Secrets at the Loch (Loch Lannick #5) - Hannah Ellis Page 0,42

made the most of things, and I like renting the downstairs flat out. It’s nice having people around the place. I’ve met all sorts of people over the years. Some of them I consider to be friends. Don’t be shy,” she said as she set off up the stairs. “If you need anything – even just a chat – you come and give me a knock.”

“Thanks,” Lexie said with a tight smile. A hotel would definitely have been better. Sometimes the personal touch wasn’t what you needed.

It didn’t take long for her to feel restless in the holiday apartment. After messaging her mum to tell her where she was, she tried to message Nick, but everything she typed either felt awkward or made her sound like a stalker. Deciding fresh air might help, she set off walking along the road beside Loch Linnhe. It was peaceful enough, with only a few cars interrupting the chirp of birds and the gentle lapping of the waves against the rocks. Sitting to watch the boats bobbing on the water calmed her nerves and gave her a rush of confidence that she needed to call Nick.

It only took a few rings for her to realise he wasn’t going to answer. She kept the phone to her ear anyway, listening to the long beeps which seemed to scream that he didn’t want to speak to her.

When she finally put the phone away, a familiar numb feeling overtook her. It was impressive how she’d honed the skill of burying how she really felt. The other option was to admit to herself how much she’d hurt herself when she’d treated Nick so badly. But that would mean admitting how much she liked him, and how much she hated the thought of not even having him as a friend.

When the daylight began to fade she walked back into the town and found a pub to have dinner. She had to force down the toasted sandwich. Even the wine didn’t go down easily.

Sitting at the small round table, she watched people chatting and laughing while the fire crackled in the hearth nearby. When her mind drifted to Nick again she sent him a message, not thinking too much as she typed. I’m in the Crofter Bar if you still need a pint.

A quarter of an hour later she cursed herself. It was unlikely he’d turn up or even reply to her message, but she was fairly sure she’d wait there until closing time just in case.

In the end, he walked in half an hour after she’d messaged him.

“What are you doing here?” he asked as he took a seat on the stool opposite her. His tone was harsh and annoyed. He didn’t look great either; his unusually pale complexion, along with the stubble at his jaw, made it very clear he wasn’t having the best of times.

“I’m going to visit my grandad for a few days. And I thought I’d stop and see how you were doing since I was passing through. I’m staying in an apartment by the water for a night.”

“You came to see how I was doing?” he asked slowly.

“Yes.”

For a moment he just stared at her, his usually playful gaze now dark and serious. “That’s weird,” he finally said. “Are you under the impression we’re friends or something?”

Her throat tightened and the pain in her chest intensified. “I’m sorry,” she said quietly.

“Sorry for what? For sleeping with me or for kicking me out of your house?”

Lexie bit her lip. She’d known he’d be hurt and angry with her, but somehow she hadn’t expected him to be quite so open about it. “I don’t know,” she said honestly.

“I have no idea what’s going on in your head, but I have enough to deal with without your games.”

“I’m not playing games,” she said, standing when he did.

“Then why are you here? Do you just enjoy tormenting me?”

“No.”

He stared at her for a moment before walking away. Lexie hesitated, then grabbed her coat and hurried after him.

“I came to apologise,” she said, catching up to him on the pavement outside. She had to walk quickly to keep up with him. “And I wanted to see if you were okay. I was worried about you.”

He stopped abruptly and swung around to face her. “Do you know what really gets to me?” he growled. “Elspeth told me you’re not a very nice person. She told me loads of times and I argued with her every time. But she was right.”