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I pause, my hand on the door handle. “I’m not one of your students that you have to counsel.”

“No, but you are acting like a moody teenager. Lucky for you, I’m a great listener, so why not open up? What’s the worst that could happen?”

I release a long, irritated sigh and pinch the bridge of my nose. “You’re like a bloody terrier, you know that? Won’t let go until you get what you want.”

She grins, unapologetic. “Guilty as charged.”

I hesitate a little longer, torn between my instinct to shut her out and the nagging voice in my head that says she might actually have a point. “Fine,” I mutter eventually, dragging a hand down my face before pointing at her like this whole thing is somehow her fault. “Ten minutes. No more.”

She beams then bounces through to the kitchen. “I’ll crack open a couple of beers!”

“No! No beer. I’ll take a tea, though.”

She sticks her head out of the kitchen door, a genuine smile lighting up her face—not the flirtatious one she’s been throwing me since she got home, but something warmer, more real. “One tea coming right up. How do you take it?”

“Milk, no sugar.”

I follow her through and sink onto one of her kitchen chairs, suddenly exhausted. When did I last actually talk to someone about my problems? Not Johnny—I’m always trying to protect him. Not my da—that relationship has been strained for as long as I can remember. And I don’t exactly have mates I pour my heart out to. There’s Drew, but that relationship is based on jokey banter. We don’t do personal stuff.

Cat places a steaming mug in front of me—it has a Highland cow on it—then sits opposite me with her own mug. She waits, patient for once, giving me space to find my words.

“I’ve been accused of stealing from guests at the resort,” I say finally. “Valuable stuff. A watch, diamond earrings, a signet ring, cash.”

Her eyebrows lift slightly, but that’s the only sign of surprise. She nods, encouraging me to continue.

“Da found out my keycard was used to access the rooms where items went missing, but I swear I didn’t go in them on those days.” The words come easier now, spilling out like I’ve uncorked something. “Someone’s set me up. I don’t know who or why, but they’ve done a good job of it.”

I take a sip of my tea, the warmth spreading through my chest. “Da suspended me, but I quit instead. Told him where he could stick his job.”

“What about CCTV?” Cat questions. “Doesn’t the resort have footage that could clear things up?”

I shake my head. “Not in the guest corridors. Privacy reasons. The only cameras are in public areas, like the lobby and restaurant.”

I hesitate, wondering if I should tell her the rest. Something about her steady gaze encourages me to continue.

“My da made my brother escort me to my locker to collect my things. When I was taking out my jacket, a ring fell out. One of the stolen items.”

Cat’s brows draw together. “Wait . . . what?”

“I swear I’d never seen it before in my life, but there it was, planted in my locker.”

“What did you do?”

“I asked Johnny to lie.” The admission feels heavier than I expected. “I begged him to say he found it somewhere else, not in my locker. He agreed, but he wasn’t happy about it. Johnny’s always been the good one, you know? The rule follower.”

I run a hand through my hair, frustration bubbling up again. “Anyway, my da said he and Johnny have to keep their distance from me for now. He doesn’t want it looking like they’re interfering with the police investigation. I do get that . . . kind of. But it’s still shit.”

Cat’s quiet, processing everything I’ve told her. Finally she says, “And . . . you just walked away? You aren’t trying to clear your name?”

I shrug. “How? I’m not welcome at the resort right now, so what am I supposed to do?”

“Have you at least approached a lawyer?”

“The police haven’t charged me yet, so no. I’d rather not involve a lawyer unless I have to.” I grimace. “Apart from anything else, they’re bloody expensive, right?”

“So . . . you’re doing nothing? I hate to point this out, Robbie, but you have a bit of a reputation around town. It’d be all too easy for people to believe you did this.”

“Aye,” I say glumly. “I realise that.”