Isobel smiled. ‘What a lovely woman.’
Rosie nodded. ‘She is. She’s the type of woman who knows everyone and everything but is very discreet.’
‘Ooh,’ said Isobel. ‘Does she know everyone’s secrets?’
‘I’m sure she does,’ said Rosie. ‘But she’s far too kind to gossip.’
‘Well, I had no idea what to choose in there,’ said Isobel, changing the conversation. ‘Oh, my gawd! I could have eaten everything. I had to ask for some help as I couldn’t decide.’
‘What did you get in the end then?’
She smacked her lips. ‘A slice of chocolate cake and a piece of salted caramel traybake. I thought we could share. Though I also had my eye on the carrot cake and the coffee cake. Oh, and the banana bread. I really think we’ll need to come back.’
Rosie laughed. ‘We can do that. That’s what holidays are for.’ Just then the owner, Cano, arrived at the table.
‘Here you go,’ he said, placing down the tray and taking the cakes and drinks off and putting them next to the women.
‘Thank you so much, Cano,’ said Rosie, smiling at him.
‘You are welcome. It is nice to see you. It’s been a while.’
Rosie shrugged. ‘I know. But now it’s the holidays I am sure you will see a lot more of me.’
‘I hope so. Enjoy,’ he said with another smile and then moved to the next table to clear it.
‘This is bliss,’ said Isobel, stirring her coffee with a teaspoon and gazing at the still water ahead. ‘It’s so nice to sit down and not have to rush about anywhere. And eat cake.’
Rosie then watched Isobel as she took her knife and cut up the cakes before handing Rosie a napkin.
‘Dig in,’ said Isobel.
Rosie smiled fondly at her friend who still had her youthful looks and figure even though she was now in her fifties. Rosie was convinced Isobel had hollow legs as she had the appetite of a teenage boy yet never seemed to gain an ounce.
‘I should have brought my suntan lotion with me,’ said Isobel, shielding her eyes from the sun. ‘Though, do you think putting on the suntan lotion is wishful thinking? You know as soon as I do, it will probably cloud over and start pishing down.’
Rosie laughed and dug her fork into the cake.
‘So,’ said Isobel, eyeing her friend critically. ‘Penny for them?’
‘What do you mean?’ asked Rosie, trying to be flippant.
‘How are you doing? I mean, how are you doingreally?’
Rosie thought she had done an okay job of putting on a brave face these past months, but now she was with her old friend, she could feel her face crumple. ‘Erm, just, you know, trying to get on with things . . .’ She felt her bottom lip wobble slightly and shook her head. ‘Don’t be nice to me as you’ll just make me cry. I am okay, it’s just because you’re here and you’re asking that I’m starting to get upset.’
Isobel regarded her carefully. ‘Okay. Well, if you want my opinion, you’re well shot of him. I always thought he was punching well above his weight . . . Rosie, you are a goddess.’
Rosie felt her cheeks redden. ‘Away you go,’ she said, embarrassed.
‘You are beautiful inside and out, Rosie. Don’t you forget it. And you’ve always been really rubbish at accepting compliments.’
‘The cake’s nice, isn’t it?’ said Rosie, desperate to change the subject.
‘Delish. But the traybake is even nicer. And stop trying to change the subject. I know you, Rosie. What you need is a steamy fling with some island hunk.’ Isobel glanced around the café. ‘I don’t see any here right now but worry not, my friend, I will be on the lookout for you while I’m here.’
Rosie groaned. ‘Tell me about you. What’s going on in your world, Isobel? For all I know you’ve got a man back in Glasgow?’
Isobel stared at her open-mouthed. ‘As if. I may be single, Rosie, but I am definitely not keen to mingle.’
