‘Well, sure, it would be grand to see the family again, but I don’t know.’ Gran had been a little flustered as she whisked the feather duster over the coffee table, turning away. ‘They’re like strangers now. It’s been so long.’

It had never been easy to bring up her family in conversation, and Elle knew, deep down, that the trip was never going to eventuate. Gran had known it too, she thought. She just couldn’t admit it out loud.

Elle frowned, thinking once again about the peculiar things that had happened lately. At first it was subtle—she would absentmindedly pick up a book and it would be set in Scotland, or she would see something on the news. She would spot strange shapes that looked like the shape of the country, or Scottish music would come on the radio. Then it had been other odd occurrences. Things she was trying hard to explain rationally.

Yesterday she had walked past her bedside table and discovered one of her gran’s crocheted handkerchiefs that hadn’t been there before. She often swore she could smell her gran’s perfume throughout the day, only she could never find anything that would explain why. It was clearly some kind of grief-related issue, but it seemed to be getting worse.

Elle had been quietly saving money in a special account that she refused to label My Scotland Fund. She wasn’t game to tell anyone about it; her parents would disapprove immediately. An overseas holiday would be a frivolous thing to do.

They still hoped she would find her way back into study and a career. As much as it frustrated her, she understood their feelings. They wanted each of their children to be independent, strong people. A career guaranteed security. They were so alike, her parents—both strong-minded and capable—and there was no question they loved each of their children, but they just didn’t get Elspeth.

Elle knew she lacked her siblings’ ambition, and she was okay with that. She didn’t feel a need to want anything. Sure, she liked to splurge on a new phone now and again, she was always in the craft barn in town on payday buying art supplies, and she couldn’t resist a new pair of boots once in a while, but she didn’t spend more than she made. Elle paid her bills on time and she had a superannuation account and some savings … She was doing all the adult things she needed to do. Her parents just couldn’t understand that she simply didn’t need a house or an expensive car or a fancy job. She was happy doing her own thing—hanging out with her friends, taking her art classes and working at Brown’s.