Page 9 of A Summer House on Arran (Scottish Romances #3)

The idea to spend the summer in Arran had all been a bit last minute, only arranged just before Cameron had left.

Kitty had the summer off work from the nursery but didn’t really have any concrete plans.

She thought she might do some travelling, but wanted to make sure Cameron was away safely before she made her own plans.

It was her cousin, Fergus, who had come up trumps with the holiday house.

Fergus had returned to live on Arran after years living away, and a friend of a friend needed someone to house-sit over the summer.

Their holiday cottage was in the village of Brodick and they were thinking of stopping the lettings and keeping it for their own use whenever they needed it.

‘But doesn’t he want to rent it out? Surely it’s not too late to try?’

‘No,’ said Fergus. ‘Apparently, they just want to know that it’s being looked after, and even better if it’s just one reliable and responsible person. Sounds like it’s all meant to be.’

‘It sounds too good to be true.’

‘I would just think of it as a gift coming at the right time,’ said Fergus.

‘The key safe is outside the front door, and he’ll email me the code.

It’s one of those ones that you line up and it opens.

The family who keeps an eye on it for him are just up the road at Meadowbank Cottage and are really helpful.

So if you need anything when you’re there you can get in touch with them.

Obviously, me too, but at least you know they’re just a few minutes up the road.

Look, I’ll forward on the email with the details as soon as I get it. ’

‘Thank you. It will be so good to see you. Though I know you’re busy, so don’t worry. I’m really looking forward to meeting Amelia.’

Fergus chuckled. ‘I think you’ll like her.’

‘I’m sure I will.’ She paused. ‘It’s not like you to be so smitten.’

‘Do you know which ferry you’re getting?’ he asked, changing the conversation.

‘Yes, I’m going to stay with John the night before and then will aim for one at lunchtime.’

‘Are you bringing your car over?’

‘No,’ she said, ‘I couldn’t get it booked on, so I’ll just park at Ardrossan and come across by foot. I’m not planning on bringing that much stuff anyway.’

Fergus laughed. ‘Famous last words. Look, if I can meet you off it, I will. Just text me when you’re on the way.’

‘Please don’t worry. I’ll be fine. It looks like it’s not so far from the ferry terminal. It’s just a short walk, it will do me good to stretch my legs.’

Fergus’s words had indeed been famous. Kitty had ended up packing much more stuff than she’d planned.

It was both a stroke of luck and a blessing that, when she got to the terminal, there was space for her car on the ferry after all.

She messaged Fergus from the boat, letting him know she could make her own way to Lilybank Cottage.

Fergus ran the outdoor centre at Lamlash, and they had never been particularly close growing up as he’d been abroad for many years.

It was only when he came back to Scotland for the funerals of his parents that they’d reconnected.

Then, when they’d both been visiting John in Glasgow, they’d become closer still.

They’d bonded over their shared histories of personal loss and broken hearts.

They had a lot in common, and she never had to explain herself to him and vice versa.

They both understood each other and in a way were like kindred spirits.

She was so looking forward to seeing him again.

Kitty got herself a coffee and took it upstairs to sit on the outside deck.

There was a warm breeze, and the sun was trying its best to peek out from beneath the grey cover of clouds.

She had checked the forecast for the week ahead and it looked a bit mixed.

But that didn’t bother her in the slightest. She had packed for the weather and had spares — a couple of pairs of walking shoes in case one got muddy, and two rain jackets to allow for one to dry out.

There would be no excuse not to be active.

Then again, she reasoned, if it did rain all the time and everything got wet, which meant the walking got a bit miserable, then she would have the perfect excuse to stay in and sleep and read the pile of books she had downloaded onto her Kindle in anticipation of having all this free time.

It did feel very indulgent, but she felt a glimmer of excitement, countered by a tinge of sadness that Cameron wasn’t there too, as she thought about the long summer that stretched ahead.

It had been years since she’d been to Arran, and she wondered how much she would remember and how much had changed.

She had vague memories of a visit during a family holiday when she was around five years old.

Her parents had decided to take John and her on a tour of the Scottish islands.

As she looked ahead to the mainland, she could see Brodick Castle nestled in the trees.

She had definitely been there. She could remember it was a wet day.

She and John had had their welly boots on and had loved jumping in all the puddles, and sliding across the grass in the grounds, which were brilliant to play in as a child.

She remembered feeling hot and damp and hungry as they trailed after their parents inside the castle, listening to a guide tell them about its history and the stories that lay within its walls.

There were huge oil paintings on the walls and the rooms were filled with ornate furniture.

She had fidgeted, desperate to go for some juice and cake in the café afterwards.

As the ferry neared the island, the wind started to pick up a bit and the clouds started to clear. Kitty caught a glimpse of Goatfell, the island’s highest peak. Maybe she would climb that on one of her days.

Yawning, she realised how tired she was.

Yesterday’s drive down to Glasgow had been long, thanks to heavy traffic on the A9.

Then she and John had sat up late chatting.

Maybe once she got to the cottage and unpacked, she could have a little nap.

Why not? She could please herself, which made her feel quite liberated.

Then she would head out and get some provisions and make a list of all the things that she wanted to do.

When the announcement was made asking passengers to return to their cars ahead of their arrival at Brodick Ferry Terminal, she practically skipped down the stairs in excitement. She couldn’t wait to start this next chapter and new adventure.