After an eventful and exhausting weekend, Caitlin was glad to be back to some semblance of normality, safe in the knowledge that everything was all right with the world… for now. It was Wednesday and Grace had gone with Evin to take Chewie and Cleo to play on the field. The bakery was bustling with tourists and Isla was in to help with the influx of the holiday crowd. The takeaway sandwiches, drinks and rocky road tray bake were going down a treat.
Caitlin was in the back room taking a five-minute break at around three o’clock when Isla appeared in the doorway. Her blonde hair was tied up in a neat bun and she wore her apron over shorts and a T-shirt, the perfect attire for the scorching day.
‘There’s a guy here to see you, Caitlin. Shall I send him through?’
‘Oh? I’m not expecting anyone. But yes, that’s fine, thanks.’
A few moments later, Bram appeared. ‘Hi Caitlin. I was just chatting to Morag, and she was telling me about your friend’s wee lassie. Is she okay?’
She hadn’t heard from him since the barbecue and figured her assumption on the night about not seeing him again had been correct, so his visit was a surprise. ‘Aww, thanks for checking in. She’s fine thankfully. Upset at what she overheard, but fine.’
Bram tilted his head. ‘What she overheard?’
Caitlin nodded and sighed. ‘Yes, the poor lamb overheard Rosabeth telling you that she wasn’t wanted. It hit her pretty hard after what she’s been through.’
Bram rubbed his hands roughly over his face. ‘Shit. I’m so sorry. I hope you know I wasn’t commenting. Although I did tell her she was being a bit unfair because he seemed really happy. He didn’t look like he was put out at all that she’s living with him.’
‘That’s because he’s not. What she said was quite bitter. But don’t worry, Sophie was very adamant about who’d said what, so I knew you weren’t involved. I’m just glad we found her safe and well.’
Bram’s face had paled. ‘God, I feel terrible. She’s a right one that Rosabeth. Very flirty. That’s my other reason for coming to see you. She had me walk her to her door and then tried to kiss me. I told her to back off. Said I wasn’t interested but she got really pissy after that. I reckon she’s a few tanks short of an army that one.’
Caitlin couldn’t help laughing at the thought she’d be a good match for Lyle. ‘You might be right. But it’s fine. Don’t worry.’
He cleared his throat. ‘Can I… erm… sit down a minute? There’s something I want to talk to you about.’
‘Sure.’ Caitlin gestured to the opposite chair. ‘What’s up?’
He sat and paused for a moment as if considering his words carefully. ‘I hope you don’t think me a bit… I don’t know… nosey… but…’
Caitlin huffed, expecting him to have heard on the grapevine about Grace’s father situation. ‘Come on, out with it.’ She crossed her arms over her chest, ready to defend her position even though she didn’t have to.
‘You and Archie… Has there ever been… you know… anything between yous?’
Relieved that this was his question, she couldn’t help the laugh that escaped. ‘What is it with the universe trying to put me and Archie together?’
He shrugged. ‘Maybe if I’m not the only one who’s asked, could it be something we’re all seeing that you’re not?’
Caitlin made a very unflattering noise. ‘Pfft! Don’t you all think I’d know if I was in love with him?’
Bram eyed her with pity. ‘Honestly? No. I think you’ve somehow convinced yourself that you’re not into him. But your eyes give you away. I saw it at the barbecue. The way you watch him with a little smile on your lips. The way your pupils dilate when he talks to you.’
She scoffed again. ‘I’m sorry, but you’ve imagined that. And you don’t really know me well enough to see my signs of attraction.’
He smiled sadly. ‘I know when I don’t see them, Caitlin. And I didn’t see that spark when you looked at me like I did when you looked at him.’
She sighed in exasperation. ‘But I’ve only just met you. Give me time.’
He shook his head. ‘Caitlin, why force yourself to like someone else when your heart’s already chosen for you?’
She had no idea what to say to that. She couldn’t tell him he was wrong and that scared her.
‘And if you’re worried that he doesn’t feel the same, don’t be. He couldn’t take his eyes off you either. I really don’t understand why you’re both fighting something that’s so clear to everyone else.’
She opened her mouth to speak but closed it again. What could she say? She didn’t want to try to convince him that he was the one she liked because, in all honesty, he was a lovely guy, handsome, sweet, kind, but there was no spark. He got that bit right. But then again, she wasn’t expecting one. She was no longer hoping for that thunderbolt. She just wanted someone to spend time with, who made her feel important and special, who adored Grace, who made her laugh, who went the extra mile for her, who was a good father…
Shit…
She inhaled a sharp breath, and her hands covered her mouth.
Bram smiled. ‘Ah, methinks the penny hath dropped.’
With wide eyes, she said, ‘Oh, Bram, I’m so sorry. You must think I’m awful.’
He shook his head. ‘Not at all. Now, do yourself a favour, eh? Tell him how you feel. Don’t leave it until it’s too late.’ He stood from his seat. ‘Good luck, Caitlin. See you around.’
And with that he left her sitting there, stunned into a stupor at her realisation.
‘Mum! What’s for dinner? Can we have spaghetti? And garlic bread if you’ve a baguette left over?’ Grace entered the kitchen where Caitlin had been sitting since she’d arrived through from the bakery at five-thirty. It was now six o’clock. ‘Mum? Are you okay?’
Caitlin was tugged from her thoughts. ‘What’s that, love?’
‘Dinner? Spaghetti?’
Caitlin smiled. ‘Oh, sure, honey, yes. I could make some garlic bread too if you like. I’ve a baguette left over.’
Grace giggled. ‘I just asked that.’
Caitlin gave an embarrassed smile as her cheeks flushed. ‘Oh… sorry, love.’
‘It’s okay. I saw Archie at the field. He was with Sophie and a woman I haven’t seen here before. She was really pretty. Long blonde hair like Cinderella.’
Caitlin’s interest piqued. ‘Oh? Did he introduce you?’
‘Nah. We were playing with the dogs. He waved though.’
‘Right… right.’ Who would that have been? The different possibilities played around her mind, social worker? New love interest? If it was the latter, he’d wasted no time. If it was the former, perhaps he would fall for her, and her Cinderella charm and they would bond over their care of Sophie. She realised that she was probably being irrational, and a tad crazy, but it didn’t stop her imagining a myriad different scenarios.
Caitlin went through the motions of cooking dinner. Grace set the table and Caitlin served the food, then they sat to eat, but her mind wandered to Archie again. His smile, his awkward way of acting then apologising even when there was no need. The way he had arranged Grace’s party. His biceps when he helped her change her tyre. The giddy feeling she experienced when he was around. The way she felt protective over him after the things Wozadeath said. When had it happened? How had it happened? But, more to the point, what the hell could she do about it? Should she even do anything about it? What if Bram was wrong and Archie didn’t feel the same? How could she tell him how she felt and then live in the same village knowing that someday she would see him with someone else?
‘Mum? Did you hear what I said?’
‘About what, love?’
‘I knew you were daydreaming again. Have you got the hots for that Dracula man?’
Caitlin almost choked on her drink. ‘Dracula man?’
‘Yeah, Evin said that Bram Stoker wrote Dracula and that he wondered if your Bram might be a vampire.’
‘You and Evin have some bizarre conversations,’ Caitlin observed.
‘Aye, we do. That’s why I’ll probably marry him some day. He makes me laugh and we always have stuff to talk about. Even if it’s weird. You should always have stuff to talk about with the person you marry.’
She definitely had a point. ‘You certainly should.’
‘You and Archie always seem to have lots to talk about. But you didn’t seem to speak much to that vampire man. Are you going on another date with him?’
Caitlin shook her head. ‘Oh… erm… probably not, to be honest, love, and maybe stop calling him vampire man, eh?’
‘You should just marry Archie. I’d love him to be my dad,’ Grace said wistfully.
Caitlin closed her eyes for a moment. ‘It’s not really that easy, Grace.’
Grace shrugged. ‘It should be though. If you love someone and they love you, why not cut out all the middle bit and get married and start your lives together?’
Caitlin narrowed her eyes. ‘Grace, Archie and I don’t love each other,’ she insisted. What was that phrase about protesting too much? ‘Anyway, where on earth has all this come from?’
‘Me and Evin were talking about Jules and Reid getting married. I’m hoping she asks me to be a bridesmaid. I’d love that. Maybe now I’m not wearing a violet dress for yours and Lyle’s wedding and you and Archie aren’t getting married either, I’ll get to wear one at Jules and Reid’s,’ Grace said wistfully.
Caitlin rolled her eyes and shook her head, but in her mind, her brain had conjured up the image of Archie in a suit standing under an arch of flowers smiling affectionately as she walked towards him…
The following day was a little quieter and although it meant business wasn’t quite so good, Caitlin was relieved for the reprieve, no matter how temporary in nature.
Archie and Sophie called in just before lunch and Caitlin found herself unnaturally flustered on seeing him. Damn you, Bram, for making me notice things I was happy to ignore.
‘Good morning, folks, what can I get you today?’ she asked with a wide smile and the hope that her embarrassment wasn’t visible in her expression.
Sophie tugged on Archie’s T-shirt, and he bent to see what she wanted to whisper. ‘Aye, of course, sweetheart,’ he replied to her with a smile. ‘Sophie would like a chocolate cupcake please and I’ll have an apple pie for after dinner and… make that three chocolate cupcakes, eh?’
Caitlin wondered who the third was for and guessed the blonde woman Grace mentioned would be the recipient. At first, she had presumed the woman was probably the social worker. But surely, he wouldn’t be buying cupcakes for her? Perhaps he’d been in touch with another of his adoring fans from the singles event? He had seemed quite popular, despite him laughing the interest off as work-related; from the looks on the women’s faces, it wasn’t work they were thinking of.
‘Coming right up. So, Sophie, are you having fun with your d— with Archie?’
Sophie nodded and Archie told her, ‘You can talk to Caitlin. She’s not a stranger, remember? Sorry, Cait, we’ve had a wee talk about stranger danger today.’
Sophie chewed on her finger and pulled her toy pug closer. ‘Yes, thank you,’ she whispered.
‘Good lass,’ Archie said with a wide, beaming smile.
‘That’s good. Maybe I can send Grace round to play sometime?’ Caitlin suggested warmly.
Sophie’s eyes lit up as she nodded and tugged at Archie’s T-shirt again. Once more he bent for her to whisper to him. When he straightened, he said, ‘Sophie would like to know if you and Grace would like to come camping with us at the weekend.’
Caitlin’s heart skipped. ‘Oh! Erm… No, that’s okay, you two should go and have some quality time together. Thank you though.’
Grace appeared in the doorway. ‘Did someone say camping?’
‘Aye, I was just asking your mum if the two of you would like to join us on an expedition at the weekend, but—’
Grace gasped, her eyes wide with excitement as she clapped her hands. ‘Can we, Mum? Can we? It would be awesome! I loved camping with Evin, and I’d love to go again. Please!’
Caitlin’s cheeks flushed. As much as she loved the great outdoors, she also loved her luxuries, and she wasn’t sure she was cut out for sleeping in something without a solid roof. But if the truth be told, she was reluctant to spend alone time with Archie, torturing herself over something that wasn’t going to happen. ‘But we don’t have a tent, or any gear, love.’
Archie interjected, ‘I’ve got all the gear you need, and a spare tent.’
Shit, how do I get out of this? ‘But it depends if Isla can work in the shop, and it might be too short notice.’
Archie pondered her words for a moment. ‘If it helps, I can take the girls and you could join us afterwards. We’re only going up to Kinloch by Dunvegan. It’s about an hour away from here. I want to show Sophie the night sky up there as there’s very little uplight and the stars are spectacular. I’m going to take a telescope too.’
All eyes were on her. Archie looked hopeful, Sophie too as she flicked her gaze between Caitlin and Grace, and Grace was blatantly standing there, hands clasped in prayer, bottom lip thrust out and her eyelids fluttering.
‘Oh, for goodness’ sake, fine!’ She laughed.
Grace cheered and hugged Sophie, and Archie simply grinned like a loony.
She huffed. ‘I presume it’s a dog-friendly trip?’
‘Absolutely. Bowie and Cleo got on well at the barbecue so it should be fun. We’re just staying the one night, Saturday. The forecast is good so it should be great weather for stargazing.’
Caitlin nodded as she handed over Archie’s purchases and took his payment. ‘Okay, text me the details of the campsite and I’ll come right up after I close on Saturday. I’ll bring midge repellent.’ She rolled her eyes.
‘Great! Right, we’d better be getting back, Sophie. Say “bye” to Caitlin and Grace.’
Sophie gave a sweet smile and waved. ‘Bye, Cakelin. Bye, Gwace.’
Once they had left, Caitlin turned to her daughter. ‘I’m not sure I’m up to sleeping outdoors.’
‘Mum, you’ll be absolutely fine, I promise. It’ll be such fun, you’ll see.’ Caitlin forced a smile but couldn’t be sure that her daughter’s assertions were correct on account of the risk to her heart.
After the bakery had closed, Caitlin decided to take Cleo for a walk to get some fresh air. The heat had been stifling in spite of the overcast clouds. Perhaps there was a storm brewing. And if there was, it had better come and go before the camping trip.
As she walked, she spotted Archie and Sophie standing by a taxi that was parked outside his house. They were chatting to a blonde woman, no doubt the same one that Grace had mentioned. Caitlin tried not to watch, but her curiosity got the better of her, so she pretended to tie her shoelace. Pathetic attempt at subterfuge, Caitlin. You’ll be cutting holes in newspapers next.
Archie reached out and touched the woman’s cheek. Caitlin wished she could hear what they were saying. If only she’d listened to her heart and acted earlier when she realised her true feelings, he may not have hooked up with someone new so quickly. But then again, she had no real proof of Archie’s feelings, so things may have been no different.
Her stomach knotted as she watched the scene before her. What happened next made her wish she hadn’t been watching. Archie pulled the blonde woman into an embrace, and she wrapped her arms around him. Definitely not the social worker then. Next, the blonde crouched to Sophie’s level and hugged her too. Bloody hell, she’s won Sophie over already. A twinge of jealousy tugged at Caitlin’s heart but was soon replaced by sadness.
It was too late.
Whatever she was feeling needed to be pushed way down and locked away. What was the point in feeling something for someone who wasn’t interested? Perhaps she really was destined to remain single. And that was fine. She didn’t need a man. Admittedly, a relationship would’ve been nice. A relationship with Archie – even though she never realised it was something she wanted until it was too late – would’ve been lovely. But Grace didn’t need a dad, that was one thing she was absolutely certain about. And they were fine just the two of them.
Absolutely fine.