Page 48 of A Summer of Secrets on Arran (Scottish Romances #5)

‘Hi, love, how was your day?’ asked Rosie, as Ben came clattering through the front door. He had texted her last night to apologise that he had lost track of time and that he was staying in Brodick and would be back at Creel Cottage later the following day to pick up some things.

‘Everything about it was great,’ he called from the hallway.

Rosie poked her head out the kitchen door and saw him kicking off his shoes and patting Coisty who was pawing him in excitement.

Rosie stood with her hands on her hips and smiled, waiting for him to elaborate.

‘The company, the beach, the bar, everything,’ said Ben, walking through and kissing Rosie on the cheek. ‘Sorry I didn’t make it last night. We lost track of time,’ he said, blushing and sitting down at the kitchen table. Coisty immediately sat down on his feet. ‘Bella is brilliant, isn’t she?’

Rosie could tell Ben thought of her as more than a mate by the way his eyes were shining. ‘Well, I suppose you have known her forever. But, yes, she is lovely and it’s been great to spend a bit more time with her this summer. I’m very fond of her.’ She ruffled his hair.

‘How’s your day been, Mum?’

‘Oh, you know, it’s been fine. I’ve just been pottering around and doing some gardening.

’ Rosie had actually spent most of yesterday cooking and baking so the cupboards and fridge were stocked for Ben.

Then she’d had a very brief reunion with Luke as she had been expecting Ben to arrive.

‘Are you hungry?’ she asked, knowing full well what his answer would be.

He rubbed his stomach. ‘I suppose I could eat something,’ he said. ‘I hope you didn’t wait on me coming back before you ate?’

Rosie smiled. She knew, after many years of being on standby and waiting around, that it was best to eat when she was hungry. ‘No, I didn’t wait.’

Ben looked sheepish. ‘Sorry, I feel bad now.’

‘It’s fine and there is no need,’ she said.

‘I’m used to living on my own remember, so you have nothing to feel bad about.

’ Rosie walked over to the stove where she had been keeping his penne with Bolognese sauce warm, knowing when he arrived he would want some lunch.

She dished it up and took it over, placing it on the table in front of Ben.

Then she got a little dish of parmesan cheese out the fridge.

‘Oh, Mum, I have missed this so much,’ he said, as he hungrily tucked into the bowl of pasta. Then he liberally added the cheese. ‘It’s delicious. I forgot what a great cook you are.’ He ate another mouthful and chewed for a minute.

Rosie pulled out a chair opposite Ben and regarded him for a minute. ‘I don’t cook like that every day.’

‘Do you get lonely being here in the cottage on your own?’ he asked.

‘Not with Coisty around. He doesn’t leave my side,’ said Rosie, looking at Ben guiltily and wondering when she should tell him about Luke.

'I know you like your own company and you’ve got your friends. I just hate the thought of you being bored or lonely.’

‘No chance of that,’ said Rosie cheerfully. ‘I’ve had plenty to keep me busy this summer. I don’t quite know how I find the time to work normally.’ She could feel spots of colour appearing on both cheeks.

Ben nodded as he continued to eat. ‘I guess you’ll be back at school before long?’

‘Next week,’ replied Rosie. That was a bit of a thought.

‘Anyway, it will be great to have you around for however long you plan to stay,’ she said, changing the subject.

‘And please don’t worry about me. I am just fine.

Even with your dad’s latest announcement.

Honestly ,’ she added reassuringly when Ben gave her a pointed stare, concern in his eyes.

‘If you’re sure . . . though I was expecting more of a shocked reaction,’ he said. ‘Those flowers are nice.’ He pointed at the vase which was stuffed with roses.

‘Thanks, dear,’ she said, glancing at them.

‘Life moves on, love. And your dad has made his choices. Now it’s time for me to make mine and get on with my life.

’ She gulped and then ticked herself off for feeling guilty.

She had nothing to feel bad about it other than keeping Ben in the dark.

‘The thing is,’ she said slowly as she watched Ben take the last forkful of pasta and put it in his mouth.

‘I’ve actually got some news myself . . . ’

Then there was a loud rap at the door. Coisty started to bark.

‘Are you expecting someone?’ said Ben, raising an eyebrow.

Rosie shook her head. ‘Unless it’s your dad?’ Her heart sank at the thought. ‘In fact, does he even know you’re here and back in the country?’

Ben shook his head guiltily. ‘No, I haven’t yet let him know.’

Rosie stood up, she really hoped it wasn’t Dermot. She could do without another showdown with him. Surely Luke wouldn’t just show up? Ben was right behind her as she unlatched the door and opened it.

‘Just me,’ said Luke grinning.

‘Luke,’ she said, her voice sharper than she intended.

‘How great to see you.’ She looked pointedly over at Ben.

‘And you’ll never guess who else is here too,’ she said, watching as realisation dawned on Luke’s face that she wasn’t alone.

‘Ben. He has the day off work. He was meant to come last night but is here today instead.’

‘Ben,’ Luke said, stepping into the hallway and extending his hand. ‘It’s so good to finally meet you.’ He energetically pumped Ben’s hand and then bent down to pat Coisty who was in his element at someone else coming to the door tonight.

‘Um, hello there,’ said Ben, confused as he looked at Rosie.

‘This is Luke, who has been living next door for the summer in Beach Cottage,’ explained Rosie.

‘Ah, okay,’ said Ben, still clearly unsure as to why the next-door neighbour was so friendly with his mum. ‘Nice to finally meet you.’

‘I was just going to tell you all about Luke,’ said Rosie with a small sigh. ‘Then the door went.’

‘My bad timing,’ said Luke earnestly, and he looked at Rosie pointedly, as though to apologise for landing her in it with her son.

‘I’ll go next door and sort my stuff out and we can catch up later.

Really great to meet you, Ben. Hopefully I’ll see you again.

’ He nodded, and then beat a hasty retreat through the front door.

‘Come on, let’s go through here to the living room and I’ll fill you in,’ said Rosie.

Ben sat down on the sofa then swung his legs up and got comfortable.

He didn’t look as annoyed as Rosie expected him to, which was a positive sign.

She took a moment to think and then started to tell him about the events of the summer which had brought Luke to Arran.

Ben’s eyes widened when she told him about the fling that she and Luke had had in Australia many years ago and how Bella had mistakenly assumed Luke was her father.

‘Okay,’ said Ben, clearly puzzled. ‘I was not expecting you to say that at all. I had no idea he was a blast from the past.’

Rosie shook her head and gave him a wry smile. ‘I don’t think you would want to know what I got up to when I was your age.’

‘That is very true.’ He shrugged. ‘And no wonder Bella was reluctant to tell me how the truth came out about Ash. She said she would save the story for another day. So she knows?’

Rosie nodded. ‘Yes, and for that I feel bad. I didn’t want her to keep it a secret from you but I felt I needed to tell you myself.’

‘But what’s the big deal, Mum? You’re single and I’m assuming he is single too? Why not have a summer fling?’

Rosie breathed a huge sigh of relief as she realised that she had been worrying unnecessarily. ‘I was just worried you’d be hurt. I know how upset you were about your dad and I separating.’

Ben leant forward and clutched his mum’s hand. ‘Mum, you’re an adult and what you do is entirely up to you. Are you happy?’

Rosie smiled. ‘ Very . It wasn’t at all what I expected to have happened this summer.’ Privately she hoped that it was perhaps more than just a summer fling but she would never voice those words aloud. She knew she just had to make the most of it while it lasted.

‘Wow, no wonder you weren’t too fussed about me staying in Brodick,’ he said with a chuckle. ‘I thought you would be really upset.’

Rosie didn’t reply for a moment, trying to work out how she could diplomatically answer. ‘Um, I am happy with whatever you want to do, dear. I’m sure there are more attractions in Brodick than there are here.’ She looked at him knowingly.

Ben gave her an amused roll of his eyes. ‘True. Any other secrets you want to tell me? It’s certainly been quite eventful by the sounds of things?’

‘No,’ said Rosie, airily. ‘Certainly not from me anyway. But watch this space. You just never know what might happen next.’