The Little Gift Shop on the Loch Page 5

  She passed a bakery, its window crammed with sugary shortbread, plump fruit scones and warm pastries. The pub looked newly painted, its chalkboard menu boasting fresh seafood and vegetarian options and Lily was also surprised to see an art gallery displaying a range of prints and colourful landscapes by local artists.

  Only now did it occur to her the impact of having an empty shop in the village. She hadn’t given it much thought – if anything she had thought it might be difficult to sell a little shop in a remote sleepy village. But putting together Iris’s earlier comment with what she could see now, perhaps that wouldn’t be the case at all. At least knowing the shop would sell easily was one less thing to worry about.

  As Lily left the main hub behind and approached the loch, memories of their holidays tumbled into her mind. She swallowed deeply, taken back to another time. A time of dipping toes into freezing water, of scrabbling over rocks and taking turns with the other kids for the single swing and rickety slide in the caravan park. And the most special times – now the most poignant to remember – when Patty used to take Lily down to the loch to watch the sunset. They’d sit huddled together and for those precious few moments Patty seemed at peace with herself and the world.

  Lily had been a teenager the last time she’d been here, her head full of plans to go to university. Her future was laid out before her, somehow golden and full of hope. Now, she wasn’t so sure about things, a feeling that something intangible was escaping her.

  Lily continued to walk, passing under a canopy of Birch trees where mosses and lichens clung to the trunks and carpeted the roots, making the earth damp beneath her feet. Bluebells and primroses lined a rough path which sloped downwards and then meandered along the shoreline. Now Lily was able to see the loch in all its glory, she let out a small gasp. The nine-mile stretch of sea water, surrounded by mountains and thick woodland, shimmered in the sunlight and looked breathtakingly beautiful.

  Recalling a walk she used to make with her mum, she decided to see if she could retrace their steps and headed towards the north end of the loch, following a path through the trees and over a boardwalk bridge where she could see glimpses of the river. Her walks to and from work every day meant she wasn’t totally unfit but even so she had to stop a couple of times to catch her breath. Finally, she was able to stand for a few moments, the reward for her aching calf muscles and burgeoning blister now being able to see the enchanting waterfalls as the river made its way towards the loch.

  Finding a secluded bay with a small gravelly beach she sat down to face the loch. She listened to the water gently lapping on the shore and lifted her face to the sun, breathing in deeply.

  Iris’s words circled around in her head. Just be. But she didn’t have a clue how to do that. She knew how to keep busy. Although if you did want a place to sit back and forget the world, you wouldn’t find a better place than this, she conceded.

  Lily stared out at the water, surrendering herself to its vastness and allowing herself to feel small and insignificant. A view like this made you think, made you reflect. And that’s what she’d been afraid of. The silence. No emails or no phones, no deadlines to meet.

  All the usual parameters of her life had been removed and she suddenly felt adrift. Her mind flitted to what she’d normally be doing at this time; every minute of her day was usually planned and she thought longingly of her desk, letting out a sigh. She really wasn’t very good at not having a structure to her day or not knowing what she was going to be doing next week. Her mother’s nonchalant attitude to life and disregard for any sort of routine had left Lily with a need for security and routine, both of which her job had provided.

  They had moved around a few times – a spell in Glasgow, a few months in Dundee, a year in Newcastle. Lily always sensed a restlessness from her mother as various jobs and relationships came and went, as if each time they moved she was looking for something.

  When Lily left school, Patty had made it clear she wanted her daughter to live her own life and had encouraged her to spread her wings, probably imagining a rucksack and a one-way ticket. But Lily, studious and with an aptitude for maths, knew exactly what she wanted to do. To study accountancy and get a job. To be settled and secure and be able to provide for her and her mother in the future. Her whole life Lily had lived with a vague feeling something would come crashing down and when it did she wanted to be in a position to help her mum, at least financially.

  Never interested in academic achievements, Patty had regarded her daughter with bemusement on hearing her plans. ‘Accountancy? Really?’

  When Lily had started her course at Edinburgh University, her mother had gone abroad for a while, only returning to move back in with her parents where they lived in the small town of Dunbar in East Lothian. Patty had never had an easy relationship with her parents. Seen through their well-meaning, safe suburban eyes, their only daughter becoming a single mother was disappointing if not scandalous. But calling a truce on their uneasy relationship, Patty had moved in to help look after her father who was now in the wretched grip of dementia.

  By this time Lily had started work at Bremners and was loving every minute of it, not least because of the security and sense of belonging it gave her, something she’d never experienced before.

  Lily was rudely jolted back to the present by the realisation she was under attack from a swarm of midges. The slight breeze from earlier had disappeared, making her exposed arms a prime target. She furiously batted them away, aware it was time to move.

  She stood up quickly, dusting down her jeans and began to retrace her steps, deciding to head in the direction of the jetty to see if she could find the old boating place she remembered.

  As she drew closer, Lily was surprised to see it had been totally transformed. What had once been basically a wooden hut with a few small boats for hire was now a fully-fledged activity centre. A large single-storey timber-framed building stood with huge full-lengths windows at the front facing the loch. There was an information board and an enormous map of the loch in a glass display case surrounded by people with bikes or in walking gear planning their day.

  A sign by the front door bearing the name Carroch Activity Centre listed the range of activities available including kayaking, canoeing and windsurfing. To one side there were now parking bays and a pretty café with table and chairs outside was bustling with people coming and going.

  Lily’s step faltered as she recognised the prowling cat man from last night. Close to the water’s edge, he was working on a small upturned boat, engrossed in his task. Lily watched him, transfixed by the way the muscles on his arms and shoulders flexed as he moved. She narrowed her eyes, again a vague sense of familiarity tugging at her memory. And then in one heart-stopping moment, it came rushing back to her.

  ***

  She was sixteen again, and it was the last summer she’d been here with her mother. Her skin had turned golden under the rays of a rare, long Scottish summer. She’d discovered that a little mascara brought out the blue in her eyes and that she liked the pretty pink sheen from her cherry lip gloss. Now that she was old enough, she would stroll down to the loch on her own. And hopefully she would see him, the good-looking boy who worked at the boats.

  Lily had reckoned him to be a couple of years older than her; he exuded a worldly confidence and physical presence she’d found thrilling. Not to mention he was easily the most handsome boy she’d ever seen. Pretending to read a book, she’d sit and watch him from afar, never brave enough to go and speak to him. Not like the other girls who’d hang around him, giggling and flirting. Lily desperately wanted to go and speak to him but her heart would pound and her mouth turn dry long before she went anywhere near him. Instead she retreated to the caravan park and at night, thoughts and images of him would make her stomach swirl in a way she’d never felt before.

  She hadn’t thought of him in all that time and she could hardly believe he was still here, still doing the same thing.

  The intervening years
had certainly done him no harm. His body had filled out from that of a teenager to a fully formed – and extremely muscular – man. With a certain amount of dismay, Lily noted how ridiculously handsome he still was.

  He was wearing an old T-shirt, dirt-streaked jeans and his jaw was shadowed by stubble. Clearly he didn’t pay much attention to his appearance although she supposed he pulled it off – if you liked that sort of thing. He turned his head and caught her gaze before she had a chance to look away. Lily’s heart starting thumping for some reason, and she fought her instinct to turn and run away.

  He straightened up and, after wiping his hands on an old rag, walked towards her. Based on Iris’s obvious high opinion of him and knowing she might have appeared slightly ungracious at their first meeting, Lily thought she should make an effort to appear friendly.

  ‘Hello again.’ He smiled tentatively at her and as their eyes met, Lily felt something in her response which surprised her. She was a grown professional woman now, not a gauche teenager with a crush on him.

  ‘Morning.’

  ‘You’ve been for a walk?’ he asked.

  She nodded her head. ‘To the waterfall and back.’

  ‘That’s a fair walk,’ he commented before lifting his eyes skywards. ‘Looks like you made it back just in time.

  Lily looked up. Sure enough, a massive black cloud loomed over them and she could actually feel a few specks of rain. She shook her head at the fickle climate. ‘Rain and midges,’ she muttered, rubbing at her arms. ‘Pretty much just as I remember.’

  ‘Kind of goes with the territory.’

  His eyes, which really were very green, travelled down Lily’s arms where all her earlier clawing had left unattractive red welts on her skin. ‘That looks quite nasty. Hold on, I’ll get you something.’

  ‘No, its fine—’ Lily started to object but in a few strides his long legs had already almost covered the distance to the centre where he disappeared through the door. Lily stared after him and fiddled with her hair, suddenly feeling self-conscious. Returning a couple of moments later, he handed her a tube.

  ‘Here, this should help cool your skin. We always keep a supply.’

  ‘Thanks.’ Lily rubbed some cream into skin, appreciating its instant soothing effect, and handed it back to him.

  A little silence descended over them, and Lily searched for something to say. ‘So er, you look busy,’ she tried.

  ‘Yeah, I’m just helping out today with the boats although I’m usually more behind the scenes these days.’

  ‘The place certainly looks different from how I remember,’ she commented.

  His eyes roamed her face and she wondered if he remembered her, which was silly. Of course he wouldn’t. ‘When were you last here?’ he asked.

  Lily lifted her eyes, calculating. ‘Over ten years ago. Before that though my mum used to drag me here every year until I was eighteen..’

  His mouth quirked. ‘Not your favourite holiday destination then?’

  ‘It was okay when I was younger, I suppose. But by the time I started university I’d only ever been to Carroch on holiday so I couldn’t wait to stretch my horizons, see different places.’

  ‘So where’d you go?’

  She shrugged. ‘Inter-railing around Europe, spent a few weeks in Asia when I was a student …’ Her voice trailed away, distracted by the intense way he was looking at her.

  ‘Sounds good,’ he said. ‘It depends what you’re looking for I guess.’

  ‘Suppose it does.’ It dawned on Lily now that she’d never found that one place in her heart that had made her want to return to, the way her mother had done here.

  ‘And you’ve not been back since?’ he asked, sounding surprised.

  She shook her head. ‘Not until now, no.’

  ‘You’ll see a big change then.’ He threw a glance over his shoulder and then brought his gaze back on her again. ‘I hope I didn’t startle you too much last night?’

  ‘No. Well, perhaps just a little,’ she admitted.

  He looked at her evenly. ‘So how are you getting on with Misty?’

  ‘Um, okay, I guess.’

  ‘You’re coping with her?’ he asked, a hint of amusement in his voice.

  ‘I’m managing,’ she assured him although she shuddered inwardly remembering the contents of the litter tray this morning. ‘Um, does it ever go out?’ she asked hopefully.

  ‘Not much. Occasionally she’ll make an appearance at my place but she seems happy to stay indoors.’

  Lily nodded silently. He was clearly fond of the cat, knew her habits – perhaps it could live with him. ‘I don’t suppose you’d like to take it?’

  ‘Misty, you mean?’ He looked a little incredulous.

  ‘Yes, Misty.’

  ‘I’ve been happy to help out but I’m not sure I’d want to take her.’

  Lily sighed. ‘It’s just all a bit of an inconvenience, that’s all.’

  ‘An inconvenience?’

  She cringed inwardly at how that sounded. ‘I—’

  ‘Perhaps if you’d come earlier it wouldn’t be an issue,’ he interrupted dryly.

  Lily frowned. ‘I just meant my flat in Edinburgh isn’t really suitable for a cat. But I’m sure I’ll find somewhere for her before I leave.’

  ‘You’re not hanging around then?’

  ‘Here?’ She didn’t mean to sound quite so horrified by the idea. ‘I’ve got work to get back to.’ At least she would have, once she’d got a few interviews lined up. ‘So I’ll be selling the shop as soon as possible.’

  His mouth tugged down at the corners. ‘Good for you. I’m sure you’ll get a good price for it.’

  ‘What? It’s not about the money—’

  ‘If you say so.’ He shrugged.

  ‘I do say so,’ she said, exasperated. God, he was infuriating.

  He turned his head on hearing someone call him and waved to acknowledge them. ‘Looks like I’ve got to go. See you.’

  Lily stood agog as he sauntered off, smiling briefly at two women as he passed them, much to their obvious pleasure.

  Oh please. Lily rolled her eyes. He might not have moved on with his life but she certainly had. She shook her head, wondering how in the two times she’d met Jack Armstrong, both times he’d succeeding in getting under her skin quite so much.

  She turned to leave, furiously scratching at her arm again, not understanding why she was so upset. She couldn’t believe he thought she was just here for the money. She didn’t need to explain or defend herself to him and why should she care what he thought? What did he know, anyway? Tinkering about with boats all day.

  She reached the main street, her eyes scanning the shops. Up ahead she could see the sign for a general store and made a beeline for it.

  The smart interior was a far cry from the sad-looking shop she vaguely remembered. The shelves were well-stocked and attractively presented and Lily stalked up and down the aisles half-listening to the conversation taking place at the till which seemed to revolve around the weather. She was surprised to see the shelves laden with fresh produce and grabbed a few things to keep her going over the next few days – milk, soup, free-range eggs, organic bread and tomatoes. Finally she added some more midge repellent and spotting some cat biscuits on offer, popped them in too.

  She felt a stab of annoyance as she approached the counter, the interminable conversation about the weather still ongoing. A knot of anxiety twisted in her stomach and she tried to ignore the feeling of having to be somewhere or do something. Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to relax. She wasn’t in a hurry, was she?

  Distracting herself she looked around, her eye caught by a section of outdoor clothes and water sports accessories obviously there to cater for all the outdoor activities. She ambled over to where there was an impressive array of waterproofs, fleeces and outdoor gear. She remembered Iris’s offer to go swimming and found herself rifling through a selection of wetsuits until she found what she reckoned would be her
size. On an impulse she put one in her basket and made her way back to the counter.

  Chapter 6

  Lily still hadn’t been able to face her mother’s room and had spent another night on the sofa. With everything she needed to hand she was beginning to feel like a little bird building itself a nest. She’d unpacked her clothes into neat piles and was working her way through a couple of paperbacks she’d found – if she ignored her aching back, she was comfortable enough.

  Although it hadn’t slept on her chest again the cat was always there, its watchful gaze fixed on her. It didn’t seem to ever leave the flat. Wasn’t it supposed to be out catching mice or something? Lily had never given much thought to what cats did all day and now knew it wasn’t much – at least, not this one. She was the very essence of mindfulness and Lily wished she had an ounce of her serenity.

  Lily fed it now, noting with grim satisfaction that it seemed to like the new biscuits she’d bought. After enduring the horror of emptying the litter tray she headed downstairs. She passed the door to her mother’s bedroom which remained closed. She knew it probably wasn’t helpful to keep putting it off but she simply wasn’t ready to deal with it yet. Instead, today she’d decided to tackle the shop.

  She opened the door to the shop and stepped inside with a little shiver. Outside the day was gloomy, giving off little light, and the air felt chilly. Lily flicked on the light switch, a warm glow illuminating the space and immediately making it appear warmer.

  Lily stood in the middle of the floor, her mind automatically switching to professional mode as her eyes made a sweep of the shop as a retail space. Although her work in Bremners had confined her mostly to her office, after James arrived she would often accompany him on walkabouts as he talked to all the different departmental managers, listening intently while they explained their roles. Of course, beneath all the chat and charm he was ruthlessly calculating – finding out how they operated, where costs could be saved. She remembered how people responded to him, more than happy to explain what they did and show him how they run their departments.