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“April?” The voice came from behind me.“April Sinclair, that’s definitely you! Can I get an autograph!”
I stiffened, not even having time to check out the newcomer before feminine arms enveloped me, along with a scent I recognised.
“Juniper,” I breathed out, returning the hug with a ferocity that rocked us from side to side.
Grasping my shoulders, she hauled me back to get a good look at me.“What the hell are you doing here? Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?” One question flowed over another as I stood there, gazing into the face of one of my oldest friends in the world.
“It was kind of a last-minute decision and I only got in yesterday, I’m still getting settled.” I nodded to the basket.“I guess I wasn’t sure whether to… I didn’t think—”
“You're staying at the manor? For how long? Please say at least a few weeks. Oh, we need to have dinner one night.” Her blunt bob swayed as the words tumbled out so quickly, I feared her lungs might explode.
I clutched her wrist.“June, breathe.”
“I’m sorry… I’m just so happy to see you.”
I laughed, but her enthusiasm made me feel a tad guilty. I should have contacted her first.“I’m staying at least a few weeks, we have plenty of time.”
She clapped her hands together.“Good, that’s good. Oh—I just remembered, I’m meeting Heather for coffee.” She checked the slim watch on her wrist.“I’m going to be late.”
Heather. I smiled at the mention of the third member of our childhood friendship group. At school, we had jokingly nicknamed her May, so we could be April, May, and June. Kind of lame but also pretty cute. I hadn’t spoken to either of them in years.
“You should come,” she offered quickly, brows furrowing as she took in my basket filled with sugary snacks.“Unless you’re having some kind of party?”
“No.” I laughed, suddenly embarrassed.“All for me.”
“Great, then you’re free for coffee.” She tugged me to the door.
“My shopping—”
June looked at the girl behind the counter who I noticed was staring at me with a slightly dazed expression.“Michaela, bag it up, will you. She’ll be back in an hour or two.” Michaela nodded but didn’t take her eyes from me.Shit. So much for incognito. My name would be all around the village by nightfall.
The moment my tan loafers hit the sun-soaked cobbles, Juniper linked her arm through mine, knocking our shoulders together. At almost six feet tall, it was more her elbow to my shoulder.“Did you get even shorter?”
“Nope, I think that’s all on your end.” Her arm shifted, steering me around the corner and onto the high street. To my shock, we didn’t find the tired, run-down street of my youth. What had once held little more than an outdated hairdresser, a DIY store, and a chemist had been entirely transformed. It was hard to believe I was in the same Kinleith and not between the pages of a children’s book.“What on earth happened here?” I couldn’t stop my head from swivelling. Everywhere I turned were bright colours and fantastical window displays. There was a book shop, an art gallery and a perfumery, even a pet store.
“Umm… tourists happened. Boatloads of them.” I knew tourism had increased in Scotland in recent years, but seeing the change it could have on a community with your own eyes was awe-inspiring.“There was a point about two years back that the numbers grew so overwhelming, we struggled to service the mass of people visiting over the summer months… it was actually a little frightening. But the community adjusted, new businesses popped up, new B&Bs and campsites. The high street”—she gestured ahead of us—“became officially pedestrianised last summer to make it more pleasant for shoppers. The amount of tourists can still be a little intimidating,” she admitted, her lips twisting.“Then I walk down here and witness firsthand how the island is thriving and it all feels worth it.”
“It’s amazing.”
She spun, walking backward as she grinned, transforming her sharp features into something softer.“Keep that enthusiasm in mind when we get to Brown’s, it hasn’t changed a bit.”
Brown’s.
Nostalgia and a little bit of fear thrummed through me. Brown’s was our hangout all through high school, mainly because it was the only place with a roof and copious amounts of cake that wasn’t under the careful supervision of Juniper’s and Heather’s parents or my grandparents.
June led me beneath the familiar blue-and-white awning, eyes flicking to the tourists occupying the outdoor seating crammed onto the pathway. She ducked through the door and after a moment of hesitation, I followed.People are going to see you eventually, may as well rip off the plaster now.
I hadn’t even closed the door before two delighted shouts sounded.“I can’t believe it’s you.” Heather Macabe drew me against her but I was immediately wrenched away.
“My turn. Out the way, ye dafties.” Jessica Brown elbowed her way to the centre of our little huddle, slipping off my sunglasses so she could cup my cheek.“Where have ye been, lass?” Never one to beat around the bush, I knew Jessica’s question wasn’t literal.
“I didn’t know,” I whispered, throat constricting as I held my tears at bay.“He didn’t tell me what was going on.”
“That man,” she tutted,“always thinking he knew best.”
“I should have been here.”
She brushed a tear away with her thumb.“Aye. But ye here now, that’s what matters.” And as if she could see even my deepest worries, she whispered,“You’ll do right by that place, I know ye will.”“Join us,” Heather urged Jessica as the elderly woman handed over a huge teapot and three tea cups.
