Page 51 of A Summer of Secrets on Arran (Scottish Romances #5)

One Year Later

It was a beautiful summer’s evening and everyone had gathered together in the garden of Creel Cottage for a barbecue.

Isobel glanced around and smiled as she saw the collection of smiling faces and listened to the hubbub of chatter and the peals of laughter from different corners.

She had volunteered to be on bar duty and was busily topping up drinks while Ben, living up to the image of a stereotypical man, had insisted that he would keep an eye on the barbecue.

Though, given the scent of burning sausages which now permeated the air, and the fact that Bella was standing next to him, it wasn’t hard to work out that his attentions were elsewhere.

Rosie’s garden looked even better than last year, with its new patio dotted with bright pots of shrubs.

She caught a glimpse of Rosie who looked stunning this evening in a green dress.

Her blonde hair had grown longer and she pinned it up, some wavy tendrils loose and framing her face.

After last year’s drama, she had finally come to an agreement with Dermot that she would be keeping Creel Cottage and he could have the Edinburgh flat.

Dermot had been in no position to argue.

Isobel was glad he had finally seen sense as she had been extremely tempted to go and visit him in person and give him a piece of her mind.

Rosie was chatting to Bella, who looked lovely in denim shorts and a red vest. She seemed like a different daughter to the worried and anxious girl she had been at the start of last summer.

Her hair was pulled back in high ponytail and her face was glowing.

Isobel was pleased to see a few familiar faces including Ben’s boss, James, who ran the distillery and was here with his girlfriend, Amy.

Bella’s friend from work, Becky, had come along with her twin brother, Tom, and their parents, Kirsty and Steve, who ran Meadowbank Guesthouse.

Edie had even brought Maisie along and the pair were deep in conversation.

Then, of course, there was her mother, who everyone seemed to know as Granny Margaret, who was holding court in the corner with her partner, Bill, and his daughter, Beth, and her partner, Callum, and Fergus from the outdoor centre with his fiancée, Amelia.

Earlier, Isobel had had a stern few words with her mother and Margaret had been sworn to secrecy about the details of Rosie’s new neighbour.

‘Don’t you worry, hen,’ she said. ‘My lips are sealed. I know how to keep schtoom.’

Isobel begged to differ and had thrown her mum a look .

Although to be fair, her mother had taken the news about Ash in her stride.

She claimed she had always known he was Bella’s dad.

‘She’s more like him than you. She’s messy and you’re tidy, and those waves in her hair don’t come from you or me.

Our hair is poker straight. And who do you think she inherited her sense of humour from? Aside from me,’ she’d said drily.

Had it really been this time last summer that sparked the whole chain of events that brought them all together tonight?

She glanced across the garden to Beach Cottage.

She knew that Rosie had appreciated the fact that there hadn’t been a high turnover of different guests this year although tonight, if she stood on her tip toes, she could see that there were four men standing in the garden.

She hoped they would be over to join the party soon given that they were now the official new neighbours.

Luke had quietly bought the cottage as an “investment” when the owners had told him that they were planning to sell.

He had been a regular customer this past year and they offered him first dibs on it before it went on the market.

His book was now out and his agent, Linda, was doing really well with her treatment and was planning to take a trip to Kildonan later in the year to see what all the fuss was about.

Arran was Luke’s latest favourite golfing destination and he’d even encouraged Rosie to take the game back up.

It was something Dermot had always hated and had unkindly teased her about.

Isobel gave a wry smile as she thought about Dermot who had spent the last few months elbow deep in nappies, exhausted from limited sleep and, if what Rosie said was to be believed, was actually more miserable than ever.

Ben, being the kind boy he was, had made the effort to see his dad for the sake of his new baby brother.

Rosie admitted she almost felt sorry for Dermot. Needless to say, Isobel did not.

Tonight, they had all gathered to say farewell to Bella and Ben who were now off on their own adventure.

Having worked on the island for the past year, they had saved enough to now go travelling.

They were flying off to Singapore the following day and were then heading to Australia with a lengthy visit to see Ash.

Meanwhile, he had stepped up even more so this past year and was never off the phone to Isobel and, most importantly, Bella.

He had insisted that she and Ben visit him while they could as he had his own news to share.

He had been offered a position at a university in London and would be moving back to the UK before the end of the year.

Last year’s trip to Arran had been full of secrets and she hoped that this year would be a summer of fresh starts.

‘Hey there, Isobel,’ said Luke, who had appeared in the garden with his sons Scottie and Ralph, over visiting Arran for the first time.

They were both tall and good-looking like their father.

However, it was the man lingering shyly behind Luke who really caught her eye.

He was tall, with dark hair and twinkling brown eyes.

He wore navy chinos and a pressed white shirt, which meant he could iron — always a plus in Isobel’s eyes.

And he looked like the type of guy who would be very comfortable on a yacht, manfully fiddling with the sails.

‘Hi, boys,’ said Isobel, beaming. ‘Come on in and make yourself at home. Can I get you a beer?’ she said, handing them all a bottle before they had a chance to answer.

‘Will you do me a favour and go and see what Ben’s doing with those sausages, though, before he turns any more to ash or slips them to Coisty.

That’s the dog, not the TV pundit.’ She gestured towards the barbecue.

Then she frowned as she tried to get a better view of Luke’s friend.

‘Hello, Luke’s friend. I’m Isobel. Lovely to meet you. ’ She firmly nudged Luke to the side.

Luke laughed and gave her a wink. He put a hand on the small of the man’s back and ushered him forward. ‘This is my mate, John. He’s been desperate to come to Arran for ages and finally we’ve made it happen.’

‘Well, hello, John,’ she said in the sultriest voice she could manage. ‘You are rather lovely, aren’t you?’

John blushed and Luke burst out laughing. ‘This is Isobel who calls a spade a spade.’

‘What?’ said Isobel, feigning innocence.

‘It’s good to meet you,’ he said, his voice smooth. ‘I have heard a lot about you.’

‘From this guy?’ she said, gesturing to Luke with a shake of her head. ‘I hope it’s all good things he’s been telling you.’

John nodded and smiled widely. He really did have lovely teeth.

Not too white either. ‘I’ll give you a tenner later for that, Luke.

Thanks. Anyway, come on in, John, and make yourself at home.

’ Isobel turned to reach for her own glass which she had set down on the makeshift bar.

She felt in a bit of a tizz. It wasn’t often members of the opposite sex had that effect on her.

But John was extremely dishy. She fanned her face then turned round again.

John and Luke had walked over to talk to Bella.

‘Isn’t this ace?’ said Rosie in her ear. ‘I mean, where would you rather be, Isobel? Here in the garden with everyone we love or lying on a packed beach in Spain.’

Isobel smiled. ‘Indeed. And I know where I would rather be right now, especially with guests like him.’ She jerked her thumb over to John.

Rosie giggled. ‘What are you like, Isobel? But yes, he is very easy on the eye.’

‘Hands off, he’s mine,’ she barked.

‘He’s one of Luke’s best friends. Will I get him to put in a good word for you?’ she said. ‘Mind you, he hasn’t taken his eyes off you since he arrived, so I think you’re in.’

‘What was that?’ said Isobel, unable to take her eyes off John either.

Rosie laughed. ‘Never mind.’

Isobel watched as Rosie wandered over to find Luke and she slipped her hand around his waist. She whispered something in his ear and Luke turned to Isobel and raised his glass in the air, throwing her a wink.

Their romance had been a very slow burn process, starting twenty-five years ago in Sydney, and who knows what would happen in the future, but Isobel was delighted to see Rosie looking so happy again.

She watched as Rosie clinked a spoon against her glass to make a toast.

‘It’s great to have you all here tonight,’ said her friend, smiling at the small group. ‘Thank you so much for coming and for supporting Bella and Ben with this next new adventure. Here’s to a summer of fresh starts.’

John looked over at Isobel and smiled shyly. Then lifted his glass as though to say, ‘Cheers.’

Isobel gave him a small nod, realising at this very moment, there was nowhere she would rather be.

Bella was in a good place, Rosie was like her old self again and that made her happy too.

Her mother was clearly very happy with Bill.

Could it be that her time had finally come and she might be ready for some fun?

Everything was as it should be in her world and reminded her how important the people in her life were and the way in which everyone was inextricably linked.

Isobel may have been single for a long time, but she was now ready to put herself first. She was ready to go and mingle .

She glanced up at John whose gaze was back on her, smiled and made her way towards him.

THE END