Page 120 of A Scottish Island Summer

I smiled at the sight of the boats dotted in the harbour, bobbing and rocking about on the waves, their masts creaking.

I couldn’t quite believe that it was three weeks since I clambered off the bus, frothing with anger at Justine for despatching me here and seething with envy at River’s latest exploits. It seemed a world away now.

Skye and its inhabitants had rubbed off on me, the way they lived for the moment, their pride in their beautiful island, the way they embraced its nature and wildness and what it represented.

‘Here we are,’ announced Campbell, setting my case down at the bus stop in Somerled Square.

We stood together behind a couple of other waiting passengers, shuffling from foot to foot.

I hated goodbyes. The prospect of hugging Campbell and boarding the bus back to Glasgow was threatening to trigger tears. If I’d told myself that this would be happening back when I’d first arrived, I’d have laughed.

A thought occurred to me. ‘It’s a pity we never found out who wrote you that anonymous letter. Still, I suppose it doesn’t matter in the scheme of things. We found the Skye Lovers’ Cross and it’s safe, so⁠—’

‘Ach, well, that’s where you’re wrong, young lady.’ Campbell flashed me a look from under his thick brows. ‘I do know who wrote it.’

I blinked at him. ‘You’re kidding? Oh, put me out of my misery, please, Campbell. Who was it?’

‘Ava.’

‘Ava? Are you serious?’

‘Aye.’

‘Did she tell you it was her?’

‘No,’ explained Campbell, guarding my case at the bus stop, as though it contained priceless treasures. ‘I happened to spot an old shopping list lying in her kitchen the other night.’

‘And what might I ask, were you doing in Ava’s kitchen?’ I teased Campbell.

‘Sharing a bottle of wine,’ he replied, his face lighting up with colour.

‘I see.’ I bestowed a glittering smile on him. ‘Before I interrogate you about why you were at her place sharing a bottle of wine, please explain. Did you ask her about the note?’

‘I did. She was embarrassed about it at first. She said she was worried about getting on the wrong side of Gabriel Jamieson’s temper, so when she learnt that he was researching the Skye Lovers’ Cross, she decided to reach out to me anonymously.’ Campbell hesitated, mentally considering everything. ‘I think she didn’t want to put her name to the letter in case it all went belly up and she got implicated.’ Campbell performed a satisfied smile. ‘Ava happened to see me returning to The Gorse after I’d gone out for an early morning stroll, and she put two and two together. That was when she decided to write the letter and deliver it anonymously through the letter box.’ He nodded and smiled at an elderly lady in a tartan bonnet just in front of us in the bus queue. ‘Ava’s convinced it was meant to be, me coming back to Skye, finding the cross… She’s a big believer in fate.’

If only fate had wanted Logan and me to be together then. Perhaps we were meant for different paths.

I squeezed Campbell’s arm. ‘You make a lovely couple. I’m so pleased for the two of you, although I can’t say I’m that surprised.’

Campbell frowned. ‘Why not?’

‘Because from the off, Ava would gaze up at you and go pink whenever she saw you.’

‘Don’t be daft!’ Campbell laughed, but he looked delighted by my remark. Now it was his turn to pat my arm. ‘Things have a habit of working themselves out in the end. My dear late mother always used to say that.’

‘Thank goodness we haven’t missed you!’

Talking of lovely couples, I let out an emotional gasp as Iona and Robbie came charging down the pavement. Iona’s long plait was whipping up behind her and Robbie’s shock of sandy hair was sticking up more than usual.

Iona bundled me into her arms and I clung to her. ‘We dropped by the guest house and Kathleen and Julie told us you were leaving now.’

‘Your brother…’ I murmured into her fleece. She smelled of sea salt.

She held me at arm’s length and offered a loaded look. ‘I love him but he’s an utter bonehead.’

‘You know then?’

Iona gave me a sympathetic smile. ‘Logan gave me a potted explanation and then I saw your video.’