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“The thing is . . . Robbie and his motorcycle are famous around town. He’s always driving too fast and overtaking at blind corners. A lot of people grumble about him and his bike—always have done. My da, though . . . he was such a careful driver. Aye, the weather was bad that night, but I never thought that was enough to explain why his car just came off the road and hit a tree.”

“Oh,” I say. I think I know where this is going.

“Aye.” Ally nods. “Looking back, it’s clear I struggled to accept that Maw and Da were gone. In my head, I needed someone to blame. Since Robbie and I never got on, and since he was the first to come across the crash, I questioned whether he really came across it—or whether he was, in fact, responsible for it. What if Da swerved to avoid Robbie’s bike?

“Jamie was in the back, but he doesn’t remember the collision at all, which apparently isn’t uncommon. And there was no dashcam footage, nor any witnesses. According to the police, it was a tragic accident, but I couldn’t shake my suspicion that Robbie was involved somehow, even though I’d nothing concrete to base that suspicion on. I told Aidan and Lewis what was on my mind, but they shut me down straight away, telling me I was just angry. No one was to blame, they said.

“And so that was that. I threw myself into the running of the hotel—I had to, it was thrust upon me—and I’ve not stopped now for five years. I work seven days a week, and I’ve been so busy I’ve never taken the time to properly come to terms with Maw and Da’s passing. And that suspicion about Robbie . . . it turns out I’ve never let it go. I’ve just been going through my life, ignoring these major things I should have been addressing.

“I did a lot of thinking last night and this morning, though, and I’ve realised it’s time I let myself move on. It took this opportunity to work with the resort for me to realise that.”

I run my fingertips over the back of Ally’s hand, proud of this big, gruff Highlander for opening his heart and showing a bit of vulnerability. “This is a really big step, Ally. Well done. Any time you want to chat about anything, I’m here for you. You know that, right?”

“Aye, lass. Thanks.”

“And . . . I don’t know if you’ve ever seen a counsellor before, but they can be great too, if that’s something you’d consider. They can really help you understand your feelings and thought processes.”

“Aye, I think you’re right. I’ve been burying this stuff for too long—it’d be good to talk over it with a professional. Thanks, Emily, both for listening and also . . . well, for everything. If Aidan had suggested going into business with the resort a month ago, it’d have been a flat-out no from me. I wouldn’t even have considered it. Since you came back to Bannock, though . . . I feel like I’m changing, for the better.”

My heart flutters at hearing this. I came to Bannock to heal myself. That first night in the hotel, I thought Ally was just a surly grump, but it turns out he has healing to do too. We’re each helping the other get over our struggles.

It’s not the time to mention that earlier today I stepped out onto a road without looking and was almost hit by Robbie’s motorcycle. Had we collided, it would have definitely been my fault, and in fact, it was only thanks to Robbie and his quick reactions that he avoided me. When he confronted me afterwards, he mentioned he’d seen a bad accident once before and had no wish to see another. I know now what accident he was referring to. I wonder if that night left Robbie with mental scars too, just as it did Ally.

“Shit,” Ally says, glancing at a clock on the wall. “You were saying something earlier about going to Inverness with Grace and David. Was that this afternoon? I better call Jamie and get you back.”

“I’ve had a little too much whisky for a day trip,” I admit. “Inverness can wait. Besides, there’s something I’d like you to do for me at the hotel.”

“Anything! If it’s in my power, I’ll do it.”

“Well, yesterday, Lewis bust a gut over that report, but you’ve still not looked at it. Opening yourself up to the possibility of working with the resort has been a positive experience, right? Maybe opening yourself up to Lewis’s suggestions could be positive too. Do me a favour and read it. Please!”

He winks at me then knocks back the last of his whisky. “Aye, all right. I’ll read it. Finish up, and let’s get going!”

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

ALLY

Back at the hotel, I sit in a comfy seat in the snug with a coffee and Lewis’s report. He’s switched places with Jamie and is manning the otherwise empty bar, staying nearby in case I have questions. For now, he’s got his mouth shut, giving me time to read through what he’s written.

Despite the whiskies I drank at the distillery, I feel surprisingly clear-headed. That conversation with Emily was therapeutic. The thoughts and suspicions I shared with her had been lurking in the back of my mind for so long. Now I’ve finally voiced them out loud, the relief is extraordinary. I feel free.

In return, all Emily asked me to do was read Lewis’s report, so that’s what I’m doing. To be fair to him, or maybe to Emily, it’s pretty professional-looking. A lot of these ideas are things he’s been harping on at me about forever, but it’s helpful to see everything in black and white in an easy-to-follow format.

What I’m struggling with, though, is the figures. The report is basically a long list of things Lewis wants us to spend money on.

Replace the downstairs carpets with wooden flooring. Redecorate all rooms. Buy new bedding—Egyptian cotton with a high thread count. Put a coffee-pod machine and mini fridge in each room and offer guests fresh milk . . .

And of course, he wants us to finish the function room. That alone will cost a pretty penny.

“Lewis, mate?” I glance over at him. “I’m loving your ambition, but where do you think we’re going to get the money for all this stuff?”

Lewis frowns and scratches behind his ear. “Could you do me a favour? Could you read to the end before passing judgement?”

“Aye, all right.”

I do as Lewis asks and read on. It’s not till I get to the income-projections section that I sit up and take more interest. I was wrong: Lewis’s report isn’t all about spending money. He’s thought about the other side of things too. There’s a particular figure that attracts my attention, but there’s no way it could be right.

I call Lewis over and point to it. “Where’d that number come from?”