Bella knew that the window of conversation was starting to close by the way her mum was now frantically fanning her face. ‘I better go and get ready and wash my face to cool it down. Feels like you could fry eggs on it.’ She kissed Bella on the top of her head as she walked past. ‘Enjoy your night with the girls.’
Bella stood for a moment, silent with her thoughts. Why couldn’t her mum just open up and tell her the truth about things? She had always told Bella that honesty was the best policy, yet she knew her mum was lying to her. She was starting to think her mum was quite the hypocrite. Even though Bellawould be turning twenty-five this summer, her mum seemed to insist on always treating her like a child. Especially as she had written most of what happened down in that travel journal. It hadn’t taken Bella long to piece things together. Even though she had been completely blindsided by it. She still couldn’t believe it. What she couldn’t understand was why her mum insisted on it all being such a huge secret? And it made her wonder what other secrets her mum had.
Chapter Five
The warm sunshine on Rosie’s face was so very welcome and felt like a gentle and loving caress on her cheeks. She sighed as she sat down on the wooden bench in the cottage garden and admired the sea view before her. The garden was bursting with colourful blooms which Rosie had uncovered under the tangle of weeds that had taken over the flower beds.
When they had moved to Creel Cottage permanently two years ago, she had been nervous about what she would find. She hadn’t visited the cottage since her parents had passed away the year before that and, although she had someone popping in regularly to check on it, she couldn’t help but feel guilty that she had neglected the little house which had belonged to her parents. Dermot always preferred to holiday abroad and if they did spend any time on Arran, he always went reluctantly and moaned that the village, Kildonan, which was on the southern tip of the island, was miles away from anywhere. Which was a slight exaggeration but the fact it was quiet had always been part of its appeal to Rosie. She loved the minute she got on the ferry and stood on the deck waiting to get closer to the island. It didn’t matter whether it was sunny, raining or misty; as soon as she could spot the rugged hills beyond the pier at Brodick, she felt like she was coming home. It was comforting to know that her parents had spent their happy retirement years in this house. It had been a sanctuary over the years, and she was so grateful she could now call it home.Especiallyafter what had happened with Dermot. Now that she thought about it, he never had been interested in making a life here on the island. He had always been a city boy.
Stretching her feet out in front of her, Rosie shook off any thoughts of Dermot. Sheknewshe no longer needed to think about him. She could do what she wanted now she was a freeagent. But she had been a wife and a mother for such a long time that it would take her some time to get used to the fact that she wasn’t needed—or wanted—anymore. She was on her own. Just at that moment, Coisty nudged his wet nose into her hand to remind her that wasn’t entirely true and that, also, if she was having a coffee then he needed his morning treat. She was so glad she had him. He had been such a loyal and faithful friend to her these past few months.
She had to keep reminding herself that it was still early days and only three months since Dermot had announced he was leaving her. Rosie had been longing to stay put and hide out in the cottage since then. But she couldn’t let her pupils down, especially those who had their final exams coming up. She had managed to dig very deep indeed and hold her head high and had just about managed to get through the summer term without crumbling. A couple of her close friends had helped her get through, especially her oldest friends, Isobel and Ash. But so many others, particularly those in the city that she had lost touch with, since the move anyway, had seemed to disappear off the radar or side with Dermot. She could feel her blood pressure rising as she thought about their encounter the other day when he had called and told her that an estate agent would be in touch about a valuation for Creel Cottage. It was just as well he’d been on the phone, rather than face-to-face, otherwise she would have gladly throttled him with his tie.
He was now shacked up with his younger lover in her city centre apartment and was keen toget things movingas they wanted to buy a house. Bully for them. He reminded her that he had beenpatientand hadn’t wanted to rush her but it was now time to think about the future and make a plan to sell and divide their assets, including the cottage and the flat, then split the proceeds so they could bothmove onwith their lives. He clearly didn’t get the irony in that he already hadmoved on. Itwasn’t as if Rosie had any ties to the Edinburgh flat. As far as she was concerned, he could keep it. But who did he think he was to announce that he thought they should sell Creel Cottage? What right did he have? Especially when it wasn’t somewhere he even liked. He was so flippant and business-like about it all. It was as though their marriage hadn’t mattered to him one little jot. She had curtly told him that he could deal with her lawyer directly and then she had ended the call.How had she ended up being married to such a numpty?
When she had broken the news to Ben — because Dermot kept avoiding the issue, despite promises to tell their son about the divorceandhis affair — he had insisted that he would come home. But Rosie had made him promise not to change his plans. ‘Your life has to go on,’ she said to him on a teary FaceTime call. ‘These things happen, love, and you won’t be the first of your friends to have parents who split up.’ She had managed to keephertears at bay; the last thing she wanted to do was upset him even more and have him worry about her. But her son had always been sensitive and emotional. He had never been afraid to shed tears but it had been even more heartbreaking to bear as she couldn’t console him in person. As the weeks had gone on, though, he had bounced back and was full of excitement as he told her about the next part of his travel plan which was to spend a month in Bali. Strangely enough, these plans didn’t seem to include Mabel and, when Rosie had questioned him, he was vague saying that it was easier being single. She wholeheartedly agreed.
Now, as she finished the dregs of her coffee, she smiled. She may not be on an exotic island on the other side of the world but this little spot in Kildonan was just as good. There were beautiful beaches, the sky was currently blue, and the sun was shining. Being here would give her the perfect chance to heal her wounds and think about whatshewanted going forward. Glancing at herwatch, she realised it would soon be time to get ready to collect Isobel from the terminal. For the first time in weeks, Rosie felt something that resembled excitement. Her friends were exactly what she needed to help her move on.
Chapter Six
A few hours later, Rosie hopped around anxiously as she tried to spot Isobel with all the other foot passengers coming down the stairs and out of the terminal building.
‘Rosie!’ hollered Isobel, grinning and waving madly at her as she spotted her friend. She hauled her bag on wheels behind her.
‘It issogood to see you,’ said Rosie, throwing her arms around Isobel and hugging her tightly. She held her back at arm’s length and studied her. ‘I can’t believe you are actually here.’
‘Well, you’d better believe it,’ Isobel replied, laughing. ‘I am here, and I can’t wait for the holiday to begin. Here, my bag weighs an absolute ton. It’s all the plonk I’ve brought. Give me a hand, will you, and take my handbag? Jeezo, I feel as though I’ve spent the whole day doing a million Body Pump classes, lugging these bags around.’
‘Of course,’ said Rosie, reaching over to take the huge handbag from Isobel, wincing at the weight of it. ‘Are you sure there’s not bricks in here?’
‘Nope. Just an extra bottle of Prosecco,’ she said with a wicked grin. ‘There was only so much I could fit in my wee case.’
‘Come on. The car’s over here,’ said Rosie, pointing to the car park.
‘Oh, it’s good to be back,’ said Isobel, looking around. ‘What is it about this place? Whenever I get here, I just feel immediately at home.’
Rosie knew exactly what she meant. Even though the island was now her home, it had always had something magical about it. No wonder it was so popular with tourists.
‘It was a shame we didn’t get to see you last year when we were over at the Highland Games. That was a great weekend,’ said Isobel.
Rosie nodded. ‘Yes, it usually is. And to think I was away celebrating my wedding anniversary and now look at me . . .’
Isobel reached over and gripped her hand. ‘Yes, Rosie. Look at you. Independent and beautiful and kind and well shot of that useless dick.’
Rosie couldn’t help but laugh. Isobel was always so feisty and outspoken. She was a breath of fresh air. ‘Come on, in you get,’ she said to Isobel as she pressed her key and unlocked the car. Opening the boot, she took her friend’s small case and lifted it in with a wince. ‘Jings, I see what you mean! Is it full of cement?’ She pointed to the passenger door. ‘Come on, let’s get going. I thought I would start the tour now and take you for a coffee and cake in Lamlash.’
‘Ooh, now you’re talking,’ said Isobel. ‘Is it the place that sounds like cake and I can never remember what it’sactuallycalled?’
‘Aye. It’s called Cèic.’
‘That’s it. That’s the place my mum has been raving about,’ said Isobel. ‘She went there when she visited Beth last year and has been talking about the cakes ever since.’
Beth was a reporter on the local newspaper and Rosie knew her from the work she had been doing at the school. She had been helping the kids set up their own newspaper and had been a bit of a hit with them all. Isobel had previously filled Rosie in on the fledgling romance between her mum and Beth’s dad.
‘How is your mum doing?’ asked Rosie as she started the ignition and pulled out the parking bay. ‘I can’t believe that every time she’s been here lately, I haven’t.’ Rosie had been away doing some Christmas shopping in Edinburgh that weekend.
Isobel raised an eyebrow. ‘Very well indeed. Loving her new flat. In fact, it is near impossible to get her in. She’s always out and about and living the highlife.’
