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‘I know! I saw it at the airport and couldn’t resist. I thought of you and Johnny the resident robin.’
‘And this is ideal for tonight.’ Edie leaned forward and hugged Amelia tightly. ‘Right,’ she said. ‘We had better get our skates on if we are to be ready in time for the ball.’
Amelia walked down to the cabin with the dress across her arm and her new trainers, and this time had a spring in her step. She had no responsibilities, no pressing work commitments, and she lived in the most beautiful place in the world. As she listed all the positives in her life, she thought of that morning’s journal prompt:List all the things in life you are grateful for. Today she was thankful for so much. She just had to make a point of reminding herself of that, rather than worrying about things that were out of her control.
Chapter Sixty-Eight
‘You look amazing,’ said Thea, as Amelia and Edie walked into the hall. Thea had texted to say she would be going a bit earlier and would save them a table.
‘Thanks to Edie. I’ve borrowed her dress.’
‘Wow, Edie. Let me know next time you’re doing one of your wardrobe clear-outs and I’ll come round.’
Edie laughed. ‘I’ll be with you in a moment, girls. I just need a word with Naza, before I forget.’
Thea wore a navy-blue jumpsuit, with a stunning red necklace, and her eyes were as smiley as always. ‘So good to see you, Amelia. It feels like ages.’
‘Yes,’ she agreed. ‘It’s been a strange couple of weeks. Sorry I’ve not been about.’
‘That’s okay. And you don’t need to tell me any of the details. All I know is that Fergus was pretty cut up about things when you left . . .’
‘But . . .’ she started to say, then shrugged. ‘I didn’t leave for long, and it was all a bit unexpected. It was never my intention to go, but my ex-husband turned up, which totally threw me. Especially after events at the fair.’
Thea rolled her eyes. ‘I know. But that was all a misunderstanding, wasn’t it?’
‘Yes, and I have chatted to Fergus . . . but, well, it’s not really the same.’
Amelia looked around the hall to see most of the men wore kilts in a variety of tartans.
Thea rolled her eyes. ‘Any excuse to get their skirts on and their legs out.’
‘Well,’ said Amelia. ‘They look very smart. Though I don’t see Grant. Where is he?’
‘Ah, well, his pager went off earlier. They’ve been called out on a shout.’
‘Oh.’ Amelia wanted to ask if Fergus had gone as well, but was worried it might appear needy.
‘Fergus is with them, in case you were wondering.’ Thea smiled at her kindly.
‘What happened?’
‘It sounds like a fishing vessel in trouble.’
‘I hope everything is okay. It must be such a worry.’ Amelia could feel a knot start to form in her stomach. What if something happened to Fergus? Would she forgive herself for not making amends and leaving things unfinished?
Thea shrugged. ‘Weather’s been still today, and hopefully they’re just having to tow it to safety. The tidal conditions are good so they shouldn’t be much longer.’ Her smile widened. ‘In fact, talk of the devil.’
‘Here you go, ladies.’ It was Grant, holding a bottle of prosecco and some glasses. He leaned down to kiss Thea on the cheek.
‘I thought you would be a while,’ she said, smiling up at him.
‘No, we got the boat in quicker than we thought, which is just as well as I didn’t want to miss this.’ Laughing, he poured the drinks and passed a glass to Amelia. ‘Here you go. And can I just say how lovely you look tonight?’
‘Thanks, Grant. You don’t look too bad yourself. I love your kilt.’ She forced a smile but couldn’t help scanning the room for Fergus.
He curtsied, swishing the red tartan. ‘Thank you.’
Amelia looked back at him. ‘I’m glad everything is okay and you made it.’
