Sunset over Brightwater Bay

by Holly Hepburn

  Steady. That was exactly the right word for Niall. He’d certainly been her rock since she’d come to Orkney, although she was more aware than ever that it was his job to support her. But Alex had been steady too, for the best part of sixteen years.

  ‘Not that Niall is boring, mind,’ Sheila continued. ‘I know it can seem like he’s married to his job but that’s just his passion for Orkney.’

  ‘I can certainly understand that,’ Merry said. ‘It’s the kind of place that inspires passion.’

  It most certainly was, Merry thought, watching a cluster of guillemots soar across the cornflower sky. She’d done plenty of research before her residency had begun but nothing could have prepared her for just how beautiful the islands were and there was still a lot that she hadn’t seen. Orkney had worked its magic on her, encouraging her creativity to flow and teaching her to believe in love again. She’d hoped to find the peace and quiet to get over her writer’s block; she hadn’t expected to find serenity.

  ‘You’ll miss it when you go back to London.’

  Merry felt the same hard knot in her stomach that had become familiar whenever she thought about leaving Orkney. How would she cope without her view of Brightwater Bay each morning? Without the wild, exhilarating freedom that came when she ran along the cliffs? London had plenty of parks, and her flat in Chiswick wasn’t far from the river, but it couldn’t offer the same spectacular views that blessed her running here. And what if her rediscovered ability to write depended somehow on this remarkable place? Even so, she knew she couldn’t stay – the residency was coming to an end and the rest of her life lay in London. She had to go back.

  She squashed the knot down and summoned up a smile. ‘I will miss it. Maybe even Gordon.’

  The glance Sheila tossed over one shoulder was speculative. ‘I daresay Alex knows that too. Which is why I imagine he’s turned up now, to remind you where your home is.’

  He hadn’t said it in so many words but it had definitely been there in the subtext, Merry thought. It’ll be just like it was, Mer – you and me with London at our feet.

  ‘Look, you can tell me to mind my own business if you like,’ Sheila began, with the kind of placid confidence that suggested no one ever had. ‘But when you get to my age you realize it’s better to be blunt and it seems to me that Alex is part of your past, not your future. And it doesn’t matter where you’re actually living – you’ve moved on.’

  ‘That’s pretty much what Jess says,’ Merry conceded, remembering all the times her best friend had expressed the same sentiment in the months following the break-up.

  ‘Well, then,’ Sheila said. ‘Great minds think alike. Do yourself a favour and tell Alex that ship has sailed.’

  Merry opened her mouth to reply but the other woman wasn’t finished. ‘And make sure you don’t miss your own ship,’ she said, with another shrewd look. ‘There’s nothing worse than a lifetime of regret because you didn’t quite have the courage to reach for what you want. Believe me, I know.’

  With that final cryptic comment, she lengthened her stride and began to pull away from Merry. ‘Say hullo to Jess, won’t you?’ she called as the distance between them grew. ‘Remind her she promised to put me in her next book!’

  Merry watched her go, then checked her watch; if she wanted to go for lunch with Jess and Niall, she should turn back now. But that would mean a six-mile run rather than eight, and her head was still a jumble of thoughts and emotions that she was struggling to untangle. Perhaps another mile might give her some much-needed clarity, she pondered, although she’d be cutting it fine for making herself presentable enough for lunch. Then again, it was unlikely Jess and Niall would finish early at Skara Brae and altogether possible they’d be late themselves. Turning her face to the sun, Merry began another mile.

  Chapter Two

  There was no sign of Niall’s car when Merry puffed into view of the croft. Wincing at the ache in her legs, she leaned against the door, first gripping one ankle and then the other to stretch her tired muscles. She had run further than she’d intended – over ten miles – and now it was almost midday and she had very little time to shower before Jess and Niall returned. But she felt better for the longer run, clearer headed, at any rate, and she was more than ready for lunch.

  By the time she’d taken a hurried shower and dressed, there was still no sign of Jess and Niall. Merry reached for her phone, expecting to see a message from Jess explaining they’d been held up. Instead, she found a message from Alex.

  Dinner tonight? I’d love to see you if you’re free x

  She stared at it for several long seconds, trying to work out how she felt. A significant chunk of her run had been spent sifting through her emotions over Alex’s surprise appearance and Sheila’s advice had lingered long after the older woman had vanished over the horizon. Tell Alex that ship has sailed, she’d said, and Merry had arrived at the inescapable conclusion she was talking sense. But that was before this message, with the single kiss that he’d only taken to adding since their break-up. Merry’s finger hovered over the screen. Should she reply with a bright and breezy Thanks but no thanks? Or accept the invitation so that she could give Alex the news in person? She probably owed him that much. The trouble was that dinner with Alex would mean abandoning Jess for the evening, which hardly felt fair; Jess was only on Orkney for a few days, after all. But Alex wasn’t going to be around for long either – maybe she should deal with him first. Merry sighed and rubbed her temples. Life seemed suddenly a lot more complicated than it had twenty-four hours earlier.

  She was saved from sinking further into the agony of indecision by the sound of a car drawing up outside. Stuffing her phone into her bag, she got up and hurried to the door, only to meet Jess on the doorstep.

  ‘Sorry, need a wee,’ Jess gasped, squeezing past her. ‘Long queue – thought I could wait but we got held up on the way back.’

  Merry winced in sympathy. ‘Poor you. Take your time – I’ll see you in the car.’

  Niall smiled as she opened the rear passenger door and slid along the back seat. ‘Hello. How was your run? Has Sheila talked you into the London Marathon yet?’

  ‘Not yet,’ Merry said, knowing he was only half joking. ‘I think she’s biding her time, waiting until my guard is down. How was Skara Brae?’

  ‘As awe-inspiring as ever,’ Niall replied. ‘I think Jess enjoyed it, although the journey here was a little bit fraught.’

  Merry glanced across at the door of the croft, where Jess had just reappeared looking a lot happier. ‘Jess mentioned a hold up. What was the problem?’

  ‘A coach load of tourists arrived just as we were leaving, so the queue for the ladies was longer than usual,’ Niall explained. ‘And then we ran into the aftermath of an accident on the road – nothing serious but enough to cause a delay. Which had an – erm – knock-on effect on Jessie.’

  Right on cue, Jess opened the car and swung herself into the passenger seat. ‘That’s better. I can honestly say I’ve never been so happy to see you, Mer.’

  Merry couldn’t help laughing. ‘Thanks. I think.’

  Jess grinned over her shoulder. ‘Any time. What do you want to eat? I’m starving – who knew travelling back in time thousands of years gave you such an appetite?’

  ‘Me,’ Niall said. ‘How about the Aurora, just along from the harbour in Kirkwall?’

  ‘Yes please,’ Merry replied. ‘You have to try the Orkney crab, Jess.’

  ‘Sold,’ Jess said promptly. ‘Let’s hope that bus-load of tourists hasn’t had the same idea.’

  Kirkwall was busy, its streets thronging with the usual crowds of summer visitors, and Merry was secretly wondering whether they’d be able to get a table at Aurora. But she should have known Niall would have everything under control; they were greeted at the door by the owner himself.

  ‘Hullo, Niall,’ Rory said, clapping him warmly on the shoulder. ‘It’s always good to see you. Especially when you bring my favourite author.�
�

  Merry smiled. She’d met the restaurant owner several times now and he seemed to up the charm with each meeting. ‘Hello, Rory. How are you?’

  ‘All the better for seeing you,’ Rory replied, his dark eyes twinkling. His gaze moved to Jess. ‘And you must be Jessie Edwards. My wife came to your event last night and she’s had her nose in one of your books ever since.’ He shook his head and sighed. ‘I had to get my own breakfast this morning.’

  Jess’s delight was evident. ‘I wish I could say I’m sorry but I’m not.’

  Niall laughed. ‘Rory used to be head chef at the Savoy. He’s perfectly capable of making a bit of toast.’

  ‘Just about,’ Rory conceded cheerfully. ‘Now, I saved you one of the window tables. It’s not often we have celebrity diners and I want to make sure everyone gets a good look at you.’

  ‘Merry’s the superstar, not me,’ Jess said. ‘I’m just hanging onto her coat tails and basking in the reflected glory.’

  ‘I’m not the most stolen author in Orkney library,’ Merry pointed out. ‘You are.’

  ‘Really?’ Jess said, her jaw dropping in astonishment.

  ‘Really,’ Niall confirmed with a sigh. ‘I’ve had to replace Ball Boys three times in the last few months. Gorgeous is also proving very popular with our more light-fingered readers.’

  ‘I don’t know whether to feel flattered or furious,’ Jess said, although Merry thought she looked pleased.

  ‘If it helps, it’s a distinction you share with Ian Rankin and Diana Gabaldon,’ Niall told her.

  ‘There you go, then,’ Rory said with a wink. ‘Definitely a celebrity.’

  He led them over to a table that was bang in the centre of a large floor to ceiling window. Merry exchanged a wry look with Jess – Rory hadn’t been kidding about making sure they were seen. But it did at least give them a panoramic view of the harbour, and of the sunshine sparkling on the water beyond.

  ‘Now, what can I get you to drink?’ Rory asked once they were all seated. ‘This round is on the house.’

  Merry eyed the wine list wistfully. ‘Just a sparkling water for me,’ she said, turning to the page of non-alcoholic drinks. ‘I’m driving.’

  ‘A glass of prosecco, please,’ Jess said, without hesitation.

  ‘I think I might join you,’ Niall said.

  Jess grinned. ‘Thank god for that – I hate drinking alone.’

  ‘Me too,’ Rory said. ‘I’ll bring you a bottle and then you can keep each other company throughout lunch.’

  Jess cast a moderately apologetic look Merry’s way. ‘Sorry, babes. Next time.’

  ‘It’s fine,’ Merry said, trying hard to ignore a niggle of something she couldn’t quite put her finger on. ‘I’ll have to drive later, anyway.’

  ‘Oh, where are we going?’ Jess asked, her eyes gleaming. ‘Is it the whisky distillery? Please say yes!’

  Too late, Merry realized she should have kept her thoughts to herself. Now she’d have to explain that her plans didn’t involve Jess, or a visit to Highland Park. She shifted uncomfortably in her seat. ‘Alex wants to meet for a drink.’

  Jess eyed her in silence for a moment, then sighed. ‘I suppose it’s too much to hope that you told him to shove it?’

  ‘Well, I haven’t said yes yet—’

  ‘But you’re going to,’ Jess cut in bluntly. She sighed again. ‘I know you said you can’t just ignore him but I still don’t really understand why. He had his chance, he blew it and now he needs to move on.’

  Across the table, Niall cleared his throat. ‘I’ve just remembered there’s something I need to sort out. Will you excuse me?’

  He stood up. Merry’s cheeks burned as he made his way across the restaurant but she kept her gaze fixed on her best friend. ‘It’s one drink, Jess. And I’m planning to tell him there’s no hope of us getting back together.’

  The news seemed to mollify Jess. ‘Good,’ she said, sitting back. ‘In that case, I might forgive you for abandoning me.’

  ‘It’s only for an hour or so,’ Merry replied. ‘And I’ll pick us up a takeaway on the way back – how about that?’

  ‘Okay,’ Jess conceded. ‘As long as you promise you won’t let Alex talk you into anything else. Like a wedding.’

  Merry laughed. ‘I think I can safely say there’s no chance of that.’

  A few moments later, Niall reappeared. He glanced at Jess as he retook his seat. ‘Were you serious about visiting Highland Park? I gave them a call and they’d be happy to offer you an informal, after-hours tour this evening if you’d like. It won’t be as grand as the one they laid on for Merry but you’ll get to see how things work and taste a few of their whiskies.’

  Jess blinked. ‘Sounds amazing – where do I sign?’

  He laughed. ‘They close at five so it would mean hanging around Kirkwall until then. Does that sound okay?’

  ‘No worries at all,’ Jess said. ‘It’ll give me a chance to check out the shops.’

  ‘Great,’ Niall said warmly. He nodded at Merry. ‘We’ll sort out a taxi back to the croft, so you can enjoy your evening out.’

  Merry fought to keep her expression neutral as she felt her stomach twist. ‘It’s hardly an evening out.’

  Niall tipped his head. ‘It means you can keep your options open. If you need to.’

  ‘Unless you’d rather come and drink whisky with us,’ Jess said innocently. ‘I know which I’d choose.’

  In other circumstances, Merry would have loved to visit the distillery again, especially with Jess and Niall. The shadow of Alex was looming over her and she knew she had to deal with him, for both their sakes. Besides, Niall’s invitation hadn’t extended to her – he’d only asked Jess. And why should he have invited Merry? She’d just revealed she was thinking of meeting Alex, after all, and Niall was simply being his usual professional self in making sure Jess wasn’t left at a loose end. Just like he had that morning, Merry reminded herself. Which was part of the problem, if she was honest; the idea of Jess and Niall hanging out together made her uneasy. It shouldn’t but it did.

  ‘No,’ she said slowly, fighting an irrational desire to say she would join them. ‘I really ought to meet Alex.’

  ‘I’ll still be up for a takeaway later,’ Jess said. ‘Unless Niall gets me too drunk to stand up.’

  Niall grinned. ‘It’s not me you have to worry about – it’s Andrew. He could drink Valhalla dry and still navigate his way home. Isn’t that right, Merry?’

  Merry forced herself to smile. ‘So the legends say.’

  ‘Sounds like my kind of man,’ Jess said with approval and reached for the menu. ‘I think I’m going to need a bigger lunch.’

  * * *

  ‘So, this is where the magic happens.’

  Alex was standing in the middle of Merry’s living room, gazing around with an expression she couldn’t quite decipher.

  ‘I suppose you could say that,’ she replied. ‘It’s where I write, anyway.’

  ‘You weren’t kidding when you said it was small.’

  ‘It’s perfect for me.’ Merry resisted the urge to fold her arms defensively across her chest. She was already regretting allowing him to come to the croft but his obvious curiosity had been hard to deflect as they’d discussed the plan for that evening.

  ‘I just want to see where you’ve been hiding away all these months,’ he’d said down the phone. ‘That’s not too much to ask, is it?’

  He had sounded so reasonable that she hadn’t felt able to say no. And naturally that had led to his suggestion that he pick her up in his hire car, rather than her drive to meet him. But now that Alex was here, in the refuge she’d fled to in the aftermath of their break-up, she wished she’d stuck to her original plan and met him at the pub.

  He glanced at her now and smiled. ‘It’s not a criticism – I can see it suits you.’

  The genuine warmth behind his words surprised Merry. ‘Oh. Well, thanks.’

  ‘In fact, I understand why yo
u’re tempted to stay,’ he continued and gestured towards the window, with the bay beyond it. ‘Who wouldn’t be, waking up to that view?’

  Here comes the part where he reminds me where I really belong, Merry thought, just as Sheila predicted. But Alex surprised her again. ‘What I’m trying to say is that I think you did the right thing, coming here. But since that’s a conversation we should probably have over a glass of wine, let’s save it until we’re in the pub. Are you ready to go?’

  His comments were so unexpected that she nearly forgot her resolve to take her own car. But the thought of Alex driving her home once she’d told him there was no hope of a reconciliation was enough to make her draw in a deep breath. ‘I was thinking I might take my own car, actually. It seems silly to make you drive all the way out here again later – you might as well stay in Kirkwall.’

  ‘I don’t mind bringing you home,’ he said. ‘You must have to drive most of the time – why don’t you give yourself the night off?’

  ‘I’m supposed to pick Jess up later,’ Merry fibbed.

  ‘I’m sure she can get a taxi.’ He fixed a steady-eyed gaze on Merry. ‘Unless the issue here is you can’t bear to be in a car with me.’

  Merry felt warmth begin to rise in her cheeks and she fought to keep herself from blushing. ‘No, of course not,’ she said, crossing her fingers where Alex couldn’t see. ‘It’s just less hassle for everyone if I take my car.’

  ‘Everyone except you,’ he said, frowning. ‘But I don’t want to make you uncomfortable. The offer is there if you want it.’

  His gaze remained level but she knew him well enough to know he must be growing impatient. The trouble was, she could see it made sense from his point of view – why take two cars when one would do? And the pub they were going to was in Kirkwall, at least; she could ring Jess when she left Alex and maybe they could share a cab back to the croft. Assuming Jess was ready to come home by the time Merry had finished breaking the bad news to Alex, that was…