Page 17 of A Summer of Secrets on Arran (Scottish Romances #5)

There was a loud rap at the door of Creel Cottage.

Isobel had been pacing around, frantic with worry ever since Bella had phoned, and Rosie had been doing her best to calm her down.

‘Let’s just wait until she gets here and she can tell us what’s going on,’ she had said soothingly, in a bid to placate Isobel.

‘There’s no point in jumping to conclusions.

’ But her words had been in vain, which she knew would be the case.

Isobel had always been the type of person to catastrophise and had become increasingly frantic as the minutes passed.

She ran to the door and flung it wide open.

Rosie held herself back, wanting to give them some space. From where she was standing in the hallway, she could see a white-faced Bella. Isobel threw her arms around her daughter. ‘Bella!’ she shrieked. ‘What’s wrong? You’re worrying me. Come in and tell me what on earth is going on.’

‘Mum . . .’ Bella’s voice trailed away and she pointed at a man who came to stand beside her on the doorstep.

‘Who’s this?’ asked Isobel suspiciously.

Rosie hadn’t even realised Bella had company. Oh dear. This did not bode well.

‘Mum, this is Luke.’

Rosie wished she had her glasses on so she could see properly.

From where she was standing, she could see a man who was around the same age as her and Isobel and was wearing chinos and a navy polo-shirt.

He definitely fell into the good-looking category.

He stepped forward to shake Isobel’s hand. If only she could get a better look.

‘Hello there, Isobel,’ he said. ‘I’m Luke. Nice to meet you. Bella has told me so much about you.’

Rosie clocked his London accent. He sounded very confident.

But she was so frustrated that she couldn’t make out his features.

It was no use; she needed to go and get her glasses.

With as much stealth as she could manage, she crept into the kitchen.

She could still hear them talking and she paused when she heard Isobel’s voice rise an octave.

‘What’s going on, Bella?’ Isobel said slowly, clearly trying her best to keep her voice as even as possible. ‘Who is this?’

‘It’s probably better that we talk inside,’ said Bella.

‘Come in,’ said Isobel loudly.

Rosie heard the door close and footsteps go down the hall and into the living room.

She heard Bella ask very loudly and clearly, ‘Where is Rosie?’ She knew Bella would be hoping that she would take her side and smooth things over like she always did when she and Ben were younger.

Just then Coisty ran out the kitchen, barking and wagging his tail.

Rosie knew within seconds he would probably be sitting on the man’s feet and gazing up at him.

He was a shameless flirt with both sexes.

Rosie put her ear to the kitchen door that opened through to the living room.

‘Look, why don’t you take a seat,’ said Isobel.

‘Is Rosie here?’ said Bella again, sounding nervous.

‘Yes. She just must have nipped to the loo.’

‘Take a seat,’ Isobel said again and waited for them both to sit down. ‘Now is anyone going to tell me what this is all about? Am I missing something?’

Rosie could tell from the sound of Isobel’s wobbling voice that she needed some moral support.

She put her glasses on and then tried to casually appear from the kitchen clutching a mug of what was now very cold tea.

‘Hi guys,’ she said cheerily, putting her cup down and going over to hug Bella.

‘We thought you were camping, love? Mind you, I don’t blame you for dodging that.

Why on earth anyone wants to sleep in a tent is beyond me.

Especially with the midges.’ Rosie looked at the man.

He looked vaguely familiar. He was rather handsome too.

‘I’m sorry. I don’t think we have met. My name is Rosie,’ she said reaching over and pumping Luke’s hand energetically.

But as her eyes roamed over Luke, her whole body froze.

Rosie couldn’t believe who she was seeing.

He wasn’t just vaguely familiar; he was actually very familiar.

Not only that but he was old enough to be Bella’s father.

Oh, God . Was this some kind of daddy issue thing and she was now going for mature men and father-type replacements?

Was this why she had come to the island?

To tell her mum that she had shacked up with an older man.

Jeezo. But why this man in particular? Isobel would flip in a minute when the penny dropped and she didn’t even dare to think about what Granny Margaret would say when she found out.

And why hadn’t Isobel even realised who this guy was?

‘Erm, is this some kind of joke or something?’ She looked over at Isobel in disbelief.

‘Don’t you know who this is, Isobel?’ Then she turned to Bella.

‘Are you going to tell us what on earth is going on?’