Page 95 of Summer Escapes on the Scottish Isle

Chapter 24

‘Freya?Freya!’

‘All right, Dad, keep your hair on,’ Freya mumbled as she plumped up the pillows on her bed. She’d been thinking about Mack – but when didn’t she? He was constantly on her mind.

If she closed her eyes, she could still feel his mouth on hers. He’d kissed her with tenderness and passion, and the combination had been electric.

She was in imminent danger of falling in love with him – if she hadn’t already – and that would never do.

‘Freya!’ her dad yelled again.

That man could shout louder than a foghorn. It was a wonder the neighbours didn’t hear.

‘I’m coming, Dad. Let me put my dressing gown on.’ She’d woken up a mere five minutes earlier and hadn’t even had a chance to wash and dress yet, and her father was already yelling for her.

He sounded cross, and when she walked into the sitting room and saw the state of it, she felt cross too. ‘What’s going on?’ she demanded, frowning as he jabbed his walking stick under his chair, sweeping it from side to side.

‘I can’t find my tablets!’ he snapped.

‘You know you’re not supposed to be bending over like that,’ she scolded, and he straightened up reluctantly. ‘Let me see.’

Freya knelt on the floor and peered underneath. ‘They’re not here, but I’ve found the pen you lost.’

‘I don’t care about the ruddy pen. I need my tablets.’ His face was thunderous.

‘They’ll be around here somewhere. I’ll put the kettle on and make a cup of tea, then I’ll have a proper look.’

He let out a snort. ‘Don’t bother, I’ll find them myself.’

Freya gave up. When he was in this mood, there was no reasoning with him and she knew he wouldn’t settle until they were found.

‘Sit down, Dad. I’ll look for them now: the tea can wait.’ She scanned the disordered room, thinking that she’d have to tidy up first, before she could begin looking.

As she moved around it, picking things up and putting them in their rightful places, she asked, ‘Where did you last have them?’

‘I don’t know, do I?’ His tone was petulant, like a small child or a whiny teenager.

She tried again. ‘You took them last night, didn’t you?’

‘Of course I bloody did!’

While Freya appreciated that her dad was frustrated, she didn’t appreciate being spoken to in that manner, especially since she was only trying to help.

Putting her hands on her hips, she turned to face him. ‘We’ve got a while to go yet before I’m out of your hair, so I suggest we do our best to be civil to each other.’

‘What you mean is,you’rebeing civil butI’mnot.’

She gave him a pointed look. That was precisely what she’d meant.

Sullenly, he said, ‘You can go back to London whenever you want. Don’t think you’ve got to stay here on my account. I’ve been managing without you fine.’

‘Yes, but that was before you fractured your hip.’

‘Pah! You’re hardly here these days.’

Freya gasped. ‘That’s so unfair! Ialwaysput you first. I clean the house, cook your meals, do your laundry, your shopping… How much more do I have to do?’

His face mutinous, he turned his head away and refused to look at her.

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