Page 43 of A Summer of Secrets on Arran (Scottish Romances #5)

Since arriving back in London, Luke had constantly checked his phone for a message from Rosie.

He felt awful that he had left so abruptly.

But after receiving that call, he knew he had to go and see Linda.

It had been a rash decision though and one that he was starting to regret.

By the time he got back, she had been discharged from hospital and didn’t appreciate him making such a fuss.

‘I’m not dead quite yet,’ she had said to him in her droll tone when she had opened her door to find him standing there with a huge bouquet of lilies.

‘I was worried about you though. I know how much you underplay things and I wanted to see you for myself. Especially when I heard you were in hospital.’

She rolled her eyes at him and ushered him through the door. ‘Coffee?’ she said.

Luke watched her as she bustled around her kitchen as though everything was normal. But she did look more fragile than usual despite the brave face she was putting on. When she had called him to tell him she had been diagnosed with breast cancer he had automatically assumed the worst.

‘I only called to tell you because I’ll be starting treatment and so might not be as readily available as I usually am,’ she said sternly. ‘It’s all okay, Luke, and treatable. I didn’t mean to scare you and expect you to take the first flight home.’

‘You didn’t. Obviously you’ve been on my mind since you called to tell me. But it was Joyce who called to let me know you were in hospital.’ Joyce was one of Linda’s clients and also a close friend.

‘Well, you know what a drama queen she is. It’s no wonder she is so in demand,’ said Linda drily.

Luke had then felt a bit foolish for leaving Arran so quickly.

He’d clearly been away from city life for too long and it had affected his judgement.

Being holed up in front of a computer had made him lose perspective.

But he wanted to do the right thing. Linda had been such a support to him over the years and he would never have forgiven himself if something happened to her and he hadn’t been there.

But he had a longing to be back on Arran with Rosie.

‘Tell me, how is the book going?’ She raised an eyebrow and then deftly flicked on the coffee machine.

‘Good. I am almost there.’

‘Almost. What does that mean?’

‘Um, that I am nearing the end. Kind of.’ Which wasn’t entirely false.

He had managed to get most of his stories down on paper now and just had some reordering, editing and refining to do, as suggested by Rosie.

He knew it wouldn’t be long before he had the manuscript ready to share.

He just needed a wee bit longer. What had happened to him?

He was even thinking like a Scot now. It was clearly the Rosie, Bella and Isobel effect.

‘I like what you’ve sent through to me so far. It has all been very entertaining. And I know the publishers are happy too. Though they might want you to add more spice.’

He looked at her quizzically. ‘Spice?’

‘Yes. A bit more detail about your earlier sexual exploits. Especially with the higher profile women who were in the public eye at the time. You know? So we can engage the reader and build a bit of mystery and sexual tension to keep them wanting to read on. It will also make a great serialisation for the press too.’

Luke shuddered. He really didn’t want to go into detail about any of that stuff. God, that was the last thing he wanted to write about. ‘I’m not writing the next Fifty Shades ,’ he said tersely. ‘And anyway, a true gentleman never does tell.’

‘Pah!’ Linda laughed as she placed a coffee in front of him.

‘Bollocks. Heaven forbid. I’m just saying be prepared to add in a little more detail.

In my vast experience they may well ask.

Publishers are obsessed with it. As are the readers who will be buying it.

And if you want it to be serialised — and I’m thinking the Daily Mail — then their readers will absolutely want some of the sordid details. ’

He took a sip of coffee and decided a swift change of subject was required.

He really didn’t want to be discussing his sex life with Linda.

It didn’t feel entirely appropriate. And he didn’t want to think about readers wanting salacious details either.

‘When does your treatment start? And how are you feeling, Linda?’

She waved her hand dismissively. ‘Nice change of topic. It starts next week and I’m fine.

Honestly. I was just admitted into hospital as I had an infection.

It was a precaution. I’m fine and that’s why I pay for expensive private health care.

You don’t get to my age and not face a few health issues unless you’re super lucky.

Even Elle Macpherson had her own health cancer scare and she was younger than I am now.

I will be absolutely fine. I’m a fit old bird. ’ She cackled loudly.

Luke didn’t like to point out that Linda was now well into her sixties and still smoked like a chimney and drank like a fish. ‘That’s a good attitude to have,’ he said.

‘But enough about me. Tell me about you and the Scottish island you’ve been hiding out on. What I want to know is how on earth you have managed to stay off everyone’s radar? Have you just been sharing the place with a few farmers and sheep?’

Luke thought about Arran and how much he loved it.

It had been extremely easy to stay off grid there.

Although he had never been the type of person to court attention, unlike his brother who had always loved being famous.

But over the years Luke had learned that if you quietly got on with things then you could lead a peaceful life.

He thought about how tranquil the island was and how much he appreciated the quiet and the lack of sirens which constantly seemed to blare at all hours of the day in London.

He thought of the views of the sea, his morning walks along the beach and trudging through the woods with Rosie.

Ah, Rosie. And Bella, Isobel and Coisty.

He had grown very fond of them all. He missed Beach Cottage, where he felt so relaxed and at home, and his writing routine and the garden at Creel Cottage and morning coffee breaks with Rosie.

Most of all he missed Rosie and the way she threw her head back when she laughed.

He missed the way she tucked her hair behind her ears and her dry sense of humour.

And he thought about the times they had been together and how whenever they had touched, the sensation had sent tingles down his spine.

‘Luke’ said Linda knowingly. ‘Have you got anything to tell me? Because you look as though you are daydreaming about someone rather nice if the huge smile on your face is anything to go by.’

He felt his cheeks redden.

‘And you’re blushing. Oh. My. God. Luke Giles, in all the years I have known you I don’t think I have ever seen you blush. Not once. Tell me right now what is going on? What have you been up to? Are you in love?’

Luke considered his options knowing that he didn’t have long to think. He lifted his cup and drank some of the coffee in a bid to buy him a few seconds.

Linda set down her coffee cup and stared at him. ‘Luke, tell me more. I am waiting .’

Suddenly he felt self-conscious. He wasn’t actually ready to share his thoughts and feelings about Rosie with anyone yet. Especially when he hadn’t even shared them with her. He needed to talk to Rosie. He needed to tell her how he felt.’

‘Luke. What’s the big secret? Are you in love? Have you fallen in love over the summer?’ Linda’s eyes widened in excitement. ‘Can you add this into your book? What a wonderful way to finish it off. A spicy romance on a Scottish island. I love it!’

He inwardly groaned and gave her a grim look.

‘Sorry to disappoint you Linda, but no, I am not in love. That is unless you can fall in love with a place? In which case yes, I am in love with the island of Arran. It’s gorgeous, enchanting and has completely got beneath my skin.

And since I’ve left the place, it is all I can think about. I am obsessed. I am in love.’

Linda regarded him suspiciously for a moment. ‘Well, my dear, if you want my advice, I would strongly suggest you get back there as soon as possible and finish the damn book. Especially now that you have seen for yourself that I am very much still alive and kicking.’

Luke was torn. ‘But I want to be around in case you need me. That’s why I’m here.’

‘Pfft,’ said Linda scathingly. ‘You know I hate any kind of fuss. Though I do appreciate the flowers,’ she said hastily. ‘But if you want to help me then the best thing you can do is get back to the new love of your life. Because it has been absolutely ages since I’ve seen you looking this happy.’

Luke grinned and threw his arms around Linda. ‘Well, okay, if you insist.’

‘I do. I’ve already got Joyce fussing over me which is enough to tip me over the edge. I don’t need both of you. Now skedaddle.’