A Christmas Wish on Arran (Scottish Romances #4)

Chapter Thirty-One

They arrived at the café just as the rain began to bounce off the pavements and batter against the windows.

‘Oh no,’ groaned Beth. ‘I hope it passes quickly. Otherwise it will be a washout for all those poor stallholders.’

As soon as they walked in, Margaret identified Edie and made a beeline for her. Edie was sat at a table in the corner, nursing a cappuccino, her dog curled up on the floor next to her. Beth watched as she looked up at Margaret in surprise — then she beamed when she evidently recognised her. She jumped up and the women hugged, with Margaret excitedly telling her she’d finally managed to buy some of her coveted mugs. Beth lingered a few metres away while she wondered whether to go and order, but just then Margaret turned round and beckoned her over.

‘This is the famous Edie,’ she said.

Beth smiled. ‘Hi Edie. I’ve heard a lot about you, and the excitement of buying your mugs has been the most animated I’ve seen Margaret all weekend.’

Edie chuckled, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

‘I’m Beth.’ She reached out her hand.

‘Sorry love, me and my lack of manners. Beth is a friend and she moved here not long ago. I’m just over visiting for the weekend with her dad.’

Edie looked beyond them. Beth wondered if she was expecting him to appear.

‘He’s at home having a nap and watching the football.’ Margaret rolled her eyes. ‘We’re out doing some Christmas shopping.’

‘Well it’s lovely to see you again Margaret, and to meet you, Beth. How are you settling in?’

‘I’m loving it thanks. I’m working with the paper in Brodick.’

‘Ah, I see.’ She nodded. ‘That makes sense. I saw a new by-line in the paper and wondered who it was. It’s really nice to put a face to the name. I do hope you enjoy working and living here.’

‘Thank you. That’s really kind.’ Beth glanced at Margaret. ‘Listen, I’m just going to order some coffee. Can I get you another, Edie?’

She shook her head. ‘Thank you, that’s really kind, but no. I was just having a quick caffeine fix on my way home. It’s always much nicer when someone else makes it for you, and Cano makes such brilliant coffee. Hopefully that rain will go off soon so I can make a dash for it.’

‘No problem,’ said Beth. ‘Hopefully I’ll see you again, Edie. Really nice to meet you.’

‘Do say hello if you pass me again,’ said Edie.

‘I will.’

While Margaret and Edie said their goodbyes, Beth walked over to the counter to look at the cake selection.

Moments later she was joined by Margaret, whose eyes widened. ‘Will you look at those cakes. I’d like to stick my fork in them all.’

Beth nodded. ‘They do all look delicious. But I think we might get chucked out if you start doing that.’ She laughed. ‘How about we get two different ones and share?’

‘Aye love, that sounds like a very good idea.’

‘You go and take a seat and I’ll order it. Anything you fancy in particular?’

‘No, I will eat anything. Thanks love. I could do with a wee rest myself now. All this shopping is exhausting. ’

Beth couldn’t help but chuckle at Margaret. She was very easy company — Beth was glad she’d come over to visit. As she stood there trying to decide which cakes to choose, she became aware of someone standing next to her.

‘The carrot cake and the chocolate cake are both very good,’ he said.

Beth looked up. Her cheeks flushed when she realised it was Callum. Honestly, twice in two days? You couldn’t make this up. He would think she was totally following him. Her whole body felt like jelly as his elbow brushed against hers. So much for female empowerment , she said to herself crossly, willing herself to try and act normally.

‘You’re becoming quite the regular in here,’ he said pointedly.

She shrugged. ‘Erm, not really. This is only the second time that I’ve been in. Could say the same for you. Or is this your usual haunt?’ Beth was struggling to pull her eyes away from his very kissable mouth. She could tell Margaret’s eyes were lasered in on her — she’d be taking in every little detail of this interaction.

‘Must just be a coincidence,’ he said.

‘What can I get you?’ asked Cano the owner.

‘Um, a piece of the chocolate and carrot cakes please, and two lattes.’

‘No bother. I’ll bring it over,’ he said. ‘You take a seat.’

‘Thank you.’ She smiled, then she turned to Callum. ‘Nice seeing you.’ She spoke as slowly and nonchalantly as she could.

‘Same time tomorrow?’ His eyes twinkled in amusement.

Neither of them spoke for a moment. When she saw Margaret waving at her she took that as her cue to move. ‘Okay see you.’

‘Beth,’ he rested his hand on her arm, ‘if it’s okay, I’ll take you up on that offer to help Daisy. I’ll be in touch.’

She gave a small nod. ‘Of course. Enjoy your coffee.’ Then she turned to walk towards Margaret as casually as possible.

Beth sat down and did all she could to avoid Margaret’s penetrating stare. She was relieved when the waitress arrived with the cake and coffee. It was only when she looked over at Margaret, offering her some chocolate cake, that she saw she was still looking at her with a smile on her lips.

Margaret leaned towards her. ‘Are you going to tell me who that hunk is? And what is going on there?’ She lowered her voice. ‘I mean you could cut the sexual tension with a knife. The air was practically fizzing.’ She sat back and gave her a knowing look.

Now Beth felt completely flustered. ‘Oh, that was just an old friend from my student days.’ She spoke quickly — but actually wanted the ground to swallow her up. She knew that Margaret wouldn’t let this lie.

Spreading a napkin on her lap, Margaret took a forkful of chocolate cake. ‘Delicious — a bit like your man over there. I mean he has certainly aged very well indeed. And he looks like someone famous. He’s like that doctor off the television. Do you know who I mean?’

Beth sighed, wondering which direction Margaret was going to go with this. ‘Which one?’

‘You know that programme?’ Margaret clicked her fingers in frustration.

‘Casualty? ER?’ Beth desperately tried to fire off the medical programmes she knew.

‘No, no. You know the one I mean. That Scottish actor is in it too. The one off Trainspotting .’

‘What, Ewan McGregor? I didn’t know he was in a medical drama.’

‘Not him. Honestly,’ she threw up her hands in exasperation, ‘you’re meant to be a journalist and know this stuff.’

Beth frowned. ‘ Trainspotting ? Robert Carlyle?’ Though she didn’t think he had been in a medical drama either.

‘ Tsk ,’ she said. ‘He’s got red hair.’

Suddenly it dawned on her. ‘Ah, you mean Kevin McKidd?’

Margaret clapped her hands together. ‘That’s the one.’

‘You think he looks like him?’ Her voice had dropped to a whisper, wondering if Margaret was actually okay ? Or perhaps colour-blind, given that the actor she was referring to had red hair. Callum’s hair was most definitely dark brown, albeit now threaded with a few silver strands.

‘ Honestly. Would you have a bit of cake, Beth. I think your blood sugar has gone all funny. You’re making no sense.’

‘Um, same could be said for you . . .’

‘No I don’t mean him obviously. I mean he’s in the same show as McDreamy or McSteamy.’ She was practically shouting and a few customers looked over. Beth also clocked Callum glancing across curiously. ‘Sorry love. I didn’t mean to be quite that loud.’ Margaret quickly dropped her voice to a whisper. ‘I was just pleased I remembered.’ She gave her another of her looks. ‘You know that guy that played McDreamy on Grey’s Anatomy ? That was the programme.’

‘Do you mean Patrick Dempsey?’

‘Aye,’ she stabbed her fork into the carrot cake in triumph, ‘that’s him. I knew we’d get there eventually. Anyway he looks a bit like your fella over there.’

Beth hadn’t really made the comparison before, and now didn’t dare turn and look at Callum, in case he thought she was checking him out. Which she totally would be.

‘He is very good-looking, dear, and in a much more rugged way than that Alessandro chap from the hotel.’ She took a sip of her latte.

Beth gulped her coffee so she didn’t say anything she would regret.

‘Besides anything else,’ continued Margaret, ‘he hasn’t been able to take his eyes off you from the moment he sidled up to you in the queue. I’m good at noticing these things you know.’

‘Maybe,’ hissed Beth, ‘he’s not been able to stop turning round because you keep shouting random actors’ names so loudly. Everyone in the café has been looking over. Or maybe he’s looking out the window to see if the rain has stopped.’

‘You mark my words love. I have a spidey-sense about these things. You two are destined to be together.’

Beth quickly took a forkful of carrot cake just at the moment Callum walked past with his takeaway coffee. He gave her a small smile as he passed — she had to raise her hand to wave when she realised her mouth was full of cake.

Margaret sat back and crossed her arms. ‘See what I mean? He’s got it bad . Now then. Are you going to tell me what the story is?’