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‘Let’s see how she is after a nap. Knowing her, she will have been burning the candle at both ends and not eating properly or sleeping much either. I didn’t want to say but she does look like she has lost a bit too much weight. Her face is quite drawn and pale.’
‘Yes, I agree. Hopefully, a few days of fresh air and home cooking will get some colour back into her cheeks.’ She poured some tea into their mugs and took a sip.
Amy clicked her fingers. ‘I know,’ she said with a flash of inspiration, ‘I’ve got a brilliant idea. The weather is so lovely so how about later on we take a picnic over to Blackwaterfoot? We can watch the sunset later, like we used to do. It will be like the good old days.’
‘Brilliant idea,’ said Kirsty springing to her feet and going to the fridge. ‘Let me just start rustling up a few bits and pieces so we are organized.’
Amy rolled her eyes. ‘I meant just let’s keep it simple. It doesn’t have to be a banquet. You don’t have to do it now. Drink your tea!’
Kirsty turned, her hands on her hip. ‘It’s what I do. I look after people and feed them, so just let me do it, please.’
‘Okay,’ said Amy, her voice light as she rose from the table. ‘Well, if you don’t mind, while you do that, I am off to do some yoga practice. I need to try and stay calm and grounded if I am to be the calm one around here.’
Kirsty looked at her sister with affection. ‘I hope some of your positive energy rubs off on me while you’re here.’
‘I’ve been quite gentle with you so far, Kirsty — I haven’t quite forgiven you for not warning me about James — but I am going to have you doing downward dogs and butterflies before you know it. In fact,’ she said, her eyes widening in amusement, ‘come and join me now if you want to? I think I’ll go and do it in the garden seeing as it’s so sunny out. It will do you some good to stretch yourself out. Come on, Kirsty, I can tell you’re all out of alignment and could do with some time to balance your chakras.’
Kirsty thought for a moment and looked at her sister eyeing her with anticipation. ‘Okay. You’re on,’ she said. ‘The falafel can wait. Let me just go get changed and I’ll see you outside.’
Chapter Twenty-Six
Amy chewed her lip as she waited for Kirsty to come out and join her. She had already unrolled her mat on the stretch of lawn in front of the house and she sat, crossing her legs and looking ahead at the sea which today was a deep azure. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky, and she so hoped it would stay like this for the wedding.
Getting married on the beach would be amazing — like being on a tropical island in the middle of the Caribbean, rather than off the west coast of Scotland. Her heart thumped a bit faster as she thought about yesterday and the distillery. Seeing James again after such a long time was surreal. In fact this whole trip home felt kind of strange and as though she was experiencing everything differently. She took a deep breath in, counting to four slowly, then held her breath for four counts before exhaling for four counts and then holding again for four counts. Square breathing, as it was known, was one of her favourite methods when she was in need of grounding herself.
Although she always tried to leave her mobile well away from her yoga practice, she had brought it outside and she couldn’t resist reaching for it. These were views that had to be photographed. Capturing a couple of shots of the sea ahead, she sent them to Josh. He’d been in touch most days on Messenger, checking how she was and how she felt now that she was home. She always felt so comforted by his messages and his little anecdotes about classes and her clients. She watched as the little dots started to move, showing he was typing.
Wow! Are you really in Scotland? Looks amazingly tropical! I’m on the next flight!
She laughed and typed a quick reply.
Yip, the motherland has its moments! All good and I’ll message later with some goss. You’re up late!! x
Dangling that carrot wouldn’t land well with him and she knew he wouldn’t want to wait.
Tell me now!!
She shook her head, smiling and quickly typed.Good things come to those who wait! I will be in touch x
She quickly refreshed her inbox and took a sharp breath when she saw an email from Ross. Tentatively, she clicked it open.
Dear Amy,
I hope you are enjoying time at home with your family and that your sister has a wonderful wedding.
I thought I should write to tell you that I am sorry about the way things ended. It didn’t feel like a very nice way to part, especially when you were such a support after the breakdown of my marriage. Caleb was a bit sad that he didn’t get a chance to say goodbye. I explained that was my fault and that you had wanted to speak to him but I wouldn’t let you. I hope he will understand one day.
The other thing I need to tell you is that Lucinda and I have begun relationship counselling together and are hoping to make a go of things again. I didn’t want you to hear from anyone else. I also thought I owed you the truth. It probably won’t come as a surprise to you to hear that I had never stopped loving her. She has and always will be the love of my life. We are both trying to put our marriage back together again for each other and for Caleb.
Thank you for being brave enough to end our relationship. You deserve to be loved properly. You are an incredible human being and I hope you find the happiness you are so worthy of.
I will always be grateful for what you brought to my life and for what you did for me and Caleb.
I wish you lots of love for the future.
Ross x
As Amy digested his words, she felt only relief and a sense of calm. There was no anger or sadness or frustration. She silently wished him well and exhaled. Then she switched her phone off and pushed it to one side.
