Page 29 of A Summer House on Arran (Scottish Romances #3)

Over the next couple of days, Olivia enjoyed getting to know Kitty a bit more.

Although they both made sure to speak to other members of the group, they always seemed to fall into comfortable conversation with each other as they walked.

Olivia felt as though she had known Kitty for years, and was glad to hear that Cameron was once again okay.

She knew that had played on Kitty’s mind after that call as they were hurrying out the door.

However, Kitty had told her that Cameron had since reassured his mum.

He said he had felt a bit homesick but was over it, and now having a great time.

Olivia couldn’t even begin to imagine the rollercoaster of emotions that Kitty must go through as a mum, and not having a partner to share it with must make it even harder, despite Kitty saying she knew it no other way.

While Cameron insisted he was fine, Kitty’s mood had definitely been a bit strange since they started the tour, and Olivia wondered why.

Today they were doing the trail from Brodick through the forest to Lamlash. Logan had promised them it was quite an easy route, and they would stop in Lamlash before heading back.

Olivia was enjoying the peace that the walks and the island provided.

It was a calming contrast to life back at home, when she was constantly rehearsing and surrounded by people and noise.

She was starting to realise how much she appreciated quiet and stillness and time to think.

This trip was giving her a chance to untangle the mess of all her thoughts and make sense of the last couple of months.

She was happy to walk at the back this morning so she could make a point of noticing the wildlife around her, like the magnificent dragonfly that had just flown past. The day had started grey, but now the sun was shining and she looked up at the sky, which was beginning to turn deep blue as the clouds disappeared.

Olivia didn’t think she would ever get bored of looking at the rich tapestry of colour on the hills, in the water and in the sky.

Kitty was ahead, also on her own, and maybe she was reading too much into it, but she sensed there was something else on Kitty’s mind.

She had tried to reach out yesterday when they visited the distillery.

After hearing about the special source of fresh water from Loch na Davie, which they used for distilling, everyone was keen to sample a dram.

They were invited to try the Robert Burns single malt whisky, and Olivia felt rather embarrassed to admit that she had never tried Scotch, or any whisky for that matter.

‘You can have it straight like that,’ said Kitty. ‘Or add a drop of water.’

‘I’ll follow your lead,’ said Olivia. ‘What would you recommend?’

‘I like it neat.’ Kitty took a sip and closed her eyes, appearing to savour the taste.

Olivia put the glass to her lips and swallowed, feeling a pleasant, warm sensation at the back of her throat. She could taste the hints of vanilla and cinnamon and had to admit she rather liked it.

‘What do you think?’ Logan had walked over to where they were standing at the bar.

‘I really like it,’ said Olivia in surprise. ‘I wasn’t expecting that at all.’

He beamed. ‘Glad to hear it. How about you, Kitty? Have you tried this one before?’ Logan pulled a stool up next to where she stood.

Olivia watched as Kitty shook her head. ‘No. I’m not sure why, but I’ve never had any Arran whiskies. I used to like the ones from Islay. They’re quite peaty,’ she said to Olivia. ‘But it’s been a while since I drank whisky . . . I really like this one too. It’s very drinkable.’

‘It’s one of my favourites,’ said Logan. ‘Though the downside of the job is that I’m driving, so I’ll need to wait until later . . .’

‘You should come to the pub with us one night,’ suggested Olivia. She didn’t miss the pause before Logan replied.

‘Sure,’ he said casually. ‘Maybe on our final night? After we’ve conquered Goatfell?’ He stood up. ‘I’ll let you finish your drinks in peace.’ He strolled over to have a chat to the distillery manager who had shown them round.

‘Is everything okay?’ Olivia asked, jerking her head towards Logan.

‘What do you mean?’

‘Just sensing a bit of something between you. I noticed you clammed up when he asked you about whiskies.’

Kitty blushed. ‘It’s all fine. Just brought back a memory.’

‘Do you want to talk about it?’ asked Olivia gently.

‘Och, no. Not at the moment. Thanks, though. How about I get us a bottle for the cottage?’ Kitty was already walking towards the till, indicating the conversation was over.

Olivia shrugged. ‘Sure. Great idea.’

Now as she swung her arms and followed today’s trail, she realised she had no right to pry.

Not in her position. There was so much she hadn’t shared with Kitty or anyone, and she was happy being quite anonymous here, where nobody knew her or what had happened with Patrick.

Only her aunt knew the real truth. She was too embarrassed to tell her friends back home, not that she saw a lot of them, which had been another issue.

Her world had shrunk, although she was sure some of them had their suspicions.

She took a gulp of the tangy, salty air as she thought about how different her life had been just a few months ago.

It seemed surreal to now be walking through a beautiful forest on a Scottish island that she had arrived at less than a week ago.

She didn’t miss home or him at all, but she did miss dancing.

It was a really hard career to make a living from, but she had managed it and knew she was one of the lucky ones.

Many of her friends hadn’t been so successful, ending up with long-term injuries, and their mental health impacted when they couldn’t dance.

They felt as though they were letting themselves and others down and felt like failures.

Olivia was grateful that it was all she had hoped for and more, although she knew it wouldn’t last forever.

She watched the Australian couple, Adam and Liz, who were just ahead of her.

They had such a natural and loving rapport together, and she felt a pang of envy for something she had never experienced.

Even with Patrick, when times were good, she was always on edge, waiting and wondering what would happen next.

Even now, though he was thousands of miles away from her, he still managed to be present in her head.

A lurking threat that caught her unaware.

‘Hey, you,’ she said, catching up with Kitty. ‘Isn’t this amazing?’

‘It is,’ she admitted. ‘It’s so lovely to have this time and space, isn’t it?’

‘I know. I can’t believe that we only have one walk left.’

‘But the rest of the summer is stretched out ahead of us. And there’s still loads more to do and see. I can take you round to Kildonan if you’d like? I think we’ll definitely see otters and seals there.’

‘I would love that. And I must visit the castle, you know, being American and all. How about you? What else would you like to do with your time?’

Kitty mulled for a while before answering. ‘There’s that stuff we talked about before, perhaps that art class and yoga. My Instagram, of course. But I fancy some kayaking and, if you’re up for that, I can take you? What do you think?’

‘I can’t paint or draw at all, so I’ll leave you to it,’ she said weakly, visibly wincing at the thought.

‘Kayaking sounds fun, though. And I could just keep walking and walking forever,’ said Olivia, gesturing ahead.

‘Especially when it all looks like this. It’s just so peaceful .

. .’ Her voice trailed away. ‘I mean, I guess I should go over to Glasgow at some stage to see my friends from Italy. But I have to admit that the thought of a city just now doesn’t appeal. I’d be reluctant to leave this.’

‘Maybe you should ask Logan about other tours he’s got coming up?’ blurted Kitty.

Olivia frowned. ‘Do you want to do more walking?’

‘No, I’ve probably had my fill for now. I mean, it will be great to do Goatfell, but after that I may need a rest.’ She laughed. ‘But perhaps you could do his coastal tour later in the summer?’

‘I suppose there’s no harm in asking him about it. Hey, Logan,’ she called over her shoulder. He was keeping an eye on the stragglers at the back.

‘Yes, what can I do you for?’ He upped his pace to join them.

‘What’s the deal with your walking tours. When are you back?’

He grinned. ‘Are you missing me already?’

‘No,’ said Olivia, swatting a fly from her cheek. ‘I just want to know what other walks I could do.’

‘Well . . . when I finish here, I have a few days off, then I head to the mainland for a week or so for a tour to Loch Lomond and the Trossachs. That takes us along the West Highland Way, through woodland not dissimilar to this, and a chance for a boat trip. And for the energetic, the chance to bag a Munro, Ben Lomond.’

‘What’s a Munro?’ asked Olivia.

‘It’s a mountain that’s over three thousand feet,’ said Kitty before Logan had a chance to reply.

‘Is that what Goatfell is, then? Can I say that I’ve bagged a Munro once we’ve climbed it?’

‘Afraid not,’ said Logan. ‘It’s not quite high enough.’

‘Okay, sorry, I digress. After you’ve done your Lock Lomond trip, where do you go?’

‘ Loch ,’ said Kitty and Logan at the same time.

Olivia burst out laughing. ‘Sorry, sorry, I’m more than aware that I need to work on my pronunciation.’

Logan smiled kindly at her. ‘After the Loch Lomond trip, then I have a few days off, then I’m back here. Off the top of my head, that’s for another trip like this. The coastal path tour is sometime in August. After the Highland Games.’

‘Oh,’ said Olivia, her interest piqued. ‘Highland Games? Like caber tossing and kilt wearing and things like that?’

‘Yes, among other things,’ said Logan. ‘There’s also pipe bands, fancy dress, lots of stalls and dancing. Lots of dancing. There’s usually a huge ceilidh at the end of the night.’

‘That’s a big social event with lots of traditional Scottish dances. It’s a lot of fun,’ said Kitty.

‘Sounds like my kind of thing,’ said Olivia happily. She felt a ripple of excitement, which was an odd sensation, as it had been a while. ‘I’m already looking forward to it.’