A Love for Rebecca by Mayte Uceda Read Free Book Online Page A

went.”
    The girls laughed at the description, and Mrs. Munro continued from the kitchen with a detailed commentary on the “blasted Scottish weather.” It had been raining constantly for a week.
    “The forecast says it will clear up in the next few days,” Rory said when he saw the look of dismay on the girls’ faces.
    “God willing!” Mrs. Munro said as she returned to the parlor with the tea tray. “If not, these poor girls will leave here with their skin falling apart from the damp.”
    Berta was having the hardest time following the conversation; her English wasn’t as good as that of the other two. She hadn’t spent any time abroad other than some quick excursions, and the highest level of English she had acquired had started to fade as she concentrated on her university studies. In contrast, Lola, whose father was an executive with a large multinational company, had lived in several countries before her parents divorced and she went to live with her mother in Barcelona. Her father, who was remarried and now had other children, lived in Bordeaux, where Lola spent her summer and Christmas vacations.
    When Berta could no longer stifle her yawns, which were more from boredom than from exhaustion, Mrs. Munro decided to let the girls rest.
    “I think it’s time to show you the cottage. You look tired,” she announced as she stood up and grabbed the keys from the side table.
    The three girls and Rory stood simultaneously, as if launched by the same spring.
    “It has everything you could need,” Mrs. Munro continued as they walked the short distance between the two houses. Although the rain had stopped, the air was intensely humid. They rounded the corner, went through the rustic wooden gate, and walked along the flagstone path through the garden. A large bay window protruded from the front of the cottage.
    Mrs. Munro gave the door a firm push and, once inside, showed them around. “You have a washer, a microwave, a refrigerator, and a small TV. If you want, I can do the cooking, but that’s not included in the price.”
    “Thank you,” Lola said, “but I think we can manage.”
    The woman nodded. “There are two double rooms and a full bath. In the bathroom you’ll find a basket for the dirty towels. If you leave it on the front porch, I’ll switch them out for clean ones. Same with the sheets. But just the linens,” she admonished. “No clothing.”
    Lola and Rebecca agreed and Berta did too, though she’d caught only a few random words of the conversation.
    “The front door sticks when it’s humid,” Mrs. Munro continued, “which means it always sticks. So you just have to push like you mean it. I should have someone shave it down, but I prefer that it stick rather than let cold air in underneath.”
    After a litany of rules and recommendations for the use and enjoyment of the house, Mrs. Munro handed over the keys. Before leaving, she said, “I left some sandwiches in the kitchen for you. I’m sure you’re hungry.”
    The girls thanked her for her kindness. Finally alone, they explored all the nooks and crannies while Rory watched them. “What do you think?” he said.
    Berta gave him a thumbs-up as she opened drawers in the kitchen.
    “It’s perfect,” added Rebecca. “And Mrs. Munro is very nice.”
    “Did you notice how she pronounces her r’s? And vowels?” Berta said as she wiped her foggy glasses. “I can barely understand anything.”
    Lola looked affectionately at Rory. “You don’t talk like that.”
    “That’s because my mum is from Liverpool. But you’ll get used to the accent. I’ve known Mrs. Munro since I was born. She’s always been very nice, although she talks more than I like. She’s got two children who work in Glasgow.”
    “Do you live far from here?” asked Lola nonchalantly.
    “Not far; on the other side of High Street, on Fraser. Beauly’s a small place.”
    Lola beamed at him, and Rory turned red. Berta and Rebecca could see that it wasn’t his