Page 32 of The Scottish Island Inn

‘Well, that was…’ Heather searched for a word in the quiet of the caravan. Sorrel knew that her sister would try to find a way to the silver lining – that was what she did. ‘That was… honest.’

‘It was a lot. I know. But I had to be honest, Heather. I had to.’ Sorrel ran a hand through her hair.

‘I know that. It’s okay. You were right to tell us.’ Heather gave her a hug.

‘Do you think I should go and talk to Bluebell?’ Sorrel looked at Bluebell’s closed door. She hated the fact that Bluebell was cross with her.

‘No. I think she needs some time alone. She’ll come around. Don’t worry.’ Heather patted her sister’s hand. ‘It’ll be okay. I promise. Remember, I have a sense about these things.’

‘All right.’ Sorrel got up. ‘I’m going out then. I need some air. I… I feel really tense being in here.’ She felt that if she didn’t get out of the caravan, she might scream. She needed some air. She needed to walk or run.

‘Okay… Do you want me to come with you?’ Heather looked concerned.

‘No. I mean… thank you, but I’d like to be alone for a bit. Is that all right?’ Sorrel softened her tone; she was so grateful for Heather’s kindness. And she thought Blossom would be okay about it – she would call her in the next few days and they could have a chat. But Violet and Primrose seemed pretty upset, and then there was Bluebell.

Sorrel hoped that it would all come together; that this was just what it felt like when you ripped off the plaster. She hoped that there was light on the horizon.

She’d done the hard part. Now, maybe, things could start to change.

SEVENTEEN

‘Hey. What’s the hurry?’ Tam stood back, holding out his hands for Sorrel. ‘Whoa, there. You almost had me over.’

Sorrel almost fell over Tam Blackwood as she jumped down the steps from the caravan.

‘Sorry. I just… had to get some fresh air.’ Sorrel also didn’t want to be there when her parents got home. The meeting with her sisters had been enough for one day.

Now that it was all over, she could feel the delayed stress mounting up in her and found herself starting to hyperventilate. She reached out for a nearby tree and leaned against it, bending over, trying to catch her breath and failing. What had she just done? Would everyone knowing her secret make it worse? Should she have just kept it to herself forever?

No. No. I did the right thing. I did.

‘What’s up?’ Tam frowned. ‘Can I help? Hey. Hey, now. Breathe.’ He took her arm and made her look into his eyes. ‘Remember. Breathe in. Breathe out. Come on. It’s okay. Feel the ground under your feet.’

His hand held her arm, and Sorrel could feel Tam’s reassuring energy warming her. She managed to take in a deep breath, let it out, and stand up.

‘It’s okay. Take your time. Focus on the ground under you. Imagine you’re pulling strength up from it. Into your tummy. Out again, with your breath.’ He guided her for a few minutes until she started to feel a little more grounded.

‘Agh. Thank you.’ Instinctively, Sorrel rested her forehead on Tam’s chest, and then almost immediately realised what she was doing and stood up straight.

‘What happened in there?’ He didn’t mention her intimate gesture, but she knew that he must remember it. It had been something she would do often when they were together. She’d lean against him, rest her head on his chest and listen to his heart when she got stressed. Or he’d hold her in his arms and kiss her forehead. There were a thousand other touches; a thousand other affectionate gestures that had passed between them.

But none of them were appropriate any more.

‘Family drama. I could do with getting away.’ She felt dizzy, standing up straight.

Outside the caravan, a scaffolding rig was in the process of being constructed by a crew of workmen. Sorrel glanced up at it.

‘Building work going well, then?’ she asked groggily, to change the subject.

‘Yeah. Thanks to your injection of cash.’ Tam put his hands in the pockets of his overalls. Sorrel tried not to notice his broad shoulders. Even the fact that his top pocket contained screwdrivers, pens and rulers made her look twice. It wasn’t the moment to notice these things about Tam, or anyone. Inwardly, she put it down to stress and confusion.

‘Okay. Come for a walk, then? I was just going out for a coffee run to Muriel’s.’ Tam gave her a hopeful smile. ‘You can help carry. Otherwise, it’s me balancing two tiers of flat whites and matcha lattes.’

‘Matcha lattes on Skye. I never thought I’d see the day.’ She gave him a half-smile, starting to feel better.

‘I know. Sophistication.’ His voice was so reassuring; Sorrel used to love cuddling up to him with her head on his chest at night, listening to his voice as he murmured softly to her.

‘Why don’t you take the car?’ She shaded her eyes from the afternoon sun with her hand.