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“Sorry,” Iona says bashfully. “Things have been busy at work—my mind’s all over the place. I thought I said something?”

“Nope! But now I’m here in person, I get to hear all about it first-hand from Emily herself, and I suppose that’s even better.” Cat gives my arm a little squeeze.

“What’s all this commotion? Is that the girls back?” Elspeth appears in the restaurant doorway, and when she sees Iona and Cat, tears come to her eyes. “Oh, Iona! Catriona!” She embraces each of them. “You both look well. It’s so good to have you back!”

“Maw, we were up six weeks ago!” There’s a flush to Iona’s cheeks. “You’re acting like we’ve been gone forever.”

Elspeth wags a finger at her. “If you become a mother one day, you’ll understand. When Aidan was away doing his tour of the world, I swear it almost killed me. Anyway, listen to me babbling! I’m in the midst of cooking a celebratory lunch to welcome you home, and I should be keeping an eye on things. You two dump your bags and freshen up. It’ll be ready before long. Oh, and could one of you do me a favour and message Aidan and Ally and tell them it’s time to come back? And Emily, could you do the same for Grace and David?”

I assure her I’ll message all four of them, and she gives me a grateful smile before bustling back into the restaurant.

“All right, well, I’ll head across to the house.” Iona takes a hold of her suitcase. “See you in a bit, everyone!”

“Wait! I’ll take that for you.” Lewis more or less snatches the case out of her hand.

“Er, it’s got wheels, and it’s not heavy. I’m also just going across the road—Maw’s house couldn’t be any closer. I’ll manage!”

“No, I insist.” Lewis holds the front door open for her and smiles widely. “After you!”

As soon as they’re gone, Jamie looks from me to Cat. “Sickening, right?”

“Oh my God!” Cat agrees. “It was embarrassing when they were teenagers. Now they’re twenty-six, it’s just tragic. Also, I don’t want to be the one to break the news to Lewis, but Ally isn’t the only one to have got together with someone. Since we were last up, Iona’s picked up a boyfriend in Glasgow.”

Jamie grimaces then reconsiders and shrugs instead. “Well, if you don’t want to tell him, I will. It’ll be fun!”

“Jamie!” Cat thumps his arm—the second thump he’s received in as many minutes.

“Hey, hey! I’ll do it sensitively. I can be sensitive, you know. Like just there, what Lewis did for Iona was pretty touching. It’s sweet when a gentleman carries something for a lady.” He gestures at Cat’s suitcase. “Just as well I’m no gentleman and you’re no lady, eh? Enjoy lugging that upstairs. See you at lunch!” With a cheeky wink, he buggers off back to the snug.

“Ugh!” Cat shakes her head. “He never was the most charming of my brothers, but then we’re the closest in age, so maybe that’s to be expected. Emily, could you let me know if room four is free? It’s my old room, and I like using it when I’m up.”

“It is! We’ve got it reserved for you for two nights.” I nip behind the reception desk and grab the key.

“Thanks! I still can’t believe you’re going out with Ally. It really is nice to meet you.”

I beam at her. “You’re actually meeting me again. You won’t remember this, but I met you once before, when you were very little. You see, Ally was the first boy I ever kissed.” Briefly, I tell her about my holiday here when I was thirteen.

Cat squeals. “That’s so romantic! I can’t wait to chat more, but I better get myself ready for lunch. Elspeth doesn’t like us being late for meals.” She picks up her case. “Speak soon!”

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

EMILY

In the hotel restaurant, a few tables have been pushed together to form one big enough to seat all ten of us. Lewis and Jamie are yet to come through, and Elspeth is still bustling about in the kitchen, but the rest of us are here.

Grace and Aidan sit opposite each other at the other end, deep in conversation. Beside them are Cat and David, also opposite each other and also talking away, their chat punctuated with laughter. You wouldn’t guess they’d only just met the way the two of them are getting along.

I’m seated next to Ally, and opposite me is Iona, who’s changed out of her cat jumper into a hoodie decorated with cartoon horses. She’s certainly got a distinct fashion sense. She’s quieter than Cat, but I’m keen to learn more about her.

Deciding to try a bit of girl gossip, I nod down the table to where Grace is giggling at something Aidan has just said. “They’re getting on well.”

Iona smiles. “Aye. Your friend is beautiful.”

“They’re getting on too well, if you ask me,” Ally mutters.

I frown. “What’s that supposed to mean? Are you saying my best friend isn’t good enough for your best friend?”

“I’m saying the opposite.” To Iona, Ally adds, “No offence, of course.”