Page 91 of The Boathouse By the Loch

‘Yes, her name is Gayle.’

‘In that case, I need to book an appointment straight away.’

‘Straight away?’ Robyn said, surprised. Judith had only just arrived. She’d assumed her stepmum would want to go back to the boathouse and spend time with her after all these months, not prioritise going to have her hair done.

She turned to look at Robyn. ‘I can’t go around looking like this, can I? And there’s the party this evening and I’m the guest of honour.’

Robyn nodded. ‘Yes, that’s true.’ She’d also told her that she was engaged, and she was inviting her to an engagement and housewarming party, but so far her stepmum hadn’t congratulated her on her engagement. Perhaps she was saving that for the party. Robyn hadn’t mentioned the fact that she’d dropped out of university and was running her own very successful business. She’djust added that she wanted her to come home to see her. She had some important news.

’I shall want to look my best,’ added Judith.

‘Yes of course. I have her number. I can give Gayle a call, see if she’s free.’

‘Does she live locally? Can we just go there now?’

‘I suppose.’

As they fell in step, nearing the exit, Judith said, ‘You mentioned that Gayle runs a guesthouse. Are there vacancies?’

Robyn stopped in surprise. ‘You don’t want to stay with us?’

‘Well, of course I do, but have you got the room? I don’t want to be a bother or put anyone out.’

‘Oh, I’m sure we’ll squeeze you in somewhere.’ She took her stepmother’s arm and glanced over her shoulder. ‘Won’t we, David?’

David looked at her curiously.

She winked at him. It was a joke. They had plenty of room. She was looking forward to surprising her stepmum when she found out Robyn was living in a gorgeous place.

‘Oh right, yeah – of course we will.’ His face brightened and he winked back.

Good grief, thought Robyn, rolling her eyes at how long it had taken David to get her little joke.

They exited the arrivals hall and made their way to the parking area. ‘This is us,’ David said, opening the passenger door.

‘What a beauty,’ Robyn’s mother breathed. ‘I see I’m travelling in style.’

‘I’ve not long had her.’ David beamed.

Robyn rolled her eyes when she saw his hand tenderly wipe off an imaginary speck of dust. Robyn gave David a look beforethey all climbed into the car. It hadn’t originally been David’s car, but had been his dad’s. Duncan had given it to David, saying he really had no use of it now he’d moved into the flat above the shop. Duncan had everything he needed in Aviemore, and if he really needed to go somewhere, he could always use the delivery van.

Robyn hadn’t realised how much David loved the old car until his dad gave it to him. The car was very old, and she got the impression from Judith’s reaction that it must be some sort of classic – not that she’d recognise one herself. She’d always assumed that it wasn’t the car per se, but the fact that it was a gift from his dad that had made it so special to him. Perhaps it was a little of both.

‘Where on earth did you get her?’ Judith cooed from the front seat as they joined the flow of traffic from the airport.

Robyn wanted to lean forward and tell her not to encourage him, but she bit her tongue and looked out of the side window, taking in the scenery. The drive from Inverness Airport to Aviemore was an hour at most, depending on which route David chose. There were plenty of things Judith could have seen on the way, if they’d stopped en route; there were waterfalls and castles, museums, and even a famous battlefield called Culloden, all involving just a short detour. These were things that Robyn would love to see too, like the historic fortress, Urquhart Castle, on the shore of Loch Ness, along with the Loch Ness Centre dedicated to the loch’s most famous resident – the Loch Ness Monster.

Judith hadn’t mentioned how long she was intending to stay. Robyn was considering whether to take the next week off work too, and plan some special things to do with Judith. She knew her stepmum loved travelling. It would be a brilliant opportunity for them both to explore the touristy attractions of the Cairngorms –something Robyn really hadn’t had much of an opportunity to do over the past few months.

It was the school holidays, so she was sure Annie would be okay minding the shop for another week. The work at The Lake House and in London would just have to wait a little bit longer. This was more important – spending time with her stepmum.

As she looked out of the window, taking in the beauty of the surrounding scenery as they drove along the A9 to Aviemore, Robyn was enjoying the route she’d never travelled before – at least as far as she could remember. She frowned at the thought. She glanced at Judith in the front seat. She was chatting amiably to David about her recent sojourn in Sicily. So far, nothing awkward had come up in conversation about their shared past. She was dreading the words, ‘Robyn, remember when …’

Robyn had hoped that coming face to face with Judith would have some sort of profound effect whereby her memories would suddenly come flooding back. Marnie had said that it was always a possibility. It hadn’t happened. Nothing had happened. That was why Robyn had insisted that Judith sit up front with David during the journey home.

Very soon, she’d have to come out with it and tell Judith about the car accident and her newpermanentlife there in Aviemore. She wasn’t going back to university in September. This was her life now: a successful career, new friends, and a beautiful home with David, Percy and Lottie. What more could a girl want? Robyn bit her lower lip and stared at Judith. She wanted Judith’s blessing. She was desperate for her stepmum to be happy for her, support her in what felt like one of the biggest decisions of her life – to marry David and live with him at the boathouse.

‘It was a present,’ said David.

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