Page 38 of The Boathouse by the Loch (The Scottish Highlands #4)

‘You could both get a bike,’ suggested Doris.

Gayle leaned forward in her chair. ‘Actually, I think you’re on to something. You know, decorating is kind of what she does for a living. It’d be nice if there were things she could do, you could do together, that had nothing to do with work. In fact, when was the last time you two took a holiday?’

‘A holiday? We’ve only been together since Christmas.’

Gayle said, ‘But it’s July! That’s a lot of months with no break from work, from your usual routine.’

‘You’re right, Gayle. But I don’t think Robyn wants to go anywhere else. She loves it here. And besides, I’m meant to be trying to make her feel settled in the boathouse. Taking her away on holiday isn’t going to help, is it?’

Gayle grinned. ‘So, you know what you need to do.’

David scratched his head.

‘Have a holiday closer to home. In fact, in your new home together.’

‘In the boathouse?’

‘Yes – why not? Spend some time together there. You mentioned your boat, and getting bikes. Then there’s this puppy. You’ll both want to be around if you’re getting a new family member.’

‘You know, I think you’re on to something.’ David thought it was a fantastic idea, but he could already see a problem.

Gayle sighed. ‘What is it?’

‘She’s got so much work on, what with her outlet in my dad’s store, and all the other work she’s taken on lately.

‘I’m sure Annie will mind the store. It’s the summer holidays.

She doesn’t have to do the school run. And Evie loves spending time with her mum at the shop, so she won’t mind going there while Joe is at work.

Robyn’s other commitments will just have to wait for a week or two. Everyone deserves a holiday.’

‘But what about my dad? I’m still working at the store doing deliveries.’

‘Alec works part-time at the store as a Saturday job. I hear he’s passed his driving test. Off to university in September. I’m sure he could do with the extra money from working more hours over the summer break.’

David smiled at Gayle. ‘I think you’ve got everything covered.’

‘Not quite.’

‘What are you thinking? ’

‘About your puppy …’

‘You don’t think it’s a good idea?’

‘Oh, on the contrary. It’s an excellent idea, but I was thinking …’

David knitted his brow. ‘Yes?’

‘Robyn threw a lovely party for me to celebrate the opening of Lark Lodge as a guesthouse.’

David thought back to the garden party at Lark Lodge. Robyn had even hired a marquee for the garden, just in case it rained, but that day in June had been all sunshine and blue skies. She couldn’t have picked a better day. ‘So, what are you suggesting?’

‘A combined engagement party and housewarming party at the boathouse. You could spend time together planning it, getting the boathouse prepared. I think she’d really enjoy it – don’t you?’

David was sceptical. ‘I don’t know.’ He looked down at Olive, sitting by his chair, her head resting on his lap. ‘She enjoyed organising your party, but that was here, at Lark Lodge. She loves this place.’

‘Hmm. But what if she was organising the party for a special guest – someone in particular she was inviting?’

David looked up. ‘Do you mean Jake Campbell-Ross?’

Gayle shook her head. ‘Why would I mean him?’

‘Well, she is doing up his house. She hasn’t met him yet. And the Rosses are pretty important people. I guess it would be the talk of the town if one of them came.’

Gayle laughed. ‘I guess it would. I suppose she could invite him to the party.’

‘I could invite him as a surprise, keep it a secret between us.’

‘Yes – why not? Hopefully he’s coming back. I kept his room free. But it wasn’t him I was thinking of. ’

‘Then who?’

‘Look, Robyn hasn’t got any family in these parts.’

David immediately took offence. ‘We’re her family now. You, me, Doris, my brother and his family. Then there’s my father, and of course Nick and Marty—’

Gayle held up her hand. ‘Alright, already! I know that’s true. But I’m talking about her relations, obviously. Perhaps it’s time she mended bridges with her mum. I’m sure it would help tremendously with her settling into her new life with you at the boathouse.’

David was aware that Robyn and her mum must be estranged.

Robyn didn’t talk about her mum much. All he knew was that her mum had sold up the family home and gone travelling.

Judith sent cheques in the post every once in a while, asking Robyn to join her for a holiday wherever she was in the world, but Robyn had always declined, apparently.

But Judith knew nothing of her life now, nor her amnesia.

It made him wonder if Robyn would even recognise Judith, unless her memories came flooding back when she saw her.

‘I don’t think she’s even told her mum that she’s dropped out of university.

You know, Robyn contacted the university recently.

Her deferment will be ending soon. They’ll expect her to return in September.

’ David was so relieved when Robyn had told him that she wasn’t going back.

He’d assumed she wasn’t, but hadn’t been sure until he’d heard her say the words.

Gayle said, ‘She’s been saying she needs to contact her mum, tell her about her new life, but as far as I know, she hasn’t.’

David shook his head. ‘No, she hasn’t.’

‘But it can’t go on, can it, David? She set up a redirection so that the letters from her mum, which were still being sent to her university accommodation, come here instead.

But pretty soon she’ll have to cancel that redirection.

She’ll have to tell her. It’s got to be unsettling for her, keeping all this a secret from her mum.

I think it’s time there were no more secrets in her life. ’

David agreed.

‘So, wouldn’t it be lovely if she returned from abroad, and Robyn introduced her to her new friends, to her new life – and to her future husband?’

David raised his eyebrows as something occurred to him. ‘Does that mean she’ll have to stay at the boathouse? She could stay here at Lark Lodge.’

Gayle shook her head. ‘I think Robyn would want her mum to stay at the boathouse. Besides, this chat was about making her feel more settled, more at home there. It wouldn’t do at all if her mum was here. What if Robyn decides to stay here so she can spend more time with her?’

‘Ah, I see your point.’

Something else crossed David’s mind. ‘What if her mum … Judith … doesn’t like me? I’ve lost my career. I work for my father, making deliveries.’

‘Well, that’s not all you do. You’re a volunteer coach for a local youth sports programme, and I heard you’re also working towards a certification and further training, which could lead to a paid coaching position.’

David nodded. ‘That’s true.’

‘And then there’s that part-time history degree you’re doing.’

‘That’s just a hobby.’

‘Yes, but you never know where that might lead. You might want to become a history teacher. You’ve got a lot going for you.’

David looked at her doubtfully. ‘Yeah, I guess. ’

‘If you’re still worried about what Robyn’s mum will think of her future son-in-law, please don’t be. She’ll see that her daughter has a lovely home with you at the boathouse, and that you love her very, very much. I think that’s the most important thing.’

‘What’s the most important thing?’ asked Robyn.

David turned in his seat as Robyn walked into the kitchen. She looked from Gayle to David. ‘Did I miss something?’

No more secrets , thought David. Although he rather wanted the puppy to be a surprise, and the bike. ‘We were talking about how you’re not feeling settled in the boathouse. Sorry, I didn’t mean to talk about you when you weren’t here.’

‘Really? You were rather keen to head on down to the kitchen without me.’

Gayle said, ‘I think David wanted my advice.’

Robyn took a seat at the table as Olive darted over to say good morning. ‘Hello, you. I’ve missed having you around.’

David exchanged a smile with Gayle, both thinking the same thing. Robyn would love a dog.

She looked up. ‘So, what do you advise, Gayle?’

‘I think you should have a party.’

‘A party?’

‘Yes, at the boathouse.’

David added, ‘A combined housewarming and engagement party. What do you think?’ he asked nervously. She’d enjoyed organising Gayle’s party, but that had been at Lark Lodge. Would she feel the same way about hosting a party at the boathouse? To his relief, her face lit up.

Robyn said, ‘Can we invite everyone?’

‘You can have whoever you like.’ He exchanged a glance with Gayle who nodded.

Robyn caught the exchange. ‘What are you two up to?’