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“Well . . .” Iona begins.

Richard holds his hands up. “The problem is me—I’ve got terrible allergies. Iona would love a dog or cat to snuggle up with, but a fish or hamster is more realistic. Otherwise, I’d be a runny-eyed, snotty-nosed mess.”

I snort. Can’t help it. Iona has loved animals for as long as I can remember, starting with Molly, the cocker spaniel I had as a lad. As a girl, Iona always dreamed of having her own dog, but her da never allowed it. Isn’t it sad that now, as a grown woman, she can’t have one because of her boyfriend?

“Richard, of course, can’t help his allergies,” Iona says, firing a look my way, and I realise my snort was unkind. “Besides, you can still snuggle up with a hamster . . . kind of.”

Jamie, who has apparently noticed me sidling towards the far side of the room, leans over and says, “Richard, did you know that Lewis has always had a thing for Iona?”

I stiffen, a hot flush creeping up my neck. As several pairs of eyes turn my way, I focus on Ru and lightly pat his back. “We were friends growing up,” I state plainly.

“Really? Only ever friends?” Jamie teases.

“Yes!” My voice comes out a little sharper than I intended.

I catch Richard rolling his eyes, which makes me wonder . . . does he know? Iona, of course, has every right to tell him what happened between us—he is her boyfriend—but we’ve never told our families or anyone else around Bannock. Were Richard to shoot his mouth off, and people found out what I did, I’d . . . well, I don’t know how I’d cope. I mean, how could I ever work with Elspeth in the kitchen again? How could I meet her eye if she knew how I’d treated her daughter?

I realise I’m being utterly pathetic, worrying about myself like this. The truth is, I deserve to be shamed and humiliated—just as I shamed and humiliated Iona.

“Don’t listen to Jamie,” Ally says to Richard. “He’s always winding people up. It’s what he does.”

Jamie smirks. “I’m just saying what we all think. Lewis, can you put a hand on your heart and swear that you and Iona never, you know . . .” He makes a squeaky bed noise.

If I wasn’t holding Ru, I’d make Jamie pay for that.

Richard’s jaw tightens, his lips pressing into a thin line, but—amazingly—he holds his tongue. He doesn’t turn on me or Jamie.

Wow. He’s a better man than I am.

CHAPTER NINE

LEWIS

Age eighteen

The University of Glasgow’s main building is like something out of a fairy tale—or Harry Potter. Its towering spire looms high above countless turrets, a beacon of knowledge stretching into the sky. Were some Gryffindor kids to hurry past on their way to potions class, I wouldn’t even bat an eye. But there are no witches or wizards to be seen—just a bunch of students milling around, even though it’s evening and lectures must be over for the day. I can’t help but feel a bit like a muggle as I stand among them waiting for Iona.

And then I see her. She approaches with two other girls, but I barely notice them because my attention is fixed on my best friend. In just a few short weeks, her entire look has changed. Her hair is thrown up in a messy bun, and she’s sporting a retro patchwork jacket, ripped jeans, and combat boots. She looks incredible in the mismatched ensemble, and yet different from the lass I’ve known my whole life, who left Bannock not so very long ago.

Her face lights up when she spots me, and she sprints the rest of the way before launching herself into my arms. I hold her tight, breathing in the sweet, familiar smell of her strawberry shampoo.

“Lewis! It’s so good to see you. Three weeks—it’s the longest we’ve ever been apart.”

I pull back a little and smile down at her. “It’s good to see you too. You look amazing.”

“Aye? Well, you’re not so bad yourself. Oh! Let me introduce you.” She steps back and gestures to a tall girl with dark hair. “This is Charlotte. And this”,”—she signals a shorter girl with a beanie hat—“is Erin. They’re studying veterinary medicine too.”

“Nice to meet you both,” I say.

“And you,” Charlotte replies. “Iona has told us so much about you.”

“Er, she has?”

“Yep!” Erin nods eagerly. “She talks about you nonstop. It’s been very . . . illuminating.”

For some reason the pair of them giggle at this, and Iona rolls her eyes. It must be some sort of in-joke.

“Anyway, thanks for sharing your best mate with us.” Charlotte slings an arm around Iona. “She’s an absolute riot.”