Commitment to Desire

COMMITMENT TO DESIRE An Awakening of Desire Book 4 RUBY SCOTT First published in 2020 by D&V Publishing This edition published in 2023 Copyright © 2023, Ruby Scott This is a work of fiction. The characters and events portrayed in the book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses and events is purely coincidental. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission. For permissions, contact [email protected] Edited by Lisa Caro Cover Design by Angela Fleming Published by D&V Publishing (Scotland) A thought… or Two ‘Commitment is an act, not a word.’ - Jean-Paul Sartre “Once you choose hope, anything’s possible.” - Christopher Reeve Chapter 1 The Land Rover Defender skidded around the corner on two wheels, and Abby tightened her grip on the grab handle in an attempt to stop her ending up on Alison's knee. With a jolt, the seat belt locked into place, burning where it now sawed against the flesh of her collarbone. 'Over there.' Abby pointed to a single forlorn piece of tarmac in an otherwise full car park. It was then they both spotted the grey Tesla as it emerged around the opposite corner. It seemed both drivers had spotted the empty space. 'Don't you bloody dare!' Abby's eyes narrowed, glancing towards Alison. The battle had commenced. 'Hang on,' Alison screamed, accelerating fast, then almost level with the precious real estate, she yanked on the handbrake, tugged the steering wheel sharply to the left, and slid into the empty space, giving a triumphant holler, and raising her hand for a high five. Abby tried to reciprocate even though she'd managed to pin herself to the passenger seat like a lobster in a Tesco's Finest Christmas box. Alison's manoeuvring had been magnificent, worthy of a stunt woman. It was just a shame neither of them could open their doors. 'Climb over the seats and we can get out the tailgate.' Alison had started becoming much more authoritative. The two of them clambered over, pushing past the other, and made their exit unceremoniously out of the arse of the Defender, all the while smiling at the gesticulating Tesla driver who appeared to be on the verge of a stroke. Gloating, Abby slammed the tailgate shut and ran after Alison who was already striding at pace towards the arrivals hall. They were late. They would have arrived twenty minutes earlier if it hadn't been for a convoy of combine harvesters making their way into the Royal Highland Showground. Bo's flight was landing at exactly eleven, and it was now eleven twenty-three. 'It's fine,' Abby said, finally catching up with Alison. 'It'll take ages to come through baggage. We'll most likely still be standing around for another ten minutes when we get inside.' But as soon as they checked the arrivals board, they realised the flight from Qatar had not arrived at eleven as scheduled, but at ten fifteen. Bo McKinnon had been on Scottish soil for over an hour, unsupervised. 'Shit, don't say we've missed her.' Alison's head swept from one side to the other, scanning the terminal for any sign of the woman. 'Remind me what she looks like?' asked Abby, who to this point had only seen photographs of Victoria's best woman. 'Five-foot-eight, really dark eyes, olive skin, and eyebrows to die for,' Alison said, as though good eyebrows maketh the woman. 'I can't see anybody that fits that description,' said Abby, seeing only a sea of red and orange wobbling flesh emerging from an Alicante arrival. She absently ran her middle finger over her brow, finding a sharp, rogue lash emerging where it shouldn't be. Not what you needed when you were about to meet the brow queen. They parted ways, Alison scouting WH Smith and Boots, whilst Abby checked the toilets, finding several questionable sights, but none that matched Alison’s description of Bo. 'Anything?' Alison asked as they met back up in front of the arrivals exit. 'Nope. Do you think she might have already left?' Alison shook her head. 'I don't know. I tried to call Victoria but it's engaged.' Abby shrugged. It was hardly surprising Victoria hadn’t answered the call given the bombshell that had landed in the middle of their wedding preparations that morning. It was less than two weeks until they were to be married and the venue, the five-star Manor Park Estate, had gone bust. 'Closing with immediate effect and cancelling all bookings' was what they had told Victoria when they had rung a couple of hours ago. The air had been thick with expletives when she came off the call, but truth be told, Abby didn’t care where they got married. They could get hitched in a car park for all she cared, just as long as she got to call Victoria her wife. 'Stay here,' Alison told her, disappearing off towards departures. Abby stood, scanning faces. 'Could passenger Boadicea McKinnon please make her way to the information point? Your welcome ride awaits.' Twirling around, she spotted the huge 'i' for information, and a space beneath, void of people. This was getting ridiculous, they had searched everywhere but to no avail, and neither of them wanted to return minus a best woman. Abby's phone vibrated in her pocket. She took it out to find a message from Victoria, whose day didn't appear to be getting any better. 'If Bo is there, pick her up. If she isn't, leave. She's probably hooked up with the cabin crew.' Abby looked to Alison, who appeared by her side. 'Does Bo go for pilots or stewardesses?' she asked. 'All of the above—and in one sitting.' Alison strode off in the direction of the one place they hadn’t dared to check yet: the customs exit point where they had expected to see Bo appear. Abby gasped as Alison ignored the no