Page 31 of A Summer of Secrets on Arran (Scottish Romances #5)

The next day Rosie and Isobel were up early to walk Coisty.

Then Rosie had a rummage in the freezer to see what she needed to buy at the shops later.

Now Ben was back, she knew she would have to cook some proper meals.

He was always hungry and had already emptied the fridge in the short time that he had been here.

He had spent most of yesterday sleeping and catching up with jet lag.

She was pleased to have him home, for however long he chose to stay.

Glancing at the clock, she realised she had better wake Ben up if she was to get him to Brodick on time.

Last night, over dinner, he had told them that he planned to stay around for a while and had a meeting about some work at the distillery in Brodick.

He had contacted Fergus in case there was anything going at the outdoor centre.

Fergus couldn’t help but said his friend James, who managed the distillery, had a vacancy.

Ben said Fergus had been sworn to secrecy about his return, which explained why he hadn’t stopped to talk to her at Cèic last week.

‘He would have been worried about putting his foot in it,’ said Ben with a grin.

Now, she looked around for Coisty who had vanished.

Rosie smiled and shook her head. She knew exactly where he would be.

If there was a warm body to curl up next to then he would be right next to it.

He hadn’t left Ben’s side since he arrived back home.

Rosie ran up the stairs two at a time. Ben’s bedroom door was lying wide open thanks to Coisty who must have jumped up and forced it open with his two front paws.

As suspected, Coisty was there and he put his chin on Ben’s side and opened his eyes as if to say, ‘What is it?’

Rosie reached over to gently shake Ben awake. ‘Ben, love. It’s time you got up, if we are to get you to Brodick on time.’

‘Okay. Two minutes,’ he said groggily. ‘I was planning to take the bus. I don’t want to be a hassle.’

‘Don’t be daft. I’ll take you round. Isobel and I need to go and get some shopping anyway. Do you fancy eggs and toast for breakfast?’

Ben nodded. ‘Thank you. I’ll be right down.’

An hour later, they pulled in at the distillery in Brodick.

‘Hope it goes well,’ she said, glad that he had some smartish clothes from the wardrobe at the cottage.

He wore a pair of black jeans and a white polo-shirt.

Ben had always been a shorts and t-shirt kind of boy and wasn’t in the least bit concerned about his appearance.

But he’d at least combed his hair and made the effort.

She caught her breath not quite believing that her little boy was now definitely a young man.

‘Thanks, Mum,’ he said, giving her a kiss on the cheek.

‘Go in there and smash it,’ said Isobel with a laugh.

Ben rolled his eyes. ‘Okay.’

‘We’ll go and do the food shop. Text me when you’re done and we’ll treat you to a coffee?’

‘Um, okay. That sounds good. Though I was going to see if Bella was around too. I wanted to surprise her.’

‘Just as well I haven’t said anything then,’ said Isobel with a laugh. ‘Don’t worry, your mum briefed me to keep schtoom. Leave it with me. She doesn’t start her shift until later. Let me see what I can do.’

He grinned. ‘Right. Thank you. Hopefully I won’t be long.’

‘Good luck,’ she called as he closed the door.