‘Can you call me an Uber or a Bolt?’
To his astonishment, Isobel burst out laughing and Rosie then joined in. Soon Bella was also chuckling with amusement.
‘Did I say something funny?’ he said drily, at a loss as to why his question was so amusing.
‘Oh dear,’ said Rosie. ‘You can maybe get an Uber in Glasgow or Edinburgh. But you’re on a Scottish island now. You’ve absolutely no chance. You can’t even get Deliveroo. And, just so you know, there’s no Amazon Prime delivery either.’
‘Ah, right,’ he said, feeling foolish. He was too used to the conveniences of life in a big city. ‘I’m clearly too much of a city boy.’ He shook his head.
‘Your best bet is the local bus . . . or taxi,’ said Rosie, kindly. ‘But I don’t fancy your chances tonight . . . however, if you don’t mind my old banger, I can give you a lift there. Where is the cottage you’ve rented?’
At that moment he didn’t care if he had to ride as a pillion passenger on her motorbike. He just wanted to get out of there and leave the women in peace to talk. ‘If you’re sure,’ he said, ‘then I would very much appreciate that. It’s in Kilmory.’
‘But Rosie, you and mum have been drinking. You can’t drive if you’ve been on the booze.’ Bella pointed outside to the ice bucket and glasses.
Rosie shook her head. ‘We only had a couple of sips. So, it’s fine, I am completely sober. No worries at all, Luke. I can drive you. That is as long as you don’t mind my choices in music. I’m really getting back into New Kids on the Block. They’ve got a new album out and they’re doing a tour and have got a residency in Las Vegas.Andthey’re all well into their fifties and lookingverygood indeed.’
‘Ouch,’ said Isobel, ‘just ignore her. She clearly was never a loyal fan if she can switch allegiances just like that.’
‘Honestly, Rosie,’ said Bella, who was now at least laughing even if it was in embarrassment.
Luke wasn’t sure if it was a personal dig, but he decided to ignore her comments about the New Kids on the Block, the American boyband who were, like the GFC, huge in the nineties. He would havelovedto have done another album and a tour with the band, but his brother had put paid to that by shacking up with Cindy. Maybe he would write about it in his book.
‘I’ll promise to be on my best behaviour,’ said Rosie, rolling her eyes. ‘Honestly. I won’t even sing along. Come on, let’s get you organised.’
He caught Isobel shaking her head before she and Bella walked out to the car to transfer his stuff to Rosie’s boot. He reached over and gave Bella a hug and kissed her on both cheeks. ‘Look, I am sorry that this didn’t work out as we hoped. But it will all be okay. Your mum seems really sound. Don’t fall out with her about this. It’s not worth it. Just trust that whatever she has done, she has done it for you.’ He reached out to touch her gently on the cheek. Before he changed his mind, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a card which had his details on it. ‘Just in case you want to get in touch, I’ll be here for the next few weeks.’
Bella smiled gratefully. ‘Thank you,’ she said.
He bent down to pat Coisty who had come to find out what was going on. Rosie had started the ignition of her car and the music was loud with the song ‘Kids’ blaring out. She revved her foot against the accelerator.
Luke raised his eyes and laughed. ‘Oh dear, wish me luck.’
‘Yes, good luck with Rosie,’ said Isobel. ‘You will need it.’ She put a hand on his arm. ‘And thanks for looking after Bella. I’m sorry I jumped to the wrong conclusion.’
Luke looked over at Bella and then back to Isobel. ‘You’ve done an amazing job raising her. She’s a real tribute to you. You should be very proud of her. I know I would be if shewasmy daughter.’
Isobel blushed.
Luke gave them a wave, then opened the passenger door. ‘Thanks for doing this,’ he said to Rosie. ‘I appreciate it.’
‘It’s all a bit surreal to say the least,’ said Rosie. ‘Let’s just say that I’m doing it for old time’s sake. Now, where did you say it is you’re staying?’ She reversed out the gravel drive and begandriving down the narrow road which would take them back to the village.
Luke pulled out his phone and checked the directions. Then he groaned and looked up sheepishly. ‘Um, the thing is the cottage is actually here in Kildonan not Kilmory. Sorry.’
‘That’s okay,’ she said with a shrug. ‘That should make it quite a simple drop off then. What’s the name of the cottage?’
‘Beach Cottage.’
‘Are you actually having a laugh?’ she said in shock.
‘What do you mean?’
‘Wait and see,’ said Rosie. She turned the car and drove back towards the direction they had just come from.
He was confused. They had just come that way. Then he started laughing as he noticed the sign on the door.
‘There it is,’ he said, pointing at the beautiful traditional stone cottage which was on the single-track road with no through road which made it even more idyllic than he thought. The door had a slate sign on it with the words, Beach Cottage, etched onto it. Then he looked at the road and realised that the other cottage a bit further down wasCreel Cottage. ‘Ah,’ he said, when he realised it was the house next door to Rosie’s.
