Nick disappears from his life.”
“Where is Rory?” Logan asked.
“At home with Arran. I’m not staying long. I only came to rant about Nick.”
“He’ll be back,” Logan insisted. “I’m going to try and fit the kitchen. I know the house has been stressing him out generally. He’ll feel better if a few jobs are done whenever he comes back.”
“Aww.” Leana reached across the bar and rubbed Logan’s arm. “And you spent all this time pretending you don’t like Nick.”
He swatted her away. “I don’t like him. I feel sorry for him. There’s a big difference.”
“You’re not fooling anyone.” Leana smirked as she moved along the bar to serve customers. “Why don’t you ask Alasdair to help you with the kitchen?”
Logan blurted a laugh. “I’m never working on a building project with Alasdair again.”
“Why not?” Leana asked.
“It didn’t go well when we built his recording studio together.”
Leana shifted her attention to the customers in front of her. As Elspeth and Logan continued to speculate over how long Nick might be away for, Lexie sipped at her water, hoping it might alleviate her nausea. She’d treated Nick so badly and now he was having a terrible time. But surely he wouldn’t really move back to Fort William. His life was in Lannick. Once his mum was well again, he’d see there was nothing for him in Fort William. He was twenty-four years old; he couldn’t give up his life to care for his mum. He probably would, though. It was Nick after all. Leana had been right when she’d said he’d always jump in to help anyone who needed it.
When Leana came back to them, she glared at Logan. “Alasdair said everything went great when you built the recording studio. And he’s got a degree in engineering – he should be good at building things.”
Logan shook his head and grimaced. “He understands building in theory. In practice, he’s a nightmare. He questions everything I do.”
“Then why did he think it went well?” Leana asked.
Logan flashed a smug smile. “Because I have the patience of a saint.”
“We know that,” Elspeth quipped. “You live with Isla!”
“Hey!” Isla’s voice was high-pitched as she flicked the back of Elspeth’s head. “I heard that.”
“Where did you spring from?” Elspeth asked, laughing.
“You messaged me and invited me for a drink.”
“I didn’t expect you to turn up. I knew he’d come, though,” she said, smiling at Alasdair who’d followed Isla in. “We were just talking about you actually. Leana volunteered you to help Logan with Nick’s kitchen.”
Alasdair rubbed his hands together to warm them up. “I’m up for that. I enjoyed our last DIY project.”
Logan draped an arm around Isla and shot Elspeth a fierce look. “I don’t need help. I called one of the guys who teaches the construction course at the college. I sometimes work with him, and I thought he’d probably know Nick from the college and agree to mates’ rates. I figured I could work for free and give Larry the money Nick was going to give me.”
“That’s nice of you,” Isla said, leaning into Logan. “And he’s got time to help?”
“Aye. Apparently Nick helped Larry move some furniture or something. He bloody loves Nick. He was keen to help and completely shot me down when I talked about payment.”
“Nick’s a very popular guy,” Isla said with a grin.
“Don’t I know it,” Logan grumbled, then turned to Alasdair. “Thanks for the offer anyway.”
“I can still help. It’ll be quicker with three of us.”
Logan looked as though he wasn’t convinced. “We’re doing it tomorrow. I’d hate to disturb your Saturday.”
“Leana’s working so it’s no problem. What time are you starting?”
“Around nine.” Logan’s smile looked anything but sincere. “Thanks.”
“No problem. Shall we move to a table?” Alasdair suggested, scanning the pub.
“I’m going home,” Lexie said, slipping off the stool. “You can sit here.”
“Are you okay?” Elspeth asked.
“Fine. I think I need an early night. See you later,” she called and made a beeline for the door.
At home, she changed into her pyjamas before climbing into bed. Her chest felt as though it was being crushed as she thought of Nick. She picked up her phone and scrolled to his number, longing to call and ask if he was okay. But she knew he wasn’t okay, and a phone call from her would be of absolutely no comfort to him. That’s if he’d even answer, which she suspected he wouldn’t.
She wanted to rewind the week. Except if she could go back, she didn’t really know what she’d do. She