‘I suppose so,’ Robert admitted. He glanced up at Anna again. ‘Did you get the solicitor to dig up the deeds?’

‘Not yet,’ Anna said. ‘I didn’t really see what good they would do. I mean, what am I going to do, tack them up in the window? But it sounds as though I’d better before I put this place up as a holiday rental. Otherwise I can see the same person – or people – making trouble online. You know how word of mouth and rumour works in the hospitality business. A couple of malicious reviews and I’ll be scuppered before I’ve even had a chance to establish the place. Besides, I’d hate to think that anyone staying here would be harassed for it.’

‘What about the lunch club?’ Pat asked. ‘You are going to try again, aren’t you?’

‘Yes,’ Frank said. ‘What you’ve served us today was absolutely delicious, Anna. And I can fit a new sink for you, no problem. It sounded as if this Turner woman would be willing to do a quick turnaround once it’s in. If we get the measurements written down and head up to Inverness first thing on Monday, I could have it in for you by Monday evening.’

‘Yes!’ Rhona said, with full enthusiasm. ‘Today wasn’t a cancellation, it was a postponement. Lunch club can start next weekend, instead, can’t it?’

Anna sipped her wine and shook her head. ‘Oh, I don’t think so. It was a daft notion in the first place. No,’ she said, holding up one hand to fend off the instant protests from her friends. ‘I’d rather just cook for you lot. Really. Rhona, I’m sorry you went to the trouble of making me all this beautiful flatware, but believe me – I’ll make it a feature on the rental listing and I’ll take some of it with me wherever I end up.’

Rhona shook her head. ‘The lunch club wasn’t a daft idea,’ she said. ‘It was a great one, and I’m sorry someone made you feel otherwise.’

Anna reached out and covered her friend’s hand with hers. ‘Thank you,’ she said, as Rhona squeezed her fingers. ‘To all of you. It means a lot that I’ve made such supportive friends here. But I don’t want to go to war. Not over something that was only ever going to be for a few weeks. It really isn’t worth it.’

Sixteen

Liam surprised her by arriving at her door on Monday morning. She answered a knock to find him standing on the step of the Fishergirl’s Luck with a curiously pensive look on his face.

‘Hello,’ she smiled, as she held the door open to usher him past her. ‘I didn’t expect to see you so soon. Surely you only got back last night?’