A Christmas Wish on Arran (Scottish Romances #4)

Chapter Twenty-Three

A few days had passed since seeing her in the pub that night. Callum had been on high alert, in case he bumped into her at the supermarket or happened to see her again when he was out and about doing his errands. But there had been no sign of her, which made him now doubt that it had actually been her in the first place. Was he actually starting to gaslight himself? Had he imagined it? But then he reminded himself that there was no imagining that definite connection when they’d caught sight of each other. Never in his wildest dreams did he expect to see her again. He now assumed, if it was her, that perhaps she had just been visiting, and just happened to be with the guy from the hotel that night. Especially as it sounded like he was a one-night-only type of guy.

Since catching up with Fergus and Grant he had vowed to make more of an effort to keep in touch with them. He’d popped in to see them at the outdoor centre in Lamlash. Daisy seemed to be a bit more settled at school, and was absolutely loving the newspaper project, which was the highlight of her week on a Friday afternoon.

Callum was glad it was finally the end of the week and was looking forward to the weekend. He’d been busy with the online course and had started brainstorming a few ideas, which he hoped might help him with the running of the joinery business. When he’d been doing the banking and admin earlier, he sighed when he realised how chronic things had become. But he knew he wasn’t alone in feeling like this. The cost-of-living crisis seemed to be affecting most people he knew.

He was in the kitchen making pizza dough — homemade pizza was a Friday-night tradition for them both — and keeping an eye on the clock, knowing he would have to leave soon to collect Daisy. Callum smiled when his phone buzzed and it was a text from her. His hands were covered in flour, so he quickly washed them in the sink and dried them before picking up his phone.

Hello! We are nearly done. Can Murray have a lift too please?

He typed his reply.

Sure. I will leave in two minutes.

He looked at Ruby, who was curled up and looking very cosy in her bed in the corner of the kitchen. ‘I’m just going to go and get Daisy,’ he told her. She opened one eye and thumped her tail, making no attempt to jump up and join him. He couldn’t blame her. Although the afternoon had been bright, it was now turning dark. And from the way the trees were swaying he knew the wind had picked up.

The school was a ten-minute drive away and one that he was used to doing on autopilot. Shivering, he turned up the heating in the car as he swung into the school car park.

The kids opened the doors and jumped in. ‘Hey guys, how was it?’

‘Really good thanks.’ Daisy’s eyes sparkled with excitement. ‘It’s brilliant that this journalist is helping us. We managed to get loads done today.’

Murray slid into the backseat. ‘Thanks for the lift. I strained my ankle at football practice last night, otherwise I would have walked home. Daisy said you wouldn’t mind dropping me off.’

‘That sounds sore and very frustrating. And it’s no problem at all mate. The wind is starting to pick up again anyway. Not so nice for being out in.’

Callum was intrigued to know how they’d got so enthused about this extracurricular activity. He knew Murray’s dad, Jim, edited the local paper, and was surprised that Murray wasn’t mortified he was coming into the school to help. Maybe it was different for teenage boys and things like that didn’t bother them as much.

‘Daisy, would you like it if I came in and helped with stuff at school?’ He reversed the car out of its space. ‘I could run a few joinery or DIY workshops?’

‘Um, absolutely no way. That would be like the ultimate embarrassment.’

‘Ouch, that hurt. I mean I don’t think I’m that embarrassing, am I?’

‘Yes, you are.’

‘I’m sure that Murray isn’t bothered about his dad coming in to help with the newspaper are you, Murray?’ Callum looked in the rearview mirror and watched as Murray pulled a face.

He puffed the air in his cheeks. ‘There is no danger I would be doing it if he came in. That would be mortifying. I mean, it’s bad enough that he insists on coming along to watch the football games.’

Callum frowned. ‘I’m confused.’

‘He comes along supposedly to support the team, but he ends up shouting at the ref.’

Callum burst out laughing. ‘To be fair I think I’d be the same. No, I was actually meaning the school paper. I thought he was helping you with that.’

‘Honestly,’ Daisy shook her head, throwing her hands up in the air, ‘you never listen to a word I say, do you?’

Callum was lost now. ‘What do you mean?’

‘ Urgh ! I told you that the new reporter at the paper is helping us. That she is helping us. I’ve told you this so many times and you have stood there and nodded your head as you “apparently” listened to what I was saying.’

‘Sorry, sorry you’re right. I’m getting confused and delusional.’ Callum tried to make light of the fact she was right — he didn’t always listen properly when she was telling him something. He really had to do better. It was just tough, as he couldn’t always keep up with everything Daisy told him. His mind always seemed to be in a swirl of different stuff. ‘You did mention the new reporter and said she was very good.’

‘Look.’ Daisy pointed out the car window. The rain had now started to fall and Callum flicked on the windscreen wipers.

‘What am I looking at?’ Callum’s eyes were drawn to the woman wearing a red coat, who was metres from his car and battling to put down her umbrella.

‘That’s her there. The reporter who’s been helping us.’

His heart gave a small lurch. ‘Um, what’s her name again?’ He knew fine well what Daisy would say.