‘Less is more, Mum.’
She shook her head as she followed the exit sign for the airport. Although she worked in a nursery, she had started baking when she realised that Cameron had an allergy to dairy. This had led to her discovering her flair for it, and for making vegan cakes in particular. She was told repeatedly that you wouldn’t think her cakes didn’t have dairy or eggs in them. They tasted sonormal. She had becometheperson to go to if someone wanted a birthday cake, and had quite the portfolio of celebration cakes as well as cupcakes and muffins and traybakes. However, she really needed to upload the photos to her Instagram account to showcase what she could do.
Kitty could feel herself starting to wish that Cameron was flying from Glasgow Airport instead. That would have given her more time with her boy. Three more hours. Maybe his flight would be cancelled and she would have to drive him to London Heathrow. She knew she was clutching at straws, but now, as she followed the signs for the car park, it seemed as though they had barely left their house and they were already here. The clock was ticking.
‘Right, love.’ She pulled into a parking space. ‘Here we are. I suppose we should go and get you checked in.’
Cameron jumped out of the car and flicked open the boot, hoisting his backpack onto his shoulders.
‘Now, remember, brush your teeth, drink lots of water andbe careful,’ she said for the millionth time. They began walking towards the terminal.
‘Yes. I’ll do everything that you wouldn’t do and more.’ He linked his arm through hers and grinned. He had the same charming smile as his father. ‘Do you want to wait here, and I’ll check my bag in?’
‘Yes, of course.’ She let him walk ahead into the departure zone, watching as her suddenly grown-up baby joined the queue. He was wearing jeans and his favourite blue T-shirt, his mop of curly dark hair falling over his eyes. He towered over the other passengers and stooped a bit, almost to make himself smaller, just like his dad used to do. In fact, he was like Ryan in so many ways she quite often found herself imagining how different their lives would have been if he was still around. As a single parent she had done her best for Cameron, but she would always worry about the lack of a father figure in his life. Her brother, John, was great, but wasn’t a substitute for Cameron having his real dad.
Her eyes pricked with tears again. She couldn’t think about that just now. She made a mental promise to herself that as soon as she waved goodbye, she would go home and crawl into bed and howl. She plastered on a smile as she saw him walking over to her.
‘Okay, so the same goes for you, Mum. Behave, and don’t do anything I wouldn’t.’ He pulled her into a hug and squeezed her tight. He gestured towards passport control. ‘I’ll just head up there now,’ he said, eyes glistening.
‘Good plan. Otherwise it could get messy. I don’t want to embarrass you by turning into a snivelling mess,’ she said. ‘Now remember to WhatsApp me when you land in Amsterdam, and keep an eye on the screens in case your flight is announced.’
He rolled his eyes. ‘Yes, Mum.’
‘And if you get stuck then remember to ask someone for help.’
‘Mum . . . I’m not four.’
‘I know you’re not, love. I know you can do this.’ She wanted to sweep him into her arms and take him home. If only he was still a little boy.
She hugged him one last time. ‘Off you go, sweetheart. Take care and, most importantly, have fun. Enjoy every minute. You deserve to go off and have a great adventure.’
As he walked away, he turned to give a final wave and she forced another grin, raising her hand. Her shoulders started to shudder, and it took every ounce of self-control to walk back to her car without breaking down. As soon as she closed the car door, she dissolved.
Chapter Two
Logan tried not to wince as Tallulah dug her bright pink nails, which were as hard as talons, into his back. Her arms hooked around his neck and, for a brief moment of horror, he panicked that she was about to kiss him. She had clung to him like a limpet these past few days. He was used to tourists in his group tours thinking they had a crush on him now and again, it was that whole tour leader thing, but he hadn’t experienced anyone quite like Tallulah. She was Irish, newly divorced and on the lookout for love — as she kept reminding everyone several times a day.
‘There you go,’ he said, gently unhooking her and guiding her to where the path broadened out ahead. ‘Just that way.’
She flashed him a sorrowful smile. ‘You’re so strong and manly. Thanks for helping me. That crossing wasverynarrow.’ Then she turned, wiggled her bum in her very tight walking shorts and flounced down the path.
Logan felt his cheeks redden. He didn’t think he’d ever been called strong and manly before, though he had spent many years in the Navy. If his sisters could see him now they would double over laughing. He looked behind him to make sure the rest of the party were safely passing the narrow walkway, and breathed a sigh of relief. He was escorting a small group on a three-day walking tour of Skye and some parts of the trails were tighter than others. Hence Tallulah’s . . .over-relianceon him. She was an older woman, confident, flirty ? not quietly so ? and normally in association with him. He sighed.
Thanks to his two older sisters he was more in touch with his feminine side than he wished to be. Growing up, he had learned all about period pains and hormones and mood swings. He had got used to being sent out to buy emergency stashes of chocolate. Then, as his sisters got older, he became very used to hearing ‘all men are wankers’ being shouted and doors being slammed.Thanks to his ongoing education, Logan also knew one could never be too careful around hot flushes.
He normally loved his job, but he would be glad when this particular tour had ended. He couldn’t remember ever feeling so on edge before. Fortunately his time in the Navy had served him well for dealing with Tallulah and her unwanted advances. She had thrown him a few sad smiles, as today was her last day, which had almost made him feel sorry for her. But never before had he needed to keep such a firm boundary in place for a guest. It was utterly exhausting.
Logan reached the clearing ahead, where the four-strong group were waiting for their next instruction. ‘You’ll be glad to know that this is where we’re going to stop for lunch.’ His words were met with an enthusiastic cheer — people sank to the ground and started pulling out their lunchboxes. Logan drained his bottle of water and stretched his neck, then sat down and joined the small circle they’d formed.
‘This has been incredible,’ said Sam, who was visiting with his wife from New Zealand.
‘Just beautiful. The scenery is spectacular,’ said Sylvie, a French student, who was trying to cram as much as she could into her year overseas.
‘What have your highlights been?’ he asked, expecting a little silence as they each pondered over the past few days.
‘That’s easy,’ said Tallulah in a lazy drawl. ‘Definitely the Fairy Pools and thewildswimming.’
Logan groaned inwardly at the way she lingered on the wordwild. Crikey, that had been another day he wanted to forget in a hurry. The Fairy Pools were a stunning spot at the foot of the Black Cuillin mountains, attracting visitors from all over the world. Especially now that wild swimming was all the rage, although he had just thought of it as swimming outdoors. He was always a bit baffled by thewildpart. He had preparedthe group in advance, telling them that the water would be extremely cold so there was no pressure to go in. However, that day was warm and sunny, perfect for a quick dip. He had led the way, after stripping to his shorts, aware of Tallulah’s eyes on him. He’d always hated attention.
