Time slipped by as they talked easily about everything from the state of the English government and the equally mind-boggling state of the Australian government to the royal family and which of their countries had the worst reputation for drinking. Elle was pretty sure Australians would be a strong contender for the trophy, but then again, the Scots loved their whisky …

When she glanced down at her watch she was shocked to find how late it was. ‘I’m sorry, you probably have work to do and I’ve been holding you up,’ Elle said, getting to her feet.

‘Not at all, I’ve really enjoyed the day. I’d forgotten how peaceful it was out there. Sometimes it takes seeing something through somebody else’s eyes to remind you to appreciate what you have.’

Elle smiled and found it hard to drag her eyes away from Stuart’s for a moment. ‘Well, I better get going. Thanks again for today … and the coffee.’

‘I’ll see you tomorrow.’

‘What time?’ Elle asked, as she hovered at the front door.

‘How about you take my number and call me when you’re about to leave? That way I can make sure I’ve finished up whatever I’m doing so I’m ready when you get here.’ He slid his wallet from his back pocket and handed over a business card.

She looked down at the card in her hand. ‘At least I know who to call if I need a solicitor specialising in banking and finance.’

Stuart did that crooked-grin thing again and she suddenly had a weird little flutter of nerves.

‘I’ll call you tomorrow,’ Elle said quickly, before abruptly turning to head down the front steps to her car. She saw him in the rear-view mirror, standing on the steps, watching her with his hands in his pockets as she drove away, then she forced herself to get her mind back on track.

‘Gran?’ Silence greeted her. Elle wished she knew how this thing was supposed to work. She’d last heard from Gran back at Isla and Gavan’s memorial. What did this silence now mean? There had to be more to all this than just ticking off places they had always wanted to see. After all, plenty of people died with regrets. Gran had mended fences with her sister, and they’d found Stormeil Castle. There was really only one last thing to do—but now that the time had come, Elle really didn’t want to do it. Was Gran feeling the same way? Is that why she disappeared so often?

‘It’s okay, Gran. We don’t have to do anything until we’re ready.’

Elle had no idea what, if any, control they had over whatever it was that connected them, but for now she was going to do a Gran and simply not deal with it.