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“Abby, you can give me your happiness and dreams, and I promise to take good care of them. But I don’t expect you to hand them over. How ‘bout you keep hold of them and I stay at your side and help when they get heavy or you need a rest?”Those crinkles are back at the side of his eyes. “I want to share your life, not own it completely.”

Relief washes over me. I think I get it now. “Have I been missing the point all along?” I ask him.

He chuckles, low and deep, like it’s bubbling up from his stomach. He shakes his head. “I don’t think so. I think you had to find the right person, but you had to prove you could do it all by yourself first. There’s nothing wrong with that. I’m so in awe of your independence and your tenacity and the way you don’t rely on anyone. You’re the strongest person I know.” Warmth floods my whole body. His praise means everything to me. He continues, “But it’s okay to not be so strong and independent all the time. I want to be the person that you can rely on when you need a break, when you want a hug, when you want someone else to make the decision for once. Let me be that person.”

“Yes.” I nod. I can envision it. “I want this, Cam.” I settle my head against his chest as his arm comes around to pull me even closer to his side. “Will you let me do the same for you?”

“Pixie, you’ve been that person for me for weeks, even if I wasn’t brave enough to tell you. You gave me a purpose outside of my work and The Juniper. Why do you think I kept coming back and butting my way into your life? Why I kept in touch? But it’s even better when I get to do it for you too.” I close my eyes, savouring his warm hug as the breeze picks up, blowing my hair all over the place.

I don’t know what else to say. I don’t know that there is anything else I can add to this conversation now. I realise that what comes next is my actions. I need to let him in. I need to commit to giving a good go of this. As if it agrees, my stomach takes the opportunity to gurgle loudly. Cam’s chest shakes with laughter at the noise.

“Oh goodness, did we leave you too long between meals?”

“I think it’s because you stole that bite of the chocolate biscuit. That extra bit would have tided me over a bit longer.”

“Shall we go and find some lunch?” he asks.

“Yes, please.”

Of course Cam knows a cute little pub for us to have lunch in. We dig into our haggis, neeps, and tatties, which Cam insisted I try whilst in Scotland. The haggis has a spiciness to it I wasn’t expecting, and I empty the plate in no time. “I feel like we’re in a different world. This is so unlike London.” I tell him as we watch people pour off the little ferry dock we can see from where we’re seated.

He nods, “It really is. It’s different even from Glasgow. Sometimes I think I’d go crazy if I lived here full time after time spent in the cities. But every now and again, I crave the peace.”

“You don’t own a place here?” I ask him.

He shakes his head. “I’ve thought about it a lot. Just need to wait for the right place to come up. I could probably run it as a rental most of the year and use it when I’m visiting.” He brushes his thumb against his bottom lip, and I can tell there’s a question coming. “Do you want to stay in London long term?”

I mull over my answer for a moment. “Just a week ago, I probably would have said yes, but I do want to experience other places. I’d love to travel more and spend time out of the city. My job is there and I have friends there, but I have no solid ties.” I breathe out a sigh. My job and my friends have been my ties for such a long time. But perhaps my point of gravity has shifted now.

I continue, “My past self would be horrified that she was letting a man affect her place in the world. Although it’s not so much that you’re dictating what I do and where I go, I realiseI want to spend time with you, where you are.” I gulp, running a body scan for any impending sense of panic at my words.I’m okay. “I’m open to the possibilities, Cam, even if I don’t know what they are yet.” He presses his lips to my hairline.

“I won’t abuse the opportunity to be your person, Abby, I promise. We just need to keep communicating. I think that’s going to be the key to figuring out what works for us.”

I agree with a nod.

“Wanna go and see a fairy playground?” Cam asks after we’ve paid the bill and are back in the car.

“What?” I ask, baffled.

“It’s called the Fairy Glen. It’s said to be magical, and there’s a lot of folklore around it. I think you’ll like it, Pixie.” He tugs a tendril of my hair.

“Sounds intriguing. Let’s go,” I tell him, excited for whatever he wants to show me. Today, next week, and hopefully forever.

Epilogue - Part 1

Cam

One year later

The Clubhouse is packed tonight. It seems to be busier every time we come. And we’re definitely considered regulars these days, showing up most months. I raise my brows in greeting at Dan as he approaches, dressed in something silver and glittery. He really is the most beautiful man, and it’s a privilege that I get to spend time with him here on the regular.

“Hey, how’s it going?” he says as he plants a kiss on my cheek. “Nice outfit.” He waggles his brow with a smirk.

“Pixie organised it,” I say with a deep sigh, looking down at the black and grey tartan mini kilt showing off most of my tatted thighs and the harness I’d worn the first time I was here.

“Of course she did. She’s got you wrapped around her pinkie, doesn’t she?”

I shrug. “Aye, she does.” There’s no point denying the truth. “Since day one.”