Page 47 of A Summer House on Arran (Scottish Romances #3)

‘Surprise!’ chorused the women in unison. ‘We’ve been looking for you for ages, so we have. Did you not hear us calling your name?’

Kitty watched in astonishment — Olivia’s face softened as she became surrounded by a trio of women, spanning the generations, dressed in an assortment of bright floral dresses.

Tears of joy started to roll down her face as she flung her arms around each of them. ‘Oh, it’s so good to see you all. I’m so glad you’re here! Please, meet my friend, Kitty. She’s the one I’ve been sharing the house with.’

‘Lovely to meet you. I’m Bella,’ said the youngest of the women, who was dressed head to toe in cerise pink and was smiling warmly. ‘This is my mum, Isobel.’

‘Nice to meet you,’ said Isobel, dressed in yellow.

‘And this is my gran, Margaret. Also known as Granny Margaret,’ she said.

‘Bet you didn’t think I was the gran, did you, love?’ said the oldest of the group, who had a bright orange dress on and a very dirty giggle.

Kitty couldn’t help laughing at their infectious and warm manner.

‘So, here we are,’ said Isobel. ‘We thought we’d surprise you.’

‘I can’t believe you’re actually here.’ There were tears in Olivia’s eyes. ‘I can’t tell you what this means.’

‘Aye, well, what can I say? It’s not quite Sorrento, is it?’ said Margaret. ‘I can’t exactly say there’s much talent from what I’ve seen so far, and it’s a tad chilly. But anyway, we wouldn’t miss it for the world. We can’t wait to see your wee dancers in action.’

The women were all so immersed in the moment that they were oblivious to the man that was standing watching them.

Kitty shivered when she saw him, realising just who it was.

It was like watching something in slow motion as he moved nearer the group, wedging himself between Granny Margaret and Olivia.

‘I don’t want to interrupt you all, ladies,’ he said smoothly. ‘But if you don’t mind, I would just like a quiet word with my girlfriend.’ He smiled and held out his arms. ‘Hello, Olivia. It’s lovely to see you again. I’ve missed you.’

Kitty watched as Olivia’s face turned puce and she took a step back, folding her arms defensively. As the man took a step towards her, the other women picked up on Olivia’s response and flanked her, eyeing him suspiciously.

‘Aren’t you going to say hello?’ he said.

‘Now, just you wait a wee minute,’ said Margaret, glancing at Olivia in concern. She moved back into the space that Olivia had created and squared up to him. ‘Just what is going on here? Who are you?’

‘None of your business,’ he said, barging past her. ‘I have some personal business to take care of and would rather do it without an audience.’

‘Now you listen to me, sunshine. There’s no need to be rude.’ Margaret gave him a steely glare.

‘I’m not interested, Patrick. Please go away.’ Olivia’s tone was icy — she didn’t move.

There was a collective gasp. ‘So you’re Patrick, then. Well, that explains a lot ,’ said Isobel, narrowing her eyes and staring him down.

Everyone stood rigid as they watched his cheeks flame red. He threw a look of contempt back at Isobel.

‘What is this?’ he said, a mean smile etched on his face. ‘Is this some kind of women’s circle?’ He looked around, hoping to find someone in the group who might appreciate his joke. But he was met with stony stares.

Kitty glanced around, hoping that Logan and James would arrive soon in case they needed some physical backup. She could see Granny Margaret squeezing her fists together, and she fully expected her to be the one to throw the first punch.

‘Olivia,’ he said again. ‘Can we go somewhere and talk?’

She shook her head. ‘No. You can say everything you want in front of these women. They’re my friends.’

‘Seriously?’ he scoffed. ‘You’ve known them for what, about five minutes? You were with me for five years, and this is the welcome I get?’

‘What don’t you understand, Patrick?’ Olivia’s voice was steady. ‘We’re finished, you know that. I never want to see you again. I thought I made that perfectly clear.’

‘By running away. Like a coward,’ he sneered.

‘We’re done,’ said Olivia. ‘Finished.’

As Kitty watched him, she wondered what had drawn Olivia to him in the first place.

He might have been okay looking with his black hair and dark eyes.

But that was it. He had a nasty aura about him, and was quickly demonstrating his mean streak.

He had barely even bothered to try to turn on the charm.

‘Please just go,’ said Olivia.

Kitty sighed with relief when she saw Amy arriving with Logan and James, both wearing their kilts.

‘Hey,’ Logan said. ‘How’s things?’

Kitty raised her eyebrows at him and shook her head.

‘I’m Logan,’ he said, reaching to shake Patrick’s hand whether he liked it or not.

‘And I’m James.’ He followed Logan’s lead.

Everyone stood in silence and waited. And waited.

‘Well, isn’t this quite the gathering?’ said Patrick with a hard laugh. ‘Which one of you guys in a skirt has charmed my girlfriend, then? Because it must be a man she’s here for. She can’t be staying here for the love of Scotland. It’s a shithole.’

‘Right, mate ,’ said Isobel. ‘That’s enough. Olivia has politely asked you to leave several times, and now you’re just being rude.’

‘Piss off,’ he said.

Margaret visibly flinched at his tone. ‘Oi,’ she said, ‘you are really starting to try my patience.’

‘Uh-oh,’ whispered Bella under her breath to Kitty. ‘Mum or my gran, or indeed the both of them, are about the lose their rag.’