Page 81 of A Secret Scottish Escape

“Well whatever it is, I’m sure it will help to bring more tourists here. We’ll probably be overrun with them.”

“Not that you’re putting pressure on me or anything.”

Faith smiled.

“No Danielle?” I asked, noting her chair was empty.

Faith said goodbye to the backpacking couple who took a campsites leaflet and departed with a cheery wave.

“She’s just popped out to get us some more postage stamps.”

I lingered by the desk, strumming my fingers on top of it. I was bursting with anticipation on both counts now.

Faith stared at my hand and then at me. “Are you all right?”

I flinched and tried not to look down at my watch for the eighth time in the last five minutes. “Yes, I’m fine.”

Inside, my nerves were galloping in sympathy for Greg. What on earth was he planning to do?

Oh shit! What if Faith was still adamant that she and Greg were a non-starter? This could all end in humiliation and it would be my fault.

Faith narrowed her blue eyes at me. “Are you sure you’re OK?”

My lips twisted into a strained smile. “Of course, I am. I just told you I’m all right. Why?”

“You just seem a bit on edge today.”

I flapped my right hand, sending my rose-gold bangle sliding up and down my wrist. “No, I’m fine. I think it’s all the stuff I’ve still got to do. It’s preying on my mind a bit.”

“Oh, don’t you worry about any of that. You know you’ve always got me to call on if there are other things to do.”

You won’t be offering to help me in a few minutes. You’ll be offering to wring my neck.

I knew I had to try and gather myself together. Even Danielle – not the most observant person in the world – would notice my odd behaviour when she got back.

Tell her now about the DNA result, hissed a voice in my head. Then she might only slightly kill you when Greg walks in.

As Danielle still wasn’t back from the post office, I snatched the opportunity. “Dad and I just received the DNA results.” A wide grin broke out across my face. “They confirmed he is my biological father.”

Faith’s hand flew to her mouth. She shot round from the counter and gathered me into her arms. “I knew it! I just knew it! Bloody hell! Why didn’t you tell me as soon as you got through the door? I’m thrilled for you – and for your dad.”

She scanned my face. “And Ed? Does he know?”

I answered that yes, he did. “Dad reckoned he was a bit conflicted about the result and that a bit of him had been coming round to the idea of having a daughter.”

Faith glowed with happiness for me. “Well, you and Harry make sure you celebrate tonight.”

I confirmed that indeed we would. Then I noticed the time on the tourist office clock and glanced towards the door. My nerves for Greg and Sam were beginning to jingle like Christmas bells.

Why the hell hadn’t I listened to Dad to begin with? Why had I insisted on getting involved? Because you are a nosey, interfering cow, came a warning voice.

I found my attention wandering again. I angled my body away from the desk so that I had a clearer view through the window.

Every time I so much as glimpsed a blond guy, my stomach catapulted into my throat.

I managed a distracted smile at Danielle as she barrelled through the front door with her swathe of postage stamps.

Where was Greg? Had he reflected on it and decided he wasn’t prepared to take the risk? I hoped he hadn’t. Faith, Greg, and Sam would make such an adorable little family.