Isobel shook her head. ‘You didn’t ever let Bella down, Ash. It was such a difficult position to be in and it was my idea to keep it between the three of us. If your parents had found out, the pressure on you and the fall out for not coming back to us would have been awful.’
Ash grimaced. ‘I was never able to tell them I was gay. So, you see, all of that meant that I couldn’t be a proper dad to you. Not in any kind of conventional way. But I promised Isobel that I would always be part of your life. No matter what. I vowed that I would be an amazing uncle and I would help support you. Always and no matter what. And as soon as I saw you, I fell in love, Bella. And that hasn’t changed and never will. I love you from the bottom of my heart and I am so proud to be your dad. I’m just so sorry that you are hearing all of this now. We thought we were doing the right thing.’
Rosie felt the tears slide down her face, as she watched the emotional scene unfold in front of her. She had never seen Ash speak so tenderly or sincerely to anyone. He had always been kind and caring, and lots of fun, but never as openly emotional as this. She watched as Bella’s face crumpled and she dissolved in tears. Then Ash moved to the sofa beside her and he and Isobel held her tightly while they all cried. Rosie stifled her tears as much as she could and then buried her face in Coisty’s curls.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Luke was up early and walking along the beach, lost in his thoughts. He knew Rosie was aware something had happened as his mood had been sombre after taking the call from his agent, Linda, at the café in Lamlash yesterday. In a way he was grateful for the sudden rainfall as it meant they could get back to Kildonan and he could lock himself away again, claiming he had to write. And that had been true. He had written a heartfelt tribute to Linda and was planning to dedicate his book to her. If it hadn’t been for her tenacious attitude, she wouldn’t have got him the book deal in the first place. He had a lot to thank her for.
Although yesterday’s rain had passed and the sun had come out again, the morning air was cool and he inhaled huge gulps of it. He wanted to make the most of the seaweed infused air while he could. Before too long, he would be back in congested London which he was not looking forward to in the slightest. He narrowed his eyes as he saw a woman walking towards him and then realised that it was Bella. ‘You’re up early,’ he said to her and smiled warmly. He had grown fond of her these past few weeks.
‘I couldn’t sleep,’ she said with a shiver.
‘Ah, you must be back for the big reunion then?’ said Luke, now realising why she was in Kildonan this morning and not Brodick. It was then Luke noticed how pale she looked and the dark circles beneath her eyes. She seemed exhausted and when she shivered again, he immediately took off his jacket and handed it to her. ‘Here, put that on. It’s not as warm as it looks, is it?’
She gingerly took it from him. ‘Are you sure?’
‘Of course. I’ve got lots of layers on,’ he said, ‘you need it more than me. It’s not quite t-shirt weather, is it?’
Bella pulled on his jacket and zipped it up to her neck. ‘Nope.’
‘Do you mind if I walk with you?’ he said.
She shrugged. ‘Sure.’
Luke frowned as they walked side by side. He kept giving her sideways glances expecting her to say something, but it was as though she had lost the power of speech. ‘Any reason you couldn’t sleep?’ he asked gently.
Bella didn’t answer immediately. But he knew if he walked with the silence for a few moments then she may start to talk. He could see her chewing her top lip as she thought about it and Luke just kept walking alongside her. The sound of the waves lapping the pebbles was mesmerising and a few minutes had passed before she started to speak.
‘Man trouble,’ she said slowly.
‘Ah, okay,’ said Luke, desperately wondering what he could say that might be of help.
‘I found out who my dad is last night . . . ’ she said quietly.
‘Oh,’ said Luke, trying to keep his voice level. ‘That must have been a shock?’
She nodded. ‘I still can’t believe that my mum kept it such a secret for so long . . . although I can now understand why. It kind of blew my mind.’
‘Mm,’ said Luke non-committedly. ‘And how do you feel now you know the truth?’
She shrugged and then stopped to pick up a pebble. Luke stayed by her side and watched the seals basking on the rocks. ‘Aren’t they incredible?’ said Luke, when he realised she hadn’t answered.
‘Mm,’ she murmured, before dropping the stone back onto the beach. ‘I don’t really know. I’m probably still in a bit of a daze. At first, I thought it was you, but it wasn’t, and now . . .it was just a bit unexpected,’ she said. ‘Though it also kind of makes sense.’
Luke nodded. ‘And does knowing who it is change things for you?’
‘I don’t think so,’ she said as she started walking again. ‘I mean, they both explained why they had agreed to keep it a secret. It was all a bit complicated back then. I get why it was all kept hush-hush.’
Luke didn’t want to probe by asking whotheywere but he assumed Rosie and Ash were also part of the secret given that they were all together last night. Instead of asking her more questions, he just stayed silent and they kept walking a circular route which eventually took them back to the cottages.
‘How about a cuppa?’ said Luke, pointing at Beach Cottage. ‘You look like you could do with warming up a bit.’
Bella didn’t need any persuasion and she followed Luke inside the house, kicking her shoes off by the door. He led her to the living room where she sat on the chair by the window and curled her legs up underneath her.
‘I’ll just put the kettle on,’ he said, and passed her a throw which she tucked around her legs. In the kitchen, he quickly sent Rosie a text to let her know Bella was with him in case they were about to send out a search party. His mobile buzzed immediately and he looked at it to read her reply.
Thanks Luke. Yes, there was a panic when we realised she was gone. We were about to go and look for her. Sorry to drag you into this. I hope she is okay. And you too.
