Chapter 47
47
JOE
‘Quickly, before Sandra gets to the table,’ he whispered, ‘I think we’re right that the pair of them have become much closer. Watch how they react to each other.’
He watched Skye as she thought about what he had just said. ‘The way each smiled when the other spoke is a bit of a giveaway too, unless it was about something sad. Oh, I think you’re right.’
He smiled at her then frowned. ‘You wouldn’t mind that happening, would you?’
‘Of course not. They both deserve to be happy. It’s not as if Mum is around to mind and anyway her relationship with my father was over twenty-five years ago, so it’s not as if she should have an opinion either way.’
‘I suppose so.’
Sandra waved at a couple on a nearby table as she walked past, then reaching them pulled out her chair and sat, hanging the strap of her bag onto the back of her seat. ‘Sorry I was a little while. I bumped into a friend I haven’t seen for ages. We’ve arranged to meet up for coffee one day this week.’
‘That’s nice.’
Sandra looked thoughtfully at Skye then Joe. ‘Have I missed much?’
‘Not really,’ Joe said, not wishing to give information that was Skye’s to share.
He wondered whether Skye would cave in and admit the subject of their conversation. ‘We were talking about you and Carlos.’ She smiled. ‘Joe and I suspect there might be a little romance going on between you both. Would we be right?’
Sandra’s gaze flew to where Carlos was standing and Joe could tell she was happy he and Skye had discovered their secret.
‘I think I should wait for Carlos to come back to the table before saying anything.’ She laughed. ‘But I won’t deny you could be right.’
‘Did I hear someone mention my name?’
Joe hadn’t noticed him returning to join them but was glad he had. He waited for Sandra to explain what they had been saying as Carlos took his seat. He listened to her, not looking remotely bothered, Joe was relieved to note.
‘I see,’ Carlos said eventually. ‘You wouldn’t mind, would you, Skye?’
She shook her head vehemently. ‘No, of course I wouldn’t. In fact I’d be really happy to know the pair of you had found each other again thanks to Joe and I inadvertently bringing you together.’
‘I’m glad,’ Carlos said, smiling at her.
Relief washed through Joe. There had been a few times when he had worried that by taking on this quest of Skye’s he might inadvertently disrupt other people’s lives, but this was a wonderful result.
‘We’ve been talking too,’ Carlos said, putting his arm loosely across the top of Sandra’s chair. ‘We know you’re going to be returning to Edinburgh soon, Skye.’
‘That’s right,’ she said.
‘Obviously Sandra and I need to see where this fledgling relationship of ours leads us, but we both agree that we would love for you to come back sometime soon and spend more time getting to know us both.’
‘Yes,’ Sandra agreed. ‘I’ll dig out my old photo albums and see if I can find any other pictures of our time with Annie for you.’
‘That would be amazing,’ Skye said, turning and giving Joe a beaming smile that made his stomach flip over. ‘I couldn’t bear to lose contact with either of you now I’ve found you both.’
‘That make me very happy,’ Carlos said.
‘Me, too.’ Sandra took Skye’s hand in hers and smiled at her. ‘Your mum would be very proud of the young woman you’ve become, Skye. I hope you know that?’
Skye swallowed and for a moment Joe worried that she might cry. She seemed to gather herself quickly. ‘Gran tells me that occasionally, but I often feel that she’s doing it to be kind. Coming from you, it feels more like something I can take at face value.’
‘Well, I truly believe it.’
Carlos cleared his throat. ‘I’m hoping that one day you’ll feel comfortable enough to call me Dad.’
Joe wondered how long he had been building himself up to mentioning this to Skye. By the look of concern on Carlos’s face it had probably been a while. Joe waited for Skye to react.
‘I don’t see why not,’ she said, clearly touched by his suggestion. ‘I think everything is still rather surreal for us all, but I am coming to terms with it. Slowly.’
Joe was relieved the evening had gone so well for Skye and for the others. Most of all, he was happy Skye had said she would come back to the island. This was brilliant news and exactly what he needed right now. It wasn’t perfect, but it was something to cheer him up.
After saying their goodbyes, he drove them back at the farm, tired but very happy.
Skye stopped before walking in through the front door.
‘What’s the matter?’ Joe asked, tensing and preparing for trouble.
‘I can hear voices, can’t you?’
Joe laughed. ‘There are four other adults apart from us living in the house at the moment so that shouldn’t be surprising.’
She shook her head slowly and raised a finger. ‘There. Did you hear that?’
He had no idea what she was going on about. ‘I’m not sure what you mean.’
Skye gasped and ran into the house. Concerned, Joe followed, catching up with her in the living room.
‘Melody?’ Skye asked, sounding surprised and looking elated. ‘What are you doing here?’
‘We were going to surprise you all tomorrow,’ Zac said from the drinks trolley behind the open door. ‘Then Melody found cheaper flights and so we decided to come over this evening.’ He held his hands apart. ‘Surprise.’
Skye laughed and ran over to Melody, hugging her tightly.
Joe went over to Zac and after a brief hug patted his friend on the back. ‘It’s good to see you again.’ He looked him up and down. ‘You have a good tan but you look exhausted.’
‘The tour was amazing fun but exhausting. I’m glad it’s over so I can catch up on some sleep.’
Melody pushed his shoulder. ‘All he’s done since he’s been back is sleep.’
‘I have done other things,’ Zac said, an unmistakable twinkle in his eyes.
‘Shut up, Zac,’ Lettie grumbled. ‘There are young ears here.’
Zac looked astonished at her comment, making Joe laugh. ‘Letts, the baby is far too young to pick up on anything I shouldn’t be saying.’
‘Will the pair of you stop bickering?’ Gareth grumbled. ‘It’s been peaceful here until you came back, Zac.’
‘Hah,’ Zac exclaimed. ‘That’s not what Lettie’s been telling Melody.’ He pointed to the baby sleeping in Brodie’s arms. ‘From what I gather, my little niece has been keeping you all awake with her demands.’ He raised an eyebrow at Brodie. ‘I wonder who Isla takes after?’
‘Zac?’ Lindy said in a threatening tone.
Joe felt Skye’s arm slip around his waist and draped his arm around her shoulder. Pulling her gently against him, he bent his head and whispered, ‘I’m really going to miss this family, you know.’
‘I was thinking the same thing.’