Page 121 of A Scottish Island Summer

It was at that moment that the navy and light blue coach slid into view.

Robbie gave me a hug. ‘Thank you, Darcie, and take care, OK?’ He stepped back.

Campbell held out his arms next and I flung myself at him, feeling his scratchy, bobbled fleece. He gave me a prolonged, fatherly embrace and a kiss on the cheek and then turned to Iona. ‘I know he’s your brother, Iona, but if you ask me, that young man needs to give his head a wobble.’

Iona and Robbie clasped each other’s hands. ‘You won’t hear me disagreeing.’ She sighed.

I pulled out of Campbell’s arms and laughed, despite feeling like I’d been trampled by a herd of Highland cattle. ‘It’s probably for the best. I see that now.’

I didn’t, but I thought if I kept repeating the mantra to myself, it might help.

‘So, what are you going to do when you get back to London?’ asked Robbie.

I shrugged as I grasped the handle of my case. ‘Start writing my travel guide and then I think I’ll take a break and get away to somewhere like Skye for a bit.’

‘There’s nowhere else like Skye,’ said Campbell.

I bit my bottom lip. ‘No. I don’t think there is.’

I lingered, reluctant to make my way onto the coach.

The driver, who’d been fiddling with somebody’s ticket, jumped out of his cab, tapped down the steps and took charge of my case for me, to stash it in the luggage hold of the coach. ‘Thank you.’ I smiled wanly at him.

Campbell reddened. ‘Oh, I meant to tell you, I’m buying a property here on the island. I’m moving back.’

‘Wonderful!’ I exclaimed, delighted. ‘What made you decide to do that?’

‘Och, this place is always in your bones. You might leave Skye but it never leaves you.’

My throat constricted. ‘I couldn’t have put it better myself.’ I gave Campbell a quick nudge. ‘I don’t suppose your decision to stay has anything to with an attractive, fifty-something, blonde botany student, does it?’

‘Haven’t a clue what you’re talking about.’ Campbell grinned.

I appraised him. ‘And Chrissie?’

‘What about her?’

I waggled one brow.

‘I did have a bit of a thing for her years ago, but that’s in the past. Chrissie’s changed and so have I.’ He reddened again. ‘Ava’s one very special lady. Kind, genuine, the real deal.’

Iona and Robbie exchanged grins. ‘As for us, we’re just glad you made us both see sense,’ piped up Robbie.

There was a charged, emotional silence.

‘Ready, Miss?’ asked the driver, clattering the luggage hatch closed and jumping back behind the wheel. ‘I hate to rush you, but…’

I wasn’t ready. My heart was still hoping that Logan would come running down the street, to at least say goodbye.

But there was just the meandering shoppers and odd bursts of traffic.

I gathered myself and clambered aboard the bus.

‘Keep in touch,’ said Campbell gruffly. ‘Don’t be a stranger.’

I watched the three of them waving and Iona blowing a couple of kisses.

Echoes of the past three weeks were haunting me: pictures of Logan, the sunsets, the Coral Beach…