Page 41 of The Boathouse by the Loch (The Scottish Highlands #4)

Robyn emerged from the study across the hall and walked into the kitchen. ‘What are you two looking so pleased about?’

David exchanged a smile with Gayle and pointed at the letter. ‘All done and ready to post?’

‘I think so.’

Neither of them asked what exactly she’d written to Judith. Gayle was just relieved she’d finally written the letter. It was something she had been putting off.

Gayle hoped that spending time with David at the boathouse, and inviting her mother to stay, would help Robyn settle there – for both their sakes.

But what Marty had overheard – Robyn on the phone in the bedroom soon after she’d arrived, saying she would return to London as soon as she could – was troubling.

Gayle had told Marty she’d speak to Robyn and find out what was going on, but just then, it didn’t seem a good time to try.

She looked from Robyn to David. With all these plans in place – having a holiday, spending time in the boathouse, and inviting Robyn’s mum – Gayle hoped that whatever was really pulling her back to London – and she had a feeling it was more than simply work – would be put on the backburner for good .

‘You did tell your mum you want her to come and stay with us at the boathouse?’

Robyn said, ‘Yes, I told her. I even wrote our address in the letter, and told her I’m engaged, and that I’m living in a boathouse.’

‘Wow.’ David was taken aback. ‘You told her everything in your letter, then?’

‘Not everything.’

David raised an eyebrow. ‘What do you mean?’

Robyn looked at the letter in her hands. ‘I didn’t tell her about dropping out of college, or my new career.’

‘Oh, that.’ David sighed, clearly relieved. Gayle could see that he’d wondered what she’d meant for a moment. He obviously still had the London trip on his mind.

‘I think some things are best said in person,’ Gayle said.

Robyn turned to Gayle. ‘Yes, I thought so too.’

Gayle asked, ‘What about your memory loss?’

Robyn shook her head. ‘I didn’t want to worry her. Besides, I phoned the hospital this morning to speak to Dr Jamieson.’

David turned to her. ‘Really – when?’

‘When I was getting some last-minute bits together after you’d taken our bags downstairs. I just rang on the spur of the moment.’

Gayle smiled in relief. ‘You were phoning your doctor.’

‘Yes.’

‘Did you speak to her?’ David asked. ‘What did she say?’

Robyn frowned. ‘I did speak to her, but …’

David looked concerned. ‘What? But … what?’

‘I’ve had scans. There’s nothing wrong with my brain, not physically, anyway. She can refer me to a couple of specialists.’

‘What specialists?’ asked Gayle.

David glanced at Gayle. She’d been a nurse for years .

‘An occupational therapist. Not sure what they do, exactly.’

Gayle nodded. ‘They can help with memory loss, by providing interventions, strategies to maintain independence …’ She trailed off when she caught Robyn and David looking at her blankly.

‘My mother sees one, and she’s a great help, but they tend to help people whose memory loss is related to age or illness, so they can continue to lead independent, fulfilling lives, and find strategies to cope with their decline. ’

‘But I’m not old or ill,’ cried Robyn.

‘Yes, your memory loss is … different.’ Gayle paused. ‘What other specialist did she recommend?’

Robyn pursed her lips and looked away. David looked concerned.

Gayle sighed. ‘Did she book you an appointment with a psychiatrist?’

Robyn nodded. ‘I’m not crazy.’

Gayle walked over and put an arm around her shoulders. ‘Nobody thinks you’re crazy.’

Robyn turned to her. ‘Isn’t there somebody else who can help? I don’t want to see a shrink.’

‘There is one possibility …’

‘What is it?’ Robyn asked.

Gayle shook her head. ‘Oh, never mind. You’ll probably think it’s a silly idea.’

Robyn turned to her. ‘Gayle, nothing is a silly idea if it will get my memories back. Tell me, please.’

‘You could see a hypnotherapist.’

‘A what?’ Robyn and David said in unison.

‘There. I told you it was a silly idea.’

‘How would hypnotherapy help her?’ David asked .

‘I read about it in one of my books. Apparently hypnotism is just one tool in their toolbox. I can show you one of my books, if you like.’

David shook his head.

Gayle turned to Robyn. ‘Look, hopefully your mum is coming home soon, and seeing her will trigger your memories. Then you won’t need a therapist.’

David smiled. ‘I agree. Wait for you mum to return, and take it from there. On that note, we’d better get going. The sooner that letter is in the post, the better.’

They all left the kitchen, saying their goodbyes at the front door. Robyn knelt down and gave Olive a hug, telling her how much she was going to miss having a dog around.

Gayle and David exchanged a knowing smile.

Gayle stood at the door, Olive by her side, watching them walk to the car. She heard Robyn ask, ‘Are we stopping in Aviemore first?’

‘Yes, we’ll need to get a stamp to post your letter. And don’t be thinking you need to stop by your shop. As I said before, Annie has got things covered. As of today, we are on holiday.’

As David opened the car door, Gayle overheard him say, ‘After we’ve posted your letter, I’ve got one more pitstop on the way home.’

‘Oh, right. Where’s that?’

‘You’ll see.’

Gayle smiled knowingly as she watched them both get in the car. She got out her phone and looked at the photo of the sweet beagle. ‘Percy, you are a lucky boy.’