Chapter 32
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
ROBBIE
The door clicks shut behind Cat and Johnny, leaving me alone with my da in his office. Silence stretches between us like a physical thing. Not the usual tense quiet we’ve perfected over the years, but something different. Uncertain.
Da settles into the seat behind his desk and gestures to the chair across from him. “Sit down, Robbie.”
I lower myself into it, half expecting him to launch into a lecture about the impact this whole mess has had on the resort’s reputation. But he just sits there, hands folded on the desk, looking at me with an expression I can’t quite read.
“It seems I owe you an apology,” he says finally. “I was too quick to believe you were responsible for the thefts.”
I shift in my chair, unsure how to respond. Da isn’t a man who apologises easily—or at all, really.
“Aye, well, you stumped up for my bail, at least.”
“I did, but that’s not enough.” His eyes drop to his hands before meeting mine again. “Robbie, the relationship we have... it isn’t as strong as I’d like. It never has been.”
Something tugs at my heart, a feeling I immediately try to push down. I’ve spent too many years building walls around myself to let them crumble at the first sign of fatherly concern.
“I’d like to work on that,” he continues, each word sounding like it costs him something. “For you and I to become closer. First off, of course, I’d like to offer you your job back at the resort.”
I consider it. The Glen Garve Resort is the only place I’ve ever worked for any length of time. But these past two weeks, being my own boss, using skills I rarely got to practise at the resort... there’s been something freeing about it. Something that’s felt... right.
“I’m going to have to turn down that offer, Da.”
His eyebrows raise in surprise.
“I appreciate it,” I add. “I mean it. But... now that I’ve set up as self-employed, I want to try to see that through. See if I can’t build a successful business of my own.”
Da nods. “I can understand that.” His lips lift in what might almost be a smile. “Just know that if ever you change your mind, there will always be a place for you here.”
“Thanks, Da. Anyway, if that’s everything...”
“No.” He gestures for me to stay. “There’s more. I think... I’ve never truly understood you, Robbie. And that’s my failing.” He runs a hand over his face, suddenly looking every one of his fifty-eight years. “Your maw... well, I think we can both agree she wasn’t the best mother to you. Far from it. But... I could have been a better father.”
The words hang in the air between us. How long have I waited to hear him say that? To acknowledge that maybe, just maybe, not everything was my fault? And yet now he’s finally turning the lens on himself, I can’t help but stick up for him.
“At least you stayed.”
“Aye, but I owed you more than just that. I think the worst thing your mother did was make me believe you were the problematic one, when that wasn’t the case. I should have seen that so much sooner.”
I swallow hard, unprepared for the emotions his words trigger.
“I... wish I’d done a lot of things differently,” he continues. “Even just these last few weeks... you’ve been through hell, Robbie, and you shouldn’t have had to go through it alone. I should have had your back.”
“You didn’t want to interfere with the police investigation. I get it.”
He grimaces. “Maybe. But I’m sorry for leaving you to shoulder everything on your own.”
I think of Cat’s relentless optimism and that cork board covered in notes and string. “To be fair, I wasn’t entirely on my own.”
“Aye. Catriona McIntyre, eh? She’s quite something. A good catch, I reckon.” Da’s lips twitch. “Considering you and Ally never got along, it’s funny you’re with his wee sister now.”
“Aye, life sure takes some unexpected turns.”
“That it does.” Da stands and I follow suit. He extends his hand across the desk. “I’m proud of you, son. For standing your ground when everything was against you, and for forging your own path.”
I take his hand, and he covers mine with his other one—a clumsy, awkward gesture that somehow means even more than his words.
Something shifts between us. It’s not forgiveness, exactly—there’s too much history for that—but it’s a start. A foundation we can build on.
My throat tightens. “Thanks, Da.”
* * *
Johnny and Cat are waiting outside the office, and the moment I step through the door, Johnny launches himself at me—again—for another hug.
“You’re free!” His voice is muffled against my shoulder. “I knew you’d clear your name. I just knew it.”
I pat his back. “Aye, well, it was mostly Cat’s doing.”
Cat grins, and as soon as Johnny releases me, she steps in for her own hug. “Team effort,” she corrects.
“So?” Johnny says. “What did Da want to talk to you about? Did he offer you your job back?”
“He did. But I turned him down.”
Johnny’s face falls. “But I thought... I mean, I was looking forward to working with you again.”
“Relax, Johnny. I’ll see you all the time outside of work. I just want to try this self-employed thing. See where it takes me.”
“Oh.” He considers this. “Actually, that makes sense. I can see you enjoying being your own boss. And based on what Cat’s told me about the work you’ve done on her flat, you’ll have no trouble finding clients.”
“Exactly,” Cat agrees. “Robbie’s got real talent. He’s going to do great.”
Johnny nods then nudges me with his elbow. “Never thought I’d see the day, but you seem to be smitten, Robbie.”
I roll my eyes but don’t deny it. What would be the point? It’s written all over my face whenever I look at Cat.
“Thanks so much again, Cat,” Johnny says. “For keeping him company, as well as for clearing his name.”
He gives her a quick squeeze—lots of hugging going on today—then turns to me. “Actually, Robbie, while I’ve got you, there’s something I’ve been wanting to run by you. See, I’ve had some plans for a wee while now, but I put them on hold because I couldn’t even think about them while there was a risk of you going to prison. But now...”
He leans in so close I can feel his breath on my ear and mutters something quietly.
For a split second, I’m stunned. Then a slow grin spreads across my face and I clap his shoulder, hard enough that he winces and tries to shove me away with half-hearted indignation.
Cat narrows her eyes at us suspiciously. “What are you two plotting?”
“Nothing,” Johnny and I say in perfect unison, both trying—and failing—to look innocent.
She snorts but lets it go.
We chat for a few more minutes, Johnny keen to know everything about me and Cat, but eventually it’s time to say goodbye. Johnny has to get back to work, and I’m eager to put as much distance between myself and the Glen Garve Resort as possible, at least for today. I’ll be back, though. After all, Da mentioned wanting to have a chat with Cat, but that can wait until another day.
We part ways with Johnny, then Cat and I step out into the sunshine, and I take a deep breath of fresh Highland air. For the first time in a fortnight, it feels like I can actually fill my lungs properly.
“Freedom suits you,” Cat observes, slipping her arm through mine as we cross the car park towards my bike.
“Aye, it does. Thanks for believing in me. For fighting for me when I was ready to give up.”
“That’s what girlfriends do,” she says with a cheeky smile. “And it turns out wishes really do come true. Remember the clootie well? This is what I asked for: your name being cleared.”
“Is that right?”
“Mm-hmm. Anyway”—she leans in conspiratorially—“I had a vested interest in keeping you out of prison.”
“Oh aye? And what was that?”
“The sex, of course.” She winks. “Talking of which, we proved your innocence, and that calls for a special celebration—a bedroom one. Take me back to your place. Or mine. I’m not fussy, so long as we end up naked together.”
I laugh, feeling lighter than I have in weeks, maybe years. “Your wish is my command.”
We reach my Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster, the sunlight bouncing off its sleek black and chrome curves. I run my hand over the seat, remembering all the times this bike has been my only escape, my only freedom. But now I’ve got Cat too.
I hand Cat her helmet then pull on my own. She climbs on behind me, wrapping her arms securely around my waist, pressing her body against mine. I fire up the engine.
“Mind your speed, Robbie!” Cat calls. “The last ticket may have turned out to be a blessing in disguise, but I don’t want you getting any more, all right?”
“Understood!”
I twist the throttle and we roll away from the resort, past the manicured lawns, past the carefully cultivated flowerbeds, and onto the open road.
The Highlands unfold around us: emerald hills, untamed forest, fields scattered with sheep. The wind whips past, carrying the scent of sun-warmed heather and pine. But for once, I’m not riding to escape, I’m riding towards something. Towards a future that suddenly seems full of possibilities.