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“It did a bit,” Lewis agrees.

David nods.

Grace offers, “I know what plans you’re talking about, Emily, but if I hadn’t . . . well, I’d have interpreted it that way too.”

Emily throws her hands up. “All right! Maybe I didn’t express myself as well as I could have. I’m sorry about that, but to be abundantly clear, I wasn’t referring to sex, okay?”

Aidan, who’s sitting on my other side, leans close to my ear and whispers, “Bad luck!”

I chuckle quietly.

“What I was referring to,” Emily goes on, “is a yoga class. We have an excellent teacher in our midst”—she gestures to Grace—“who has kindly agreed to run a session for us. There was a bit of tension earlier, so this would be the perfect opportunity to return some calm to the lives of anyone who’s feeling a little stressed.” She glances at me meaningfully. “Ally, you’re in, obviously. Who else is up for it?”

I could grumble about Emily volunteering me without my permission—just like she and Lewis bought those mattresses without my permission, and invited a builder around to give a quote without my permission—but I keep my mouth shut. I’m just happy to see her back to her usual self.

Earlier, when Emily made to rush off up the stairs, the look on her face almost killed me. I don’t want to hurt her, ever, and I’m furious with myself for losing my cool. She seems okay now, which is a relief, but I’m reluctant to say or do anything that could rock the boat. I’ve never tried yoga before, but if I have to make a fool of myself to keep Emily happy, then that’s what I’ll do.

“Well?” Emily prompts. “Who’s in?”

“Me!” Aidan says.

His eyes aren’t on Emily but on Grace. Jesus!

“Mate, your left arm is in a sling,” I remind him. “You made me open your water bottle, like, ten times today because you claimed there was no way you could do it one-handed. You’re not doing yoga. No chance.”

As he grumbles with disappointment, Emily turns to Lewis and Jamie.

“How about you two?”

“I’ll pass,” Lewis says. “If I’m not needed around the hotel, I’d rather head to the gym, to be honest. I’m overdue a session.”

“And this seems like something I’d prefer to watch from a distance and snigger at than take part in myself,” Jamie says. “I can man reception or whatever, but let me know when you’re doing it, and I’ll peek in. I’m in need of a good laugh, and although Ally’s got a bit of muscle on him, when it comes to flexibility, he’s like an old man.”

I fix my brother with a stern gaze, not appreciating the “old man” comment at all. I don’t need to tell him off, though, because Grace does that for me.

“Laughing spectators are not welcome,” she says. “I only accept positive energy in my yoga classes. You’re free to participate and take it seriously, Jamie, or you can skip it altogether—those are your options. And, Ally, let me reassure you I’m quite used to working with beginners, and I can adapt the class to any level. Don’t worry about a thing.”

I nod at Grace with gratitude. I’m not sure where I stand with her—I know she has concerns about my relationship with Emily—but I appreciate this comment, at least.

“Well, so far it’s just me and Ally,” Emily says. “David, you’ll join, though, right?”

“Er . . .” He hesitates. “I actually have a date tonight.”

“What?” Jamie looks flabbergasted. “You’ve been here, like, a day. How did you get a date? And with who?”

“A dating app. Bannock is small, so I doubted I’d match with anyone, but I gave it a go, and what do you know!” He takes out his phone, taps it a few times, then proudly shows off a photo of a tall, slim, and smartly dressed man with blue eyes and longish dark hair that’s tucked behind his ears.

No way. It’s Johnny fucking MacDonald, Robbie’s wee brother.

Jamie whistles. “Sleeping with the enemy!”

“I’ve not even met the guy yet,” David clarifies, “so I’m not sleeping with anyone. And what do you mean ‘the enemy’?”

“Well, that’s Johnny MacDonald,” Jamie says. “His dad is Craig MacDonald, the manager of the Glen Garve Resort, a large hotel just outside Bannock. And his brother is Robbie MacDonald, Ally’s arch nemesis.”

“Ignore Jamie,” I assure David. “Robbie and Johnny are like night and day. Johnny’s a decent guy—he’d do anything for anyone.”

I’m not just saying that: it’s true. As much as I dislike Robbie, even I can’t pretend Johnny is anything but nice.