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“Oh! Why did you decide to move here?” I ask with interest.

“Ah, I moved up for my Sheena, the love of my life.” His eyes crinkle. “She’s no longer with us, but I wouldn’t be anywhere else. Bannock is home now, and I’ll be here until the day I die. I’ve too many friends in the town to move away, and of course I’ve got Pepper here to keep me company too.”

At this, Pepper wolf-whistles, resulting in yet more laughter.

We order some coffees and cakes from Tom then sit at a table near Pepper’s cage. There’s only one other customer in the shop, a middle-aged woman in the corner with a mug cradled in her hands. She’s engrossed in something she’s reading.

As Tom works the coffee machine, I give David’s hand an apologetic squeeze.

“I’m so sorry, I’ve not asked how your date went last night. How did you and Johnny get on?”

“I really enjoyed myself!” David enthuses. “We went to the Pheasant, and Johnny was even better-looking in person than in his profile picture. I’ve never experienced that before. I was intimidated when I saw him—another first for me—but although he’s gorgeous, he was shy at the start. He’s quieter than I’m used to, but once he came out of his shell, we had a great time.”

“Quiet” is a word I’m confident has never been used to describe David. He’s fabulous, loud, and proud, and we all know it.

“Anyway,” David whispers conspiratorially, “in my experience, the quiet ones make the most noise in the bedroom.”

“David!” Grace reaches across the table and swats her brother’s arm. “Too much information!”

David grins, not ashamed in the slightest. “Grace and I aren’t here for long, but I’d be up for meeting him again, if he’s willing. He works at the resort, so Ally and Aidan might bump into him while they’re there.”

Tom serves us our drinks and cakes, and we take our time over them, the conversation turning to other things. We’re almost done when the woman in the corner gets up to pay. As she’s passing our table to leave, she stops in her tracks.

“I know you!” she says, looking at me.

I smile. “That’s right, I’m the month-long guest at the Bannock Hotel.”

“That’s not how I know you.”

“Ah. I’m also the woman who did a bit of Highland dancing in the Pheasant. I had a little too much to drink that night!”

“That’s not it either.” She pulls a magazine out of her handbag and waves it in front of my eyes. “You’re the wedding planner who was jilted on her big day. I was just reading all about you!”

My world drops out from under me. With coffee and cake and the companionship of friends, I was beginning to feel better about myself. Now, though, my legs and arms tremble.

Is this something I’ll need to get used to? Strangers recognising me for my moment of shame and humiliation?

Grace places a hand on my shoulder, but I’m not sure I can hold back the tears. Am I going to cry right here in a coffee shop, in front of a woman I don’t know?

“I . . . I . . .”

I can’t get any other words out, but that doesn’t matter because the woman isn’t finished.

“What an absolute arse your fiancé was! Better off without him, eh? Coffee and cake is a very good idea. You take care of yourself, lass, you hear me?” She squeezes my arm then leaves.

Grace takes my hand. “Are you okay?” Her voice is full of concern.

I blink. “Yes, I . . . I am.” Tears had been welling up, but they’re gone now. “She said it perfectly, didn’t she? Harry is an arse.”

“I couldn’t have put it better myself,” Grace agrees.

David nods his approval.

Feeling a new sense of determination, I say, “Well, I’m not going to let his actions define me or cause me any more upset than they already have. I’m moving on with my life!”

David grins. “Go, Emily!”

Grace squeezes my hands.