Page 9 of A Scottish Christmas Hideaway
Jessica’s mouth fell open.Bottle tombola at the Christmas fair?
‘It was either that or selling tickets for the sauna down at the loch.’
‘Sauna?’
‘Aye, have you not seen it yet? I wondered if you might have gone down that way for a walk.’
She shook her head. ‘A sauna? Here in Rowan Bay?’
‘Yes. It’s all the rage. They’re everywhere now. Here and over in Luss, too. Basically, anywhere there’s a loch you’ll now find a sauna. You sit and sweat in it and then cool off in the loch. It’s brilliant. Your dad and I love it. It’s like therapy,’ she said evangelically. ‘We’ll need to sign you up for it. It’s excellent for your mental health.’
‘I didn’t notice it when I was on the beach.’
‘You need to walk left for a bit before you can see it.’
‘Right. Where is Dad?’ said Jessica, feeling as though she had walked into a parallel universe.Saunas and bottle tombolas?
‘Playing golf. And probably on his second bacon roll now with the boys,’ she said disapprovingly. ‘I was just about to put some soup on. Do you fancy a wee drop?’
‘Um, sure,’ she said, even though she had just finished the bun.
‘That jacket suits you,’ said her mum approvingly. ‘Red is definitely one of your colours. It matches your skin tone.’
‘I was cold and didn’t think Dad would mind. It’s quite on-trend for him. Did you buy it for him? I can’t imagine it’s something he would buy for himself.’
She chuckled. ‘Sadly not. It’s not actually your dad’s. It belongs to Reuben. He must have left it here the other day.’
She felt her jaw drop open once again. ‘Reuben’s?’ That was why he had kind of smirked at her and made a comment about the jacket. And to think she hadn’t even recognised him but was brazenly strutting around the village wearing his coat. How embarrassing. And howannoying. She quickly shrugged the jacket off. ‘I didn’t realise, otherwise I wouldn’t have put it on.’
Her mum shook her head. ‘Oh, don’t worry about that. I’m sure he won’t be bothered but maybe he’s forgotten he left it here. Do you mind just dropping it off to him?’
Her mum was making a reasonable request, so why did Jessica feel so resistant? She dug her fingers into the back of the chair she was now leaning into.
Catriona, gaily stirring the soup in the large pot on the stove, looked up. ‘In fact, you could ask him if he fancies a spot of lunch too? He’s been working so hard. He must be famished.’
‘Mum, what do you mean? Where am I to drop it off to? What’s he been working hard on?’ The cogs were slowly whirring in her head as she tried to piece the puzzle together. Her mum gave one of her looks as though to sayare you okay, dear?
‘I’m sure I’ve told you this already. He’s just a few doors down. At Primrose Cottage. He’s been finishing it off.’
‘Finishing it off?’ she said confused. ‘But what do you mean? Why?’
‘Because he’s the new owner,’ said her mum patiently. ‘He bought it from his dad when he had to move into the care home.’
‘Oh . . . and is he going to live there?’ Why would he want to return to live in his childhood home? He was a high-flying architect who lived in Glasgow with his glamorous wife. Wasn’t he?
‘I’m not entirely sure what his plans are to be honest, dear. You could maybe ask him that when you see him. But he did insist that Murray and the family stay there when they come back. That’s why he’s been working every hour of the day to get it all finished.’
‘Murray, Carolyn and Lexi are going to stay there?’
‘Yes. It makes sense, doesn’t it? We thought it might be a bit of a squeeze trying to fit them all in here. I suppose you could have gone in the love room and they could all have had your room as it’s bigger. Anyway,’ she said with a wave of her hand, ‘at least it gives them a bit more space with Lexi. And it’s only down the road. When Reuben suggested it, I could have kissed him. He’s such a sweetheart. Anyway, dear, if you can take his jacket back, then you could also say he’s welcome to come for lunch.’
‘Okay, Mum.’ Reluctantly, she picked up the jacket and headed to the front door, pulling on her own woollen coat and her shoes. She walked two doors down and knocked on the front door. She waited a few moments before it swung open.
‘Twice in one day,’ said Reuben with a wide smile. ‘Hello again.’
‘Your jacket,’ she mumbled, realising that she had never appreciated what a nice smile he had until this very minute. ‘I am so sorry. I didn’t recognise you at the bakery and I didn’t know the jacket was yours. I thought my dad had been given some kind of makeover. But Mum explained. She also said you’re very welcome to come for some lunch. If you want to.’ She tried to get herself to stop talking, but the words kept tumbling from her mouth. ‘I hear Murray and the family will be staying here soon and my mum issopleased.’ She didn’t mean to soundquite so petulant but it appeared that Reuben was still quite the favourite in her household. It was the same when they were kids. Even though he perpetually teased her, her family loved him. He practically lived at their house. She’d sometimes wondered why he didn’t just move in. But why was she acting like an awkward teenager? She hadn’t even behaved like this around him when shewasa teenager. Honestly, the effect he was having on her was ridiculous. Especially the way he was leaning against the door, grinning lazily.
‘I wondered if I’d confused you with my outfit,’ he said drily.
