‘Well, if you need a hand, I’m thinking I’ll stay around for a bit longer,’ Elle offered, and the sisters swapped glances.

‘That would be brilliant,’ Aila said excitedly. ‘You can move in with me, I’ve got a spare room.’

‘I’m not sure how long I’ll stay, but I’m happy to help out where I can.’

‘We can definitely work something out,’ Grace said. ‘I wouldn’t mind being able to put my feet up a bit more than I have been.’

‘Let me know when you want me to start,’ Elle said, finding herself excited by the prospect.

After everyone went home, Alister and Peter went out to bring in the luggage, and Elle had a chance to sit with her mum over coffee.

‘You and the girls look like three peas in a pod,’ her mother said.

‘I know. I couldn’t believe it when I was surrounded by redheads over here,’ Elle grinned.

‘You think you’ll still stay longer?’ Caroline asked.

‘I think so, Mum. I know it’s not what you want me to do, but I … I’m happy here. I’d like to spend some time with the family here, and explore more of Scotland. I’m just not ready to go back home yet.’

Her mother reached out to stroke Elle’s hair. ‘Just remember you have family back home too, who miss you,’ she said gently, and Elle once again realised how long it had been since she and her mother had been able to talk like this. Without the frustration and arguments.

‘I know. It’s just something I feel like I need to do.’

‘Grace mentioned earlier that you’d sold some of your drawings,’ her mother said after they’d sat in silence for a while. ‘Why didn’t you tell us?’

Elle traced a finger along the seam of the couch before answering. ‘I knew what you’d say,’ she said, then looked up at her mother. ‘That selling one or two pieces of art didn’t mean anything—it wasn’t enough to make a career of.’

‘But it did mean something,’ Caroline replied. ‘To you. I hate that you don’t feel like you can share those kinds of moments with us—the things that make you happy.’ She smiled sadly. ‘You have a talent, Elle. I should have told you that a long time ago.’

‘Why didn’t you?’ Elle asked. She didn’t want to spoil their newfound truce, but her mother’s announcement surprised her.

‘I guess I was worried that it would encourage you to give up completely on finding a career and you’d only focus on art,’ Caroline said wearily.

‘Mum, you were the only one who hadn’t given up on me finding a “career”. You just weren’t listening to me.’

‘I know. I just wanted what was best for you.’