Page 48 of Summer in the Scottish Highlands (The Scottish Highlands #5)

Faye sat in the car and turned to Jake. ‘Do I need a blindfold?’

He looked at her quizzically. ‘Pardon me?’

‘You know, like the last surprise, when Gayle led me out into the back garden blindfolded before you revealed the tents you’d set up.’

‘Ah,’ he grinned. ‘No, not this time.’

‘Oh.’

‘You sound disappointed. I’m sure I can find something to use as a blindfold if that’s what you want.’ He threw her a wisp of a smile, clearly making a little joke out of it.

‘No, no, I’m fine.’

‘Great.’

Faye stared up at the house. As Jake backed the car around, and started down the driveway, she turned in her seat to catch a last glimpse of the beautiful home through the back window, wondering if this would be the last time she saw The Lake House.

She touched the ribbon on her finger and turned to look at Jake.

As long as they were together – that was what mattered.

She knew that. But even so, she couldn’t resist one more glance over her shoulder, one more thought about living in his childhood home.

Natty would love it. And so would she. So, tell him how you feel before he does something stupid – like selling the place.

Faye turned in her seat to say something, but almost immediately thought better of it.

For one thing, it wasn’t her decision to make, and she didn’t want to put Jake in an impossible position, where he would feel torn – she knew Jake, he’d give her anything she wanted, do anything for them.

But that didn’t mean he could do this – live in this house, with them.

Not yet, anyway. Perhaps when things from his past life with Eleanor had been resolved.

It might still happen. Faye smiled at that thought.

Jake caught her looking at him, and said, ‘Are you looking forward to your surprise?’

‘Actually, yes.’ Now, she realised she really shouldn’t make a thing of not staying at his house.

They were spending the entire school summer holidays together in the Highlands – that was what mattered.

She would have liked it to be at Jake’s home, with the house to themselves, like a real family having a summer holiday together.

But she realised The Lake House wouldn’t have worked if Bonnie was in and out all summer redecorating.

Faye wanted to spend the time with just Jake and Natty.

Although Faye loved staying at Gayle’s, and would miss her new friends, their time at the guesthouse in separate bedrooms with no privacy or evenings they could spend alone together had run its course.

Especially now they were officially a couple.

But she would miss her new friends. She resolved to pop in and see Gayle, Marty, Nick and Doris during the summer, as well as spending time with Annie, Joe and Evie that day, going with them up on the mountain.

She was sure she’d find some excuse to visit Duncan’s store and catch up with them, and no doubt Natty would be after another sleepover with her new best friend.

Faye suddenly had a thought. She wondered why it hadn’t crossed her mind before. ‘But where are we going to stay for the summer?’ she asked.

‘Ah, now, that’s where the surprise comes in.’

‘You’ve booked something – haven’t you?’

‘I know it was quite presumptuous of me, to go ahead and do that—’

‘But you would have lost the money if we’d returned tomorrow after all.’

‘Well, I was going to do my very best to persuade you to stay for the summer.’

She caught him frowning when he added, ‘Then I very nearly blew it this morning.’

‘There’s no need to talk about that now,’ Faye said reassuringly. ‘Everything is working out perfectly.’

‘I hope so. I hope you like the surprise.’

Faye couldn’t wait to see what he’d booked for them to stay in for the summer. ‘I know I will.’

‘It’s just that I got the impression you thought we might be spending the summer at The Lake House.’

Faye fell silent.

‘Oh. So, it’s true.’

‘It’s just when you sent me that text, yeah I kind of assumed …’

‘It wouldn’t have been a good idea.’

‘No, no – of course not.’ Faye turned her head and frowned.

So, it was true, what she had suspected.

He didn’t want her and Natty there. She didn’t ask him if he was going to sell.

She didn’t want to hear it. Faye reminded herself that it shouldn’ t matter, as long as they were all together.

Perhaps letting go of the house was the only way for him to let go of the past.

Faye didn’t want to think about it. Instead, she asked, ‘Did you find somewhere for us to stay around here?’ She halted.

‘It is around Aviemore, isn’t it?’ When he nodded his head, she felt so relieved.

Natty would want to see Evie, and Faye loved it in this part of Scotland, and wanted to check in with her new friends too.

Faye still couldn’t believe that a week had gone by since they’d arrived in Aviemore by train.

The next day, the day they were meant to leave, was Monday.

Thinking of leaving Lark Lodge, she did add, ‘I thought all the accommodation in and around Aviemore was pretty much fully booked?’ She was sure Jake had mentioned that after he’d visited the tourist information office.

‘Yes, pretty much,’ Jake replied.

Faye’s heart sank. That meant only the dregs were left that nobody else wanted. She did think it was odd, checking in on a Monday. Normally holiday accommodation was a Friday or Saturday check-in.

‘Yep, two types of property left. The really, really cheap ones which are so basic I just wouldn’t want to book them for you and Natty – certainly not after staying at Gayle’s amazing guest house.’

Or seeing your amazing home , thought Faye. She kept it to herself.

‘So, what’s the other type of property?’

‘Ah, now, that would be telling. You’ll have to wait and see, otherwise I’ll be spoiling the surprise.’

Faye fell silent until she glanced at her phone and found a text from Natty. ‘Oh, crumbs – Annie and Joe have arrived already to pick us up and take us for our trip up the mountain.’

‘We’re going with Annie and Joe?’

‘Yes, that’s the plan. ’

‘Can you text Natty, let her know we’ll be back very soon? It’s not far now. Annie and Joe could have a cup of coffee or something while they wait. It’s not far now, I promise, then we can head on back to Lark Lodge.’

‘All right.’ Faye started to text but changed her mind. ‘I’ll give Natty a call.’ Faye rang Natty’s number.

‘Mummy! Where are you? Gayle said you’re with Jake at The Lake House. I went with Olive and Evie to fetch you, but you’re not here.’

‘Are you there right now?’

‘Yes.’

‘On your own?’ Faye felt the panic rising even though she knew it was irrational, and she had nothing to worry about.

She was perfectly safe walking over there from Gayle’s house.

Faye did glance at Jake. Now she really knew the panic Jake felt at his own fear of that mountain, although it was just as irrational.

‘No, I’m not on my own, Mummy. I said I’m with Evie and Olive.’

‘I meant is there an adult with you?’

‘Yes, Marty was going to do some gardening, so we walked down the lane to the back gate together. Bonnie is there too.’

‘Bonnie?’

‘Yes, she’s just arrived in a van with David. He’s helping her unload some things. Bonnie said she’s going to transform The Lake House. What does that mean?’

Faye swallowed. ‘It means she’s going to make the place look amazing.’ And then Jake is going to sell up and another family will live there and enjoy it. She willed herself not to think about that.

Jake interrupted her. ‘Did you say Bonnie is at The Lake House?’

Faye nodded. ‘Yes. Natty said she’d just arrived.’

‘Ah, I didn’t realise she was starting today.’

Faye breathed a sigh. ‘Just as well you checked the place over then, ready for her to start.’

‘Yes – isn’t it?’

‘Mummy, where are you?’ Faye heard Natty ask again down the phone.

‘Jake and I are just going to check out the holiday accommodation Jake has booked for us.’ Faye smiled.

‘Guess what? We’re staying on in Aviemore for the whole summer!

’ She had to hold the phone away from her ear when Natty screamed with joy, and then quite inexplicably started to cry. ‘Natty, what’s wrong?’

‘I’m just so happy, Mummy.’

‘Well, so am I.’

Jake’s head darted in Faye’s direction. ‘Faye, is everything all right?’

‘Oh, yes.’

‘She’s still okay spending the summer here?’

‘Very, very happy.’

‘Oh, thank god!’ Jake remembered to breath. ‘I know it was her idea. She’d been badgering us to stay longer. I just hoped she hadn’t changed her mind.’

‘Nope, not at all.’

Jake grinned as he turned into a driveway.

‘Oh, my god. You have got to be joking.’

‘No joke,’ said Jake.

‘Mummy, what’s the matter?’

Faye forgot for a moment she was still on the phone to Natty. ‘Nothing is the matter, sweetheart. Everything is just perfect.’

‘Then why did you say that? You sounded cross. ’

‘Because Jake has spent far, far too much money on our holiday accommodation.’

Jake grinned. ‘And I am not apologising. I did say there were just two choices of holiday rentals left. This was the other type.’

Faye stared at the property in shock, although she should have known that the ones that would be left were the very expensive ones.

‘Is it nice?’ Natty asked, ‘where we’re staying?’

Nice didn’t quite begin to describe it, but Faye just said, ‘Oh yes, it’s rather nice. Now look, will you tell Annie and Joe we’ll be back very soon? Then we can all head off on our little adventure up the mountain today.’

‘All right, I will. Bye bye, Mummy. Love you.’

‘And I love you too, sweetheart. See you soon.’ Faye lowered her phone and turned in her seat to look at Jake. ‘Don’t tell me you’ve booked this for the entire summer?’

‘I got a deal.’