Page 34 of A Summer of Secrets on Arran (Scottish Romances #5)

Bella still couldn’t quite get over the fact that Ben was actually here on the island. After their surprise reunion at Cèic, Isobel and Rosie had suggested that she help him move his things over to the flat in Brodick.

‘If you two take the car over, that means you are back in time for your shift starting, Bella,’ said Isobel, in full organisational mode.

‘By the time you get back to the cottage,’ said Rosie to Ben, ‘I will have your laundry sorted and some meals made for your freezer and can drop you back off.’

Bella laughed as she saw Ben’s eyes widen. ‘I wouldn’t argue with either of them.’

‘You are outnumbered, Ben. It’s better if you just do as you are told,’ said Isobel, drily.

‘Okay. Whatever you say.’

James had asked Ben if he could start working at the distillery that night as they were short-staffed and holding a wedding. He was more than happy to help.

Bella and Ben had slipped into an easy banter together as they had ferried his belongings, and a pile of cleaning products that Rosie had insisted they take, to the upstairs flat which was handily placed for the distillery.

‘This is ideal, isn’t it?’ she said, looking around at the sparse but clean flat.

‘Yes, it will be nice to have some space again. I have slept in too many different beds these last few months.’

Bella had raised an eyebrow and given him a knowing look which had made him blush.

‘I didn’t mean like that,’ he insisted.

‘Whatever you say,’ she said, smiling.

‘Let’s catch up properly when we next have some time off together?’ said Ben suddenly.

‘Great. Though I suspect you are going to be full on for a bit if you’re just starting. You know Ash is arriving soon?’

‘Yeah, Mum mentioned that already.’

Bella had glanced at her watch and groaned when she realised the time. ‘I really need to run,’ she said. ‘Chantelle won’t be happy if I’m late.’

‘Come on, I’ll run you round to the hotel,’ said Ben. ‘May as well make the most of Mum’s car while I have it.’

Bella was glad she would have a few more minutes with him and as he drove around the bay she couldn’t help but notice the blonde hairs on his tanned and very muscular arms. She gave herself a shake.

‘Just in here is great,’ she said, signalling to the small road where the staff accommodation was situated.

‘Thanks, Ben. I hope tonight goes well at work and we can catch up properly soon?’ She unclipped the seatbelt and felt herself tremble slightly when he put his hand on her arm.

‘Thanks for your help today, Bella. It’s great to see you.’ He reached over and kissed her on the cheek and she could smell the scent of his shampoo.

‘See you soon,’ she’d said, blushing, as she got out the car. He’d grinned at her and driven off.

Now Bella had a couple of days off work and was on the bus making her way round to Kildonan where she would stay for the night.

The rain had started falling that morning and had been constant ever since.

It was such a contrast to the other evening when she had been at the beach bar.

But she reminded herself that it didn’t matter what the weather was like.

Tonight’s excitement was that Ash was finally here and she didn’t care whether it rained, snowed or hailed.

She was almost giddy with excitement at the thought of seeing Ash, who she loved to bits.

As the bus meandered its way to the south of the island, she looked out the window letting her thoughts drift.

She thought about how much she was enjoying work and how lovely the team were.

She’d made friends with one of the lifeguards at the pool, Becky, who was back from university in Dundee for the summer.

They had made plans to go out later that week and Becky had also invited her to try out her aunt’s yoga class at the village hall.

Bella closed her eyes and thought about Ben.

Again. He had messaged her a few times saying work was great but crazily busy.

The journey to Rosie’s cottage took around half an hour and although she had texted her mum to let her know she was on her way, she hadn’t received a reply which was unusual.

Her mum’s phone was normally always with her.

Although maybe she’d just got completely distracted with the excitement of Ash being back and didn’t realise Bella had been in touch.

By the time Bella got off the bus and made the walk to Creel Cottage she was completely drenched. She knocked the door quickly, hoping someone would let her in and fast.

‘Oh, Bella,’ said Rosie, eventually opening the door. ‘There you are. I am so sorry I should have offered to get you from the bus stop at the very least. Come on in out the rain.’

Bella stepped across the threshold. ‘That’s okay. I did text Mum to let her know I was on my way.’ She frowned at Rosie who seemed distracted. Normally she made a fuss of any visitors who came to the cottage. But she was looking towards the living room and Coisty was nowhere to be seen either.

‘Is everything okay?’ asked Bella.

Rosie hesitated before answering. ‘Yes, sorry we just got caught up talking,’ she said levelly. ‘Here, let’s get your wet stuff off. I’ll hang it in the airing cupboard to dry. Shall I get you something dry to change into?’

‘That’s okay,’ said Bella, now wondering why her mum and Ash hadn’t come to the door to greet her too. ‘I’ve got my pyjamas with me. I’ll just take my jeans off and put them on just now.’

‘Good idea,’ said Rosie brightly. ‘You do that and come through and I’ll let them know you’re here.’

A pained look flickered across Rosie’s face and Bella wondered what had happened.

Is that why Ben was worried about her? Had he sensed something wasn’t right with his mum?

Maybe she was ill? Or it was something to do with Dermot?

Bella went into the downstairs loo to change and then pulled out her phone to check whether her text to her mum had actually been delivered.

It had, which was so strange. Then she noticed a message from Ben.

Did he know what was going on with his mum now and was letting her know?

Hey Bella, hope you have a nice time with the oldies. Bet it will be fab seeing Ash. Say hi to everyone from me. Bx

Bella grinned when she saw the kiss. She replied with a heart.

Then realised she really wished he was there for moral support and she quickly typed a message.

Wish you were here x Something was definitely amiss and Ben was the only other person who would understand.

He always got the in-jokes and their mums’ funny ways.

She washed her hands and quickly pulled them through her hair, which had turned to frizz in the rain.

Then she unlocked the door, dumped her bags into the hall and walked towards the living room where she could hear voices.

Except it wasn’t the low murmur of excited chatter from friends who had been reunited after years of being apart she could hear.

The voices were raised and they sounded as though there was a bit of a tense discussion going on.

Bella’s excitement about seeing Ash quickly faded.

Maybe joining them at this very minute wasn’t the best idea.

No wonder Rosie had looked so strained when she had answered the door.

Bella’s timing obviously hadn’t been ideal. Her hand hovered above the door handle.

‘We did what we thought best at the time,’ said Rosie pleadingly.

‘I know we did,’ said Ash. ‘But none of this was planned, was it? But it’s all worked out okay over the years, hasn’t it? I thought we had agreed this was all for the best?’

‘Well, yes, and it has been,’ said her mum tensely.

‘But it’s been much easier for you. You’ve been away the other side of the world all this time.

It’s been me who has been dealing with all the questions.

I absolutely hate all the lies. It’s eating me up inside and even more so this past couple of weeks.

I can’t do this anymore. We need to put an end to all this. ’

There was a silence and Bella waited for someone to talk.

Ash spoke first. ‘What do you mean?’

‘I mean, I think we should just come clean.’

‘But are you sure Isobel? Because if we do then there is no going back,’ said Ash.

Bella took a sharp breath. What were they talking about?

‘Yes, I am sure. I haven’t thought of much else lately.’ Her mum again. ‘It’s time we told her. We need to talk to Bella and tell her the truth.’ Bella was on high alert when she heard her name being mentioned. Why were they arguing about her?

‘Look, I will respect your decision and support you. Of course I will. I . . . I just don’t get why we need to do it right now.’

‘Because . . . as I have already told you,’ said her mum now speaking extremely slowly but loudly, a tell-tale sign she was close to losing the rag, ‘she has been asking lots of questions about where she came from. She even went and confronted Luke Giles, for God’s sake.

And I have had enough of all of this. That was the final straw.

I always said there would be a time when we would need to tell her the truth.

And I know for a fact that the time is right now.

I just can’t lie anymore. It’s not fair on Bella or on any of us. ’

‘I know, I do understand that,’ said Ash, with a loud sigh. ‘I just wasn’t expecting us to be having this kind of reunion. I guess I would have liked to have a bit more time to mentally prepare.’

‘Mentally prepare?’ shrieked her mum. ‘God, you can be a total eejit at times. Will you listen to yourself. You’ve had plenty of time to get your head round all of this.’

Bella stood frozen in the hallway unsure whether to move.

This wasn’t how it was supposed to be. They were all meant to be excited to be reunited again and drinking glasses of fizz together.

Shouldn’t they be gathered around the table eating Rosie’s famous spicy sausage pasta and catching up on what everyone had been doing since they had last been in the same room together?

Having a massive fallout should not be on the agenda.

‘Hey,’ said Rosie, more softly. ‘Ssh. Come on, Bella might hear you. This isn’t the way to do it. In fact, I wonder where she is. She’s been in the loo for ages.’

Just then Bella swung the door open and stood surveying the scene in front of her.

Ash was white-faced and standing by the wood-burning stove, her mum’s face was streaked with tears and Rosie sat on the sofa with Coisty tucked in tightly beside her.

He managed a feeble wag of his tail, clearly aware that something wasn’t right in the house.

‘Bella,’ gasped her mum, rushing over to her and giving her a hug.

Bella was tense in her mum’s arms and she took a step back. She could feel the blood rushing to her head and she bit her bottom lip as she tried to keep the tears at bay. ‘Does anyone want to tell me what this is all about? Why are you all shouting at each other?’

Her mum crossed her arms and stared pointedly at Ash, who now walked to Bella and pulled her into a hug. ‘It is so good to see you, darling.’

Then all of the jagged jigsaw pieces of Bella’s life started to slowly slot together as she realised what they were arguing about.

She untangled herself from Ash’s arms and surveyed the scene.

It didn’t take a genius to figure out what the missing piece was.

Bella couldn’t quite believe she hadn’t fathomed it until now.

Yet it all made perfect sense. The answer had been right in front of her all along.

Nobody spoke and the only sound she could hear was the tick of the grandfather clock in the corner.

Bella stared at her mum and then she turned and looked at Ash.

‘Is it true?’ she said in a whisper as she looked again at her mum for confirmation and then back again towards Ash.

A pained-looking Ash took a step towards her.

Bella held up her hand as though to say halt. ‘Is it true, Ash? Are you my dad?’