When Skye didn’t respond he looked over his shoulder to check she wasn’t having trouble following him down. ‘You OK?’
‘Fine,’ she said thoughtfully. ‘I was just trying to think where I’d heard that name before.’
He recalled his mother being shocked when he hadn’t known who the actor was either when she first told him this snippet of information. ‘There was a series about Hollywood. He was one of the actors depicted in it.’
She frowned and he could tell she was thinking about what he had said. ‘That’s it. I remember watching that a couple of years ago.’
They walked along the small beach and Skye made him stop for a couple of selfies.
‘Smile then,’ Skye said, holding up her mobile to take a photo of them with the rolling waves in the background.
‘I thought I was.’ Joe laughed.
She took the photo. ‘Do you know when I first saw you at the farm and realised who you were, it never occurred to me that we could ever be friends.’
Her comment surprised him initially, then he thought back to how they had both reacted to each other when he had gone to her hotel room and tried to persuade her to leave the hotel. Disappointed to discover her opinion of him, Joe decided he would nonetheless need to respect them and keep any feelings he had for her hidden.
‘Don’t you agree?’
He looked down at her pretty face and wished she saw him differently. ‘I do,’ he fibbed, forcing a smile.
‘This is fun,’ she said, nudging him lightly on his arm. ‘Although I can’t help feeling a little guilty about leaving the farm when I’m only on the island to help look after the place.’
Not wishing the excitement of Skye’s day to be ruined, he frowned. ‘Lettie’s not going to expect us to be there all the time,’ he said. ‘In fact, I’m sure she’d be surprised if I didn’t show you around the island. She would definitely want me to make sure you have time to enjoy yourself away from work while you’re here.’
‘In that case, I won’t worry so much, but we shouldn’t be away too long.’
‘I agree. To be honest, nothing is that far away from anywhere here and at the most it probably only takes twenty-five to thirty minutes to drive from one end of the island to the other.’
Skye stopped walking and stared out to sea. ‘I forget it’s only a small island. I’m used to it taking ages to travel from one place to another at home.’
She breathed in deeply through her nose, slowly exhaling afterwards. Joe noticed her eyes were closed and did the same. Even if she did only see him as a friend, this was relaxing and he decided he should take note of how someone who saw the island for the first time viewed everything. He would make the time to stop and appreciate the sights and sounds of the beaches more often. Skye was good company and he realised he could easily get used to days like these.
14
SKYE
‘Thanks for today, Joe,’ Skye said as she got out of the car as soon as he had parked up in the yard. ‘I had fun.’
‘I’m glad.’ He stepped out of the car and walked with her towards the front door. ‘Any time you wish to go out again, just let me know.’
‘I definitely will.’
She unlocked the front door and had to grab hold of each side of the doorframe when Spud, then Derek ran into her, wagging their tails with delight.
‘Someone is happy to see you back at the farm.’ Joe laughed. ‘You OK?’
Skye nodded, wondering why she felt so emotional after such a perfect time out with Joe. ‘Just about.’ Wanting to gather herself before saying anything further, Skye bent down to ruffle the dogs’ fur, then she gave them a cuddle. ‘I don’t think I’ve ever had such a warm welcome before. I could get used to this, boys.’
There was an awkward silence between them she wasn’t sure how to fill.
‘Let’s go and change,’ Joe suggested. ‘We can see to the animals and then plan what we’re doing for supper.’
Grateful to him for changing the subject without questioning her, Skye nodded. She really had got the wrong first impression of Joe and was glad they now got along well. Feeling a rush of enthusiasm, Skye took the first two steps up the staircase. ‘Last one up to the attic has to muck out the cow barn.’
‘Hey.’ Joe laughed. ‘You cheat!’
She took off up the rest of the stairs, sensing him close behind her, enjoying feeling carefree for the first time since her return from travelling. As much as she loved seeing her gran again when she was in Edinburgh briefly, something had been missing for her. Skye wondered whether she would ever feel at home anywhere, or if she would need to keep going away to feel fulfilled. She pushed the thought aside, determined not to overthink at least for today. She reached the first floor, then, taking the slightly narrower stairs to the attic, she heard his footsteps right behind her and couldn’t help laughing as she arrived slightly out of breath when she reached the top landing.
