Page 38 of Grace on the Rocks

“Attractively futuristic?WhatamI, aFlintstonemeeting theJetsons?” she shouted.

Grace froze, no longer fiddling with the screwdriver she’d been holding, likely reminded of her insult in the airport just asBryanwas.Whatkind ofNeanderthal…

Did she regret it?Shouldit matter to him if she did?

“What do you want,Cait?” he demanded.

“Brought cullen skink for the girls.”

“Mmm,”Lùcasmurmured.

“No one eats that,Cait.”

“I would eat some,”Lùcaswhispered, but he shut right up whenBryanshot him a look.

“Guests expect it, actually.”

“According to the one-star reviews?”Herolled his eyes, leaning more and more into the role of bratty little bother with each moment she stayed, invading his space and his peace of mind.

“When are you coming round?Maset a place for you last night.”

“I told youIwas tired.”

“Not too tired to sing at the pub, apparently.”

Christ, he missed the city.EvenonIslay, everyone might know his business, but he kept himself to himself and they left him alone.

“I had things to discuss withEòghann.”

“What sort of things?You’vealready got weeLùcasup there.Don’ttell me you’ve draggedEòghanninto this scheme as well?”

“It’s not a?—”

“FatherMurphyneeds him down at the church.Youcan’t just waltz back into town and expect everyone to drop everything and run amok with you.”

“I didn’t ask forEòghann’shelp.Ididn’t askanyoneto help,” he added under his breath, cognizant of the side-eye from bothLùcasandGrace.

“Tonight then?She’strying her hand at vindaloo.”

Bryan sighed and set down his spanner.Hedidn’t want to have this conversation shouted from the roof, least of all withGraceand her enormous brown eyes looking on, likely thinking what a terrible brother and son he was.IfDiegoasked her to come round to tea, she’d probably go in a heartbeat.

“I’m busy tonight,Cait.”

“Tomorrow then?AuntieEilidh’sbeen asking after you.”

Had she?Whenhe was young, hisBuchananauntie had seemed to have a general aversion to small, noisy children, not to mentionBryan’sown aversion to sitting quietly indoors.Butthey shared a love of rugby stats and following theGlasgowWarriors.Thesalty old woman taught him some of his first swear words in the stands of theBarrarugby pitch.

“I’ll come whenIcan,” he toldCait.Couldn’tlet her think she could guilt him into visiting simply by invoking the family matriarch, or he’d never know another moment’s peace.

“The sooner you do, the soonerI’lllet you alone.”

“Doubt it,” he muttered, andGracesnorted, though she was steadfastly pretending not to listen.

“I’ll just leave this inside then,”Caitcalled.

“Grand.”

The door banged shut behind her, and a moment later slammed again to announce her return.

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