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The ferry rumbled along at the pace of a sea anemone, despite its loud chugging. Anna didn’t mind. She leant on the railing while looking out at the water and the islands they were passing. Hayley stood behind her, pressing into her back, resting her head over Anna’s shoulder with her arms clasped around Anna’s front. The wind blew some of Hayley’s hair onto Anna’s face. Anna squeezed Hayley’s hands, trying to mark this moment in her mind.

“I love it here. I never want to leave this place,” Hayley said, wistfully.

Anna tensed up. Hayley shouldn’t say things like that unless she meant them. Because she didn’t. This was all they were ever going to have. These days in each other’s company without a care in the world were numbered. A lump formed in Anna’s throat, but she pushed it away. She would manage her own expectations here, as Hayley was clearly determined to just live one day to the next. Nothing new there. Anna would do the same.

The Isle of Mull jutted out of the water like a giant explosion. Its hills were unlike anything Anna had seen on the other islands. She was so grateful for Hayley giving her this opportunity to explore her own country. These things took time and money, both of which weren’t always in plentiful supply. But this was the real deal. This trip had been something special. It was still something special. Anna didn’t want it to end, either, but voicing any of it felt too hard somehow, because what it meant was too scary.

“We are sailing,” Hayley sung, over her shoulder, quietly. “We are sailing. Home again, across the sea. We are sailing, stormy waters. To be near you, to be free.” Hayley giggled.

Anna turned her head. “You did not just sing Rod Stewart at me.”

“I did.”

Shaking her head, all Anna could do was turn her head and kiss Hayley on the lips. “I didn’t know you were such a sook.”

“What’s a sook?” Hayley said.

“I dunno. Someone who is overly sentimental and isn’t afraid to show it, or something.”

“I’m not. You seem to bring it out in me.”

Once they’d docked and waited in the van to disembark, Hayley drove off the ferry ramp as if she knew where she was going. She normally relied on Anna for directions when she drove.

“Where are we going?”

Hayley grinned. “I have a surprise for you.”

“Really? What is it?”

“You know I’m not going to tell you, right?” The smirk that accompanied Hayley’s words was annoying but sexy.

Anna returned her eyes to the road and the beautiful scenery all around them of rugged hills, green glens and a view of the sea. Before long, Hayley turned into an upmarket and boutique five-star hotel. It had to be the best hotel on the island.

Hayley parked and jumped out of the camper. She opened Anna’s passenger door. “I booked us in here for two nights. I thought we deserved a bit of luxury after roughing it in the camper for so long.”

“You didn’t.”

“I also made dinner reservations in the restaurant for tonight.”

“You fucking rockstar.”

“Your thirst for travel planning is rubbing off on me. I also thought it might be romantic?” Hayley hesitated, slightly.

Was Hayley feeling nervous about this? It was strange even hearing Hayley suggest they do something romantic, but not unwelcome.

Anna stepped out of the camper and wrapped her arms around Hayley’s waist. “It is very romantic.”

A slow smile spread across Hayley’s lips. Anna kissed it, wanting to do more but not in such a public place. She hadn’t completely lost it yet.

They checked in and walked hand in hand to their room. It had a beautiful sea view and a large en-suite bathroom fit for a luxury spa. The upmarket handwash and moisturiser made a nice change from campsites, too. The bed was huge and inviting. There was a bottle of champagne chilling in a bucket on the glass desktop beside a plate of delicious looking chocolates on a slate platter.

“This feels like a honeymoon suite,” Anna said, running her fingers along the high thread count cotton sheets.

“Only the best for you.”

“I had no idea you were such a sugar daddy.”