Page 70 of A Scottish Country Escape

I laughed and dismissed her apology. ‘There’s no need to tip-toe around me, Cate.’

She pressed her lips together. ‘Will you please go home now? Soak in the bath, pour yourself a glass of something chilled.’ Cate gestured her arm around the shop. ‘I’ll close up for the night. Lucy’s coming here to meet me anyway. We thought we might try that new wine bar in town. You know, the one with the glitterball and the 1970s ‘Staying Alive’ inspired dance floor.’

I gave Cate an appreciative hug. ‘A long soak in the bath sounds heavenly.’

I threw my leather jacket over my arm and hitched up my shoulder bag.

‘You could always come with us into town.’

The prospect of sitting there, sandwiched between Cate and Lucy as they made eyes at one another, filled me with dread. Talk about a spare part. ‘Thanks for that, but I just want to chill out this evening.’

As I was about to leave, Lucy appeared at the door, her red hair like a shiny curtain. She was dressed in a white ankle-length dress. When Cate saw her, her face broke into a wide smile. She enveloped her girlfriend in her arms and they exchanged a lingering kiss.

‘Good day?’ Lucy asked, as she embraced me.

‘Good from a business perspective,’ I smiled, hoping I sounded more upbeat than I felt.

Cate delivered a knowing look to Lucy, who acknowledged it with the briefest of nods. They had obviously been discussing my various dilemmas but I didn’t mind. Cate was only concerned for me.

‘And what about you?’ I asked her. ‘Accountancy thrills aplenty?’

Lucy slipped off her red cardigan and draped it over the back of the chair behind the counter. ‘It’s as enthralling as ever. Got some new clients though, so I guess I can’t complain.’

‘But she still will,’ interjected Cate with a playful grin.

Lucy offered her girlfriend a withering look. ‘We can’t all design frivolous jewellery for a living.’

‘If you can call it a living,’ replied Cate, to which Lucy smiled but appeared preoccupied.

Cate studied her. ‘You OK?’

Lucy coloured. ‘Yes. Fine.’

I clicked open the shop door. ‘I hope you two young ladies have a lovely evening. Gran’s offered to help out in here tomorrow, Cate, so no need to come in.’

‘You sure?’

I nodded and Cate appeared pleased. ‘That’ll be handy. I’ve got a commission for a set of teardrop bridal earrings I need to finish off before next week. September wedding.’

I stepped out of the shop, the pale evening light lazily wafting over the top of the shops. ‘Thanks for being here today, Cate. What with everything going on, I needed the moral support.’

I started to make my way out onto the pavement, when Lucy emitted a groan. ‘Shit! Shit! Nope. I can’t do it. I promised myself I would, but I can’t. Bugger it!’

‘What do you mean?’ I asked.

Cate’s brows arched. ‘What are you talking about?’

Lucy’s voice was filled with conflict. ‘I wasn’t going to say anything – professional ethics and all that.’

Cate blinked at her. ‘What is it?’

Lucy sighed. ‘Right. So, I’ve been asked to set up a trust fund for a local Italian woman. It’s all hush-hush, like something out of a daytime soap.’

It took a few moments for my addled brain to catch up. ‘Hold on. Did you just say Italian?’

Cate widened her black eyes. ‘Bloody hell. What’s the name, Luce? Can you tell us?’

Lucy shook her red hair. Her wide steel-grey eyes were agonised. ‘I’m sorry, but I can’t. Client confidentiality.’