Page 95 of Surprises on the Scottish Isle

‘Why not?’

He rubbed a hand across his face. ‘Can you please stop asking so many questions?’

Bonnie pouted. ‘My teacher says you learn best by asking questions.’ She plopped her backside onto the sofa, her expression serious. ‘Is that why you were crying?’

‘I wasn’t crying.’

‘You were. It’s wrong to lie.’

‘OK, I was crying, but I’m not now.’

‘You’re still sad.’

Cal was beyond sad. He was devastated. He didn’t blame Tara for leaving. The blame lay entirely with him. Ten years ago, he’d been swayed by his mother’s entreaty that no one should know how ill his dad was, but he should have confided in Tara. Instead of thinking it would be better for her if he ended it, he should have talked it over with her, laid his cards on the table and let her decide.

Cal snorted. At least he’d explained his reasons this time. However, he should have stood up to Yvaine and her ridiculous insistence that she allow their daughter to call the shots.

He’d blown it for a second time. How could he have been so stupid? He’d had a second chance at happiness with the woman he loved, and he’d messed it up.

‘Dad, I’m hungry.’

Cal forced his thoughts away from his misery. ‘Get your things. We’ll go back to the cottage and I’ll cook you those pancakes.’

As he slipped his feet into his boots, he remembered the letter Tara had left for Mhairi. Tenancy agreements and studio lets were his remit, so he opened it in case there was anything he needed to know, and his chest constricted when he saw her handwriting.

He scanned it quickly and was about to put it in his pocket when he noticed she’d included a forwarding address. She was going to the Isle of Wight.

Suddenly, he knew what he had to do. He had to go after her.

First though, he had to find someone to look after Bonnie. He reached for his phone. ‘Yvaine? Hi, something’s come up and I need to bring Bonnie back.’

‘Is she OK?’ Yvaine’s voice was filled with worry.

‘She’s fine. I’ve got to go somewhere, that’s all. And she can’t come with me.’

‘I’m at Lenn’s house, in Portree.’

‘No problem. I’ll drop her off on the way.’

‘On the way where?’

Before he could reply, Bonnie shot into the living room. ‘Is that Mum? Mum, Dad almost died yesterday.’

‘What?’ His ex-wife’s screech made Cal flinch. ‘What happened?’

‘It’s nothing,’ he said. ‘We’ll be there in forty minutes.’

However, when Cal pulled into Lenn’s driveway and Bonnie saw her mother waiting for them, she scrambled out of the car, launched herself at her and broke into noisy sobs.

Yvaine gathered her up and glowered at him. ‘Tell me,’ she demanded.

Bonnie got in first. ‘He went out in the storm to rescue Tara,’ she wailed. ‘Mhairi said Tara could have died, and Daddy could have died too.’

Yvaine pursed her lips and turned her attention back to Cal. ‘You’d better come in.’

‘I haven’t got time.’

Her expression turned from annoyed to horrified. ‘Is Tara OK? She isn’t in hospital, is she?’

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