Page 109 of The Cottage in the Highlands

“Because you all need to hear this. You all need to hear what I have to say. Please.”

When Lily’s reluctance prickled out of her, I took a tentative step forward. “Lily, please come and hear what Flynn has to say. That’s all he’s asking of you. Just to hear him out.”

She turned over my request in her mind. “But it’s been years.”

“That’s why it’s so important for me to speak out now,” implored Flynn. “Please Lily.”

“But so much time has passed,” she said in a whisper. “So many years.”

“But they haven’t changed how I feel about you,” replied Flynn senior. “Not at all.”

She reached one hand up to her loose hair, debating whether to accompany us or not. “I look an awful fright.”

Flynn senior’s expression softened. “You still look as stunning to me today as you did fifty years ago.”

Lily shook her head in mock exasperation. “Still the silver-tongued rogue, Flynn Talbot.”

Flynn senior smiled hopefully up at her from the cottage steps and all the years that they had been apart seemed to slip away and evaporate in amongst the trees. She let out a defeated sigh. “All right. Just give me a minute to tidy myself up.”

The weird atmosphere in Kerry’s car was palpable.

It was an eclectic mix of two former star-crossed sweethearts, my work colleague who had stabbed me in the back and then saved my life, and the man who had managed to steal my heart, despite my protestations.

Lily was seated between Flynn and me on the back seat. She appraised him. “At least I’m sitting beside a handsome young man.”

Flynn grinned. “You can come again whenever you like.”

From the passenger side, Flynn senior glanced around at his grandson. “I used to look like that once, all tall, dark, and devilish.”

Lily pulled a face. “Yes, and lacking in confidence, as I remember.”

The Drummond scenery gave way to sweeping country lanes before we reached the popular spread of hills that identified Cairntilloch, but which were now sunken in darkness.

There was a crisp woody scent to the evening air.

Kerry eased her car up to the kerb outside Flynn senior’s impressively sprawling townhouse.

None of us had even vacated Kerry’s Nexus before Mrs Oates appeared at the wrought-iron gated entrance. She stabbed in the code and surveyed us all. She was sporting a wax-coated knee-length apron decorated with sunflowers. Her hair was coiffed. “My word. I never expected this tonight.”

Lily disappeared deeper into her stylish shawl. “I’m so sorry about all of this. Flynn said—”

Mrs Oates stepped forward in her gold boat shoes, her dark blue eyes kind. “No need to apologise. This house could be doing with chatter and noise.” She extended a warm hand. “I’m Mary, Mr Talbot’s housekeeper and jailer.”

Lily couldn’t stop herself from laughing. “You don’t seem to be doing a very good job of the jailer bit.”

“Ah. You noticed. Well, if you know the old reprobate at all, you’ll realise keeping him on the straight and narrow is easier said than done.” She delivered a welcoming smile. “You must be Lily. It’s lovely to meet you at last.”

A growling engine from another car interrupted the introductions. Mrs Oates peered past Lily’s shoulder. “Oh, it’s your son and daughter-in-law, Mr Talbot.”

A smart bullet-grey Mercedes pulled to a stop behind Kerry’s car and Carl and Diana Talbot stepped out, surveying the cluster of us with bemusement.

“Hi Dad,” said Flynn, clutching at my hand. “Surprise!”

Carl Talbot appraised his son and patted him on the back. “Any idea what all this is in aid of? You didn’t give much away over the phone.”

“I think I might have a rough idea,” muttered Flynn, arching his brows at me.

Flynn’s mother stepped up and delivered a kiss to his stubbled cheek. “I wish I had.”