Page 90 of A Scottish Highland Hideaway

We stepped back into the shop, suddenly surrounded by soft chatter, the scent of Christmas in the air and festive songs buzzing out from the speakers.

“Seems to me that you’re already doing very well.”

Ezra blushed and stared ahead for a moment, observing Rowan assisting a customer. “If the DNA test confirms what we suspect, I’d like to go public about the girls being my daughters, once all this drama with my book is over.” He smiled to himself. “I want to do it properly, Bailey, not like an afterthought, and not rushed into it by these horrid people. I want to get to know them first, and have them get to know me so that we’re not strangers when we do meet.”

He thrust his hands into his trouser pockets. “I’ll talk to them again about that though. It’s not up to me. It will have to be our decision.” He gave a simple shrug of his shoulders. “I admire them so much. How they just handled what I told them.” Ezra’s face shone. “I realise I don’t know them yet, but the way they wanted to do the right thing today made me very proud.”

I squeezed his arm. “I have a feeling everything will be ok.”

Good grief. The irony! Instead of making Ezra’s life implode, the shadowy, blackmailing cretins, terrified about the contents of his autobiography, had brought a family together.

* * *

I languished in the bath that evening, mulling over the day’s events.

As the warm water lapped against my skin, and my cranberry-scented candle flickered close by, I experienced a glow of satisfaction thinking about Ezra, Caroline, and Laura.

At least the three of them were now in a position where they could start to get to know each other. They could be honest and open with one another, and although there was so much they didn’t yet know, there were no lies, no secrets, no bad feelings.

I cringed when I thought about the fact that my identity was still a secret from everyone who was part of my new life. Rowan and Amber, for example, who I saw every day, didn’t know who I really was and had been in the past. We’d been rushed off our feet in the shop, and no time had seemed like the right time to speak to them. I was still coming to terms with the fact that I ought to tell them, that I was ready to tell them. Now I just had to be brave and come out with it.

Now that Ezra’s New Year’s Eve celebration was taking place at my parents’ home next week, I was running out of time to do it. They knew the event was being held at some posh house, but had no idea I grew up there.

I stared at my waggling toes, slicked with burgundy-coloured polish, under the bubbly water.. I couldn’t let Zach’s reaction put me off telling other people in my life. I wished he’d given me the same courtesy and been open with me. I wanted to understand why someone like him was grubbing around for a gossip magazine instead of writing important articles that made the world a better place. I didn’t like thinking of him as a hypocrite. I knew there must be something else going on.

Realising my bath water was beginning to lose its warmth, I climbed out and swathed myself in a fluffy towel. I would tell Amber and Rowan tomorrow, on Christmas Eve, and they would have a few days to get used to it before we reopened on the 28th. I was very fond of Rowan and Amber, but I couldn’t face intense questioning and just wanted to get it over with.

I planned to close Flower Power at lunchtime so opened a little earlier to make sure we had time to get everything organised. I’d pack up the car and head home to Bannock House, crossing my fingers that my brother had changed his mind. He was still ignoring my calls and messages and I wished we could just fast forward to the point in time when he would have forgiven me and got over it. I wished Christmas would work some magic on him!

Chapter Twenty-One

I closed Flower Power at lunchtime on Christmas Eve, posting a festive note on the door, the shop website and on our social media accounts, thanking everybody for their support during the last few months, wishing them a wonderful Christmas and adding that Flower Power would reopen on 28 December.

Earlier that morning, I’d received a phone call from Ezra, quickly followed by texts from Caroline and Laura. The DNA results had come back positive. Ezra was their father.

‘Both a shock and what I’d expected,’ he’d said, tentatively. ‘But they’re both lovely young women, which I can take no credit for. I’m rather proud.’

Caroline and Laura had both been sanguine. For them, it was needed confirmation. But I was sure they’d grow to be fond of Ezra in time.

We’d been a bit busier than I’d anticipated for Christmas Eve morning. There had been some confusion with Mr Snowdon, who had written down the wrong details from his wife about which festive floral dinner centrepiece to collect and then Mrs Hemphill had changed her mind about the colour of ribbon she wanted on her late sister’s wreath to take up to the cemetery that afternoon.

Dismissed was the cream satin, and in its place, I weaved a red tartan ribbon.

Once we were officially closed, I insisted on pouring the three of us a glass of Bucks Fizz and gave Amber and Rowan their gifts – fishnet tights and glittery eyeliner for Amber, silver earrings and vanilla-scented hand cream for Rowan.

Then it was my turn to open the lovely gifts they bought me – a pretty mug with a B on it and a new apron which was pink to match the shop and had Bailey embroidered across it in sweeping gold lettering.

“Thank you,” I laughed, trying it on for size. “I shall wear it with pride.”

I watched as the two girls resumed sweeping the floor and tidying. Now would be the perfect time to tell them.

Come on, Bailey. Enough procrastination. It’s time.

No more secrets. Look at what damage they can do.

I cleared my throat. “Amber. Rowan. Can you both stop what you’re doing for a second, please. I’ve something to tell you.”

My stomach cartwheeled and I placed one hand on it.