Page 44 of A Summer of Secrets on Arran (Scottish Romances #5)

It had been several days since Luke had left and Rosie was sitting on the sofa at Creel Cottage enjoying a cup of tea.

A smirr of rain was falling gently from the pale grey sky.

She stared out the window, mesmerised by the way it drifted past like a delicate web of mist. Life had been so crazy lately that it felt good to take a pause and just be alone for a while.

Luke actually being here these past couple of weeks had felt like a distant dream and with a pang of sorrow she realised how much she missed him.

The morning that he had left she had longed to cling to him and plead with him not to go.

Fortunately, she had managed to hold herself together.

When she had dropped him at the ferry terminal, she had tried to keep the conversation as light as possible.

‘You do know that you need to return for your golf clubs,’ she had said, waggling her finger at him.

‘Yes, Rosie,’ he said. ‘That’s all I’m coming back for.

Just my golf clubs.’ He had taken her in his arms and kissed her tenderly.

‘I will be back, Rosie. I promise.’ She inhaled the scent of his citrus cologne and hoped it would remind her of him.

She had already nabbed one of his t-shirts which she had been sleeping in.

But she would keep that detail a secret.

She had surprised herself at just how intoxicated she had been by him.

He had given her a small wave and then turned to disappear into the terminal building.

Rosie had composed herself for a few minutes and then decided that going to the distillery for a coffee would be a good distraction.

She might even get a glimpse of Ben who had been working back-to-back shifts.

She knew she would need to tell him about Luke at some point.

However, trying to pin him down was proving tricky.

When she had gone in, he was rushed off his feet as usual and it was hardly the time or place to have a deep and meaningful conversation.

She quickly drank her coffee and, on her way out, he had rushed over to say bye and said he would call her soon.

Now, she took a moment to admire the garden which was a rainbow of colourful blooms thanks to her persistent work over the summer and she hoped her dad was proudly looking down at what she’d managed to do with it.

The cottage felt so quiet with nobody there and she knew she should get used to it.

Though she wasn’t quite sure she would ever get over the empty nest phase of Ben being away.

Coisty was tucked up on the sofa beside her and he quietly barked as he dreamt.

She glanced at her watch knowing she should move soon though she was really very comfortable where she was and her eyes started to feel heavy.

Before long, Rosie was soon fast asleep.

‘Hi, Mum,’ said Ben gently, giving her a little shake. Coisty was barking excitedly.

‘Oh,’ she said in surprise. ‘I must have dozed off.’

‘I let myself in with the spare key under the mat.’

‘Is everything okay?’

He nodded pensively. ‘I got the afternoon off at the last minute so I thought I would jump on the bus and come over. I did text you.’

Rosie fished around for her phone which was under a cushion. ‘Do you fancy a cuppa?’ She stood up and stretched.

‘I’ll make it for you.’

She followed him into the kitchen watching him curiously. ‘How’s work been?’

‘Full on, but great,’ he said. ‘Sounds like it’s been quite full on here too what with Ash and everything?’

Rosie nodded. ‘Yes, I was waiting for the right time to fill you in.’

He smiled. ‘It’s okay, Bella already has.’

‘And how is she?’

‘She seems okay about it all and can understand now that she knows.’

Rosie sighed and reached into the cupboard to take out two mugs.

She knew from the way that he was biting his bottom lip, a sure sign of nerves, that something was on his mind. ’Is there something you want to tell me?’ she said, trying to keep her voice as level as possible.

‘Well, yes, I do have some news for you, Mum, but I’m not sure if you already know.’

‘Oh. I’m intrigued now,’ she said.

But then she realised that Ben wasn’t smiling. In fact, his face was now masked with worry.

‘What is it, dear? Is everything okay?’ she said, taking her tea from the counter.

Ben leant forward and wrapped his hands around his mug and watched Rosie closely.

She gave him a rueful smile. ‘What’s wrong, Ben?’ Did he know about Luke?

‘Have you spoken to Dad recently?’

Rosie shook her head. ‘Nope. He did try calling me the other day and I phoned him back but it went straight to voicemail. We have been communicating through lawyers. He wants me to sell the cottage so we can divide our assets. I told him to take a hike.’

Ben’s eyes widened. ‘Seriously?’

‘Yes,’ said Rosie, ‘though none of this is for you to worry about.’

Ben looked at her sideways. ‘So, you’ve not actually spoken to him in person?’

Rosie shook her head wondering what on earth Dermot had been up to now. It wasn’t as though things could get any worse. Could they? She really didn’t care what he was doing anymore. ‘No, why?’

Ben smiled feebly. ‘He said he would tell you. He promised.’

‘Tell me what?’ she said, curious to hear what the big mystery was.

‘I’m so sorry, Mum. This is part of the reason I wanted to come home. I knew he wouldn’t have the balls to tell you himself. And I’ve been really worried about you. I thought you would be really upset when you found out.’

‘Found out what?’ Rosie was now sitting upright on the sofa.

Ben gulped. ‘That woman he is now shacked up with is pregnant.’