Summer at West Sands Guest House: A perfect feel good, uplifting romantic comedy. Maggie Conway

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СКАЧАТЬ had come and although it afforded her a lovely view of the town, she realised she had walked much further than she had intended. She didn’t suppose the hangover was helping but she couldn’t blame that entirely for her current state which was now decidedly weak and wobbly. There was nothing like a good hike to show how unfit you were, she thought wryly, feeling the full impact of her recent car-reliant existence. With her slightly alarming heart rate and jelly legs, she promised herself there and then to try and improve her fitness.

      Still, the pain was worth it because now she was surrounded by trees and lush greenery. It was so tranquil, almost like being in the middle of an enchanted forest. She was glad of the shade provided by the trees and wished she’d had the sense to bring water with her.

      She noticed a path and, walking towards it, spotted a carved wooden sign announcing The Drumloch Inn lay ahead. Very fortuitously, the sign also indicated food and beverages being served all day. Molly, quite weak with fatigue and dehydration by now, felt herself sag with relief. The thought of a seat and drink sounded heavenly.

      The inn, almost hidden by shrubs and trees, was a charmingly pretty two-storey stone building with wisteria growing up the walls. Baskets spilling over with purple fuchsias graced both sides of the double front door and, as she walked through them, Molly had the sense of being in a rather grand country house.

      Inside, the floor was carpeted in tweed and the walls panelled in dark wood. A large vase of lilies sat on a mantelpiece above an open fireplace and a beautifully ornate chandelier hung from the ceiling.

      Molly approached the small reception desk where a lady sat. Molly placed her to be in her sixties although her stylish bob and immaculate make-up gave her an ageless glamour.

      ‘Good morning, can I help you?’ the lady asked. Her glasses were perched on top of her head, reminding Molly of her own mother and her smile was so warm and genuine Molly immediately felt at ease.

      ‘Hello. I’m not a guest here but is it all right if I sit and have a drink. I saw the sign—’

      ‘Of course!’ the lady gushed. She stood up, knocking a sheaf of papers to the floor.

      ‘Sorry, I’m all fingers and thumbs today. We’ve got a new computer system installed and I’m still working my way through this manual…’ She gestured to the offending documents which she had now retrieved from the floor. Straightening up and looking slightly flustered, she smiled again. ‘Now, where were we? Come with me and I’ll show you where you can have a seat.’

      Molly followed her through to a lounge area of seating in front of arched windows which looked out onto an expanse of rolling greenery. Molly took a seat on one of the sofas, grateful to be off her aching feet and was soon perusing the drinks menu that the lady had given her.

      Molly ran her eye down the selection of drinks on offer, surprised and delighted by the choice; hand-pressed apple juice, traditional ginger beer, elderflower and cucumber or berry and mint refreshers. She eventually decided on a sparkling rhubarb and after a few minutes the lady returned with the drink in a tall glass, served on a little coaster with a serviette.

      Molly took a drink and sat back with a sigh of appreciation. Feeling slightly conspicuous as the solitary customer, she glanced around. Tartan and gingham sofas, comfy chairs and dark wooden tables adorned with small vases of flowers created a relaxed, cosy ambience. There was another fireplace and a small brass-topped bar tucked discreetly in the corner.

      After a while the lady came over to check if Molly needed anything else.

      ‘I’m Judy, the owner here. Do you mind if I join you for a little while?’

      ‘Not at all.’ Molly smiled, indicating the seat beside her. ‘I’m Molly Adams, it’s nice to meet you.’

      The lady eased herself down gracefully onto the seat and Molly instantly sat up straighter.

      ‘How was your drink?’ she asked.

      ‘I really enjoyed it,’ Molly answered truthfully. ‘It was delicious and very refreshing.’

      The lady tilted her head, looking pleased. ‘Thank you. It was one of my creations.’

      ‘You make the drinks yourself?’

      ‘I do. I source all the ingredients locally and then I have great fun concocting all the different flavours up.’

      Molly was impressed.

      ‘I have an excellent local cook who comes in to do the evening meals and breakfast but drinks are my speciality,’ Judy explained. ‘I was a flight attendant and I think all those years serving up drinks to passengers must have rubbed off on me.’

      ‘Well, it was delicious,’ Molly reiterated.

      ‘Are you here on holiday?’

      Molly explained about her brother coming to live in St Andrews with his family.

      ‘I’m sure they’ll be very happy here.’

      Molly nodded in agreement and then admitted how she had stumbled on the inn by accident. ‘It’s such a lovely location here although I hadn’t realised I had walked so far.’

      Judy pursed her lips. ‘We are a bit off the beaten track here. Which can be a good and bad thing. Once people find us, they love it and we have a lot of repeat business. Other times, being so far from the town can put people off.’

      ‘It’s a very romantic setting.’

      ‘It is, isn’t it? We only have six rooms – four doubles, one single and one family room so it’s mostly couples who book.’

      ‘How long have you owned it for?’

      ‘My husband and I bought this place six years ago. I was a flight attendant and he was a pilot and we fell very much in love and it was always our dream to own a place like this. We had ten very happy years together but unfortunately he passed away four years ago.’

      ‘I’m so sorry. That must be difficult for you.’

      ‘It can be.’ She gave a small smile. ‘But the business keeps me busy which is good. Especially now the golf school is open again.’ She nodded her towards the window.

      Molly gazed out of the window and only now did it dawn on her she had in fact been looking out at a golf course. In the far distance Molly could make out a flag marking one of the course’s holes.

      ‘That’s a golf course over there?’

      ‘Yes, that’s Drumloch golf course and though you can’t see through the trees, there’s a golf school and range as well.’

      Molly perked up with interest.

      ‘It was run down for a while,’ Judy continued. ‘But it’s recently been bought over by two golf professionals and I know they’ve got plans for the place.’

      ‘I might take a walk over and have a look.’

      ‘Do you play golf?’ Judy asked.

      ‘I used to play a bit with my father,’ she replied. ‘What about you, do you play?’

      ‘Me? СКАЧАТЬ