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“That isn’t true!” I protest. “I had nothing to do with it.”
“Oh, aye? And yet this comes just days after you sang with Iona at the Pheasant, an incident that was the subject of a lot of town gossip. Before the day is through, everyone in Bannock will be buzzing about how you broke up a happy couple.”
“But—”
“That’s how gossip works, Lewis,” Jamie says. “The truth is less important than what people think the truth is.”
My mouth opens and closes like a fish out of water. “I . . . but . . .”
“Boys! Will one of you please fill me in on what’s going on?”
I find my voice. “Aye, I will. Jamie, you can keep an eye on the snug and reception. If you stay here, you’ll only confuse things with your inevitable meddling additions.”
“Aw, but this is going to be so good!”
“Jamie!” I use my no-nonsense tone so he knows I’m not messing around.
“Pfft, fine.” Dragging his feet, he shoots me a mischievous grin before leaving.
Alone with Elspeth, I explain about Richard packing up his belongings, and I assure her once again that it was nothing to do with me.
“Hmm.” She taps her foot. “Are you sure? Because I wouldn’t mind at all if you’ve finally come to your senses.”
“Come to my senses?” I repeat.
“Oh, Lewis.” She smiles kindly. “Why don’t we be frank for once? I have eyes—I’m pretty sure you’ve been in love with Iona since you were both fifteen.”
My breath catches in my throat. A lot of people have teased me about my feelings for Iona over the years—not least, Jamie—but Elspeth has never before referred to the subject so bluntly.
“Your mother saw it too,” she goes on. “Back when you’d visit Iona in Glasgow, we both suspected there was more to your relationship than simply friends catching up. We gossiped about it, naturally. We were so pleased.”
My chest tightens. It’s impossible not to replay my final conversation with Maw—her excitement about my accidental revelation. Without warning my eyes sting, and I have to look away for a moment. Jesus, am I about to cry? What the fuck is wrong with me?
“Oh, Lewis. Come here.” Elspeth wraps me in her arms. She’s always given good hugs. Not as good as Maw’s, but not bad.
“I . . . broke Iona’s heart.” I can’t quite believe I’m admitting this. I take a breath and try to go on. “It was years ago now, but . . .”
Suddenly shame washes over me, and a mental gate slams shut. I can’t continue. Elspeth wouldn’t be holding me like this if she knew the details.
Drawing back, but keeping her hands on my arms, she looks me in the eye. “Whatever you did, maybe this is a chance for you to fix things. I remember, as a lad, you got up to just as much mischief as your siblings, and yet, of the four of you, your kind and caring nature shone the brightest. Your maw loved you all equally, but she had a soft spot for you because she understood you could be a wee bit more . . . sensitive at times.”
Instinctively I cringe. I doubt many guys would appreciate that word being used to describe them.
“Not that anyone would know it to look at you, of course.” Elspeth pats my biceps. “Anyway, the specifics of what happened are between you and Iona, but my point is, maybe you’ve already beaten yourself up enough about it? As your maw’s best friend, I’m confident if she were here, she’d tell you to be kinder to yourself.”
“Aye. I can imagine her saying that.”
That smile again, her eyes crinkling at the corners. “Now, I don’t want to run away, but if Iona and Richard have split up, I really should go see how my daughter is doing.”
“Oh shit, of course.”
“Will you be okay here for a while preparing things by yourself? I know you’re confident about the menu—I mean, okay emotionally.”
“Jesus, of course I’ll be fine. I’m not that sensitive.”
“Good. There’s a lot that needs to be done, so I’ll be back as soon as I can, but I need to see how Iona is getting on. Anyway, food prep has always been a calming distraction for you.”
I nod. “It has.”
