A Christmas Wish on Arran (Scottish Romances #4)

Chapter Twenty

Fergus and Grant were discussing the finer details of a penalty from a European football game that had been on TV last night. He hoped they wouldn’t notice that he had zoned out of the conversation. So much for his plan to make the effort to spend more time with guy friends. They wouldn’t be asking him back at this rate. He looked across the bar and noticed an extremely handsome guy flashing a smile at the woman he was sitting opposite. Callum was momentarily taken aback by the whiteness of his teeth — he hoped his companion was wearing sunglasses. The woman had her back to Callum and he wondered if she was finding the white teeth a turn on or a bit dazzling. Is that what women found attractive these days? He rubbed his hand over his jaw. He was so out of the dating game that he had no idea.

‘Earth to Callum.’ Fergus gently nudged his elbow. ‘Are you still with us? Or is there somewhere else you need to be?’

‘Sorry mate. Just got a bit distracted by the guy over there with the white teeth. He looks like Ross from Friends . He could light up a small nation with those gnashers.’ He took a sip of beer. ‘Is that what women go for these days?’

Grant chuckled. ‘Depends on the woman. Some men are really into their grooming and all of that. Fortunately, Thea tells me that nobody likes a man who tries too hard.’

Fergus snorted. ‘That’s extremely lucky for you then isn’t it? Who is he anyway?’

Grant put his pint down on the bar, turned to have a quick look and then nodded. ‘It’s that guy, Alessandro, from the Brodie Hotel in Brodick.’ He glanced over at the bar and frowned. ‘He’s big mates with Stuart here.’ He lowered his voice and tipped his head towards the table. ‘He’s a bit of a smooth operator and a real ladies’ man, if you catch my drift.’

‘ Right .’ Callum shrugged. ‘Who’s up for another drink? Same again?’

Fergus and Grant both nodded with a smile.

Callum glanced over again at the guy in the corner. Even though she had his back to him, he couldn’t peel his eyes away from the woman with him.

‘What can I get you?’ asked the barman. His voice brought Callum’s attention back to the moment. He placed his order and kept his eyes fixed on Grant and Fergus. He really needed to get a grip of himself.

‘How’s Daisy getting on?’ asked Grant as Callum handed him his drink. ‘Cheers mate.’

Callum took a sip of his pint, focusing on savouring the taste, grateful for the distraction of a question about Daisy. ‘Keeping me on my toes. Her latest project has been making vegan cakes . . . she follows that woman on Instagram. You know the one who was here last summer and made them?’

Fergus nodded. ‘Aye, Kitty. She’s my cousin, you know. She’s brilliant, and so are her cakes. She did a roaring trade when she was here and supplied some of the cafés.’

Callum nodded. He was desperate to look over again at the woman, but he didn’t dare. ‘Um, yes, so Daisy’s been following her on Instagram and trying out her recipes.’ He winced. ‘Let’s just say that more practice is required. I think it takes a while to perfect it. Maisie used to teach her to bake when she was younger, and I suggested that she ask her to go over the basics with her again. But Maisie is apparently horrified that she’s trying to bake without any eggs, and laughed when Daisy suggested they use the liquid from a can of chickpeas instead.’

Grant chuckled loudly. ‘Aye, I don’t think you’d be wanting to tell Maisie what to do.’

Callum shook his head. ‘Indeed. She’s a woman who knows her own mind.’

‘Being responsible for another human being must be very full on.’ Fergus had a look of admiration on his face.

He nodded. ‘There’s never a dull moment. And I’ve got parents’ night soon, which she’s warned me about. I have a feeling there may be some issue she’s not telling me.’

‘Part of being a teenager, I suppose,’ said Grant. ‘God, do you remember back in the day, when you would be absolutely bricking it when it was parents’ evening. It was such a big deal.’

Fergus nodded. ‘I know, right? And my parents always insisted on going together, and I would wait at home praying that the teachers gave me a good report. Otherwise life would be hell.’

Callum was fidgeting, desperate to turn round, but made himself look at Grant.

‘Er, changed days now,’ said Callum wryly. ‘Daisy comes with me, which is just as well, as the school is like a warren. I’ve no idea where anywhere is anymore. And she sits next to me, keen to hear what the teachers are going to say.’ Callum wanted to roll his eyes at himself. He was aware how much of a middle-class yoga mum he sounded. But he was so proud of her, and he’d felt such a sense of relief when Daisy had run out to the car earlier more enthused than he had seen her in a long time.

‘The journalist was brilliant,’ she’d said. ‘She had loads of great advice, and told us about some of the stories that she covered in her younger days. She’s offered to come in once a week and help us sort out our newspaper.’

She was so excited, and Callum was just happy that she had found something she was passionate about. She had always loved English, but lately had started to make comments about finding it a bit of a struggle. He turned the conversation back on to Fergus and Grant, asking them what their plans were for the weekend. But the truth was that he couldn’t stop his eyes from drifting towards the woman in the corner. They both stood up and were gathering their things to leave. Callum frowned. There was definitely something about her. He had seen her somewhere recently. As she flicked back her hair, shock rippled through him when he realised he knew exactly who she was. Bloody hell .

When she turned round and looked at him, their eyes locked. Her face visibly paled. It was as though time stood still. He had dreamed of seeing her again for years. In fact he didn’t think he would ever see her again. Then his world started to spin on its axis. He couldn’t believe she was now here, within touching distance.