Page 39 of The Boathouse by the Loch (The Scottish Highlands #4)

‘Don’t you think it’s time to get in touch with your mum?’ Gayle asked.

‘My mum?’

David nodded, glad that Gayle had brought it up before they left Lark Lodge that morning. He turned to Robyn. ‘I know you’ve been meaning to write her a letter, tell her about your new life, and that you’re not returning to college.’

Gayle added, ‘Rather than tell her all about your new life, your business, and your new friends, why not show her?’

‘Show her?’

David smiled at Gayle. ‘Yes. We were thinking you could invite her to the party. She could come and stay at the boathouse with us and … you know, get to know me, and meet all your new friends.’

Gayle said, ‘What do you think? It’s a great idea – isn’t it?’

‘But what will I say in my letter?’

‘Send her a party invitation, and tell her you’ve got the biggest surprise.’

David nodded enthusiastically. ‘I know this is a big thing for you, telling your mum you’ve dropped out of college, but you’ve got a fantastic life here, with a good job, and great friends.

’ David avoided the touchy subject of Robyn’s memory loss, and whether she’d even recognise her mum.

If she didn’t, that would be another big thing she’d have to tell her mum on top of everything else.

Gayle said, ‘She’ll be so happy for you, just you wait and see. Especially when she meets your wonderful fiancé.’

‘Oh, I wouldn’t say that,’ David remarked.

‘Well, I would,’ said Gayle.

‘Me too,’ Robyn said emphatically. She looked at Gayle and David. ‘Why do I think you’re ganging up on me, and won’t take no for an answer?’

David smiled. ‘We’re not ganging up on you. It’s just that it must be on your mind, your mum and when you’re going to let her know about your new life here.’

Gayle added, ‘Wouldn’t a party be the perfect time for her to meet everyone and get to know the real you?’

‘The real me,’ Robyn repeated, staring off into space.

David nodded. ‘She could stay a few days. Perhaps having family stay will make you feel more at home.’

‘You told Gayle I wasn’t happy at the boathouse.’

‘It’s not surprising, Robyn, that you’re finding it hard to settle. You’ve still got unfinished business.’

Robyn sighed. ‘I’ll say.’

David looked at her sharply. Then his face softened.

‘I think if you had your mum come and stay, she’d help with your memory problems. By all means, go and see Dr Jamieson.

Perhaps she can refer you to someone. But in the meantime, doesn’t it make sense if someone who knows you best comes to see you, and you spend time together?

I bet she’ll help you remember. After all, no one knows you quite like your parents. ’

Gayle and David sat there with bated breath, wondering whether Robyn would agree. ‘All right. I suppose it couldn’t hurt.’

David jumped out of his seat. ‘Fantastic!’

Gayle was out of her seat too, clapping enthusiastically. ‘Oh, boy, I love a party.’

Nick walked into the kitchen and stopped. ‘Did I miss something?’

‘We’re having a party at the boathouse!’ David exclaimed.

‘I hope I’m invited.’

‘Of course you are. And Olive, of course. Where’s Marty?’

‘Late night out with his mates. I expect he’s having a lie-in.’

‘What’s the party in aid of?’ Nick asked, taking a seat at the table.

David replied, ‘It’s a housewarming and engagement party.’

Nick nodded. ‘Sweet.’

‘The guest of honour is going to be Robyn’s mum, Judith.’

‘I haven’t met her,’ commented Nick.

‘No, none of us have. She’s going to be staying at the boathouse for a few days. At least, that’s the plan.’

‘Ah, having the future mother-in-law to stay. Not so sweet.’

David slapped his arm. ‘Hey, don’t put the kibosh on our plans.’

Nick whispered, ‘I think someone already has.’ He cocked his head at Robyn’s sour expression.

David’s good humour evaporated. ‘Robyn?’

‘But what will she do all day while I’m at work?’ Robyn asked.

David looked across at Gayle, who nodded her head and said, ‘Tell her.’

Robyn sighed. ‘What else have you two been planning before I came down to breakfast?’

David winced. ‘Now, just hear me out before you say no.’ He took a breath. ‘We should have a holiday.’

‘A holiday? Are you serious? I’ve got my outlet in your dad’s store—’

‘Annie will cover that. I know she will.’

‘But what about the deliveries you do for your dad?’

‘Relax. I’m sure Alec will cover those, work some overtime, so he can save up some more money for college.’

‘But what about my commissions in London? And then there’s The Lake House. I’ve started work on it.’

Nick interrupted. ‘I didn’t know you’d been commissioned to work on The Lake House. What’s the house like? Does it need a lot of work? What are they going to do with the house when it’s finished?’

David and Robyn turned to look at him.

Nick looked at them sheepishly. ‘Too many questions?’

They both nodded.

‘Sorry. Like most people, I’m intrigued by that family. I can’t help it.’ He looked at Gayle.

David hoped she wasn’t going to say anything about the surprise he had in store for Robyn. He just hoped that when he invited Jake Campbell-Ross, he would come – assuming he had returned to Scotland in time after the emergency he had been called back to London for.

‘I think I’ll cook myself some scrambled eggs,’ said Nick, getting up from the table. ‘Anybody want some?’ he asked, walking over to the Aga.

Everyone shook their heads.

David turned to Robyn. ‘The commissions can wait. We can’t. We need more days, nights, like last night.’

Robyn’s cheeks turned bright red .

‘But,’ David continued, ‘it can’t be that our best times were here, at Lark Lodge.’

Gayle stepped in. ‘You need to make some new memories together at the boathouse.’

‘But that’s not going to happen if we’re hardly ever there,’ added David. ‘I thought we could have a holiday there. Do some fun things, make some good memories in that place.’ He could tell by the wisp of a smile that Robyn was warming to the idea.

‘We could start by spending some time planning the party and getting the boathouse ready. What do you say?’

‘I suppose I could take a few days off.’

‘That’s the spirit!’ exclaimed Gayle.

David grinned. ‘Yes, and then perhaps after we’ve had our little holiday, you could take a few more days off when your mum comes to stay, so you can spend time together after the party.’

‘All right.’

‘Did you just say yes?’ David whooped and started do a silly little dance on the spot.

‘Did I miss something?’

They all turned to see Marty, in his dressing gown, hair askew, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes as he trudged into the kitchen. ‘Whoa, you guys are far too awake for this time in the morning.’

‘It’s half past nine,’ said Gayle.

Marty was just lifting the kettle to pour himself a cup of tea. He stopped and turned to look at the others seated around the table. ‘Seriously? I thought it was a lot earlier.’

‘Someone had a good night – so good, in fact, that you don’t know what the time is.’

‘Hi.’

Everyone turned in their seats at the sound of a stranger’s voice. A young woman stood at the door, looking nervously into the room.

Marty said, ‘I thought you were waiting in my room for breakfast in bed?’

‘Oh, sorry. I changed my mind. I thought you might like some company, but I see that’s not, um, necessary.’

Everyone introduced themselves to Marty’s date from the previous night. She looked away, clearly embarrassed in the spotlight of Marty’s friends. ‘I think I’ll have breakfast in bed after all,’ she said, even though she was dressed. ‘I’ll, um …’ she pointed to the stairs and promptly disappeared.

‘Oh, dear, we frightened her off,’ commented Nick.

‘Well that’s not too hard, is it? All of us scrutinising her.’

‘What do you think?’ asked Marty. ‘Isn’t she the most gorgeous thing you’ve ever seen?’

David disagreed on that one. He said as much as he smiled across the table at Robyn.

‘Very funny,’ said Marty. ‘But seriously, guys. Do you like her?’

Gayle sighed. ‘We don’t even know her.’

‘Oh, yes. Of course,’ Marty said, disappointed.

‘But she looks a nice sort.’

Everyone turned to look at Doris.

‘Well, then,’ said Gayle, ‘If Mum approves, then I think that rather settles it.’

‘We hit it off right away,’ said Marty. ‘Know what I mean?’

David smiled across the room at Robyn. He knew exactly what Marty was talking about.

‘She should come to Robyn and David’s party,’ added Doris.

Marty raised his eyebrows. ‘I hope I’m getting an invite too, although this is the first I’ve heard of a party. ’

Nick said, ‘David and Robyn are having a heartwarming – no, housewarming – and engagement party.’

‘But you moved in last month, and you got engaged already. I don’t get it.’

David’s smile slipped. ‘There’s nothing to get. We’ve been really busy, which is why the idea didn’t even crop up. But it has now. And we’re taking a holiday.’

‘Cool,’ replied Marty. ‘Where are you going?’

‘Nowhere, just spending our time together at the boathouse.’

Marty shrugged. ‘Okay, I’d rather go on a holiday somewhere, but, you know, whatever floats your boat.’

Nick laughed out loud.

Marty scratched his head. ‘What?’

‘You said, whatever floats your … oh, never mind.’

Marty shrugged and put some toast in the toaster.

Nick’s mobile phone rang. He answered it. ‘Hi Mum. Yeah, I’m fine. Yes, Olive is fine too.’ Nick held his phone from his ear. ‘Mum likes to give me a call and catch up every week. I’ll take this in the lounge.’ He walked out of the kitchen.

David turned to Robyn. ‘I thought we could go boating on the loch, and have picnics by the shore, and—’

‘Start making preparations for the party?’ suggested Robyn.

‘Yes, yes. That would be brilliant too. And preparations for your mum coming to stay. You’re going to have to write to her as soon as we’ve set a date for the party.’

‘I guess so.’

‘You don’t sound very enthusiastic about contacting your mum,’ observed Marty.

‘I don’t think we get on, really. It’s been … I don’t know how long it’s been since I saw her last. ’

Gayle said, ‘Well, this is your chance to mend bridges, and get to know each other a little better, don’t you think?’

‘Yeah.’

David said, ‘I can’t wait to get back to the boathouse and start planning that party. You could design the party invitations.’

Her face lit up. ‘Oh, yes. I’d love that.’

David had thought she would.

‘In fact, I can’t wait to go home, and make a start.’

David stared at her. Had she just called the boathouse home ?

Robyn noticed him staring. ‘What?’

David grinned. ‘Oh, nothing. I can’t wait to get home either.’

Marty was buttering some toast. He looked at Robyn and David.

‘I’m going to get packed right now.’

‘Good idea.’

David stopped in the doorway. ‘What about your hair?’

‘My hair? I washed it this morning – remember? Maybe I should have used the straighteners.’

‘No, I thought you wanted a cut and colour.’

‘Oh, yes, I forgot. You know what? I don’t think I need a cut and colour after all. What do you think?’

‘No, definitely not. I like you just the way you are.’ They both left the kitchen, each carrying a plateful of toast and a cup of coffee.

Marty put some more toast in the toaster and turned to Gayle. ‘What’s with them?’

‘Nothing at all. In fact, I think things might just be coming together.’

‘Well, let’s hope so. I overheard Robyn when she arrived here yesterday, hiding in the bedroom, ready to surprise David. ’

‘Overheard what?’ Gayle whispered.

‘She was on the phone, saying that she had no choice but to come back last night, but as soon as she could, she’d return to London if she could do it without raising suspicions.’

Gayle frowned. ‘Suspicions about what?’

Marty shrugged. ‘How would I know?’

‘Look, you mustn’t tell anyone else what you overheard – all right? Not until I’ve had a chance to speak to Robyn and find out what’s going on.’

‘I thought you knew. She tells you everything.’

‘Apparently not.’