Page 132 of A Secret Scottish Escape

“Surprised you can’t see her,” I ground out of the corner of my mouth. “She’s over there to the right of the crowd. I think some of the neighbouring trees have just withered and died.”

Dad tried not to laugh and followed my gaze.

Tina was lurking like a black-clad praying mantis with her partner in crime, Alison, hanging by her side.

“Just ignore her,” hissed Dad. “Go on, lass. Everyone’s waiting for you to speak.”

I gazed at all the happy, relaxed expressions eyeing me and cleared my throat. Then I tightened the shawl draped around my shoulders. “I won’t go on for long,” I assured the gathering. “I’m sure you’ll be relieved to hear that.”

“You don’t take after your father then,” piped up Mikey a few feet away from me. Ed, standing beside him in a lemon shirt, smiled and dropped his eyes to the grass. There was a chorus of cheers and laughter.

“Anyway,” I started again, giving Mikey a playful scowl, “I really wanted to say thank you to all of you for coming along tonight and showing your support. As many of you will know, the last few months haven’t been easy, but we got there.”

I clapped my hands together and then Faith handed me a champagne flute. The gold liquid popped against the glass as I held it aloft. “Here’s to The Conch Club, and to Loch Harris and its wonderful community.”

There was a loud cheer and the air filled with the vibrant clinking of glasses.

“Right,” I began, pointing to the cosy interior behind me, “first up tonight is Battalion. Please grab a seat and give them a huge round of applause.”

The guys and Dad darted past me and inside so they could take up their positions on stage. The tealights waved and danced on the tables, while chairs were scraped back and guests took their seats.

I stood at the back of the room beside Faith.

Outside, Loch Harris swayed in the evening breeze and all around me, the carriage lights glowed like miniature jewels. Another hour and then we could have the grand switch on of the fairy lights adorning the entrance and jetty.

“Layla, you’ve done so well.”

I could feel my body stiffen as my mother emerged into my line of sight, all glossy red highlights and spray tan.

“No thanks to you,” I replied, eyeing her sequinned jacket and black split skirt. She reminded me of some second-rate cruise ship entertainer.

She made a move to speak again, but I thrust my face closer to hers. She was wreathed in a musky perfume. “Sorry to disappoint you, but you didn’t manage to drive a wedge between Dad and me.”

Faith and I swapped satisfied smiles.

“You see, Dad and I decided to take a DNA test and it turns out that Harry is my biological father.”

She tried to conceal her surprise but failed, her thin brows darting upwards, as though trying to escape from her face. She gathered herself together. “It must have been such an awful time for you all.”

“Yes, you would have liked that,” I rallied, “but we dealt with it.”

I could see her mind whirring. “Things must be rather awkward now with Ed.”

I let out a short laugh. “Oh, you would have loved that, wouldn’t you?” I leaned in a little closer to her. “As a matter of fact, your tawdry little revelation seems to have cleared the air. Dad and Ed will never be best friends, but they’ve moved on.”

I raised my chin and stared past her glittery shoulder to watch Dad and the band prepare to play their first song. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a business to launch.”

Faith gave Mum a frosty grimace.

Setting her shoulders, Tina glowered. “Your father has filled your head with poison about me.”

“Not at all,” I answered simply. “I was able to deduce from an early age what a self-centred, vacuous individual you are. I didn’t need anyone else to tell me.”

My mother swallowed and turned on her patent heel. She muttered something unintelligible, before barging her way through the crowd and out the door. Her lapdog Alison scurried at her heels.

“Right guys,” boomed Mikey. “Let’s go!”

There was a riot of whoops and loud applause.