Logan sighed. His sisters would have an absolute field day with this. He wouldn’t hear the end of it. In fact, he was surprised they hadn’t already been in touch to tease him, given they were constantly scrolling on their phones.
Laughing, he decided to focus on the positives. Hopefully the higher profile on Instagram may mean more business for Henry and would keep the wolves from the door. He would do anything to help his friend and boss. Perhaps he needed to think about ramping things up himself and doing some pieces to camera. He had watched other tour guides do it and, although they made him cringe a bit, with their weird Scottish transatlantic accents and love of seeing their own reflection in the camera, it would be a good way of showcasing the kind of tours they did. Definitely one to think about. Finishing his coffee, he stood up and stretched. A quick shower was in order and then he would go out and tout for business. If he could replace the two cancelled guests with another two people, then he knew that would make Henry extremely happy.
Chapter Sixteen
After chatting with Kitty for a while, Olivia excused herself to go for a run. She pulled on her leggings, a sports bra and a vest, then looked around for her trainers. Running wasn’t her favourite pastime, but she knew that it would help to clear her head and perk her up a bit.
‘I won’t be long,’ she said to Kitty, who was fastidiously wiping the surfaces in the kitchen.
‘No worries, just do what you want to. No need to tell me.’ She then turned to say, ‘Just remember to take your keys. In case I go out.’
It was going to take a while to get to know her roommate properly. She had a feeling there was a lot Kittywasn’ttelling her, but then it was early days. Olivia was certainly being very selective about what she shared of herself too. They had only just met, yet she sensed a sadness in Kitty, as though something had happened. Above and beyond what she was saying about her son being away. Was she divorced or separated? Or perhaps she had chosen to be a single parent deliberately. It was easy to make assumptions about people and create backstories for them, and she reminded herself it wasn’t a good thing to do. You never knew what was going on in people’s lives, in the same way that nobody really knew what was happening in hers. Only she knew the truth, and it was one she was going to have to deal with.
She began walking. She usually let herself walk for five minutes at the start to warm up her muscles. She decided she’d head up the hill and find out where Amy lived and where Meadowbank Cottage was after hearing so much about it from her aunt. The island properties were so different to what she was used to in New York. They were so cute and charming and the stunning backdrop made it all seem quite idyllic. As she gazed from left to right, taking in the views, she realised that she hadn’tneeded to walk far. Amy wasn’t kidding when she said it was just a few minutes away.
The guesthouse was a substantial blond sandstone villa surrounded by a garden, which was a rainbow of colourful blooms and palm trees. It was strange seeing palm trees and she wondered how on earth they survived in this climate, especially when the Scottish winters could be harsh, according to one of the guidebooks at the cottage. Looking up to the road behind the cottage she could see a wooden arrow-shaped sign with the wordLamlashetched onto it. That must have been one of the many walking trails that her aunt had mentioned. As she contemplated whether to run along it and explore, she realised that Amy was in the garden waving at her.Oh dear, she thought. She didn’t want her to think she was creeping around spying on her. Amy bounced over to the gate.
‘Good morning,’ she said cheerily. ‘Glad you’ve found us. Is everything okay?’
‘Yes, yes,’ Olivia said reassuringly. ‘Don’t worry, we haven’t killed each other yet.’ She cringed at her attempt at a joke.
‘Are you sure you haven’t buried her body under the patio?’ Amy wisecracked back.
Phew.She smiled with relief. Thank goodness she was playing along. ‘No, too much hard work for the first week.’
Amy chuckled. ‘So what can I do for you?’
‘Oh, don’t worry. Nothing at all. I was curious to see where the cottage was, especially after hearing so much about it from my aunt.’
Amy hit the palm of her hand off her forehead. ‘Of course. Silly me. It was Trudy and Chuck who stayed last year and, erm, recommended you visit Arran. I keep forgetting the connection.’
‘That’s right,’ said Olivia, detecting a bit of an undertone from the way she said their names. She wondered if they’d been troublesome guests. Mind you, her aunt and uncle did tend towind people up the wrong way. They were the polar opposite of the laid-back and hippy types that people assumed most Californians were. She could only imagine what they might have said or done when they were here. ‘They raved about what a beautiful island it is and how wonderful the guesthouse was,’ she breezed in a bid to lay on the compliments.
‘Aw, that’s so nice to hear. They have been very kind,’ said Amy. ‘They left us glowing reviews and then recommended us to some of their friends who were looking for a location to film part of a documentary. They stayed earlier in the year, which made for a lot of fun. And now you’re here too. Word of mouth is what keeps small businesses like us going.’
‘It’s a lovely spot,’ said Olivia. ‘I can understand why they’ve been telling all their friends. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to intrude.’
Amy shook her head. ‘You’re not at all. I’ve been up for hours. I like watching the sky change from pale pink all the way through to bright blue. It’s still a bit of a novelty after living away for so long. I lived in Vancouver for many years, and I moved back permanently last year.’
‘Ah, I see,’ said Olivia, intrigued to hear more about Amy.
The sun was now high in the sky and, if it wasn’t for the cooler Scottish air, Olivia could easily have imagined this was a Mediterranean island. Perhaps not quite like Capri but just as beautiful. It was nicely warm actually, and as she looked back to the bay she saw the ferry making its way from the mainland towards Brodick. Her gaze lingered on the sea view.
‘Isn’t it beautiful? I will never tire of that view,’ said Amy. ‘Look, you’re very welcome to come in and see the guesthouse one day.’ She frowned. ‘Early afternoons are best, as that’s when the guests have left, and we’re getting ready for the next ones to arrive. As you can imagine, mornings are a bit chaotic.’
‘Of course. I won’t take up any more time. I’ll let you get on.’
‘Oh no, I don’t mean that. I just mean I can’t show you just now as it’s the clear-up after breakfast and things can get a bit intense. But come in and see the garden.’ She pulled a face as she tilted her head towards the house. ‘It will give me an excuse to stay out of the way as my sister, Kirsty, tends to get a bit bossy and irritable during breakfast. I’ve learned that it’s much easier to stay out the way and leave her and her husband to it.’
‘Okay, if you’re sure you don’t mind, I’d love to have a peek,’ said Olivia, curious to see more of the beautiful garden.
As they walked, Amy told Olivia about how much had happened over the course of the past twelve months since her sister Emma’s wedding, which had triggered her decision to move back home. ‘Until last week, I was leading a bit of a nomadic existence, dividing my time between my dad’s cottage in the village, Meadowbank Cottage and my boyfriend’s flat.’
Olivia felt a pang of envy as she noticed Amy beaming when she mentioned the word ‘boyfriend’. She told Olivia that in between looking after her father, who had dementia, and helping Kirsty and her husband Steve with the guesthouse, and keeping an eye on Lilybank Cottage, she had also managed to start holding regular yoga sessions in the village hall. Meanwhile she had project-managed the conversion of the dilapidated barn in the grounds of the cottage into two small studios — one for her and one for her dad, so he could have his independence but the girls would be nearby if he needed them. She had originally hoped to also have a yoga studio and therapy room in the barn, but had shelved those plans for now.
‘Wow, that is impressive. All of that in just one year,’ said Olivia.
Amy shrugged. ‘I know. Never in a million years did I think my life would work out like that. It’s not at all what I’d planned on doing but it’s amazing the way things sometimes work out.’
