Page 98 of The Boathouse By the Loch

‘She just wants to meet your friends. I mean, I reckon she’s just concerned about you. That’s probably why she had a funny turn. It’s a lot to take in. This is all completely new; not what she was expecting. She doesn’t know us from Adam, does she?’

‘Speak for yourself,’ Robyn chided as she walked over to the front door.

He laughed. ‘Yeah, you know what I mean. You told her you were living with Gayle for quite some time. She obviously wants to meet her, probably to thank her for taking you in.’

‘Oh, right. I hadn’t thought of that.’

‘And besides, isn’t it nice she wants to meet your friends? I bet she can’t wait to meet everyone else. She’ll feel better when she realises you’re okay. You’ve got lovely friends, all looking out for you.’

Robyn brightened. ‘You’re right. I just hope she’s going to be up to meeting everybody.’

David put a reassuring hand on her shoulder as she opened the front door. ‘I’m sure she will be. Look how enthusiastic she is to meet Gayle.’

‘Hi, Gayle.’ Robyn stepped into Gayle’s embrace. She was holding Doris’s hand. Robyn gave Doris a hug too. Gayle handed David a bottle of something bubbly, and Robyn a large bunch of flowers.

Robyn said, ‘Oh, you shouldn’t have.’

Gayle smiled. ‘Let me fetch my bag.’

‘Oh, you needn’t do that. Sorry, change of plan. Judith cameover a little faint. She’s not up to having her hair done. I was just going to phone you, and let you know, when I heard you arrive.’

‘Do you need me to take a look at her, put my nurse’s hat on?’

‘No, not at all. We think it’s all been a bit overwhelming for her.’

‘Yes, that makes sense.’

‘And she hasn’t had anything to eat since breakfast, by the sound of it,’ added David.

Robyn looked at David and nodded. She turned to Gayle. ‘But she wants to meet you, have a chat. Is that okay? Sorry, you’ve come earlier than you needed to.’

‘That’s all right, Robyn. I’m looking forward to meeting your stepmum. It will give us a chance to get to know one another before everyone arrives.’

Robyn smiled. ‘I’ll make you and Doris a cuppa. Go right upstairs.’

David followed Robyn into the kitchen. ‘There, you see? There’s nothing to worry about.’

Robyn took two mugs out of the kitchen cupboard. It was still playing on her mind how strangely Judith had been acting since she’d arrived – and why did sheneedto speak to Gayle?

Chapter 35

‘Oh, you should see what Robyn’s done with the place. I couldn’t have set up Lark Lodge as a guesthouse if it hadn’t been for Robyn redecorating the house. You’ll have to come round and visit …’

Robyn was just walking up the stairs to let them know it wouldn’t be long until dinner was ready. The other guests would be arriving very soon. She smiled when she heard Gayle chatting. It sounded as though she and Judith were getting along.

She was going to pop her head in the lounge, but changed her mind. She didn’t want to interrupt the conversation, and besides, they’d hear the doorbell soon enough.

Robyn returned to the kitchen. She was just putting on some oven gloves to check the lasagne when she heard Gayle. ‘I’m just going to spend a penny.’

There was a bathroom on the top floor with the three bedrooms, and a cloakroom on the ground floor with a sink and loo across the hall from the study. She heard Gayle walking down the stairs.

Robyn checked the lasagne and had just taken off her oven gloves when Gayle walked out of the loo. Robyn walked over to the door before she headed upstairs. ‘Sounds as though you twoare getting along.’

Gayle didn’t offer up the ready smile she was expecting at that comment. ‘What is it, Gayle?’

‘Oh, it’s nothing … really.’

Robyn frowned. That meant it was something. Robyn grasped her hand and pulled her into the kitchen, closing the door behind them. ‘What is it?’

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