Page 21 of The Boathouse by the Loch (The Scottish Highlands #4)

He managed a smile. ‘You know, I’d love to bring Faye and Natty here, show them Scotland.’

‘Well, you know what? I’ve got a grand idea. You’re going to pay me for the attic room, those five more nights?’

Jake looked at her. ‘Pardon?’

‘Then when you get back to London, and you find Natty – which you will today, I just know it – then wouldn’t it be lovely if you all came back here, for a holiday, to Lark Lodge? I’ll keep the room reserved. You know, it’s a family room.’

‘But—’ Jake didn’t have time to explain that her plan wouldn’t work.

He wasn’t in a relationship with Faye. But it did buoy him up, the thought that as soon as he reached London, he’d find Natty, if Faye hadn’t already, and he could tell her about the guesthouse, and see whether she’d entertain the idea of the three of them having a holiday together. ‘All right.’

‘Good, good. That’s settled then.’

Jake looked at her, and thought it wasn’t, not really.

He had no idea whether Faye would come away with him to Scotland, and if she wanted to, when that would be?

Perhaps Gayle wouldn’t even have vacancies.

He thought aloud, ‘I could stay with them in The Lake House, if you get a last-minute booking tonight for the attic room.’ There were also a lot more bedrooms, so he wouldn’t have to worry where he would sleep.

‘But it’s being decorated, remember?’

‘Not if Robyn’s staying in London,’ Jake blurted. On second thoughts, he didn’t want to return to The Lake House – not with all those memories of Eleanor there.

Gayle looked at him.

‘Sorry, I know it’s none of my business, but I bumped into David this morning at Mr Gillespie’s store, and it didn’t sound as though he booked that hotel for the two of them for tonight, and he’s staying here on his own instead. He’s going to The Winky to drown his sorrows.’

‘Is he, now?’ said Gayle with a twinkle in her eye.

‘I don’t think he is.’ Gayle grinned and lowered her voice, even though, apart from Olive, there was nobody else in the house.

‘I’ll tell you a little secret. She’s coming back today, but she wants to surprise him.

They’re going to stay in their room here for one night, for old times’ sake.

I had a conversation with Robyn, told her what’s been going on with David, how he feels. I didn’t want to interfere …’

Jake doubted that very much. They were her friends. Of course she’d want to interfere.

‘But I had to say something. When I told her he was afraid he was losing her, especially after this last trip to London when she didn’t want him to accompany her, and that he’d wanted to book a night in fancy hotel in Aviemore as a surprise when she returned, she told me she was going to play a little trick on him.

‘A trick?’

‘Yes, you know … a prank.’

Jake frowned. It reminded him of Eleanor. It sounded just like something she’d do.

‘Sorry, you haven’t got time to listen to this.’

Jake shook his head. ‘It’s all right.’ He wanted to hear this, despite being anxious to get on his way. ‘Go on.’

‘She told me to tell him she was staying in London for the rest of the weekend. But unbeknown to David, she’s travelling home today, and she’ll be waiting in their room upstairs to surprise him.’

Jake cast a glance upstairs.

‘Oh, she’s not back yet. But she’s going to arrive before he gets in from work.’

For a moment, Jake’s thoughts turned to Robyn, wishing he wasn’t going to miss seeing her. He really wanted to meet her. Even more so, after what Gayle had just told him.

‘Look, don’t let me keep you. Now, remember that when you’ve found her, you’re most welcome to head on over to my place for a few days’ holiday.’

Jake smiled. She made it sound like they were locals, not coming all the way from London.

‘I’ll have the room prepared.’

Jake smiled. ‘All right. I’d love to come back, and bring them with me.’

‘Good.’ Gayle glanced at Olive. ‘Do you hear that? You might get to meet some more very nice people who will give you lots of fusses. Who knows, perhaps Natty would like to put some ribbons in your fur, and make you all pretty.’

Olive barked excitedly.

‘I thought you’d like that idea.’

Jake walked to the car.

Gayle called out, ‘Don’t worry. I wouldn’t be surprised if by the time you arrive in London, she’s home safe and well. ’

Jake prayed that was the case. He raised his hand to wave.

‘See you soon, Jake. All of you.’

Jake stood there for a moment, wishing he could fast-forward this moment, and Faye and Natty were with him, and they’d just arrived in Scotland all together, and this episode with Natty going missing was well and truly behind them.

He took one more look at Gayle’s beautiful Scottish home. As soon as he got in the car, he had to remember to breathe, like Gayle had said. He was wound up like a tight coil. All his anxieties over what might have happened to Natty came flooding back.

Thankfully the flight wasn’t a long one; otherwise he didn’t know how he’d stand it. Getting to the airport and waiting around for the afternoon flight was going to be bad enough. But it was still quicker than driving all the way back from Scotland.

As he set off in the car, he was relieved he hadn’t had to stand and listen to Gayle make suggestions as to what might have happened to Natty – she might have got lost, or run away from home – because the last thing he wanted to tell her was that Natty might have been taken, and by those closest to her – her father and grandfather.

It might be innocent enough; perhaps Yousaf was back in the country, and he had wanted to see his daughter.

That wouldn’t surprise Jake. It wouldn’t surprise Faye either.

That was what she’d told Jake she imagined had happened.

Rather than ask her if he could see Natty, he’d got in contact with her father Patrick, whom, according to Faye, he had always got on with very well.

Faye believed that together they’d hatched a plan for Yousaf to see Natty without her mother.

Those were Faye’s thoughts when she’d told Jake, she’s gone – they took her.

And now Jake was on his way to get her back.