‘All right, it’s definitely time that you stopped talking.’ He rolled her swiftly onto her back and came down on top of her, pinning her still with his weight. ‘If the only thing on your mind is love, I’m going to have to do something brutal.’ But his eyes were gentle and she giggled softly.

How did he feel about her?

How did she feel about him?

She really didn’t know.

Their relationship was the most thrilling, exciting thing that had ever happened to her, but at the same time she knew that there couldn’t be a happy ending.

But for the time being she was just going to live in the present.

And that was what she did.

But rumours were gradually spreading across Glenmore.

* * *

A few weeks into their relationship, Flora was in the pub with the rest of the medical centre staff, including an extremely pregnant Evanna.

‘At the weekend I’m taking you over to the mainland.’ Logan raised his glass to his wife. ‘That baby is going to come any time now.’

‘No hurry.’ Evanna glanced at Flora. ‘Are you going to manage?’

‘Of course.’

‘Hey, Conner.’ Jim wandered over to their table and slapped Conner on the shoulders. ‘How are you doing?’

Flora studied her grapefruit juice intently, careful not to look at Conner.

‘I’m good, Jim.’ Conner leaned back in his chair and stretched his legs out under the table. ‘And you?’

‘Bit tired.’ Jim winked at him. ‘Woken up by that bike of yours at three in the morning every night this week. Thought to myself, Young Conner’s been out on the hunt.’

Flora felt her face flame, but Conner simply stifled a yawn, apparently unflustered. ‘Just relieving the boredom of being stuck on Glenmore, Jim. Do you blame me?’

‘No, but I envy you.’ Jim gave a delighted laugh. ‘Go on, lad. Tell us the name of the lucky girl. Knowing you, it’s someone different from the girl you were hiding in the waves the night we saw you on the beach.’

‘Of course. That was weeks ago and I’m not into long relationships.’ Conner didn’t falter but Flora’s breathing stopped and inside she suffered an agony of embarrassment.

People were talking. Of course they were. How could she have imagined otherwise?

How long would it take for people to put two and two together?

And how would she cope with being on the receiving end of everyone’s nudges and winks?

This time she’d be the one that everyone was talking about when they bought their apples in the greengrocer on the quay. She’d be the subject of speculative glances when she took her books back to the library.

Flora tightened her fingers round her glass and tried to breathe steadily and slow her heart rate, but inside she was shrinking because she knew only too well what they’d all be saying.