Page 23 of Summer Escapes on the Scottish Isle

And to make sure Freya didn’t get the wrong end of the stick, he added, ‘Cal is a mate and Tara is his fiancée.’

‘Right. Er, come in.’ Freya appeared to be flustered at the sight of so many people on her step, and he didn’t blame her.

Mack led the way, Cal behind him and Tara bringing up the rear. He noticed that Freya had made up the bed in the sitting room and had cleared away some of the ornaments.

‘How’s your dad?’ he asked.

‘The worst patient ever. I think the nurses will be glad to be rid of him, and he’s only been in Broadford for three days.’ Freya wrinkled her nose.

Mack had an urge to kiss it and he looked away, wondering what that was all about. Yes, she was attractive and, yes, he fancied her, but kissing noses? In fact, he could kiss—

‘Mack? Mack!’

‘Huh?’ He came back to earth with a jolt at the sound of Cal’s voice.

‘Isaid, which end do you want to take?’

‘I don’t mind.’

‘In that case, you can take the heavy end.’ Cal chortled.

Mack had walked right into that, which meant Cal would lead the way while Mack took most of the weight. Oh well, he supposed it would give him the opportunity to show off his strength and muscles when he heaved the sofa up those stairs.

Unfortunately, that plan didn’t work out as he’d hoped, because Tara took charge, saying to Freya, ‘How about putting the kettle on and leaving the men to it? The kitchen is through here, is it?’

The last glimpse Mack had of Freya was her quizzical expression as she followed Tara out of the room.

He stared after her and Cal followed his gaze with a smirk., saying, ‘That’s the way of it, is it? I thought you just wanted to get into her knickers, but Tara was right – youdolike her.’

Mack stuck his nose in the air. ‘I don’t know what you mean. I’m doing this for Vinnie.’

‘Yeah, mate, you keep telling yourself that.’ Cal gave him a knowing look, then turned his attention to the sofa. ‘Grab that end and let’s get started. You owe me a pint, by the way.’

‘What happened to you being forever in my debt?’

‘It went out of the window when I saw those damn stairs.’

Thinking about it, a pint would be a good idea and maybe they could ask Freya if she wanted to join them.

Freya felt rather railroaded as she headed into the kitchen to put the kettle on. She’d been hoping that Mack would turn up this evening as promised, and she knew he’d be bringing someone to help, but she hadn’t expectedtwosomeones, or for the second one to be quite so bossy.

Tara pulled out a chair, sat down at the small table and said, ‘I hope you don’t mind me tagging along.’

‘Not at all. Coffee or tea?’ One of the many things Freya had brought with her from London was her espresso machine and a supply of pods.

‘Coffee, please.’

There was an awkward silence after Tara had selected a pod, and Freya busied herself making the drinks.

‘I knew I should have brought wine,’ Tara muttered. ‘It would have broken the ice.’

Abruptly, Freya wondered whether she was giving off unfriendly vibes, and she immediately felt contrite. ‘So, you and Cal are engaged?’ she began, hoping to make amends.

It was the right question, as Tara beamed. ‘We are.’ She raised her left hand and waggled her fingers. A blue stone in a white setting glittered back.

‘Congratulations,’ Freya said. ‘When’s the wedding?’

‘We’ve not set a date yet, but we’ve got a venue. The ceremony will be in the church in the village, followed by a reception at Coorie Castle.’

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