Page 85 of A Scottish Island Summer

‘I can’t believe you haven’t heard. I think the sooner we get you off that island and back to London, the better.’

My attention slid in Logan’s direction again. I didn’t say anything. He was still chatting to Campbell and Ava.

‘I’ll send you some publicity shots of River’s latest adventure now,’ continued Justine with evident irritation. ‘But I’m warning you: you’re not going to like it.’

A few moments later, images of River glammed up and posing in front of a giant glitterball appeared on my phone screen. She was wearing a Santa hat at a jaunty angle, and the headline screamed, river about to rock Christmas let’s dance.

My jaw dropped to Ava’s patterned hall carpet and bounced back up again so hard, it felt like I might be experiencing some sort of seizure. This wasn’t happening. This was so unfair! I might’ve been able to stomach someone else getting on the Christmas special of Let’s Dance, but not the likes of her. I loved that show!

‘Darcie. Darcie! Are you still there?’

My blood felt like it had turned the most hateful shade of green and was bubbling hotter and faster. ‘She’s… She’s…’ I struggled to force the words out.

‘See what I mean?’ chided Justine, in her ‘I told you so’ voice. ‘That’s why we need something to come back with, darling. We’ve got to keep your name and your profile at the forefront of people’s minds.’

I was fighting to listen to Justine, while simultaneously attempting to stem the jealousy rampaging through me. I hated feeling like this. Why my favourite show? Why her?

‘Now, I know you’re doing your Skye travel guide, but is there anything else we can use?’

I couldn’t speak. I was fighting to process River’s latest, boastful success.

When I didn’t say anything, Justine let out a weary sigh. ‘You’re not giving me much here, Darcie.’

I was about to say that I thought it was her job and that of the agency PR gurus to come up with ideas like this. My eyes bored into my phone screen again, starting at the images of self-satisfied River, and the lump of resentment grew larger and more solid in my chest. I bet she’d never even watched Let’s Dance!

Over my murderous thoughts, I could hear Logan, Campbell and Ava talking in animated tones.

Visions of River sashaying around the dance floor in some glitzy ensemble consumed me and I found myself blurting, ‘There might be some hidden treasure here on Skye that I could end up being involved in finding.’

As soon as the words shot out of my mouth, I regretted them. A sour feeling dried up my tongue and I clamped my eyelids shut for a few seconds.

Hadn’t I listened to what Logan just said?

‘What, chocolate coins?’ sniggered Justine.

My conscience was battling it out. I couldn’t stop there. I had to explain. ‘No, not chocolate coins,’ I answered in a small voice.

She let out a thrilled gasp. ‘Are you serious, sweetie? What? You mean, something major?’

My voice sounded weird to my own ears, disembodied, strangled. Part of me wanted to reel back what I’d just said, deny it and say that I’d exaggerated and I wanted Justine to forget it.

But the other part of me—the petulant, envious side—couldn’t let go of River’s smirking expression. ‘Yes,’ I managed, hating myself. More guilt flooded through me. ‘But… I mean … it’s still all up in the air at the moment.’

‘Right.’ I could hear Justine’s brain whirring from here. ‘What’s this piece of so-called treasure then?’

I cleared my throat and tried not to look through the crack in the door at Logan. I felt wretched as it was. ‘It’s supposed to be a piece of jewellery, made during the time of the Vikings.’

Justine’s excitement erupted again. ‘Oooh, this could work. We could make you sound like Lara Croft.’

My stomach spun to the floor. ‘No. No. That’s an awful idea. Please don’t do that.’

Unperturbed, she carried on. ‘What about this Logan? Is he involved as well?’

I raised my eyes from Ava’s carpet. They locked on unsuspecting Logan just as he grinned at something Campbell was saying. His toothy smile lit up his face and my heart lurched.

‘Y-es,’ I faltered. ‘Yes, he’s involved in the search too.’

He must’ve sensed me watching him, because he twisted round on the sofa and his gaze met mine.