Page 37 of A Summer of Secrets on Arran (Scottish Romances #5)

After spending the next two days with her mum and Ash, Bella headed back to Brodick feeling much happier than she thought possible.

The three of them had had a lot of heartfelt conversations and there had been much soul searching.

However, Bella was now starting to accept the truth.

Sure, she was still processing it all. It was a lot to get her head around.

But it all made sense. She couldn’t quite believe she finally knew who her dad was. After all these years.

She also realised that she couldn’t wait to tell Ben.

She had sent him a few messages to let him know that the oldies were all fine and that she had some news but she would give him a full debrief when she was back in Brodick and away from prying ears.

He kept asking after his mum and whether she was okay and Bella reassured him that she was fine.

She wondered if he had suspected anything about Luke.

Although, she had no idea how he would know, unless Rosie had said anything to him, which she wouldn’t imagine she had.

Rosie’s cottage was cosy but small, especially with the four of them staying there, and it was tricky to find a quiet spot to call him.

The mobile reception on the beach wasn’t great either, otherwise she would have tried to phone him from there.

She was looking forward to catching up with him when she was back in the privacy of her staff room.

Even better, she hoped they might be able to connect in person.

Ben had asked to meet her during his break later.

Her mum offered to take her back to the hotel and Ash insisted on coming too.

He was keen to spend every minute he could with her, as though he was making up for lost time.

Bella had rather sternly pleaded with him not to start acting differently towards her.

He had agreed but also insisted on staying on in Arran for a few more days.

He wasn’t due to go back to Australia for another two weeks.

Instead of heading to the mainland as he’d originally planned, to catch up with friends in Edinburgh and London, he had postponed and booked into a guesthouse in Brodick.

Isobel was going to take him there after they had dropped off Bella.

‘Are you still heading home tomorrow, Mum?’ she had asked when they pulled into the hotel car park.

Her mum looked tired, although it was no wonder. It had been an emotional time and not exactly the holiday she had planned for. More like a summer of secrets that you would expect to read about in a book.

‘Yes, love,’ she said. ‘I’m off home for a rest. And I’m sure Rosie will be glad to have her house back to herself too.’

‘And what about Gran?’

‘What about her?’

‘Does she know about Ash?’

Her mum shook her head. ‘No, well, unless she is psychic. But I didn’t tell her. Much as I love my mum, that would have complicated things even more. To be fair she seemed to accept what I said and never asked me about it again.’

Bella frowned. That was most unlike the gran that she knew and loved. ‘And will you tell her? About Ash? I’m sure she will be fine about it all.’

Isobel yawned. ‘Yes, I will. But I will choose my moment. I don’t have the energy at the moment to share that nugget of news quite yet . . . I will bide my time.’

Bella couldn’t stop herself from laughing. Her gran had recently told her that she considered herself to be very open-minded. ‘Yes, I think that’s wise, Mum. Although Gran did tell me the other day that she considers herself to be quite woke .’

Ash chuckled and her mum groaned. ‘I was in the car with her and she was busy telling me what a progressive attitude she has. Meanwhile, she almost crashed the car as she flicked her finger and gestured at the other driver . . .’

‘Oh, Gran! What is she like?’ Bella laughed, and her eyes welled up with affection as she thought about her wee gran.

Bella had thought a lot about her mum the past couple of days and how much she had sacrificed to bring her up as a solo parent.

She thought about her gran and the amazing bond they had.

Memories of getting together with Ash, Rosie and Ben on beach picnics in Troon and Gullane and visits to Edinburgh Zoo flitted through her head.

Her mum and gran also used to bring her over to Brodick when she was a wee girl. She had so much to be grateful for.

Ash got out the car and gave her a hug. ‘This looks like a nice place,’ he said. ‘Maybe I’ll check out the spa and book in for a treatment while I’m here. A manicure or something like that.’ He winked at her.

That was much more like the Ash she was used to and that put her at ease. ‘Send me a text when you’re settled and maybe we can make plans to have dinner tomorrow?’ she suggested.

‘Sounds like a plan. It’s a shame I couldn’t get booked into the hotel but I am quite looking forward to checking this guesthouse out. It looks very stylish.’

‘What’s it called?’ said Isobel.

‘It’s Meadowbank Guesthouse. It’s not far from here.’

‘That name rings a bell. I’m sure we’ll find it,’ said her mum.

‘I know the name of that place too,’ said Bella. ‘My friend at work lives there. Her parents run it.’

‘I’ll come and have a nosy and help you get all settled,’ said Isobel.

‘I’m sure poor Rosie is glad to be shot of us for a while. What a summer she’s had!’ said Ash. ‘I feel like I’ve barely had a chance to ask her about Dermot and how she is bearing up.’

‘I don’t think her summer has been all bad,’ said Isobel, giving Bella a wink.

‘I saw that,’ said Ash. ‘What have I missed?’

Her mum gave him one of her looks. ‘I’ll fill you in later.’

Ash’s eyes lit up at the thought of some news that didn’t involve him.

Bella gave her “parents” a bright smile and then walked away. ‘See you later,’ she called.

‘Ask Ben if he’s free for dinner too?’ Ash called after her.

She nodded and as she walked away, she let her shoulders slump.

Bella was exhausted. It had been an intense couple of days and she was looking forward to her own space now, pulling on her pyjamas and just relaxing in her own bed tonight.

But she also had to talk to Ben. He was not going to believe what had happened.

As soon as she was back in the privacy of her own room, she texted him.

I’m back in Brodick. Are we still on for later when you get a break? X

She didn’t have to wait long for his reply. Definitely. Meet me by the distillery? I should be there in an hour. x