Page 52 of A Summer House on Arran (Scottish Romances #3)

Olivia and Kitty had just arrived back at Lilybank Cottage after a morning of kayaking. Kitty had eventually managed to convince her that she’d love it, and she’d been right. Olivia felt exhilarated and happy after a few hours being outside on the water.

They only had a couple of days left together on Arran.

Kitty would be going back to Rosemarkie in the next few days, via Perth, and she’d invited Olivia to come up with her and see the Highlands.

Olivia had been toying with the idea of returning to New York at the end of August. That would give her some time to gather her things together and get on with the next chapter of her life, though she now knew she didn’t want to live in New York anymore.

She was glad she had taken the decision to have counselling.

It was definitely helping her process everything that had happened with Patrick, and given her some space to work out what she wanted to do next.

She had a few ideas rolling around her head, but if her summer here had taught her anything, it was that her heart was in teaching.

‘I’m off to have a quick shower and to warm up,’ said Olivia.

‘Me too,’ said Kitty.

When she came out of the bathroom, Olivia picked up her phone from the bed and saw several missed calls from her aunt.

She was about to snatch it up and immediately call her back when she reminded herself to breathe for a moment.

Her heart was racing — she practised a few rounds of breathing in for four counts and out for six, and it started to slow down again.

She pulled on some sweatpants and a T-shirt, and wrapped a towel around her wet hair.

Walking through to the living room, she called her aunt.

It rang once before Trudy answered it. ‘Hey, honey,’ she said. ‘I didn’t mean to worry you, but I needed to talk to you.’

‘Is everything all right? Are you and Uncle Chuck okay? It must still be early over there.’ She looked at the wall clock, frowning.

‘You know me. I’ve always been an early riser. But look, yes, we’re absolutely fine,’ she said. ‘But I did just get a call from one of my lawyer girlfriends in New York.’ Trudy paused. ‘She said that Patrick’s been arrested.’

‘Oh,’ said Olivia, her legs starting to buckle under her. She sank onto the sofa. ‘What happened?’

‘Police went to a nine-one-one call outside a restaurant, and a woman there with him told officers that she’d been assaulted. There were several witnesses too. Olivia . . . he’s facing charges of misdemeanour assault, aggravated harassment and attempted assault.’

Blood rushed into her cheeks and Olivia couldn’t find any words to respond.

‘Are you okay, Livvy?’ asked Trudy. ‘I know it’s a shock, but I just thought you would want to know. Talk to me, honey. Let me know you’re there.’

Olivia’s stomach was doing somersaults and she thought she might stop breathing. ‘Oh, Trudy,’ she croaked. ‘Is the woman okay?’

‘She’s absolutely fine,’ reassured Trudy.

‘I feel like it’s all my fault,’ wailed Olivia. ‘If I’d done something or spoken out then he wouldn’t have done this to that poor woman.’

‘Oh, my darling girl. The woman is fine, and this is not your fault. You’re not responsible for that dumbass’s behaviour. He assaulted that girl all by himself.’ She heard Trudy take a steadying breath. ‘But there’s more . . .’

Olivia clamped a hand over her mouth to stop herself from gasping. What more could there be?

‘He’s apparently been seeing that woman for a year, and this wasn’t the first time it had happened.’

‘Okay, wow,’ she said evenly. ‘I was not expecting you to say that.’ She glanced up to see Kitty lingering in the doorway, a look of concern on her face.

‘Are you okay?’ she mouthed.

All Olivia could do was shrug.

‘Is someone there with you just now, Liv? I know it’s a lot to process, but I wanted you to know that moron is going to pay for what he did.

He’s not going to be able to do this ever again.

And . . . have a think if you might also want to press charges, dear.

My lawyer friend said she’ll help you, pro bono. ’

‘Okay . . .’ Her voice trailed away. It was all too much to think about — her brain felt as though it was going to implode.

‘Thanks for letting me know, Aunt Trudy. I just need some time to think.’ She was so glad that she had a Zoom session booked later with her counsellor. The timing couldn’t have been better.

‘Will you be okay?’

‘Yes, Kitty’s here with me.’ Her friend sat down next to her on the sofa and gently touched her arm.

‘She sounds like a good friend,’ said Trudy.

Olivia nodded and looked directly at Kitty. ‘The best.’

‘Okay, dear, you know where I am if you need me. Call me any time.’

Olivia nodded, feeling the tears sliding down her cheeks and onto her lap. Kitty passed her a pile of tissues. ‘Thanks,’ she managed to mumble. ‘B-bye,’ she stuttered, then ended the call.

Olivia sat in silence for a while, dabbing her eyes and waiting for the tears to stop.

She was grateful that Kitty was there with her, supporting her by just being there, rather than putting her under any pressure to talk.

Eventually she recapped what her aunt had said.

When she’d finished, she said what she genuinely felt.

‘And you know what, I’m actually fine. Now that I’ve had a good cry, I’m okay. ’

‘It’s still a shock, though,’ said Kitty.

‘Yeah, not really. I mean, I feel like there’s not much that would shock me anymore. And I’m going to speak to that lawyer. Nobody else deserves to go through this. I’m going to do my best to keep other women safe.’ She felt Kitty squeeze her hand.

A huge weight lifted from Olivia’s shoulders. She knew what to do next. It was like the final piece of the jigsaw slotting into place.

‘Let’s always stay in touch,’ she said to Kitty.

‘Obviously,’ she replied indignantly. ‘I’m fully expecting your presence at my house after your shindig in Glasgow.’

‘I wouldn’t miss it for the world.’

Kitty hugged her.

‘For what it’s worth, this summer house share has been the best thing that’s ever happened. I’m so glad we decided to try it.’

‘I know. Thank you for taking a chance on me,’ said Kitty with a chuckle. ‘It could all have gone terribly wrong.’

Olivia nodded thoughtfully. ‘Instead it all went just the way it should. A perfect summer on Arran.’