Page 74 of A Scottish Island Summer

‘Ms Freeman? Everything alright?’

It was Julie. She’d materialised on the stairs.

I pinned on a rictus smile and spun round. ‘Oh, hi there, Julie. How are you? Yes, I’m fine, thanks.’

Campbell was lurking behind me and dropped his head, evidently keen on not being recognised.

She spotted him anyway and her brow creased.

‘Julie love, I need a hand with a couple of these invoices. Oh, hello, Ms Freeman. How are you this evening?’

Double shit. Now Kathleen had emerged out of the office further down the hallway.

Her attention drifted to Campbell’s lowered head and before I had time to think of something to say, Kathleen dashed up and was standing in front of us.

‘Did you have a nice time with Logan? He’s such a handsome young man. Clever too. A real catch…’ Her voice tailed off as she continued to stare at the self-conscious Campbell. Campbell avoided eye contact by studying the hall carpet, no doubt making himself look even more suspicious.

Kathleen’s eyes narrowed behind her spectacles. ‘Excuse me? Sir? I hope you don’t think I’m being rude, but don’t I know you from somewhere?’ She took a step closer and studied Campbell’s long frayed coat and heavily scuffed boots.

Campbell kept his face averted and mumbled into his collar, ‘No, madam. I don’t think so.’

She squinted at him again. ‘Are you sure? You seem familiar.’

Now what should I do? Could I pretend he was one of my entourage from my agency, up for a flying visit? I took in his ramshackle outfit. No, that didn’t seem likely. ‘He’s…’ I began, scrabbling around for something to say. ‘He’s a…’

‘He’s Campbell Adams,’ Julie exclaimed excitedly. It was as though she’d come up with the answer to a difficult game show question. ‘It is him, isn’t it?’ They were both now examining Campbell with fascination.

Kathleen glanced at her daughter before turning back to us. ‘No, it can’t be.’ She frowned at his outfit. ‘That’s not Campbell Adams.’

‘It is,’ insisted Julie. She turned to me, animated. ‘He’s a local archaeologist who was famous for a while and then his career nosedived after all that Skye Lovers’ Cross debacle.’

Campbell flinched under his coat. His facial expression looked like his boots had become too tight for him.

Sympathy reared up inside me.

I wondered whether I should try to bluff our way out of this, but Campbell got there first. He raised his head with an air of defeat, like it was almost too heavy for his shoulders. ‘It is. I mean, I am. I’m Campbell Adams.’

Kathleen’s mouth dropped. She and Julie exchanged glances.

‘I told you, Mum,’ Julie whispered out of the corner of her mouth.

Campbell straightened his hair. ‘Can I stay for a few minutes please? I’d like a word with Darcie.’

Kathleen’s studious gaze travelled to the flapping, ankle-length hem of Campbell’s coat. ‘Of course. How are you?’ she asked, not managing to disguise her shock. ‘How long has it been since you were last here on Skye?’

Campbell looked pained. ‘Twenty years, give or take a week.’ He gave a small smile. “You haven’t changed much, Kathleen.”

Julie and Kathleen exchanged shocked glances. There was an awkward silence again.

‘You look cold,’ commented Julie. ‘Would you like some tea?’

Kathleen nodded. ‘That’s a good idea.’

I could still see the surprise registered on both their faces at the sight of Campbell shuffling from foot to foot in front of them in their guest house hallway.

‘Thank you,’ replied Campbell, running a hand through his hair. ‘Some tea would be very welcome.’

Kathleen recovered herself and beamed at us both. ‘I’ll make a pot of tea for two, strong enough for you to stand a spoon up in. You both head to the lounge. It’s empty at the moment.’