Epilogue
The following morning, Skye yawned in a breath of salty air, and pushed her feet into the sand on the beach. The tide was out, and the harbour beach was empty, but for a tiny Jack Russell and his owner. Skye smiled, as it trotted along the sand, sniffing under rocks, and chasing the birds.
‘One latte and a croissant,’ came a voice from behind her.
Skye turned around, her heart swelling at the sight of Bear. He sat down on the rock next to her, presenting her with both, then unrolled his own paper bag.
‘Maybe we have a low-key day today,’ he suggested, giving her lips a soft kiss. ‘After the excitement of yesterday. A trip to a distillery, or a hike. You can show me the bits of Eastercraig I’ve missed. Perhaps I can properly meet your uncle, unless you’d like some alone time to catch up with him.’
‘No, I think he’d like you to come along,’ said Skye. ‘As would I. Yes, let’s stay local today.’
Skye pondered a walk along the coast path, to where they had met at the start of the month. Their rock. They could continue further, along to the crumbling remains of Lowndes Castle. It was a romantic ruin, with an air of mystery that lured you in. Bear would love it, and it seemed a fitting expedition, starting from the point where this had all began.
Bear pulled a cinnamon bun out of its bag, and chewed contemplatively. He took a sip of his coffee, then tried another bite.
‘Something not quite right?’ asked Skye.
‘Good, but not as good as my grandmother’s. I remember saying I’d make you some. Once we’re back in Edinburgh.’
Skye felt a flicker of excitement at all that his words entailed. She looked down at the ground, to hide her outsized grin.
‘Do you think the doe will be OK?’ he asked. ‘Have you heard from anyone this morning?’
Skye looked up. ‘The outlook is sunny! Hamish texted to say Holly took it back to the surgery, and bandaged its poor legs. He also said I’m a soppy lass, because he’d have shot it. The fawn’s at someone called Mandy’s smallholding, and the mum will join it later. And I spoke to the mechanic. He can sort both our cars by next weekend, and has a courtesy car that we can have in the meantime.’
‘Grand. I don’t know what your plans are for returning to Edinburgh, but if you wanted to drive back down with me on Sunday night, I thought I might go and look at office premises this week.’
‘Are you looking for trendy, or trad? Or is that a daft question?’
‘I think you know the answer. One thing I wanted to do, though, was make it dog-friendly. Looking at this chap has reminded me how I’ve always wanted a dog. Are you a dog person?’
‘I am,’ said Skye. ‘I like dogs, cats, horses and deer, obviously. But I have a real thing for Bears.’
Bear looked down at her. ‘Good. Glad that’s sorted.’
THE END