Page 48 of The Bookshop By the Loch

There was a considered pause in the conversation. A sweep of emotions drifted across his compelling features. Tobias’s dark looks grew serious again. “So, about your dad,” he announced, returning the conversation back to its original topic.

I blinked, as though a momentary spell had been broken. “Yes. Of course. Well, I don’t want him messing with my mum’s head.”

“What makes you say that?”

I played with my ornate dress ring on my right hand. “She’s still in love with him.”

I could see Tobias turning things over in his mind. “We can’t help who we fall for.”

Our eyes searched each other out again.

I snapped mine away first this time and concentrated on the magnetic waltz of the loch. What was happening? Were there two separate conversations taking place here? What a day this was turning out to be.

I changed the subject. “So, what about you?”

“Sorry?”

“Why leave the cosmopolitan buzz of Glasgow and return to somewhere that has almost as many wild birds as it does inhabitants?”

Tobias stiffened. “Like I said before, I fancied coming back – a change of scene.” His emotional guard clattered down and he focused on the skyline again. “It’s good for the soul.”

I watched the locals and tourists weaving and winding down below, amongst the hotch-potch of shops. Tobias was a good listener, but when it came to revealing things about himself, he could do so much better.

I decided to try again. “And you’ve no idea why your uncle had a change of heart about helping you?”

Tobias shrugged. “No. I don’t know. I think he must have weighed everything up and decided that as I was family and invested in the shop, he should help.”

The odd small boats creaked and dashed against the water, slapping against the waves as they stayed moored below us close to the loch’s jetty.

“It’s just like you said before. Families,” groaned Tobias.

I pushed myself away from the railings. “Tell me about it. Anyway, I’d better be off. Thank you for listening to me witter on. I appreciate it.”

“Don’t be daft. Any time.”

Our eyes locked again.

I trained my attention on my bag, scooping it up from beside my feet and slinging it over my shoulder.

“What are you going to do now?” he asked.

“Go and speak to my mother,” I sighed. “Tell her about my dad. And I’m not looking forward to it.”

Chapter Sixteen

Mum sank down onto the sofa. “I don’t believe this.”

She was still wearing her suit from the shop’s opening. “Are they sure?”

I nodded.

Grandpa had changed out of his best suit and was now back in his regular polo shirt and casual trousers. His attention flitted from me to Mum and back again as he entered the sitting room. “What’s going on here? Maisie, are you alright?”

“It’s Dad, Grandpa. He showed up at Book Ends this afternoon.”

Before I could go on to explain, my grandfather erupted. “Are you joking? What the hell does he want?”

Mum’s misty eyes widened. “He’s got dementia, Dad. Niall.”