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Steve was peeling a banana and telling Kirsty, for the umpteenth time, that it was important for men to watch their blood pressure. He’d also added sweet potatoes to the shopping list as they were another excellent source of potassium, which was essential.
Kirsty didn’t think there was anything wrong with his blood pressure. He always looked perfectly relaxed to her. She, on the other hand, could do with lowering her blood pressure with all that was going on.
Steve also liked to start the day with porridge in order to reduce high cholesterol. Now he was in the over-forty bracket, in fact make that the over-forty-five bracket, he was forever sharing such snippets of useful information.
She sighed. At least he was being mindful of his diet and didn’t carry any extra weight. There were no signs of a middle-age paunch and he was as fit if not fitter than the day they had met all those years ago. The outdoors life suited him.
‘I’m off to meet Nicola for a coffee this morning,’ she said as she opened the dishwasher and started to unload it. Steve reached for the cutlery and began putting it away.
‘You’re quiet this morning, love. Is everything okay?’ he said.
She frowned. ‘Yes, just lots to think about. Wondering if the mystery guesthouse inspector will be here before the wedding or after and if we are actually in with a chance of winning. And wondering when Amy will arrive and how to find the time to get over to Glasgow to collect her.’
‘Remind me . . . Emma’s arriving next week and then a few days later Max will be here with his mum and sister?’
‘Yip, that’s correct,’ she said, even though she’d told him all of this so many times already. ‘They’ve hired Lilybank Cottage.’ She mumbled something vague under her breath.
He looked at her for a moment then tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. ‘Why don’t you head off now? Let me finish this. You could walk down and meet Nicola rather than take the car. It will do you good rather than rushing there at the last minute.’
‘Okay, thanks. I will do.’
An hour later she sat on the bench outside the bakery with two coffees, waiting for Nicola to arrive. Nicola was one of Kirsty’s closest friends on the island and although they had always known each other to say ‘hello’, they became close when the twins started school. It was during their first few days here when Kirsty found herself walking out of the playground and trying to bite back the tears. Nicola, whose son was in the year above, had spotted her and insisted she take her for a coffee. Kirsty was so grateful Nicola had taken her under her wing that day. They had been firm friends since.
‘Sorry I’m late,’ said Nicola, as she arrived out of breath. ‘You’re a star — thank you.’
‘Don’t worry. It makes a change for me to be on time. I thought I’d bring them out as it’s so nice.’
It was a glorious morning with not a cloud in the sky.
‘You’re looking pensive this morning,’ said Nicola. ‘Penny for them?’
Kirsty took a sip of the strong, hot coffee. ‘Just feeling a bit tired. Perhaps a bit overwhelmed. A bit fed up . . . bet you’re glad you asked!’
‘Yes, I am because that doesn’t sound good.’
Kirsty, to her horror, felt a tear slide down her cheek.
Nicola reached over and clutched her hand. ‘If it’s any consolation, it’s no wonder. You never bloody stop, Kirsty! If you’re not making beds or porridge, then you’re worrying about the kids or Steve and your dad.’
Kirsty wiped away the tear.
‘There’s something else though isn’t there?’
‘I’m just a bit emotional,’ she said. ‘Worried about whether the wedding will all go to plan. But if I’m honest, Nic, I’m tired. I miss Mum. Ireallymiss her. There are so many questions I want to ask her . . .’
‘It’s a difficult time for you especially with Emma’s wedding and Amy coming home. You’re bound to feel her loss more acutely at the moment.’
‘I just don’t want to go on about it to the girls.’
‘I’m sure they’ll be missing her, too. They just won’t be feeling it as acutely as you because they don’t live here.’
‘That’s true.’
Nicola reached into her bag and handed Kirsty a tissue. ‘Are you sure that’s all it is? Anything else on your mind?’
She sighed. She couldn’t tell Nicola everything. It wasn’t fair.
‘Is all okay with Steve?’
