They talked for a while longer, Anna detailing the events of both lunch clubs, but it was clear that the subject looming largest between them needed some air to breathe. As, Anna decided, did she.

‘The wind’s really up here today,’ she told Cathy. ‘I think I’ll go out for a walk. Blow out the cobwebs, let in some air.’

They said their goodbyes and Anna suited up for a chilly walk on the cliff, adding a waterproof jacket over her fleece and jeans. She was locking the door of the Fishergirl’s Luck when a voice soared to her over the wind whipping along the sea wall.

‘Looks as if we’re in the nick of time!’

She turned to see the two Roberts MacKenzie coming towards her from the pier, grins on their faces, hair blown into an unruly muss by the wind. Both were in their yellow jackets.

‘We’re going on dolphin patrol!’ Young Robbie yelled. ‘You’ll come too, won’t you?’

For a moment Anna forgot the secret she carried, forgot how it would change everything and everyone around her once it was known. The sight of them: their simple enthusiasm, the way the wind had rubbed their cheeks red – made her smile and laugh as if this was any other Sunday afternoon.

‘It’s only us today,’ Old Robbie added as he came to a standstill in front of her, eyes crinkling in a smile that rarely seemed to go away. ‘Fraser and Jamie have taken Emma out for afternoon tea in Inverness. It’s her birthday.’

‘Oh! I wish I’d known, I’d have got her something,’ Anna said. ‘I’ll have to make a note for next year so I don’t forget.’

Robert MacKenzie’s smile became deeper, warmer. ‘Well, that’s a relief,’ he said.

‘What is?’

‘That you’re planning to be here next year.’

Anna blinked. She hadn’t even noticed her slip.

‘It wasn’t so many weeks ago that you said you weren’t sure you’d stay, or even come back.’ Robert nudged his son’s arm and Anna realized that Young Robbie had grown even in the short time that she’d known him. ‘We must be doing something right, lad.’

Young Robbie beamed a smile and pushed his glasses up his nose. ‘You should learn to sail,’ he said, ‘and get a boat! Then you can be a proper part of dolphin patrol.’

‘Ach, she’s a proper part anyway,’ Robert mock-scolded. ‘She’s coming out with us in this bluster instead of tucking herself away for a Sunday on the sofa, isn’t she?’

Anna watched them both and felt a strange pang, a vague longing that knew no place to settle except on her heart. Something must have shown on her face because when Robert looked at her his smile faded.

‘Hey – it’s fine if you don’t want to come,’ he said.