Luke shrugged. ‘I have everything that I need here.’ He gestured to the back of the car. ‘Don’t worry about that. I am in no rush to go anywhere. In fact, I have a confession to make.’ He watched as she looked at him quizzically. ‘When we were on the ferry and I was outside on the deck, I made a couple of calls, booked a place to stay. I’m going to stay on here for a bit.Regardlessof what your mum says . . . I’ve got some work to do and could do with hiding out somewhere quiet for a while where I won’t be disturbed. I’m not in any rush to go back to London and I’ve managed to get a cottage to rent here.’
‘Oh, okay. I wasn’t expecting that but well, why not, I suppose,’ said Bella, starting the ignition. ‘Especially if you don’t have to be anywhere. That’s a nice position to be in.’ She indicated left out of the car park and followed the road that would take them over to Lamlash and to the south of the island towards Kildonan. ‘I was supposed to be camping with friends this weekend. That’s why Mum is even more freaked out.’
Luke pursed his lips. ‘Parentsalwaysjump to these conclusions. It’s just what happens. It’s the way we’re wired. I think it’s a design flaw. We always worry. It doesn’t matter how old you are.’
She glanced sideways at him. ‘Do you worry about your boys?’
He had told her earlier about his sons and explained that they were away travelling. ‘Of course I do, though my ex probably worries about them more. She had an awful time with empty nest syndrome when they both left home. She just didn’t know what to do with herself . . . she became quite lost . . . ’ his voice trailed off. Cindy soon found herself again thoughandsomeone else to focus her attentions on and it wasn’t him. He blinked. He really needed to try and get over this.
‘Earth to Luke,’ said Bella.
‘Oops, sorry,’ said Luke, realising he had got lost in his own thoughts. ‘Do I worry? Yes, I do, though I think it’s probably a bit different with sons. It shouldn’t be, but it is,’ he added hastily. ‘If I had a daughter then I think I would worry a whole lot more.’ His words hung there, layered with uncertainties.Ifhe had a daughter. Maybe he did.
As Bella drove down the hill towards Lamlash, Luke admired the view of the Holy Isle and kept his eyes glued to the window as he took in the still blue waters of Lamlash Bay. ‘Wow, what a beautiful spot,’ he said quietly. It looked so tranquil and, despite the cause of the trip over here, he also felt a sense of peace descend over him which he never felt in London, despite his many attempts at meditation. Staring at the water made him realise how parched he was. ‘Do you mind stopping so I can just nip in there to grab some water?’ He pointed at the Co-op ahead.
‘Sure,’ said Bella, her voice shaking. ‘That will give me a chance to mentally prepare.’
‘Can I get you anything?’ he asked kindly.
She shook her head. ‘No thanks.’
‘I’ll just be a few minutes.’ He unclipped his seatbelt and got out the car, walking briskly across the road. As Luke entered the store, he headed straight to the chiller section and reached for a small bottle of water. Turning, he collided with a customer who had her head down as she studied her list. ‘I’m so sorry,’ he said immediately, checking that she was okay. Usually people would give him a second glance when they realised they recognised him from somewhere and would stare at him while they tried to place his face. However, the woman walked on, oblivious. Luke was thrilled that he was seemingly invisible. As he got older, he much preferred keeping a low profile and staying under theradar. It was a change from his younger days when he had loved all the attention. And he wasn’t too proud to admit that he had developed quite the ego when he was younger.
Staring at the bottle of water in his hand, he realised it might be a good idea to grab a few other provisions to keep him going. He quickly found a loaf of bread, some cheese, a box of eggs and some bananas. It was a random assortment of things but he was aware that Bella was waiting in the car and at this rate would think he had done a runner. The sooner they saw her mum and cleared all of this up, the better. He momentarily wondered how long it would take to get from where Bella’s mum was, to the holiday cottage he’d booked. Hopefully he could call an Uber to take him. He paid for the groceries, carefully bagged them in a bright blue bag for life, and walked out of the shop towards Bella, who was waiting in the car.
Chapter Fifteen
There was a loud rap at the door of Creel Cottage. Isobel had been pacing around, frantic with worry ever since Bella had phoned, and Rosie had been doing her best to calm her down. ‘Let’s just wait until she gets here and she can tell us what’s going on,’ she had said soothingly, in a bid to placate Isobel. ‘There’s no point in jumping to conclusions.’ But her words had been in vain, which she knew would be the case. Isobel had always been the type of person to catastrophise and had become increasingly frantic as the minutes passed. She ran to the door and flung it wide open.
Rosie held herself back, wanting to give them some space. From where she was standing in the hallway, she could see a white-faced Bella. Isobel threw her arms around her daughter. ‘Bella!’ she shrieked. ‘What’s wrong? You’re worrying me. Come in and tell me what on earth is going on.’
‘Mum . . .’ Bella’s voice trailed away and she pointed at a man who came to stand beside her on the doorstep.
‘Who’s this?’ asked Isobel suspiciously.
Rosie hadn’t even realised Bella had company. Oh dear. This did not bode well.
‘Mum, this is Luke.’
Rosie wished she had her glasses on so she could see properly. From where she was standing, she could see a man who was around the same age as her and Isobel and was wearing chinos and a navy polo-shirt. He definitely fell into the good-looking category. He stepped forward to shake Isobel’s hand. If only she could get a better look.
‘Hello there, Isobel,’ he said. ‘I’m Luke. Nice to meet you. Bella has told me so much about you.’
Rosie clocked his London accent. He sounded very confident. But she was so frustrated that she couldn’t make outhis features. It was no use; she needed to go and get her glasses. With as much stealth as she could manage, she crept into the kitchen. She could still hear them talking and she paused when she heard Isobel’s voice rise an octave.
‘What’s going on, Bella?’ Isobel said slowly, clearly trying her best to keep her voice as even as possible. ‘Who is this?’
‘It’s probably better that we talk inside,’ said Bella.
‘Come in,’ said Isobel loudly.
Rosie heard the door close and footsteps go down the hall and into the living room. She heard Bella ask very loudly and clearly, ‘Where is Rosie?’ She knew Bella would be hoping that she would take her side and smooth things over like she always did when she and Ben were younger. Just then Coisty ran out the kitchen, barking and wagging his tail. Rosie knew within seconds he would probably be sitting on the man’s feet and gazing up at him. He was a shameless flirt with both sexes. Rosie put her ear to the kitchen door that opened through to the living room.
‘Look, why don’t you take a seat,’ said Isobel.
‘Is Rosie here?’ said Bella again, sounding nervous.
‘Yes. She just must have nipped to the loo.’
