gave another nod before turning abruptly and leaving the room.

Watching her go, Callum sat on one of the two-seater sofas.

Giving him a concerned look and then glancing after Mira, Sarah sat on a chair beside Callum's rather than join him on the sofa.

Catherine also watched Mira leave. There were a few moments of awkward silence before she turned her attention to Sarah. "Miss Buchanan, perhaps after dinner, we could talk..."

Sarah raised her hands to chest level, palms towards Catherine, and made a 'woah, stop' gesture. "Please, just Sarah is fine."

Catherine acknowledged the interruption with a tilt of her head. "Very well, Sarah. I'm sure Callum has mentioned that I am a solicitor. It may be too soon to consider such things, but perhaps we could talk about your next steps - from a legal standpoint." Catherine deliberately glanced at Callum before returning to Sarah. "Regardless of Callum's future decisions, I would happily help you."

Sarah smiled warmly in response. "That would be perfect. Thank you Ms Boyle-Menzies."

"Please," Said Catherine. "Call me Catherine."

Sarah and Catherine engaged in small talk while waiting for Mira to return, mainly about Catherine's tailored suit. Callum could tell that the solicitor was keen to discuss the legal matter at hand but was also treading carefully - and that the woman had a passion for her particular brand of individual fashion.

He sat quietly and listened, allowing the two women to get to know each other a little.

After about five minutes, Mira returned. She and Alison carried drinks, although Mira had one in each hand. She carefully passed Sarah a glass of red wine and Callum a small glass of apple brandy. Alison was drinking something pink and bubbly. Her slippers were now gone, replaced with sandals that better complemented her outfit.

Mira and Alison took seats on either side of Sarah and Callum and, after listening briefly, quickly joined in the conversation.

Following Catherine's explanation about how her clothing choices impacted the perception of her clients and peers, leading her to a very tomboyish and sometimes masculine style of dress, Sarah revealed that her jumper was one of her mother's and spoke about the limited clothing she had brought to the island. The three ladies listened and reacted appreciatively to her comments on their clothing, offering sympathy for some of Sarah's long-lost items.