Page 46 of A Summer House on Arran (Scottish Romances #3)

It was finally the day of the Highland Games.

Olivia felt increasingly nervous, checking and rechecking the costumes hanging up in the huge tent that doubled as a dressing room.

She had woken early like a child on Christmas Day, so excited about seeing the kids dance on the stage and seeing their little faces light up in front of a crowd.

She had stayed late at the community hall last night doing a last practice with the kids, who had done themselves proud.

She had grown so fond of the little dance troupe over these past few weeks, and was hugely impressed at what they’d managed to pull together, always keen to push themselves and add in some extra moves.

‘We want to win this, Miss Olivia,’ they told her every time they met to practice their routine. ‘Please show us things that can make us better.’

So she had. She had taken them through their paces again and again, adding extra touches here and there to make sure their routine would stand out.

Now, fuelled by coffee, she was just about managing to hold herself together, knowing that in a couple of hours it would all be over, and she could collapse in an exhausted heap.

It would all be worth it. One of the mums had stopped briefly to talk to Olivia, and now Kitty was heading over to the baking stall that she was running with the help of her friend from home, Ellen, who had arrived last night.

‘Hi, girls. How’s it all going?’

‘Brilliant,’ said Kitty, emerging from beneath a trestle table with yet more containers of baked goods. ‘They’re all going like hot cakes.’

‘Do you need a hand?’

‘Thanks, but I should be okay. Amy’s helping, though she stepped away to go to the loo and get some coffees. She should be back any minute.’

‘And I’m just going to nip back up the cottage to get the extra cakes. Just in case ,’ said Ellen.

‘You are a love. Thanks, Ellen. Bet you’re glad you came here for a break.’

Ellen grinned. ‘There is no place I would rather be. See you soon. And good luck, Olivia.’

‘Aw, thanks,’ she said gratefully.

‘So, how are you feeling and how are the wee dancers?’ asked Kitty.

‘They’re great, very excited. But my nerves are in shreds,’ she admitted. ‘The excessive amounts of coffee I’ve been drinking won’t be helping either. I’ll be going on a caffeine detox as soon as this is over.’

Kitty laughed. ‘I’ll hold you to that.’

‘One flat white,’ said Amy, handing Kitty a coffee. ‘Sorry, Olivia, if I’d known you were here, I’d have got you one too.’

Olivia shook her head. ‘Thanks, but if I drink any more I’ll be spinning on my head, and that’s definitely not part of the routine.’

Amy frowned and gestured to the crowd behind them. ‘There’s a bloke here who’s asking about you.’

Olivia felt her legs turn to jelly.

‘An American guy who says he knows you from home. What are the chances, eh?’

Olivia felt the colour drain from her face and her body start to tremble. She felt Kitty’s hand on her arm.

‘It’s okay. You’re not alone, Olivia. We’re all here.’

Amy looked worried. ‘Is there something wrong? Have I said something I shouldn’t have?’

‘I can’t believe he would actually come here,’ said Olivia in disbelief.

‘What do you need us to do?’ Kitty said gently and calmly.

Olivia glanced at her watch. ‘The kids are due on stage in about an hour. I can’t let them down. I need to sort this out so I can focus on the kids.’

‘Okay. Amy, if you don’t mind just keeping an eye on the dancers and making sure they get warmed up and have their costumes on, then that would be fab,’ said Kitty, taking charge. ‘Olivia, do you want to confront Patrick head-on?’

‘Who’s Patrick?’ asked Amy in confusion.

‘My toxic and abusive ex.’

‘Oh jeez,’ Amy muttered. ‘Let me go and brief James and Logan on the situation, then I’ll go and sort out things with the kids. Olivia, please don’t worry, we’re all here to help.’

Olivia threw her a grateful look and saw Kitty mouth her thanks too.

‘Don’t worry, I’m not leaving your side.’ Kitty gripped Olivia’s hand in solidarity. ‘Just remember to breathe and that you have done nothing wrong.’

The pipe band competition had started, and the sound of bagpipes filled the air.

Olivia frantically scanned the crowd, looking for Patrick’s mop of black hair.

She knew he would approach her in a stealth-like way, catching her unawares like he always had.

Her breathing started to quicken, and she felt the ground start to swirl.

‘You’re okay, just breathe. I’m right beside you.’ Kitty squeezed her hand. ‘Do you want to walk around the field and find him? Or do you want to wait for him to find you?’

‘I’m not waiting any longer. He’s not controlling me anymore,’ she said firmly.

‘Okay,’ said Kitty, quickly scribbling a back in five minutes sign. ‘Let’s go.’

Olivia gave herself a shake, about to take a step forward, when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She froze.

‘There she is! Olivia Kennedy. Where have you been hiding?’