‘Ella, meet Drew, my husband,’ said Isla. ‘He’s only here to try and get his mug on the telly.’ Isla gave him an adoring smile, but Drew was rolling his eyes.

‘Whatever the reason, I’m sure Flynn appreciates all the community support.’ Ella stretched out her hand and shook Drew’s. ‘Pleased to meet you.’

‘Oooh, it’s your first day,’ remembered Isla, ‘and with all this going on too!’

‘I know, and I’m really looking forward to it,’ replied Ella, moving towards the front of the boat. As the boat began to rock Roman held out his hand to steady her. Even though he was putting on a smile, Ella noticed his eyes looked troubled.

‘We’re going to perch in the middle,’ Callie told Ella. ‘It’s less rocky.’

Ella nodded. ‘I’m going to catch the breeze up at the front.’ She sat down just at the side of Roman. Wilbur had taken a seat next to Drew and everyone was chatting away as Roman readjusted his seat and carried out the safety checks.

‘Aren’t you sitting with your friends?’ asked Roman, casting a glance over his shoulder towards the rest of them.

‘I quite fancied a seat up the front and thought I’d come and keep you company, if that’s okay?’ Ella knew this would be the perfect opportunity to hand back the appointment card and once more offer any help she could. She was just waiting for the right moment.

‘Of course,’ he replied, tipping his cap. ‘Let’s get you all across this river. Thankfully the rain has stopped for the moment. It’s definitely the finest views up front.’

‘And the best way to travel to work,’ said Ella. ‘So different from the city life. You must find that too, coming from Edinburgh,’ she continued. ‘Which do you prefer?’

‘They both have their pros and cons,’ he replied, sitting down and placing the key in the ignition. ‘Pull on that lever… go on!’

Ella leant forwards and pulled the lever. She jumped out of her skin as the horn hollered out across the water.

Everyone behind her laughed.

‘We are ready to set sail,’ declared Roman, giving her a smile.

The journey across to The Lakehouse was blissfully therapeutic even though a little rocky today, bobbing along the river with the breeze in her hair, compared to her old commute to her gift shop in the city. The sky was dark and no doubt more rain was on the way. Ella could hear nothing but the slapping of the waves against the boat and the gulls circling above the whitewashed cliffs. She took in the magnificent view and knew she would never tire of it. In the distance there were a number of speed boats crashing through the water further along and a handful of bikers riding along the coastal path.