Page 28 of Surprises on the Scottish Isle

He dropped into a chair, feeling drained.

‘It’s not been a good first day back for you, has it?’ she observed.

‘Eh?’ How could she possibly know about him and Tara?

She asked, ‘Is Bonnie feeling any better?’

Cal blew out a long breath as he realised she wasn’t referring to Tara at all. ‘I don’t believe my daughter was as unwell as she made out.’

Mhairi gave him a knowing look. ‘She told me about Yvaine and the move to Portree.’

‘I’m sorry. When the school called, I didn’t realise she was putting it on.’

‘She probably wasn’t. Emotional distress can cause physical distress, too.’

Wasn’t that the truth, Cal thought. He remembered how ill his father had been. And Cal was feeling quite sick himself right now.

‘She’ll be OK,’ Mhairi continued. ‘She’s young, she’ll adapt. But you’re thinkingyoumight not.’

‘Are you a mind reader?’ He managed a small smile.

‘No, I just know you. You’re worried.’

He was, and not just about Bonnie. ‘I didn’t realise the empty studio’s new tenant is living in the old boathouse. I hope you’re charging her rent.’

The comment earned him a stern look. ‘Tara McTaigh? Of course I am.’

‘What do you know about her?’

‘Not much.’ Mhairi put her pen down. ‘She’s thirty or thereabouts, getting a divorce and selling her house in Edinburgh, and she makes the most exquisite doll’s houses and will be a good addition to the craft centre. Did you go say hello?’

Divorce? His heart went out to her. ‘I did,’ he said grimly.

‘Oh, Cal, I hope you didn’t scare her. You can be rather dour, you know.’

Calan debated whether to keep it to himself that he knew Tara from years ago but decided against it. It would come out sooner or later, and if he didn’t mention it now, Mhairi would wonder why he hadn’t said anything.

‘I didn’t scare her,’ he protested. ‘Actually, I know her from uni.’

Mhairi’s eyebrows rose. ‘If that’s true, why did you ask me what I know about her? Is there something I should be aware of? She is legitimate, isn’t she?’ The old lady’s expression became worried.

‘Nothing like that,’ he hastened to assure her. ‘We had a thing.’

‘A thing?’

‘Yeah, we dated.’

Mairi studied him silently.

‘For a while,’ he added.

‘How long is a while?’

‘A year. My last year in uni, her second.’

‘Was it serious?’

‘We were little more than kids.’

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