Page 127 of Journey to the Scottish Highlands

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Loch Crawe became a mist of glittery water through my tears.

The trees bled like a Monet painting.

After what seemed like an eternity, I raised my head from the steering wheel. I rubbed my eyes, clicked on my seatbelt and started up Marlene.

My phone lit up with texts and calls from Alison, Bennett and Dane asking if I’d located Evan.

I decided just to set off back to The Ramblings and tell them. It was over. I’d been deluding myself. Evan and I weren’t meant to be. No matter how badly I wanted it, I had to face the fact that our love wouldn’t be enough. I hadn’t been enough for Leon. Perhaps this was Fate taking Evan and me in different directions?

The fields glided past in emeralds, ambers and jades.

Marlene slunk back into the grounds.

I parked up and tried to gather myself before confronting everyone.

My face was like an exploding tomato, and my hair was a sweaty tangle.

But I didn’t care.

I just wanted to closet myself in my room, peel off this dress and wallow.

‘You didn’t find him?’

Dane came bounding down the steps. He’d changed out of his suit and had thrown on a pair of his old stone-washed jeans and a Metallica T-shirt. He’d let his hair out of its ponytail, and it was flapping in the breeze.

‘He’s gone.’ I blundered past him.

Everyone was still milling around in the Great Hall, just as Dane and I entered. ‘Evan’s gone back to London,’ I rasped, my throat clotted with emotion. ‘Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll go and get ready, and then Grandpa and I will be off.’

Everyone exchanged forlorn glances.

‘You’re leaving?’ piped up Dane. ‘What, today?’

‘Yes. I’m sorry. I can’t stay here. Not anymore. And I did say we’d leave after the first tour anyway.’

Dane gently guided me to one side. ‘Is there anything I can do?’

I gave him an appreciative, shaky smile. ‘Thank you, but no.’ I studied him through a mist of tears. ‘You know, I can’t believe how much you’ve changed.’

Dane blinked at me. ‘In what way?’

‘In every way. You’re much more considerate of people and more empathetic.’ I sighed. ‘Pity I hadn’t been more like that with Evan.’

Dane coloured under his stubble.

‘Don’t tell me Dane Lord, rock god, is blushing.’

He grinned at me from under his fair brows. ‘Like I said, that’s down to you. You’ve made me more human.’

‘Don’t be daft.’ I felt vulnerable and open right now, and I knew I’d evaporate into a puddle at any moment if anyone was nice to me.

‘It’s true,’ said Dane. ‘Your good qualities have rubbed off on me.’ He hesitated. ‘Look Daisy, I know I’ve said this before, but you know how I feel about you.’ Then he erupted, ‘Christ, my brother can be such a prick!’

He gathered himself and glanced up at the elaborate twirls and twists of the hall ceiling. He flicked his hair back like an agitated stallion. ‘I like you. You know that.’

‘Dane, I’m flattered, but now is not the right time.’