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‘Sorry, I am, you’re right. I need to focus or Cano will be giving me my marching orders before I’ve even worked a full day for him.’
‘Not at all,’ said Cano, who appeared from the kitchen. ‘Naza would not forgive me! She doesn’t trust me to manage on my own. I need you here, Amelia.’
Rob smiled. ‘Well, good luck. Hope the rest of your day goes well, Amelia.’
‘Thank you. Enjoy your coffee.’
‘Bye, guys. See you tomorrow at the ceilidh.’
‘Sure will,’ said Cano, bidding him farewell. He turned to Amelia. ‘I hope you are coming to the ceilidh tomorrow?’
She nodded, although she really just wanted a quiet Christmas Eve, curled up in the tub chair at the hut, with a large cup of tea and a good book.
She managed to busy herself for the rest of the day, making hot drinks, washing dishes, cleaning the coffee machines and replenishing the bakery’s counters as and when they ran sparse. The smell of roasted cinnamon and coffee beans was one she loved, and she found the sound of the coffee-bean grinder rather comforting. All too quickly, Cano shut the door and turned the sign round to say ‘Closed’.
‘Well done, Miss Amelia. What a good day.’
She pushed her hair out of her eyes, lost for words. ‘I loved it! I mean, I am tired now but that was utterly amazing. Thank you for letting me have a go.’
Naza joined Cano and she smiled. ‘This means so much. I can visit my daughter now and not worry about him.’ She patted Cano on the arm, her eyes dancing in amusement.
Cano laughed, then rolled his eyes. ‘We will be okay, won’t we, Amelia?’
‘We sure will. It will all be fine. We will have everything running like clockwork. I promise, Naza.’
‘Thank you, Amelia,’ she said. ‘But now you should go home and rest.’ She gestured towards the door. ‘You have worked hard today and must be desperate to sit down.’
Amelia nodded. ‘Thank you. And just let me know when you need me next.’
‘We will,’ said Naza. ‘But look out for us at the ceilidh and then at Miss Edie’s on Christmas Day.’
Amelia’s heart sank. She had forgotten about the large group gathering at Edie’s house. She smiled. ‘Thanks, Naza, I am looking forward to it.’
The light had faded, but Amelia knew the walk home well now. She wandered slowly along the beach, the wind whipping her hair around her face. What a lovely day. She had really enjoyed her stint at Cèic but she was tired now and would be relieved to get inside the cabin and change into her pyjamas. The thought of socializing at the ceilidh wasn’t a good one. She’d much rather stay in, snug and cosy in the cabin tomorrow night. However, she couldn’t let Edie down, no matter how anti-social she was feeling. She just had to put a smile on her face and get on with it.
Chapter Sixty-Seven
Although snow had been forecast, Christmas Eve brought bright sunshine and a chilly breeze. It was a glorious morning and everything seemed to sparkle in the frost. The trees in Edie’s garden looked as though they were scattered with diamonds. The sea was a dazzling blue and Amelia, cocooned in the cosy confines of the cabin, thought she could be on a Greek island in the middle of July, rather than an island off the west coast of Scotland in winter.
Later that morning, she and Edie walked to the village hall together to check if they could do anything to help with the preparations for the ceilidh later on. Grant was there with some of the lifeboat crew who were setting everything up.
Amelia immediately scanned the room for Fergus but there was no sign of him, and she couldn’t help but feel disappointed.
‘Can we do anything?’ asked Edie.
‘Everything is under control. The ceilidh committee have been very organised and made sure we were here first thing. But thank you. Just enjoy your day, ladies, and go put your glad rags on. I hope you’re ready for some dancing later on, Amelia?’ Grant grinned. ‘There will be lots of men in kilts, and you know what they say about a true Scotsman . . .’
Amelia laughed but then panicked as she wondered what on earth she would wear. She only had her usual jeans and sweaters. Normally she wouldn’t let that bother her. It was the prospect of seeing Fergus . . . or not. She wondered if he would even turn up.
She looked around at the amazing job the crew had done of decorating the hall with streamers, gold-sprayed pine cones, fairy lights and mistletoe strategically hung in several places. The band and kids from the local school were setting up and having a run through of their playlist.
‘Looks grand,’ said Edie. ‘We will see you later.’
As they walked back towards the cottage together, Edie glanced over at Amelia in concern. ‘You’re awfully quiet today, my dear. Is everything okay?’
She sighed. ‘Sorry, Edie, I’m not quite sure what’s wrong with me. I’m just a bit nervous about later. And I don’t have anything to wear.’
‘Well, it just so happens I have the answer.’
