Page 44 of A Summer House on Arran (Scottish Romances #3)

It was a few days later and Alex was sitting in his usual spot at the watercolour class. Kitty made a beeline for him. ‘Good morning, Alex,’ she said. ‘How are you today?’

He looked up at her, smiled, then placed his paintbrush down. ‘I’m fine, thanks. And very much looking forward to this session today. Apparently, we’re going to be shown how to paint a Highland cow.’

Kitty nodded enthusiastically and settled herself on the chair next to him. ‘This should be interesting,’ she said.

These classes had been a real highlight of her summer. She particularly enjoyed the chats she had with Alex, who seemed to thrive in the creative space.

‘How’s that boy of yours getting on?’ asked Alex. ‘I’m sorry, I’ve forgotten his name.

‘Cameron is great, thank you.’ She smiled as she thought about his WhatsApp messages and pictures. ‘When he finishes working at the camp, he’s going to go travelling for a couple of weeks with some of his friends.’ He was happy, and that’s all she wanted for her son.

‘Oh, to be young,’ said Alex with a sigh. ‘Mind you, I suppose we’re all young at heart. I keep thinking that I’m thirty-five.’

Kitty smiled fondly at him. ‘Same here.’ She nodded, realising that she actually did feel younger and lighter than she had for years, which was surely down to her summer on Arran and meeting Logan.

‘How’s that young man of yours?’ he whispered.

Kitty turned and looked at him in surprise. ‘How did you know about him?’

He chuckled softly. ‘Amy keeps me well informed.’

‘He’s wonderful.’ She beamed, thinking about how much she was looking forward to seeing him again. He was due back on Arran the following day, and her stomach was already fluttering at the thought of seeing him and touching him again. ‘I’m a lucky girl.’

‘He’s the lucky one, dear,’ said Alex.

At that point, the tutor cleared his throat and gave them both a look.

‘Oopsie,’ said Alex. ‘We’re getting ourselves into trouble again with all our chatting.’

Kitty giggled and turned her attentions towards the process of how to draw a Highland cow.

* * *

When Kitty got back to the cottage after class, she gave the worktops a quick wipe and tidied away anything that didn’t need to be on display.

Olivia had promised that she would make time to help Kitty with more Instagram cake-making reels.

The baking project was supposed to be a bit of fun.

She had loved every minute of the actual cake making, probably because it was just a bit of a hobby.

Kitty had ended up supplying the distillery and Cèic, the café in Lamlash, with some of her cakes.

And she had signed up for a cake stall at the Highland Games, which were fast approaching.

She wasn’t quite sure she would feel so enthused if she had to rely on it to provide her with a steady flow of cash.

She heard the front door open and reached to flick the kettle on.

‘Hello,’ said Olivia, walking into the kitchen, yawning. ‘I’m so sore. Honestly, these kids have boundless energy. I need coffee. Now.’ She sighed.

Kitty smiled. ‘How was this morning’s rehearsal?’

‘Great. We had an immense session. I can’t believe how quickly the routine has come to life.’

Kitty smiled as she made Olivia a cup of coffee.

In a lot of ways she was very like her friend from home, Ellen — which reminded her that she’d messaged to say she’d managed to get a few days off work and would love to visit.

Kitty was slightly apprehensive about that, though she wasn’t quite sure why.

Perhaps it was the thought of her two worlds colliding, and her summer retreat merging with her real life, which she would soon return to.

She handed Olivia the mug and watched as she took a sip and stood back against the counter. Even after a sweaty workout, she managed to look effortlessly stylish, with her pale blue shorts and white camisole top that showed off her slim dancer’s frame.

Glancing down, she felt embarrassed by her own worn leggings, and she pulled at a thread on her fraying T-shirt that she’d thrown on for the art class.

Then she inwardly shrugged. What did it matter?

It wasn’t like she was trying to impress anyone.

Fortunately Logan wasn’t around, or perhaps she would have made more of an effort.

‘Aren’t you having one?’ asked Olivia, throwing her a quizzical look.

‘You know what? I think I will.’ She poured the hot liquid into a speckled mug from the cupboard.

‘Right, are you going to tell me what’s up?’

Kitty frowned. ‘Nothing. I’m just thinking about getting the reel done and . . .’

‘And? Is everything okay with lover boy?’

Kitty felt her eyes misting. ‘Yes, apart from missing him madly . . .’

Olivia rolled her eyes at Kitty. ‘Okay, so apart from being lovesick, are you going to tell me what’s wrong? You seem a bit distracted.’

Kitty realised that Olivia was right. She had perfected her recipes and figured out what worked and what didn’t, and now, this bit they were about to do, it all felt like a hassle.

She shrugged and took a nervous gulp. ‘I don’t want to do this filming stuff.

I’d rather go and do something else a bit more fun. ’

Olivia’s mouth twitched as though she was about to laugh.

‘What?’ Kitty asked indignantly.

Olivia’s voice was gentle. ‘You do realise you don’t have to do it?’

‘What do you mean?’

‘The social media stuff?’

Kitty didn’t reply.

‘Look, do you enjoy the actual making of the cakes?’

‘Yes,’ answered Kitty immediately. ‘I’ve loved having the time to try new recipes out, and getting the kids to try them.’

‘Right, why don’t we simplify it? What’s the best thing about baking?’

Kitty closed her eyes and thought about the times she and Cameron were in the kitchen, laughing and having fun.

Then the times she would be alone and would put on a podcast and potter around, playing with different ingredients.

‘The process,’ she said, opening her eyes.

‘Mixing things together and watching the magic happen. Then seeing how much people enjoy them, especially if they’ve had to avoid cakes for so long. ’

‘Okay, and the Instagram page?’

‘The Instagram stuff is okay, though it feels a bit indulgent. I’ve never liked being that side of the lens.’ Olivia had encouraged her to go in front of the camera and do a couple of small chats.

Olivia clapped her hands. ‘And there you go. You’ve just answered your own question and solved the problem.’

‘I have?’

‘You should be having fun , God knows you deserve it. So just do what feels good and the rest of it will take care of itself. Why don’t we forget the reels and do something else instead?’

‘Agreed,’ said Kitty, smiling warmly at her. ‘I do love the way you simplify stuff.’

Olivia laughed. ‘Well, I’m only good at doing that for others.

When it comes to my life, I’m hopeless. By the way, did I tell you that my aunt Trudy in the States wants a slice of your cake?

She wants to know if we can ship some over because they look so good.

I know you don’t like the social media part but she clearly does.

She said she’s been following you on Instagram. ’

Kitty groaned. ‘I don’t think I’m ready for shipping across the Clyde, never mind the Atlantic.’

‘Don’t worry, I told her that it wasn’t really sustainable or environmentally friendly, and to source her cakes more locally.’ She glanced at the clock. ‘Right, what do you say we get out and go and do a yoga class with Amy? She’s got one starting soon.’

Kitty paused for a moment and then let herself be swept up by Olivia’s infectious enthusiasm.

‘Okay, you’re on. Just give me a few minutes to get changed.

’ She washed her mug in the sink and then drank a large glass of water.

‘By the way, that reminds me, what do you think of my handiwork from earlier?’ She pointed to her watercolour that was lying on the table. ‘We did Highland cows today.’

Olivia’s eyes twinkled with amusement as she took a closer look. ‘Um, it’s very, um, good . . . A Highland cow, you say?’

‘I think it actually looks more like a big orange dog,’ Kitty said with a perfectly straight face.

Olivia laughed and shook her head, her blonde curls catching in the sunlight now streaming in through the window. ‘Do you want to know something, Kitty?’

Kitty looked at her friend. ‘What?’

‘I’m so happy.’

‘What, my bad painting is making you happy?’ she asked with a giggle.

‘I’m just so grateful for this summer with you.’ She reached to give her a hug. ‘It’s also made me realise how much I absolutely love teaching the kids to dance. I feel like it’s where I belong. And that’s something I’ve been trying to figure out for a long time.’

‘Do you think you’ll quit being on the road then and performing?’ asked Kitty in surprise. She knew how much Olivia loved that part of her life.

She shrugged. ‘I think maybe so. I’m always getting offers in to teach at dance schools across the country and now . . . Well, now it’s something I think I may do. It feels like things are starting to fall into place for me, Kitty.’

‘And you deserve every happiness as well, Olivia.’ Kitty beamed at her friend.

‘Isn’t it funny how this is all working out?’

Kitty nodded. It did feel like the stars were beginning to align for them both.