Page 24 of A Summer of Secrets on Arran (Scottish Romances #5)

Bella decided that hanging out with her mum and Rosie had actually been a lot of fun.

It had been good to see her mum switch off from the worries of work and enjoy time with Rosie.

They always slipped into a comfortable banter with each other which came from knowing each other for so long.

They were more like sisters than friends as they both had a habit of finishing each other’s sentences and weren’t afraid to let either know if they were being irritating.

Bella did feel a bit guilty that her arrival had somewhat changed the dynamic of her mum’s holiday.

She had started to cook dinner for them all regularly so that Isobel could focus on spending time with Rosie, which was the reason she was there, after all.

Bella had also started taking Coisty out for long walks to give Rosie a break from her usual routine — though walking the cute dog was a pleasure and had helped Bella think about things and get some clarity back in her life.

Rosie had told them both that she had been really appreciative of the way they were looking after her. However, tonight, despite Bella’s protests, she insisted that it was her turn to make dinner for them all.

‘So, are you two having a fling again then?’ asked Isobel, when she had got over the shock of Rosie’s admission.

‘Don’t be daft. How does me helping with his book all of a sudden mean that we are having a thing ? Honestly, Isobel, you and your filthy mind. I’m just trying to be neighbourly.’

‘ Neighbourly? ’ said Isobel drily. ‘If that’s what you want to call it, Rosie, so be it.

I’d call it something else. Especially as you grin like a Cheshire cat whenever his name is mentioned.

Anyway, if you are being so neighbourly then why don’t you invite him round for dinner with us?

It looks like you’re feeding an army anyway,’ she said, tipping her head in the direction of the huge chicken casserole that Rosie had prepared and was about to put in the oven.

‘Fine,’ she had said brusquely. ‘I’ll do just that. Great idea.’ She picked up her phone to send him a text.

‘What, you’ve got his number in your phone? When did that happen?’ Isobel was incredulous.

Rosie screwed up her face in annoyance. ‘That’s what people do these days.

They swap numbers.’ Bella watched as Rosie then put her phone back down and smiled sweetly at Isobel.

‘But do you know what, Isobel? I think I will just go and invite him the old-fashioned way.’ Then she walked out the kitchen and out the front door.

‘Blimey, she’s not hanging about,’ said Isobel.

Bella chuckled. ‘What are you two like?’

‘Oh, sweetheart, I can’t tell you how good it is to hear you laugh again. And Rosie for that matter too. She has had a shit few months. She’s so much like her old self. Or I should say her younger self.’

Bella shrugged. ‘I know. But what else is there to do, Mum? We just need to get on with things the best we can. I mean, I’ve had a few days of moping around but I need to start job hunting.

I’ll go upstairs in a minute and sit at Ben’s desk and get on with seeing if I can find any other openings close to home. ’

Isobel looked at her thoughtfully. ‘Okay, but don’t put yourself under pressure, love. I can help you out if need be.’

‘Thanks Mum, and I know you will. But I’m a big girl now. I need to sort this out myself.’

Isobel sighed. ‘I am so proud of you. And something else will come along. I know it will.’

Just then the door slammed and Rosie ran back into the kitchen. ‘Righto, that’s us all sorted. Lay an extra space for dinner.’

Bella noticed she had a sparkle in her eyes.

‘Someone’s got a spring in their step,’ said Isobel. ‘I’m surprised you’ve not brought him back with you to get things underway early.’

Rosie scoffed at her. ‘He’s got an assignment to finish before he gets his dinner.’

‘Oh, Rosie. Really? I think you’re enjoying bossing the guy around. I almost feel sorry for the man.’

At that moment, Rosie’s phone rang. It was Ben on FaceTime. ‘Ben,’ squealed Rosie.

Bella couldn’t help smiling as it was exactly the same reaction her mum had anytime she called her. They were both easily pleased.

‘It’s so good to see you. And that beach looks stunning. Will you look at that blue sky behind you,’ said Rosie.

‘Hey, Mum,’ said Ben. ‘How are you? Is everything okay?’

‘Yes, dear, everything is more than okay. I’ve got Isobel and Bella here . . .’ she threw a warning look at Isobel.

‘Hi, Ben,’ trilled Isobel. ‘Glad you’re sunning yourself. Are you still in Bali or is it Thailand? I’m losing track of your exotic travels.’

‘Hey, Isobel, in Bali just now. Who knows where next?’

‘And have you got a special lady in your life?’ she asked.

Bella cringed knowing that her mum was about to start grilling him for details.

‘Maybe,’ he had said with a laugh.

‘Is Mabel back on then?’ asked Rosie.

‘Mm,’ he said in a very non-committal way.

Bella listened with interest as her mum and Rosie stared at the phone. Mabel? Interesting . Then Rosie thrust the phone at her.

‘Say hi to Bella, Ben,’ she insisted in that embarrassing way that mums did, regardless of how old you were.

Bella squinted as she looked at the phone and saw Ben sitting on a bench with a tropical scene behind him.

‘Hey, Bella, how are you?’

His sunglasses were perched on top of his head and she couldn’t help but notice his very impressive pecs.

He clearly was a guy who worked out. ‘Hi, Ben,’ she managed to say shyly when she realised he was waiting for her to say something.

‘Long time no speak.’ Long time no speak.

What was she on? Who said stuff like that? She wasn’t forty.

‘Good to see you and so weird to see you with Mum. How come you’re there?’

‘Oh . . . a long story but I thought I would pop over and see them both quickly. And I’m still here.

I’m sure they’ll be trying to get rid of me soon,’ she said, wondering why she was spouting so much random chat at Ben who she used to play cars and dolls with.

‘I’m sleeping in your room,’ she added hastily.

He grinned and she had to steady herself, surprised at her reaction to seeing him and hearing his voice. ‘Lucky you. I’m sure it’s like a shrine.’

Bella laughed. ‘You could say that.’

‘Eh, less of the cheek. I heard that, Ben.’

But Rosie was smiling fondly at her son’s comments.

‘Um, well it’s good to see you, Ben. I better pass you back over to your mum. You know what they’re like.’

‘Aye,’ said Rosie. ‘This will be costing a fortune,’ she said.

‘It’s fine Mum, it doesn’t cost anything. Remember, I told you?’

Rosie shook her head. ‘So you did . . .’

Bella watched as Rosie took the phone outside to the garden.

‘I’ll just get the table sorted for dinner,’ said Isobel. ‘Make myself useful. I wonder if I should light some candles too and give the place a wee hint of romance. Maybe play Careless Whisper in the background?’

Bella rolled her eyes. ‘I think that would make it a tad awkward, Mum. Anyway, I might just, er, go and have a look for a job while I’m waiting then if that’s okay. Unless you want me to help?

‘On you go, lovey. I’ll give you a shout when it’s ready.’

‘Thanks, Mum,’ she said, and then scampered up the stairs to Ben’s room before her mum noticed that she was blushing. She plonked herself down on the bed and realised she felt a little bit wobbly. As though she had butterflies in her stomach. What was that all about?

She looked around the room. She knew Ben had never really lived here properly and the room was just classed as his on the rare times he was back in the country.

Aside from the photo by the bed there weren’t huge amounts of personal touches.

Then as she glanced around, she saw something familiar sitting on the guest chair in the corner of the room.

It was Teddy . She gasped and then ran over and picked the soft toy up.

He was rather threadbare now, but still as soft and floppy as ever.

She sniffed his head and was taken back to a time of life when she was a wee girl and she and Ben had played tea parties with their toys.

Teddy was a regular visitor as was her toy, Piggy.

Teddy and Piggy had been as inseparable as she and Ben once had.

She put him down and pulled herself back to the present.

That had been then, and this was now. Life had moved on massively and Ben was now on the other side of the world living his best life on the beach.

But there was nothing to stop her sending him a wee reminder of the old days, was there?

Before she changed her mind, she quickly snapped the toy and scrolled for his details in Instagram. Then she sent him a picture with the caption Remember this guy?

Ben responded immediately. Teddy! I miss him!

I’ll look after him. Promise. Bella smiled as she pressed send.

Where’s Piggy?

Home alone in Glasgow. Having a party.

Ben sent back a text with three laughing emojis.

Bella laughed then gave herself a shake. Honestly, being around her mum and Rosie was clearly affecting her. Her next most pressing task was not to think about guys but to try and find herself a new job.