Chapter 39
Isla
The Kinleith Gazette – the Isle of Skye’s most popular online newspaper
In a surprising twist at this year’s Cairn I just have the honour of being the very proud partner who holds the oven door open.”
“And slices the apples,” Miss Lang added, straightening the winner’s medal around his neck. “Don’t forget about the apples.”
The contest, held on the village green, drew a record crowd this year, with over two hundred spectators cheering on the competitors.
I was keen to discover whether participating in the event had changed Dr Macabe’s view on one of Kinleith’s most long-standing traditions, but he was tight-lipped.
“You’ll see me back here next summer, that’s all I’ll say. ”
Closing my eyes, I tried to soak up the memories of the day. Store them in a jar in my mind I could open and unfold whenever I wanted.
When they’d called our names, I’d laughed, stunned. Barely taking it all in as Alistair lifted me in the air with a cheer. He barely had the chance to whisper in my ear, “Apple pie, told you it’s a fucking classic, Lang,” before his family rushed us.
I’d been wrapped in more hugs than I’d received in the past year alone. Iris Macabe squeezed me almost as hard as she did Alistair. “I wish your dad was here; he’d be so proud,” she said, wiping tears from her eyes. Alistair hadn’t replied, but kissed his mum on the cheek.
Teddy clung to our thighs, bouncing with excitement. “I told you Bluebell bunny would make you brave, Mummy!” Before running off to hug her dad, who thankfully hadn’t taken his bad mood out on his daughter.
Even without the five-thousand-pound cheque burning a hole in my pocket, that moment alone made me feel I’d won.
I didn’t see Cameron and Annabelle leave the stage. I didn’t care either. Why ruin such a perfect moment with the past?
Just as the honeyed light began to dip behind the hills, Alistair’s rich voice came from behind me. “Proud of you, Lang.” Celebrations were still going on around us, the chatter at food stalls and the sound of bagpipes, mixing with the screams of fairground riders.
“Right back at you.” We didn’t touch, but the way we were staring at each other made it feel like we were. “Who’d have thought it? Dr Alistair Macabe, Cairn it’s the bloody house renovation. The costs just got out of hand so quickly, and our savings only got us so far.”
Was that supposed to sway me? “Listen to yourself, Cameron. You just admitted that you put a new bathroom before your daughter’s welfare, and you actually expect me to feel sorry for you.”
“Isla—” He reached for me, but I stepped back just as Alistair’s “Don’t you fucking dare” hissed between us.
I folded my arms. “I’ve been understanding up until now because I didn’t want to put Teddy in the middle of all this. Not anymore—”
“She’ll hate you for this, you know.” Spittle coated his lips. “For driving a wedge between us.”
I wasn’t even surprised at how easily he used my worst fear as an emotional whip.
“Yeah, maybe she will,” I said, sadly. “And then one day she’ll grow up and thank me because she’ll know I would do absolutely anything for her.
Even if that means cutting the rot from her life.
It won’t be hard either, given the fact you’ve barely spoken two words to her today. ”
Come on, fight for her, I wanted to scream as his cheeks flushed a mottled red.
“I’ve hardly had the time—”
Tired of his excuses, I didn’t think twice about interrupting him.
“The first court date is on the letter; I think it’s better if we discuss it there.
” I searched his face one last time, looking for any hint of the man who’d made me feel safe – seen – all those years ago.
“Despite everything, Cameron, I really do want you to prove me wrong.”
I had nothing left to say on the matter. Alistair started to lead me away, and I caught Annabelle’s eye for the first time. She looked surprised. Embarrassed.
By me or Cameron I didn’t know.
I owed her nothing, but still, I couldn’t help saying with a gentleness I wasn’t sure she deserved, “He’ll do the same to you one day, Annie.”
Her chin lifted defiantly. “You don’t know anything.”
Yes, I do. It was what selfish men like him did.
I said nothing as I walked away, my knees trembling, but the weight of the world had lifted from my shoulders.
We’d almost crossed the entire green by the time Alistair knocked his shoulder to mine.
“Have I ever told you I want to be you when I grow up?” he said.
I smiled, turning into him. “I’m really fucking proud of you. ”
“Prouder than the pie contest?”
Instead of answering, his fingers circled my wrist. “Can we get out of here now?”
I swallowed, anticipation dancing in my stomach.
“Let me ask Heather if she can watch Teddy for a few more hours.”
We drove the long way through Kinleith village, the purr of his Land Rover so quiet, it made me miss Daisy’s rumble. I rolled my window down while Alistair turned on the radio. It was on my favourite radio station and Lindsey Buckingham’s textured guitar work caught on the breeze.
“No eighties ballads today?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
He grinned, entirely unashamed. “I think they got my point across.”
What point was that? Because it was dawning on me that I’d told him I loved him, and he hadn’t.
Bluebell bunny was on my lap, and I ran her soft ear through my fingers, gathering the strength to be brave one more time. “That you love me?”
Okay, I might not be that brave, because I stared at his impeccably clean cup holders as I said it.
Alistair let out a small grunt, shifting the car up a gear. “You know what’s always driven me crazy about you?”
Well, that didn’t sound good. “That I have over a thousand email notifications?” I suggested.