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‘You’ll be okay, Edie. You’re the strongest person I know.’
She smiled gratefully and put her other hand on top of his. ‘I’m not sure about that. But thank you. I guess we just need to deal with what life throws at us.’
He nodded and offered her a piece of his chocolate biscuit.
‘Oh, okay then,’ she said, realising she hadn’t eaten much at all today. ‘I’m looking forward to getting home.’
‘Me too,’ he said. ‘It’s a bit of a culture shock being in the city again. Feels a bit grimy and busy.’
‘Have you never regretted coming back to the island then?’
‘Nope. It’s the best thing I have done since . . . well, since Ellen died. Even though I don’t have any family here anymore, this is home for me and I’m not leaving.’
‘Yes, there is something very grounding and healing about Arran. It’s been my haven over the years. Living by the sea is certainly very restorative.’ Her thoughts drifted to Amelia and how much more rejuvenated she was compared to her pale, sad demeanour when she’d arrived four weeks ago.
Fergus told her that Amelia had been in touch just to check how everything was and that she had some dinner ready for their arrival.
‘She’s a good girl, isn’t she? I’m lucky she answered that advert.’
Fergus nodded. ‘That reminds me, is everything set for the weekend and the fair?’
She laughed. ‘Oh, yes, Doris is in charge and everything is ready to launch. Mind you, I took a quick look at my phone earlier and clocked the messages from her. She obviously thinks I’ve done a runner. She’s holding a final meeting tomorrow and wants to check I can make it.’
‘Did you tell anyone else you were coming over to Glasgow?’
She shook her head. ‘Well, I mentioned I had some business in Glasgow but that was all. Only you and Amelia are aware of the real reason.’
‘I thought that would be the case. You keep your own business off the radar. Like me . . .’
‘I understand that, Fergus . . .’ Edie paused and drew in a calming, steadying breath. ‘Can I offer you some advice from an old bird? Don’t keep everything to yourself. Remember to let yourself trust. You’re still young. You won’t feel like this for ever.’
He pursed his lips together and nodded.
‘You’ve got a lot of folks around you who really care about you. Don’t forget that.’ She sipped her tea. ‘Okay, lecture over, I promise.’ Just then the announcement was made that they were approaching the pier. ‘You’ll be glad this is such a short crossing as it limits my time to dispense advice.’
He grimaced good-naturedly. ‘You’re right. And thank you . . . looks like we’d better start making our way to the van.’
As they drove back to Coorie Cottage, the sharpness of loss pierced her heart again. But when she saw Amelia waiting at the door for her, she managed to smile. She wasn’t quite so alone.
Chapter Forty-One
Amelia’s phone pinged the next morning as she lay in bed, enjoying the cosy warmth of her duvet.
I’m heading for a swim if you fancy joining me?
She yawned and considered it for five seconds. She could just about make out a tiny chink of light in the curtains, so at least it wasn’t completely dark. Though that maybe wasn’t a good thing given what she was about to do.
You’re on. See you at your usual spot?
If she didn’t bite the bullet now, she never would, and, well, why not? She pulled the wetsuit on over her swimming costume, scraped her hair back in a ponytail, threw on her coat and trainers and ran down the garden path before she changed her mind.
He was standing waiting and watching for her coming along the shore. ‘I didn’t know if you would actually come.’
She grinned. ‘Thought I should be brave.’ Pulling off her jacket, she threw it beside Fergus’s things and shook her head. ‘I forgot a towel.’
‘I’ve got that covered.’ He pointed to his bag of kit. ‘Here, you’ll need these.’ He handed her a pair of neoprene gloves and boots.
She pulled the boots on, zipping them so they fitted snugly to her feet. Then eased her hands into the gloves. ‘Is that me?’
