Page 19 of A Summer of Secrets on Arran (Scottish Romances #5)

Throughout his life, Luke had always been told he had the gift of the gab.

Even at primary school he charmed the female teachers with his long eyelashes and cute dimpled smile.

He had travelled the world, sold millions of records and had a successful career as an actor.

He was best known for the role he played in a successful police series on Sky TV.

Yet now as he sat in this quaint cottage on this island off the coast of Scotland, which he was physically unable to leave as there were no more ferries tonight, he didn’t have a clue what to say.

Or what to do. The usual plaudits and pleasantries that would roll off the tip of his tongue seemed glib and inauthentic.

He felt desperately sorry for Bella who looked so vulnerable and lost as she sat with tears sliding down her cheeks.

He had spotted a box of tissues on the coffee table and passed them to her.

He also felt bad for her mum too. He had no idea what the real story was about the identity of Bella’s father but he could tell from the stricken look on Isobel’s face that there was more to it than him being a one-night stand.

He had learned through experience that life was messy and complicated and he was sure she hadn’t withheld the details from her daughter on a whim.

There must have been a good reason for it.

He just hoped that it wasn’t an awful reason.

He shuddered. That didn’t even bear thinking about.

Right now, he knew that for their sake he needed to give them some space.

Especially as meeting Rosie had now completely unnerved him.

‘Right,’ said Rosie. ‘I’m going to make some tea. I think we need a cuppa or maybe something stronger?’

Luke put his hand up and shook his head. ‘If you don’t mind, I will leave you to it. I think you could do with some space to talk.’ He turned to Bella. ‘I am sorry that this has been so upsetting for you and you didn’t get the answers you wanted.’

Bella choked back a sob. ‘You must think I am completely bonkers.’

Luke shook his head and tried to keep his voice light.

‘There is nothing to say sorry for Bella. You’ve not done anything wrong .

. . other than to mix up a few of the facts.

’ He shrugged. ‘We’ve all done that plenty of times.

’ He could feel Isobel staring at him. ‘For what it’s worth, you did me a huge favour. ’

She looked at him confused. ‘How?’

‘Look, I needed an exit strategy to get away from the golf fiasco and from my life in London and so you brought me here which is perfect.’

She frowned.

‘I’ve got some work to do — a book to write — and I’ve managed to get a cottage for the summer. Nobody knows I’m here, well other than you and your mum and, um, Rosie. So I can just keep my head down and get on with it. My agent will be delighted if I can get the book to her on time.’

Bella didn’t look convinced but at least she had stopped crying.

‘Now, I’ll get out your hair and let you talk with your mum.’ He took his phone out his pocket. ‘Mm. The reception doesn’t look that great.’ He rubbed his hand over his jaw and looked at Isobel. ‘Do you think you could do me a favour please?’

‘What?’ said Isobel curiously.

‘Can you call me an Uber or a Bolt?’

To his astonishment, Isobel burst out laughing and Rosie then joined in. Soon Bella was also chuckling with amusement.

‘Did I say something funny?’ he said drily, at a loss as to why his question was so amusing.

‘Oh dear,’ said Rosie. ‘You can maybe get an Uber in Glasgow or Edinburgh. But you’re on a Scottish island now. You’ve absolutely no chance. You can’t even get Deliveroo. And, just so you know, there’s no Amazon Prime delivery either.’

‘Ah, right,’ he said, feeling foolish. He was too used to the conveniences of life in a big city. ‘I’m clearly too much of a city boy.’ He shook his head.

‘Your best bet is the local bus . . . or taxi,’ said Rosie, kindly. ‘But I don’t fancy your chances tonight . . . however, if you don’t mind my old banger, I can give you a lift there. Where is the cottage you’ve rented?’

At that moment he didn’t care if he had to ride as a pillion passenger on her motorbike. He just wanted to get out of there and leave the women in peace to talk. ‘If you’re sure,’ he said, ‘then I would very much appreciate that. It’s in Kilmory.’

‘But Rosie, you and mum have been drinking. You can’t drive if you’ve been on the booze.’ Bella pointed outside to the ice bucket and glasses.

Rosie shook her head. ‘We only had a couple of sips. So, it’s fine, I am completely sober.

No worries at all, Luke. I can drive you.

That is as long as you don’t mind my choices in music.

I’m really getting back into New Kids on the Block.

They’ve got a new album out and they’re doing a tour and have got a residency in Las Vegas.

And they’re all well into their fifties and looking very good indeed. ’

‘ Ouch ,’ said Isobel, ‘just ignore her. She clearly was never a loyal fan if she can switch allegiances just like that.’

‘Honestly, Rosie,’ said Bella, who was now at least laughing even if it was in embarrassment.

Luke wasn’t sure if it was a personal dig, but he decided to ignore her comments about the New Kids on the Block, the American boyband who were, like the GFC, huge in the nineties.

He would have loved to have done another album and a tour with the band, but his brother had put paid to that by shacking up with Cindy.

Maybe he would write about it in his book.

‘I’ll promise to be on my best behaviour,’ said Rosie, rolling her eyes. ‘Honestly. I won’t even sing along. Come on, let’s get you organised.’

He caught Isobel shaking her head before she and Bella walked out to the car to transfer his stuff to Rosie’s boot.

He reached over and gave Bella a hug and kissed her on both cheeks.

‘Look, I am sorry that this didn’t work out as we hoped.

But it will all be okay. Your mum seems really sound.

Don’t fall out with her about this. It’s not worth it.

Just trust that whatever she has done, she has done it for you.

’ He reached out to touch her gently on the cheek.

Before he changed his mind, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a card which had his details on it.

‘Just in case you want to get in touch, I’ll be here for the next few weeks. ’

Bella smiled gratefully. ‘Thank you,’ she said.

He bent down to pat Coisty who had come to find out what was going on. Rosie had started the ignition of her car and the music was loud with the song ‘Kids’ blaring out. She revved her foot against the accelerator.

Luke raised his eyes and laughed. ‘Oh dear, wish me luck.’

‘Yes, good luck with Rosie,’ said Isobel. ‘You will need it.’ She put a hand on his arm. ‘And thanks for looking after Bella. I’m sorry I jumped to the wrong conclusion.’

Luke looked over at Bella and then back to Isobel. ‘You’ve done an amazing job raising her. She’s a real tribute to you. You should be very proud of her. I know I would be if she was my daughter.’

Isobel blushed.

Luke gave them a wave, then opened the passenger door. ‘Thanks for doing this,’ he said to Rosie. ‘I appreciate it.’

‘It’s all a bit surreal to say the least,’ said Rosie. ‘Let’s just say that I’m doing it for old time’s sake. Now, where did you say it is you’re staying?’ She reversed out the gravel drive and began driving down the narrow road which would take them back to the village.

Luke pulled out his phone and checked the directions. Then he groaned and looked up sheepishly. ‘Um, the thing is the cottage is actually here in Kildonan not Kilmory. Sorry.’

‘That’s okay,’ she said with a shrug. ‘That should make it quite a simple drop off then. What’s the name of the cottage?’

‘Beach Cottage.’

‘Are you actually having a laugh?’ she said in shock.

‘What do you mean?’

‘Wait and see,’ said Rosie. She turned the car and drove back towards the direction they had just come from.

He was confused. They had just come that way. Then he started laughing as he noticed the sign on the door.

‘There it is,’ he said, pointing at the beautiful traditional stone cottage which was on the single-track road with no through road which made it even more idyllic than he thought.

The door had a slate sign on it with the words, Beach Cottage, etched onto it.

Then he looked at the road and realised that the other cottage a bit further down was Creel Cottage .

‘Ah,’ he said, when he realised it was the house next door to Rosie’s.

‘It’s a great spot,’ she said, parking the car just beside the cottage and turning off the ignition. ‘It’s completely tucked away. You shouldn’t get anyone bothering you here. And the neighbours are great. Quiet and keep themselves to themselves. Not at all crazy in any way.’

Luke laughed. There was something enchanting about Rosie especially the fact she was so self-deprecating.

She made a refreshing change from the women who had been throwing themselves at him since his marriage breakdown.

She was so authentic and normal. No wonder he had been attracted to her when they were younger. If only he could remember the details.

‘So much for my wishful thinking that the cottage would be empty for the summer.’ She shook her head in bemusement. ‘And now you’re here. You couldn’t actually make this up.’

They both got out the car and Luke walked over to the key-safe by the front door, painted in a pale lichen shade, and lined up the dial with the code.

The box opened and he retrieved the key, opening the front door.

‘Here, let me get that,’ he said to Rosie who was unpacking his bag and golf clubs from the boot.

‘Are you sure about this?’ she said again doubtfully, looking around. ‘It’s very quiet here. Island life is a bit different. Will you not be bored? Especially when you’re used to living the high life in London. There really isn’t so much to do here in comparison.’

Luke shook his head. ‘It’s perfect. It is quiet, not to mention the stunning scenery and that’s all I need. And thanks for giving me the lift round. I really appreciate it.’

He smiled at her and she blushed.

‘No problem at all,’ she said nonchalantly. ‘Well, I will leave you to it. And, remember, if you need to borrow a cup of sugar or anything else when you are here, then you only need to knock on the door.’

He regarded her for a moment as she stood looking at him pensively.

She was rather beautiful and the way she kept tucking her hair behind her ears was quite endearing.

‘Um, well I suppose the only thing I need to ask is . . . well, I’d be really grateful if you could keep it to yourself that I am here.

’ Which was so not what I was thinking. Why did I just say that?

He could have kicked himself, especially when he saw how unimpressed she looked.

‘Of course,’ she said curtly. ‘Don’t worry. Your secret is safe with me.’ She tapped her finger to her mouth and whispered, ‘Sssh.’

‘Thanks,’ he said. ‘You’ve been so kind to me. Especially when I turned up out the blue.’ He paused. ‘I just hope that Bella is okay. She’s a good kid.’

Rosie grimaced. ‘Mm, we shall see. Watch this space. I’ve a feeling there is more to come.

But I’m sure it will all be okay. That’s as long as Isobel hasn’t dropped any huge clangers while I have been out.

’ She pulled her bag tighter on her shoulder.

‘Right, I’d best be off. See you later. Enjoy!

’ Giving him a wave, she jumped into the car and drove the few metres to park in the drive of her own cottage.

Luke took his things into the little house and dumped them in the bright hallway.

What a day . He walked through to the welcoming lounge which had windows overlooking the sea.

Immediately he relaxed. He had a feeling he was going to enjoy staying here regardless of the strange chain of events that had brought him to Arran.