‘Look, you mustn’t tell anyone else what you overheard – all right? Not until I’ve had a chance to speak to Robyn and find out what’s going on.’

‘I thought you knew. She tells you everything.’

‘Apparently not.’

Chapter 26

Gayle was in the kitchen with Doris, doing the washing up after Marty had finished breakfast and returned to his room, when she heard someone walking down the stairs. She spotted David walking past the kitchen door carrying Robyn’s cabin-sized suitcase, which she’d taken to London, and his own rucksack.

‘You leaving now?’ Gayle called out as Olive scampered out of the room, following David to the front door.

David appeared in the kitchen doorway without the case and bag. He nodded as he stroked Olive, who was standing beside him. ‘Just left our things by the front door.’

‘Where’s Robyn?’

‘She sent me ahead. Said she had some last bits to pack.’

Gayle frowned up at the ceiling, wondering if she was on the phone to that mystery person again, making plans to return to London.

David said, ‘Something the matter?’ He answered his own question before Gayle had to lie and say everything was fine. ‘I know you’d like us to have stayed for the weekend, but this is for the best. She’s actually looking forward to returning to the boathouse, would you believe?’

‘Are you definitely having that holiday at the boathouse?’

‘Yes, right away, actually. I phoned Annie after breakfast. It’s all arranged. She’ll work in the shop for the coming week, starting today. Oh, and Robyn is on the phone to her clients in London as we speak.’

Gayle nodded. ‘That’s good,’ she said flatly.

‘I know. I didn’t expect her to agree just like that. It’s great. She’s going to write to her mum, invite her to come and stay. The last she heard, her mum was in Sicily … or was it Italy?’ David shook his head, smiling. ‘Oh well, whichever it is, it’s only a short flight away. The only thing is that if she sends a letter, then her mum might decide to write back. That’s going to take time, and we wanted the party quite soon.’

‘She might just come when she gets the letter. Ask Robyn to include your phone numbers, the one at the boathouse and Robyn’s new mobile number. That way she can get in touch as soon as she receives the letter.’

‘Hey, that’s a good idea. I suggested she could just send her a text or WhatsApp, but she hasn’t got her mum’s mobile number. It was stored in her phone that she lost in the car accident. It’s a shame because I think it would have been good for Robyn to speak to her, break the ice, before she arrived.’

Gayle nodded. ‘Yes, from what I gather they weren’t getting along very well. Hopefully when they see each other, and talk, they can iron things out.’

David nodded. ‘Let’s hope so. I think she’s worried what her mum’s reaction will be when she finds out her daughter has dropped out of university and not told her.’

‘When is she sending the letter?’

David sighed. ‘I asked her that. She just saidsoon. I get thefeeling she’s going to procrastinate, and keep putting it off, so I got her to promise that before she leaves, she sits in your dad’s old study and writes that letter. Otherwise our guest of honour will miss the party we’re planning.’

‘That’s a good idea, David.’

‘Have you got any writing paper and an envelope by any chance?’

Gayle grinned. ‘Of course.’

David said, ‘Will you do one more thing for me? I don’t know if you’ve heard whether Jake Campbell-Ross is returning?’

Gayle had answered the phone a moment earlier, before she’d started the washing up. ‘Now, it’s funny you should bring that up …’ she said. Jake had phoned to say they’d found Natty safe and sound. Gayle had been so relieved to hear it. And they were planning a week away together to Scotland. He’d wanted to leave straight away, but his friend, Faye, had a course module she had to attend the next week for a headship qualification she was doing. It meant they couldn’t leave for Scotland until the next Friday. They wouldn’t arrive in Aviemore until late that afternoon. Gayle had said she would pick them up from the station.

There was just one thing – he’d needed to book an extra room for Faye and Natty, and was hoping she had vacancies. Gayle had just the room. It would mean turfing Nick out of the other bedroom in the attic, but she was sure he wouldn’t mind moving into the room Robyn and David were vacating that morning. That way, Jake, Faye and Natty would all be on the same floor. Although it was an interconnecting room, which was handy for families, the internal door between the rooms was presently locked. Gayle wondered if they’d prefer it if she unlocked it.

David was still standing in the doorway. He glanced up thestairs and lowered his voice. ‘Look, I still want to invite Jake to the party, like we talked about, as a surprise for Robyn.’

‘I know. The thing is, he’s arriving next Friday, and only staying for the week. Any chance you can organise it soon?’

‘I’ll talk it over with Robyn – the party, I mean, not the surprise guest.’ He grinned.