Epilogue
CAT
I step back to admire my handiwork. The cheese and crackers are artfully arranged on one plate, with a selection of treats from Morag’s Bakery on another. Morag insisted on throwing in a few extras for free after Robbie fixed her leaking roof last week.
“You know,” she’d said, lowering her voice as she handed over the box, “I always thought that MacDonald lad was nothing but trouble. Shows what I know! He’s a proper gent.”
I smile at the memory. Bannock’s opinion of Robbie has been shifting, and I know it means more to him than he lets on.
But speaking of Robbie... I check the time on my phone and let out a frustrated huff. Where is he? He promised he’d be here to help me set up for my flat-warming party. The first guests are due to arrive any minute.
I’ve barely finished the thought when the front door opens.
“I’m back!” Robbie calls.
“Where have you been?” I march through to the hall to confront him. “I’ve been running around like a headless chicken trying to get everything ready!”
“Sorry,” he says, not looking particularly apologetic at all. “Had something important to take care of.”
I give his chest a playful smack, only for him to flinch. “Ow!”
My annoyance vanishes in an instant. “Oh my God, what’s wrong? Are you hurt?”
“Well...” There’s a mischievous glint in his eye. “Depends on how you look at it.” He takes a hold of my hand and pulls me towards the bedroom, away from the door where guests might arrive any minute.
“Robbie MacDonald, if you think we have time for?—”
“Not that,” he interrupts with a smirk. “Though I like where your mind went.” With no shame whatsoever, he grabs the hem of his T-shirt and lifts it up.
My breath catches, not just at the sight of him (old habits die hard, and apparently so does ogling), but because something new catches my eye—a glint of cling film stretched over his chest. Two patches, actually.
“What’s this?”
“A surprise. Here, look.”
He gestures to one of the patches of film. Beneath it is his chain tattoo, only it’s changed. The broken link that once symbolised his fractured relationship with his father has been repaired. The lines are fresh, and the skin around them pink and tender.
“Da and I still have a way to go, but we’re on the right path now. I didn’t want to keep carrying that broken link anymore.”
I swallow hard. “That’s... beautiful, Robbie. I can’t believe you did that.”
“And this one...” He indicates the second patch of cling film just over his heart. A tiny black cat curls there now—elegant and mischievous and perfectly drawn.
“For me?” I whisper.
“Aye. For my Cat.”
Every molecule in my body wants to fling myself at him, but his poor chest looks sore enough as it is. So I settle for going up on my tiptoes, cupping his jaw, and pressing a gentle kiss to his lips. “I love it. And I love you.”
“I love you too,” he murmurs back.
A knock at the door interrupts us.
“Later,” I promise, my eyes telling him exactly what I mean.
The corner of his mouth lifts. “I’ll hold you to that.”
Within half an hour, my living room is filled with all the people I love most. My brothers and their partners have taken over the sofa and armchairs, while Elspeth and Bryce chat with Johnny and David near the window. Bruce has found a sunny spot on the floor and is snoozing contentedly. Aidan and Grace sit beside him, watching wee Ru toddle after Callie, who won’t stay still for a moment. Emily cradles baby Ciaran—he’s somehow sleeping peacefully despite the noise.
I’m buzzing around like a hostess possessed, making sure everyone has a drink and that no one dares set a glass directly on my new coffee table.
“Coaster!” I reprimand, sliding one under Jamie’s beer bottle.
He raises an eyebrow. “Who are you, and what have you done with my sister?”
“Very funny,” I retort, but I catch Robbie watching me with amusement from across the room. Maybe I am being a bit... particular. But hey, I’m proud of this place, as I think I have every right to be.
“The flat looks fantastic, Cat,” Lewis says, glancing around appreciatively.
“It’s gorgeous,” Iona agrees. “You’ve really made it your own.”
I beam. “Thanks. Robbie did a great job, didn’t he?”
“Oh, I can’t take all the credit,” Robbie objects. “See that shelf over there? The one that’s very slightly wonky? All Cat.”
I roll my eyes, but there’s laughter—from my brothers especially—and Jamie claps his hands together. “Robbie can be funny! Who knew?”
“ Anyway ,” I say, “as much as I love what we’ve done with the place, I’m sure it won’t be long before Robbie invites me to move in with him. So in a way, all this work was for nothing.”
A hush falls, and everyone looks back and forth between me and Robbie. I half expect someone to whip out a bag of popcorn.
“Oh, you’re sure I’ll be inviting you to move in, are you?”
“No doubt about it. After all, you did just get a new tattoo... of a cat. To represent me.”
Emily’s eyes light up. “Can we see it?”
“Er...”
“Aye, show us!” Maisie chimes in.
With a martyred sigh—like he’s being forced into hard labour rather than a minor striptease—Robbie pulls his T-shirt up. He tries for a scowl, but there’s a glint in his eye that says he secretly enjoys the fuss (even if he’d never admit it).
The women immediately swarm him like seagulls on a dropped chip. Grace gasps, and Emily fans herself with a napkin. Maisie leans in for a closer inspection, while Iona strokes her chin like an art critic at the Tate. Even Elspeth gives him a once-over so thorough I half expect her to hold up a score card.
Ally—who’s been passed Ciaran—groans loudly. “Really? Is this appropriate?”
“Oh, hush,” Emily admonishes. “It’s sweet.”
David, who moments previously chased Callie out of the room, returns only to fling an arm over his eyes in mock agony. “Not again! Johnny, save me! Before I do something scandalous.” He blindly gropes for his boyfriend’s hand.
Johnny, chuckling, entwines his fingers with David’s. “Think it’s time we told them?”
“I think we must.” David lowers his arm from his face and clears his throat. “If I could have everyone’s attention, please! And Robbie, if you could please pull your top back down? Thank you. All right, I’d like to take this opportunity to let you all know that I am officially off the market. Johnny and I are engaged!”
The room erupts in cheers and applause. Johnny gives a shy grin, his face flushed pink.
“But there’s more,” David continues once the initial excitement dies down. “There’s been a cancellation at the resort, so... we’re getting married next month!”
At this, Iona’s smile becomes noticeably strained.
“Oh! Sorry, Iona!” David says hurriedly. “I hope you don’t feel like we’re skipping the queue.”
“Not at all. I’m happy for you!”
Jamie snorts. “Maybe tell your face that.” This earns him a thump on the arm from Lewis.
“Really, it’s great news,” Iona insists. “Just feels strange, that’s all. Lewis and I haven’t even set a date yet.”
Lewis slips an arm around her waist. “Don’t worry, we will soon. I promise.”
Jamie nods sagely. “I wouldn’t worry about it, Iona. At least you’re one step ahead of Aidan and Grace. They have a wee girl, and they’re not even engaged yet.”
“Oi!” Aidan shoots him a warning look. “Careful!”
“Jamie McIntyre!” Elspeth tuts. “Maisie, I thought you’d reined this one in?”
Maisie shrugs. “I tried my best, but you know what he’s like.”
“We do!” I say, giving Jamie my best teacherly glare, which he ignores. “But we’re getting off track. I’m pretty sure David wants to lap up being the centre of attention for a wee bit longer.”
“I absolutely do,” he confirms.
“And Johnny too, of course,” I add quickly. “So... a toast! To Johnny and David!”
“To Johnny and David!” comes the chorus as glasses are raised.
The evening continues, laughter bouncing off the walls, and Bruce and Ciaran somehow both snoozing through everything.
Robbie manages to claim a chair, and I slip onto the arm of it, letting myself soak in the scene—my family, my friends, all gathered here together. Across the room, Ally catches my eye and gives me a nod, which I take as his way of saying that he approves. Of everything. Of Robbie, of me, of the cheese selection.
Leaning down, I whisper in Robbie’s ear, “I think you’ve won over your toughest critic.”
Robbie glances at Ally. “Aye? Well, let’s see how he reacts to this.” Before I can blink, he tugs me down onto his lap, his arms winding round my waist.
Ally’s jaw twitches—just for a second—but then wee Ru throws himself at his da’s knees with a giggle. Ally scoops his son up and tosses him into the air, everything else forgotten.
I twist round to look at Robbie, taking in the sharp angles of his face, the pierced eyebrow, the blue eyes that used to seem so cold but are now warm whenever they land on me.
Six weeks ago, I was the party girl who’d moved back to her hometown, buying a rundown flat she had no idea how to fix. Now I’m hosting a gathering in a place I’ve made my own, sitting on the lap of a man I was warned to stay away from but who turned out to be exactly what I needed.
Maybe I’m not the wild child anymore. Maybe I’ve grown up a bit. But looking at Robbie—my tattooed, motorcycle-riding bad boy who’s not really bad at all—I know one thing for certain: life with him will never be boring.
I wouldn’t have it any other way.
THE END