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I’m behind the hotel’s reception desk, looking through the calendar—checking what room bookings are coming up—and glancing through some emails. I’m basically trying to familiarise myself with the business of running a small hotel in the Highlands.

It’s been two days since the subject of helping out came up. Ally and Aidan are away on another planning day for their business, so Lewis wondered if I’d be able to cover reception for an hour or two, and I said yes. Until Ally makes a final decision about the function room, there’s not much to do in terms of event planning—my area of expertise—but I’m happy to dip my toe into the hotel’s day-to-day operations.

It’s been quiet so far, but I have checked in one couple—I enjoyed welcoming them to Bannock—and I also talked some other guests through local lunch options.

Just now, the front door opens, and two young women enter, each pulling a small suitcase behind them. I give them my warmest smile but in return am met by curious looks. One of the arrivals is curvy with a messy blonde bun, glasses, and a rather eccentric cat sweater. The other has long auburn hair, pleated and lying across one shoulder, and a cute freckled nose with a small shiny stud.

I recognise this second woman. I’ve seen photos of her in Ally’s room, and I also met her once long ago, when I was thirteen and she was, what . . . five? This is Ally’s little sister.

“Cat?” I say.

She gives me a friendly but puzzled smile. “Hi! Er, I hope you don’t mind me asking, but who are you?”

“I’m Emily. Welcome back to Bannock!” I come out from behind the desk and give her a hug.

“Oh, er, thanks?”

“I’m helping out around the hotel,” I offer by way of explanation.

“She’s also shagging Ally,” Jamie adds, wandering in from the snug.

“What?” Cat’s eyes bulge, and a huge grin lights up her face. “No way! You’ve tamed Ally? That’s brilliant!”

My cheeks burn, and I give Jamie the best scowl I can manage, but he just winks at me then hugs Cat.

“Hey, sis.”

“Jamie! I see you’ve not lost your touch, given the glare Emily’s giving you.”

“I, er . . .” I mumble. I’m honestly not sure what to say. I don’t want her to think I can’t take a joke, but at the same time . . .

Before I manage to say anything coherent, Jamie turns to the girl with the cat jumper.

“Iona!” He hugs her too. “It’s good to see you. Lewis’s Iona-sense must be playing up. I thought he’d have come running as soon as you got here.”

With comical timing, it’s at this moment Lewis calls, “Is that the girls back?” There’s then a thunder of footsteps as he races downstairs like a little boy on Christmas morning, hurrying to tear open his presents.

I’ve heard, of course, that Lewis has a thing for Aidan’s sister, Iona, but he has the good grace to greet his own sister first.

“Cat! You’re back!” He gives her a tight hug. “Nose metal! That’s new. I like it!”

“It suits me, right?” Cat models her nose stud with various poses.

“Aye, it’s cool,” Lewis confirms, but his gaze is already drifting to the other new arrival. “It’s great to see you, Iona!” He gives her a hug as well, but something about it looks awkward.

“And you, Lewis.” Iona disentangles herself from the embrace a little too quickly.

“Well, that was an underwhelming reunion of childhood sweethearts,” Jamie comments, which earns him a thump on the arm from Lewis.

“Jamie!” Lewis warns.

With a wink at me, Jamie asks, “Have you introduced yourself to Iona yet?”

“Er, no, not yet.” I take this opportunity to give her a hug. “In case you missed it, I’m Emily. I’ve heard about you, Iona, so it’s nice to put a face to the name.”

“And it’s nice to meet you! Maw mentioned Ally had started seeing a pretty English lass.”

Cat turns to Iona, aghast. “And you didn’t think to mention that to me? Even though we’re flatmates and see each other every day? I don’t get any gossip from the boys, so I rely on you to keep me in the loop about what’s going on back home. I can’t believe my biggest brother has been seeing a girl and I’m the only one who didn’t know about it!”