Page 109 of A Scottish Country Escape

I approached Pebble Brook, so that Elsa could retrieve her car. I killed the engine and turned to face her. ‘Dexter is dealing with so many issues right now,’ said Elsa. ‘He’s doing all he can to be a good father figure for Nadia, but he’s trying to work out how to let Shelley down gently in the process. And what with his writing career under threat, he’s in a tough place.’

My stomach performed a loop-the-loop.

Elsa shuffled round in her seat, her thick raincoat rustling. ‘There must be something else we can do. I can’t give up on him and I know you feel the same, even if you don’t want to admit it.’

My mouth twitched in a faint smile. ‘You are a very persuasive lady.’

‘My Kenny used to say I was a professional nagger.’

Silence descended again. I knew I couldn’t just stop. I’d promised Gran I would try to help Dexter. Now Elsa was relying on me too.

I threw my hands up in the air. ‘OK. We won’t admit defeat just yet.’

An idea breezed into my mind. It was another long shot, but my dad always used to say they were the best kind. I trained my eyes on Elsa. ‘There’s one other suggestion, but it might not work. In fact, chances are, it won’t.’

Elsa’s round expression flickered with optimism. ‘Well, anything’s worth a shot. I like a challenge.’

Chapter Sixty-Seven

The stream by Pebble Brook glistened as while I described my sketchy plan to Elsa.

As I spoke to her, I could feel my optimism crumbling. Saying it out loud was different to forming it in your head. ‘I know the likelihood of this working isn’t good, but what else can we do?’

Elsa stared out of the windscreen and I trailed my hands around the steering wheel. Whether Dexter decided to stay here or return to London, I knew I had to help him, whatever he chose to do.

Elsa was thoughtful. She let out a sigh. ‘You should see him. He’s not the young man I’ve grown to know.’

My heart lurched.

‘The Dexter Grayling bravado has well and truly slipped.’

I switched on my car engine again and parked up my Mini beside Elsa’s car.

Elsa gathered her coat around herself, thanked me for the ride back and picked up her bag from the footwell. She clambered out and hovered there. ‘But he’s wonderful with Nadia.’

My insides twisted over. Had Gran been right? Had I deliberately fought against how I felt for him because I couldn’t face the prospect of losing someone else I loved?

‘Elle? Are you all right?’

I forced a stray hair back behind my ear as I climbed out and locked up my car. ‘Yes. Yes, I’m fine, thank you.’

She regarded me with narrowed eyes.

‘So,’ I said, examining her over my car roof. ‘What do you think of my suggestion?’

‘I agree with you. Anything is worth a try.’

‘When do you think we should do it?’ I asked.

Elsa hovered on the spot, giving Pebble Brook an appreciative glance. ‘The sooner the better. If Shelley has her way, Hawk West Hall will be crated and packed up by the end of the week.’ She pursed her lips. ‘I overheard her ranting at Dexter last night about some apartment in Mayfair. She was saying there are a couple of excellent private schools there for Nadia.’ She locked eyes with me. ‘The way I see it, she knows how you and Dexter feel about one another and she wants to get him away from here as soon as she can.’

I watched Elsa rifle in her bag for her car keys.

It was best not to involve Dexter for now. The last thing I wanted to do was raise his hopes again, only to see them dashed.

Images of Dexter standing at a side window at Hawk West Hall conjured themselves up in my mind. There was a lost look to his handsome, pensive features. He appeared almost resigned as he stared out over the tops of the trees.

My heart flipped over.