Page 7 of A Summer of Secrets on Arran (Scottish Romances #5)

A few hours later, Rosie hopped around anxiously as she tried to spot Isobel with all the other foot passengers coming down the stairs and out of the terminal building.

‘Rosie!’ hollered Isobel, grinning and waving madly at her as she spotted her friend. She hauled her bag on wheels behind her.

‘It is so good to see you,’ said Rosie, throwing her arms around Isobel and hugging her tightly. She held her back at arm’s length and studied her. ‘I can’t believe you are actually here.’

‘Well, you’d better believe it,’ Isobel replied, laughing.

‘I am here, and I can’t wait for the holiday to begin.

Here, my bag weighs an absolute ton. It’s all the plonk I’ve brought.

Give me a hand, will you, and take my handbag?

Jeezo, I feel as though I’ve spent the whole day doing a million Body Pump classes, lugging these bags around. ’

‘Of course,’ said Rosie, reaching over to take the huge handbag from Isobel, wincing at the weight of it. ‘Are you sure there’s not bricks in here?’

‘Nope. Just an extra bottle of Prosecco,’ she said with a wicked grin. ‘There was only so much I could fit in my wee case.’

‘Come on. The car’s over here,’ said Rosie, pointing to the car park.

‘Oh, it’s good to be back,’ said Isobel, looking around. ‘What is it about this place? Whenever I get here, I just feel immediately at home.’

Rosie knew exactly what she meant. Even though the island was now her home, it had always had something magical about it. No wonder it was so popular with tourists.

‘It was a shame we didn’t get to see you last year when we were over at the Highland Games. That was a great weekend,’ said Isobel.

Rosie nodded. ‘Yes, it usually is. And to think I was away celebrating my wedding anniversary and now look at me . . .’

Isobel reached over and gripped her hand. ‘Yes, Rosie. Look at you. Independent and beautiful and kind and well shot of that useless dick.’

Rosie couldn’t help but laugh. Isobel was always so feisty and outspoken.

She was a breath of fresh air. ‘Come on, in you get,’ she said to Isobel as she pressed her key and unlocked the car.

Opening the boot, she took her friend’s small case and lifted it in with a wince.

‘Jings, I see what you mean! Is it full of cement?’ She pointed to the passenger door.

‘Come on, let’s get going. I thought I would start the tour now and take you for a coffee and cake in Lamlash. ’

‘Ooh, now you’re talking,’ said Isobel. ‘Is it the place that sounds like cake and I can never remember what it’s actually called?’

‘Aye. It’s called Cèic.’

‘That’s it. That’s the place my mum has been raving about,’ said Isobel. ‘She went there when she visited Beth last year and has been talking about the cakes ever since.’

Beth was a reporter on the local newspaper and Rosie knew her from the work she had been doing at the school.

She had been helping the kids set up their own newspaper and had been a bit of a hit with them all.

Isobel had previously filled Rosie in on the fledgling romance between her mum and Beth’s dad.

‘How is your mum doing?’ asked Rosie as she started the ignition and pulled out the parking bay. ‘I can’t believe that every time she’s been here lately, I haven’t.’ Rosie had been away doing some Christmas shopping in Edinburgh that weekend.

Isobel raised an eyebrow. ‘Very well indeed. Loving her new flat. In fact, it is near impossible to get her in. She’s always out and about and living the highlife.’

‘And the romance?’ asked Rosie with a laugh. There was always a bit of a queue to get out the car park, but the traffic moved quickly and she indicated left to take the road to Lamlash.

‘Seems to be going well too. Bill is a lovely man. Though she is a bit coy when I push for details.’

‘Erm, what kind of details do you need, Isobel?’

Isobel chuckled. ‘True. Less is more. As long as she’s happy, which she is, that is the main thing. And she’s certainly having better luck with the opposite sex than I am.’

Rosie giggled as she focused on the road and let Isobel admire the scenery.

Isobel had broken up with her partner last year and there hadn’t been anyone significant since.

Not that it seemed to bother her in the slightest. As she reached the brow of the hill which led them into Lamlash, she smiled.

The Holy Isle sat across the bay and the water was as still as a pond.

It was a view that she would never tire of.

Isobel sighed. ‘Will you look at that? What a view.’

‘I know. I love this bit when you drive down towards the bay. It’s one of my favourite views, I think.’

The friends enjoyed the view in silence for a few minutes while Rosie drove into the village. It didn’t take her long to find a parking spot near the café. ‘We can sit outside if you want?’ The seating area was bathed in warm sunshine and there were plenty of free tables and chairs.

‘Ideal. Wow, I already feel like I’m on holiday,’ said Isobel, staring at the bay ahead. The women got out the car and Isobel gestured over at a free table. ‘You have a seat and I’ll go in and get us some drinks. I want to have a nosy at the cakes. What do you fancy?’

‘A latte would be lovely, thanks. And whatever cake looks nice. You choose.’

Rosie sat and enjoyed people watching while she waited for Isobel.

Freya, a teacher from one of the primary schools, waved and smiled as she walked past. Then she saw Edie, who knew everyone , stroll past with her dog, Molly.

Edie was always dressed in bright colours and today was no exception.

She wore a long, turquoise, linen dress and a set of long, bright-pink beads, which she had slung around her neck a couple of times.

‘Hello there. Beautiful day, isn’t it?’ she said as she beamed at Rosie. ‘How are you, dear?’

Rosie was very fond of Edie and, last month, she had taken part in one of her pottery workshops.

It turned out that a bit of creativity was just the therapy that Rosie had needed.

It had been lovely to immerse herself in the process of playing with the clay and it had been a good distraction from her marriage woes.

Even though she had ended up with a vase which looked as though it had seen better days.

Edie had seemed to have a knack of knowing what to say at the right time without ever prying too much.

It was as though she had been able to read Rosie’s mind and knew she needed a bit of kindness at that time.

‘I’m really good, thanks Edie,’ said Rosie with a warm smile. ‘I’ve just collected one of my best friends from the ferry, she’s here for a visit.’

‘Oh, how lovely,’ she answered enthusiastically. ‘You look well, dear, and a lot more relaxed. The summer holidays are obviously agreeing with you.’

Rosie gave her a grateful smile and a nod. It was good to be on holiday at the moment especially as they had been a bit short-staffed. She had been rushed off her feet which had turned out to be a positive thing as it had kept her very distracted.

‘What a place,’ said Isobel, appearing from inside the café and sitting down next to Rosie.

‘Edie, you must meet my friend, Isobel,’ said Rosie to Edie. ‘And Isobel, this is Edie . . . she’s a very talented lady and also makes beautiful mugs.’

‘Edie!’ exclaimed Isobel. ‘I know exactly who you are. My mum has been raving about you.’

Edie blushed and looked a bit bemused. ‘Oh goodness . . .’

‘Sorry, it is all in a good way, so don’t worry. I should explain . . . my mum, Margaret, was here visiting her friend Beth, from the paper, last Christmas. She came round to buy some of your mugs in the gift shop.’

Rosie watched as Edie pieced together the dots and her face was a picture of delight. She clapped her hands together. ‘Oh yes, I remember Margaret. And you’re her daughter?’

Isobel nodded. ‘That’s right.’

‘Oh, it is so good to meet you properly. Tell me, how is your mum, and how is Bill doing now? I haven’t seen Beth for a while to ask her.’

‘He is very well, thanks. Looking after himself after that wee scare over Christmas, and he and Mum seem to be very happy together.’

Edie looked thoughtfully between Rosie and Isobel. ‘I am so glad to hear that. Isn’t life a funny thing? We are all connected, aren’t we? And it’s such a small world.’

Rosie nodded in agreement. ‘It certainly is.’ She hesitated for a moment. ‘Would you like to join us, Edie?’

Edie groaned. ‘I would love to, however I have guests arriving at Coorie Cabin any minute. And I just nipped out to get some milk for them.’

Coorie Cabin was a beautiful shepherd’s hut at the bottom of Edie’s garden which she rented out to tourists.

Sometimes Rosie wished she didn’t live on the island as it was the sort of place she would love to stay.

Although from what Edie said, it was really popular and people tended to book it up months in advance.

‘Lovely to meet you, Isobel, and you two ladies enjoy your time together. And tell your mum I say hello.’ She winked and gently tugged at her dog, Molly, who had been lying down beside her waiting patiently. ‘Toodle-oo,’ she said, and gave a little wave.

Isobel smiled. ‘What a lovely woman.’

Rosie nodded. ‘She is. She’s the type of woman who knows everyone and everything but is very discreet.’

‘Ooh,’ said Isobel. ‘Does she know everyone’s secrets?’

‘I’m sure she does,’ said Rosie. ‘But she’s far too kind to gossip.’

‘Well, I had no idea what to choose in there,’ said Isobel, changing the conversation. ‘Oh, my gawd! I could have eaten everything. I had to ask for some help as I couldn’t decide.’

‘What did you get in the end then?’

She smacked her lips. ‘A slice of chocolate cake and a piece of salted caramel traybake. I thought we could share. Though I also had my eye on the carrot cake and the coffee cake. Oh, and the banana bread. I really think we’ll need to come back.’