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‘Yes. I couldn’t believe it when the pagers went off. I was just finishing up at the centre and about to head home to get ready . . . and then it started beeping. It was a fishing vessel that needed to be towed to safety. Fortunately the tides were in our favour otherwise we could have been there a while. Anyway, at least it all ended well and we managed to come.’
‘Do you ever get scared when you’re out there?’
He shrugged. ‘You don’t have much time to think about it. You’re just there to do a job and bring whoever’s in trouble home safely.’
Amelia’s heart skipped a beat as she realised she couldn’t bear it if anything happened to him. She reached up and touched his cheek. ‘I’m glad you’re okay.’ What if something had happened to him and she hadn’t told him how she really felt? All sorts of possibilities raced through her mind.
‘Fergus . . . I’m sorry for the way things worked out . . .’
He reached for her hand and squeezed it. ‘Me too.’
‘Can we go back to being friends again?’ She didn’t know what else to say. But she needed to be honest and open with him.
He nodded, a mixture of curiosity and humour in his eyes. His tone was soft as he spoke. ‘Friends, or more than that?’
Amelia couldn’t take her eyes off him as she wondered what to say next. She willed herself not to say anything stupid.
‘What would you like?’ The barman, looking flustered, clicked his fingers as he waited for their reply.
‘Amelia, what would you like?’
‘Erm, just a beer is fine, thanks.’
‘Make that two.’
The moment was lost as Thea and Grant arrived behind them and Fergus ordered more drinks.
‘What do you think of the ceilidh then?’ said Grant.
‘Brilliant fun and also exhausting,’ Amelia said, laughing. ‘It’s like a workout at the gym!’
‘I know,’ said Grant, raising an eyebrow. ‘I hope he warned you how tough it is? Will you join us for the Eightsome Reel? We need another couple.’
Fergus hesitated. ‘Sure.’ He took a gulp of beer and leaned down to Amelia to whisper in her ear. ‘To be continued.’
She almost spat out the beer she was drinking. That wasn’t what she was expecting him to say at all, and she felt a delicious sense of anticipation building. The scent of his aftershave lingered and she wanted to reach out and grab him.
‘Okay,’ shouted Doris. ‘Take your place for the Eightsome Reel.’
Amelia tried to focus on the instructions, but all she could think about was Fergus and the way he was gripping her hand. She didn’t dare to look at him as she didn’t trust herself not to kiss him in front of everyone.
‘Don’t worry. I’ll keep you right.’
Amelia felt as though she was put through her paces, being twirled, stamping her feet, clapping and birling around the floor. The dancing was such fun, and so infectious it was tricky not to laugh and smile at everyone, all clearly having as good a time as she was. This time when the band finished playing, she was sweating and thirsty for some more beer.
‘I need to go . . .’ she said over her shoulder.
Fergus was right behind her and confusion flitted across his face.
‘For some fresh air.’ She reached behind and tugged his hand.
‘Yes, it’s hot in here.’ His voice was gruff. ‘Let’s go outside.’
Chapter Seventy-One
Outside the hall, Amelia gulped in the cold air and giggled as they walked towards the bench, looking out into the darkness of the bay.
Fergus offered her his hand and she clasped it, letting him draw her in close. ‘Is this fresh enough?’ The cold air was invigorating, and he draped his jacket over her shoulders and pulled her towards him as they sat together in companionable silence. ‘Are you glad you came back?’
