Page 20 of A Summer House on Arran (Scottish Romances #3)

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 Kitty wasn’t telling 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’t needed 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 word Lamlash etched 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 to wind 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.’

‘The garden is lovely,’ said Olivia, admiring the colourful flowers and the immaculate grass.

‘That’s down to my dad, he’s very green-fingered, and my nephew when he’s back home for the holidays. I can’t tell the difference between weeds and plants. I obviously didn’t inherit the gene. But enough about me,’ she said. ‘How about you?’

Olivia felt her cheeks flush as Amy switched her attention to her. ‘Oh,’ she said, flustered, ‘I just wanted a break for a while, and work has been intense and . . . Trudy said I should come here and, well, here I am.’ Glancing over, she could see a woman walking towards them.

Amy looked up. ‘That’s Kirsty, my sister.’

Olivia was relieved at the distraction.

‘Good morning.’ Kirsty wandered towards them with a mug of coffee. ‘If I’d known you were outside, I would have brought you out a cuppa.’

‘Don’t worry. I’ll get one in a minute. Is that the breakfast chaos over then?’ asked Amy hopefully.

‘Yes, don’t worry, the coast is clear. Steve is just finishing with the tidying up.’ Kirsty looked at Olivia inquisitively.

‘This is Olivia, she’s staying at Lilybank,’ explained Amy.

‘Oh.’ Kirsty smiled. ‘Hello, Olivia. Great to meet you, sorry that it’s all been a bit of a kerfuffle but I’m glad it’s all sorted now.’

Olivia didn’t know what ‘kerfuffle’ meant, but assumed she meant ‘muddle’ so smiled graciously. ‘It’s all great, thanks, and this place is as beautiful as my aunt said it was.’

Kirsty rewarded her with a warm smile. ‘Ah, you’re Trudy’s niece. Of course. It’s so good to welcome you here, and it’s all down to them.’

‘I’ve said to Olivia to come back some time and we can show her inside,’ said Amy.

‘Of course, please do. And I’m glad that everything is fine, and you and Kitty are going to stay. The owners are friends of ours and we keep an eye on things for them when they’re away. If you need anything, please just let us know.’

‘I think it will be fine. It will be nice to have some company.’

Kirsty frowned at her. ‘Just a thought, but wait there until I get some things from inside.’ She turned and disappeared back inside the cottage.

‘I have no idea what she’s gone to get,’ said Amy suspiciously.

Kirsty reappeared with a handful of leaflets.

‘Lilybank’s information drawer could be a little out of date now the owners aren’t letting it out.

We’ve just refreshed ours recently, you may find these useful.

Just some of the local attractions we would recommend and a couple of maps.

If you and Kitty are keen to explore then you might be interested in this walking tour of the island? ’

Olivia took the pamphlets from Kirsty and saw the one about the walks was the same one Kitty had shown her earlier. ‘ Stravaig Tours offer escorted walking tours of some of the island’s most beautiful sights. That’s the one Kitty picked up too. I think we might do it.’

‘Are they the ones James brought over last night?’ asked Amy.

Kirsty nodded. ‘Steve has given them to some of our guests, but most of them leave in the next couple of days and have already scheduled what they’re doing.’

‘Well, if you’re interested let us know as we may be able to negotiate a discount for you,’ said Amy. ‘We know Logan, the tour guide.’

‘Thank you. You’re both very kind.’ Olivia folded the leaflets and tucked them in the pocket of her leggings. ‘I’d better get on with that run otherwise it won’t happen. It’s been lovely chatting.’

‘Anytime,’ said Amy. ‘Just let us know when you want to come back for the inside tour.’

‘Will do. Thank you.’ Olivia said her goodbyes and walked away from Meadowbank feeling uplifted.

She could feel a small glimmer of hope, the possibility of a happy summer starting to form at the back of her mind.

It was a feeling she hadn’t felt for a very long time, and she liked it.

For the first time in ages she felt okay.

There was something about this island. It felt almost magical.