Page 35 of Sailing Free at Loch Tunnagan (Loch Tunnagan #1)

They clambered out of the boat and she asked if they would each be happy to do a short interview. Jess spoke about the history of the boat race and what the day would entail. Then Olivia gave details on what would be available at the cafe before the event started.

The photographer asked Lorna about how the funds raised in memory of Lainey would help the hedgehog sanctuary. She then turned to Cal and asked, “Am I correct in thinking that Lainey was your wife?”

Cal visibly tensed, and Jess put a reassuring hand on his arm, “Remember, you don’t need to do an interview if you don’t feel up to it,” she said softly.

A second went by and then Cal’s face relaxed and transitioned into ‘professional mode’. There was still definitely a guard up but he spoke well.

“Yes, Lainey would have been delighted to know that her beloved hedgehogs will be getting a boost from the fundraising. It would also mean the world to her to know that the lantern parade will culminate at our hotel."

The photographer spoke to them while packing away her camera and dictaphone, “That’s perfect, we’ll get this into June’s edition and make sure there are reminders closer to the event. Good luck with it. I’ll be in touch to arrange for someone to come down and cover the event itself.”

Cal checked his watch, “I’ve got to run. I’ve got a meeting at the hotel.”

They were all climbing back into their cars when Olivia’s phone rang. She signalled to Jess.

“That’s Edith wanting to make sure you’ll still make book club before you head off this evening?”

Jess stuck her thumb up, “I’ll be there!”

Her chest tightened when she thought of the amount of packing and cleaning, she would need to get done before book club.

Edith had messaged to say it was going to be earlier than usual.

They had changed the time to ensure Jess would still be able to attend before she had to head back to Glasgow. The gesture had really touched her.

To think she had only been in Loch Tunnagan for a month seemed unreal. Returning to Glasgow no longer felt like moving back home. It felt like moving away from home.

Packing had gone surprisingly well. Everything was in the car and ‘The Sauncy Lass’ was back to the high standard of cleanliness that Edith had left it in when Jess had originally bought the boat. She felt confident that whoever was renting it out would be pleased with their holiday let.

She glanced over at Cal’s boat and felt a tug of disappointment to see he wasn’t in. They’d agreed to keep in touch and make sure plans for the boat race in September went smoothly but the thought of not seeing him every day made her miserable.

The last twenty-four hours had been so busy that she hadn’t had a chance to speak to Cal or Olivia in private.

She needed to let them know that Jack and Lainey hadn’t been sleeping in the same room at the hotel.

She made a mental note to herself to try and sneak away from book club a little early to try and catch Cal at the hotel before she left.

The notion that she would be gone from this place in a few hours caused her mood to plummet.

Jess placed the keys to the cabin door in the safe box and took one last look at the small boat bobbing gently on the water.

The beauty of the loch and the rugged hills that protected it had helped set her free from a life that she hadn’t realised she’d been trapped in.

Her heart ached for the home that was never truly hers.

It was always going to be temporary and she knew that but it didn’t stop it hurting.

With her book in hand, she made her way forlornly to the cafe, pausing for a second to take a deep breath and plaster the best smile she could muster on her face before opening the door to the cafe.

“Surprise!”

Frozen to the spot she looked around the room and took in the sea of familiar faces. A large ‘We will miss you,’ sign hung across the counter of the cafe.

A tug at the hem of her dress brought her attention to Amelie who was staring up at her with a quizzical expression, “Why are you smiling weird?”

A laugh burst from Jess, when she realised, she still had the forced smile plastered to her face.

“I’m just surprised.” She picked Amelie up and gave her a hug.

“It’s a secret party,” whispered Amelie in her ear, “I’m not meant to tell you about it.”

Jess laughed again, “I think the cat’s out the bag now. Thank you so much.”

She gave the wee girl a squeeze and placed her back down on the floor so she could greet everyone who was coming over to say hello.

Olivia engulfed her in a huge hug.

“Thank you so much for this,” Jess' voice was muffled against her friend's top, “It’s honestly a total surprise. I had no idea!”

“It’s not me you need to thank,” smiled Olivia. “This was all Cal’s idea,” she said, nodding over at him.

Cal was sitting at a table with Edith. His long legs stretched out in front of him.

Jess made her way over and crouched down next to him, “I hear I have you to thank for this.”

A touch of colour appeared on Cal’s cheeks, “It was really a team effort,” he said awkwardly.

“Nonsense,” interjected Edith. “This man arranged the whole thing. He even bought the banner!”

“Well, I love it. Honestly Cal, I’m so touched. Thank you!”

“Hey!” Dawn came over and handed Jess a champagne flute. “It’s No-secco because I know you’re driving.”

“Thanks,” She took an appreciative sip and savoured the sensation as the bubbles hit her tongue.

The evening went by too quickly. Jess stared out the window and noted that the light was dimming. She became all too aware that it was getting close to the time that she would have to drive away from this group of amazing people, who had become a second family to her.

Lost in thought she almost missed the deep rumble of the voice behind her.

Cal leaned in, “Have you got a moment?” he asked tentatively. “Will you come outside with me?”

“Oh, I'm intrigued,” smiled Jess, getting up and following him out.

He stopped at his truck and grabbed his phone out of the driver’s side then motioned towards the bench that looked out across the loch.

“Let’s go and sit over there, it’ll be quieter.”

“This is all very mysterious,” stated Jess as she sat down next to him on the bench.

The sun was starting to set, and the steep hills on the opposite side of the loch stood dark against the reds and pinks that were painted across the sky. The space by the loch was still and calm in contrast to the lively atmosphere inside the cafe.

Cal tapped in the pin to his phone and opened up an app, he leaned in to let her see.

His cheek pressed lightly against her hair as they stared at the screen together.

She felt like a teenager as she tried to ignore the butterflies that were wreaking havoc in her stomach.

A grainy video appeared on the screen. At first, she was confused but then Jess heard a familiar snuffling noise.

“Is that Maurice!” she asked in amazement.

“I can’t believe you recognised him before he even came on the screen,” chuckled Cal.

At that moment a familiar little nose came snuffling into shot followed by a round prickly body. Jess looked at Cal in astonishment.

He smiled, “I’ve shown Lorna and she says she’s sure it’s Maurice.”

“Cal, I can’t believe you did this. You’ve no idea how good it is to know he’s safe.”

Cal shrugged, “I knew you were upset when we released Maurice so I popped up some trail cameras to see if I could spot him. I’ll give you all the details so you can track him when you leave.”

The mention of her impending departure left a subdued tone in the air and they sat in silence for a moment

She looked up at him and let her eyes settle on his face. “Cal, I’m going to miss a lot of things from this place but I’m going to miss you most.”

Cal placed his phone down on the bench and ran his hand through his hair. He let out a low exasperated groan, “This is hard Jess.”

Jess stiffened. Had she misinterpreted how close they had become? An awkward sinking sensation replaced the butterflies.

He sighed and his voice was tinged with sadness, “I don’t want you to leave.”

Their eyes locked and she could see with relief, her feelings reflected back at her. He took her hand and interlocked his fingers with hers.

The door to the cafe swung open and they were distracted for a moment when Olivia exited. Her phone was pressed to her ear and she paced along the pavement speaking to whoever was on the other end of the call.

Cal leaned in so that the rumble of his words was for her ears only. He lifted their clasped hands and let them drop softly onto his lap. “Everything around here seems better when you’re here.”

He continued, “But it scares me. The last time I felt this way something awful happened. I’m terrified something bad will happen again.”

Jess twisted to face him, “It makes sense that you feel that way, it’s only natural. The good thing is that there are people out there who are trained to help you.”

Cal sighed, “I don’t know. I’m not sure that talking about any of it would make a difference.”

“Think of it like this. If you’d suffered a physical trauma then you would get it treated. Cal, your brain has suffered trauma. A counsellor might help.”

“Maybe,” acknowledged Cal.

Their attention was once again drawn to the sound of Olivia speaking. It wasn’t legible from where they were sitting but she sounded distressed. Lorna had come out and was consoling her.

Cal stood up, “We’d better check if she's ok.”

Olivia directed her words towards Cal when she noticed them approaching, “Jack’s been in touch. He’s due for release in October.” She took a deep breath. “He wants to come back and put things right.”

Cal’s face hardened and his eyes turned stormy.

Jess placed a hand on his shoulder.“Cal, I need to tell you something; you too Olivia. I found out something about Jack and Lainey when I was up in Aberfeldy.”

She could feel Cal’s shoulder tense under her hand. He spun to face her. Those dark, stormy eyes were now directed at her. “Jess, I told you I didn’t want to look into what happened between them. We talked about it.”

“But if you’ll just listen,” interjected Jess.

She didn’t get a chance to finish her sentence as Cal stormed off towards his truck. She started to run after him but Lorna put a hand on her arm, “You’re best to give him time to cool off.”

Jess nodded but inwardly thought with despair that she didn’t have time to let him cool off. It was getting dark and she needed to get on the road soon.

Instead, she turned to Olivia whose face was still pale and clouded with worry.

“I spoke to the receptionist at the hotel in Aberfeldy. She remembered Jack and Lainey staying there. They slept in separate rooms and her impression was that they had been work colleagues. I don’t think they were having an affair. ”

For a moment Olivia’s face softened but then she shook her head. “The receptionist must have been mistaken. Jack basically admitted to it when he was in hospital after the accident.”

Lorna put her arms around them both, “Come on, let's head back inside.”

Jess reluctantly allowed Lorna to lead her into the cafe.

Her heart wasn’t in party mode anymore. She politely made her excuses, hugged everybody goodbye and got in the car.

She glanced in the rear-view mirror as she drove out the village.

She could see her friends still waving from the car park, she could see the warm lights of the cafe dancing on the loch, she could see ‘The Sauncy lass’ sitting on the water but she couldn’t see the thing she was truly searching for.

Cal and his truck were gone. He hadn’t come back to see her off.

The image in the mirror blurred as tears started to stream down her face and so she focussed on the road ahead.