‘Great. It was incredible, actually. Lilly, I finally felt as though I fitted in somewhere. One of the cousins is an artist—an honest to God, real artist. She’s had her artwork hung in galleries in Paris.’

‘No way,’ Lilly said, surprised.

‘I know! And you’re never going to believe this, but … I sold three of my sketches,’ Elle blurted, covering her mouth with her hand to stop herself squealing into the phone like an idiot.

‘You did not!’ Lilly gasped. ‘How? When? Who to?’

‘My cousins have a gift shop, and Grace, the cousin who’s an artist, put three of my sketches up before I left—and someone bought them. Like, a real customer.’

‘Elle, that’s so freaking amazing. You’re amazing!’

‘And they have red hair, just like me.’

‘Sounds like you really hit it off.’

‘We did,’ she smiled. ‘I wasn’t really expecting to, since Mum and Dad had organised it, but I’m really glad I got to meet them.’

‘So, where are you now?’

‘I’m still on the Isle of Skye.’

‘Have you found the castle?’

‘Yes. A couple of days ago.’

‘And Gran? Is she still … with you?’

Elle kind of wished she hadn’t mentioned the whole Gran-talking-to-her thing before she left. ‘It’s complicated.’

‘Oh?’

‘She hasn’t been around as much,’ Elle hedged.

‘Have you scattered her ashes yet?’ Elle heard the slight frown in her friend’s voice at the question.

‘No, not yet. I’ve kind of been busy.’

‘Doing what?’

‘Well, I sort of … met someone,’ Elle said, reluctantly.

‘What? Who? What’s his name? What’s he like?’

Elle briefly closed her eyes and again wished she’d kept her mouth shut. But this was Lilly. They told each other everything. Only, this time it was different. She wasn’t sure how to answer.

‘His name’s Stuart,’ she said eventually, ‘and he owns the land around Stormeil. He’s … nice.’

‘Nice?’ Lilly repeated doubtfully.

‘Yes, he’s nice. Really nice,’ she added.

‘It sounds like he’s more than just nice if you’ve delayed the whole Gran thing. Is it serious?’

‘No, of course not. I mean, that would be ridiculous.’

‘Why?’ Lilly asked bluntly.

‘Well, because …’ Elle found herself floundering. ‘It just would be.’

The line went suspiciously quiet for a moment and she could imagine Lilly narrowing her eyes thoughtfully on the other end. ‘You sound pretty flustered over something that’s supposed to be nothing.’

‘I’m not flustered! It’s early over here and I haven’t had coffee yet. I just rang because I was missing you.’

‘We miss you too. Nice topic change, by the way, but okay, I get that you’re a bit nervous.’

‘Of what?’

‘The possibility of a relationship. I mean, you’ve avoided them up to now because you’ve never been able to find anyone you think your mother will approve of.’