Luke leant towards her his face etched with concern. ‘And is everything okay?’
‘Sorry, Luke,’ she said dismissively. ‘I feel bad as I was only meaning to drop the scones off. I didn’t mean to come over and offload like this.’
‘Not at all,’ he said, taking a sip of coffee. ‘I’m glad you’re telling me Rosie. That’s what I’m here for. Is everything alright with Ben?’
‘Yes, bless him. He came to tell me the news that his dad’s new woman is pregnant. My ex was supposed to tell me but, of course, didn’t and poor Ben has had to do his dirty work. I think Ben thought I would be devastated. That’s why he wanted to come home to see me.’
Luke clattered down his cup on the table. ‘Wow. That would have been a bit of a shock.’ He looked at her for a moment. ‘Yet you don’t look devastated,’ said Luke gently. ‘You look great. In fact, you look beautiful.’
She raised an eyebrow. ‘Maybe I’m in denial. But I actually feel fine,’ she said, catching her breath. ‘Honestly, I just think good luck to them. I don’t think he will know what has hit him when he’s up in the night and having to change nappies . . . he did none of that when Ben was a baby. So I think he’s in for a rude awakening.’
Luke chuckled. ‘Still, it would have been nice if he had told you himself. But it sounds like you have moved on emotionally. It’s not like you’re hanging out for him to come back?’
‘Not at all,’ she said firmly. ‘This summer has been good for me. It’s helped me move on and that’s all down to my friends.’ She shrugged. ‘Which includes you, Luke. Thank you.’ She leaned across and kissed him. ‘It’s been nice having you here for the summer. Despite the circumstances . . .’
‘I’ve enjoyed it too,’ said Luke with an honest shrug. ‘And thanks to you I have my book well and truly underway. And it’s been good having some space from London. It’s given me some perspective, too, about my marriage.’ He paused. ‘I called my brother on the drive up here.’
‘You did?’ said Rosie.
‘Yes. It cleared the air. I decided if he and my ex are happy then that’s all that matters and you have reminded me that I deserve to move on too.’
‘Well,’ said Rosie, reaching over to clink her coffee mug against Luke’s. ‘Here’s to moving on from our exes.’
‘Cheers,’ he said with a wry smile. ‘I really did . . . ’ his voice faltered and he groaned. ‘Sorry Rosie, I’m not so good at this. But I did really miss you when I was away.’
‘You did?’ she whispered.
Luke gazed at her. ‘Yes.’
‘Me too,’ she said softly. ‘I missed you too.’
‘I know Ben is back and he should be your priority . . . but I hope we can pick up from where we left off? That’s if you have some time?’
Rosie gave him a seductive look. ‘I’m sure we’ll be able to figure something out. I have a feeling Ben will haveotherplans while he is here rather than just hanging out with me.’ She glanced at her watch and quickly drained the rest of her coffee. ‘Speaking of which I will have to run. I said I would give him a lift round to Brodick. I won’t be long though,’ she said and gave him a wink.
He jumped to his feet. ‘Thanks for bringing the scones over. Which were delicious by the way. Another one from your mum’s recipe book?’
She nodded. ‘You remembered about the recipe book? Very smooth,’ she said teasingly. ‘Let’s catch up again soon. Maybe you could come over for dinner?’
He walked her to the door and kissed her on the cheek. ‘I’d love that,’ he said.
‘How about tonight?’
He answered by gathering her in his arms and kissing her. Then when he waved her off, he walked back into the cottage grinning from ear to ear.
Chapter Forty-Eight
It was Bella’s birthday and her mum and Ash had come back to Arran for the weekend to celebrate. Her gran had already called her first thing to wish her a happy birthday. She and Bill were in Edinburgh for the weekend to see theLadyboys of Bangkok.
‘I’m sorry I’m not there with you today,’ she said. ‘Bill didn’t realise the date when he booked the tickets. But I’ll come and see you soon, I promise. Sounds like you are going to have a nice time though with your mum and Rosie and Ash. Though tell him he owes me a visit. I haven’t seen the boy for years. And your mum said Ben is back too and you’re both getting on like a house on fire? That will be nice. He always was a lovely lad, too.’
Bella shuddered to think what her mum had said about her and Ben. Though to be fair, her and Rosie had been fairly well behaved even though they knew she and Ben were spending a lot of time together. She got the impression that her mum hadn’t yet told her gran the truth about Ash. Which was fine. She knew she would choose her moment.
‘Thanks, Gran. Er, I take it you know what you’re off to see then?’
‘Aye, it’s a cabaret show in a big top. There are wee tables that you sit at and you can get a glass of wine as well. You know how much I love a wee bit of cabaret music and nice glass of red. It should be a lovely afternoon.’
Bella winced. She wasn’t sure her gran knew what she’d signed up for. Bella didn’t want to throw Bill under the bus either. It was very possible that he didn’t know what he had booked either despite the clue being in the title of the show. ‘Well enjoy, Gran, and we’ll definitely get together soon.’
