Page 33 of Summer Escapes on the Scottish Isle

Throughout the trip, Mack had been a quiet, unobtrusive presence by her side, only speaking occasionally to the guy at the helm to tell him where to go, and now and again asking her a question.

‘Do you think it was worthwhile?’ he asked her, when the boat was chugging back towards the quay.

‘Definitely. I’ve got so many ideas!’

‘Is this for your teaching?’

‘No, it’s for me. Although, I don’t know when I’ll have time to make any new pieces if I take the job I’ve been offered in New York.’

‘New York, eh?’ Mack’s eyebrows raised. ‘Doing what?’

‘Working for the Black and White Art Academy. Their ceramics course director is retiring shortly, and basically, I’ve been headhunted.’

‘It sounds impressive.’

‘I’m still pinching myself. It’s one of the leading art academies in the US and a dream job.’

There was a pause, then he asked, ‘So you’ll be moving to the States?’

‘I hope so. They’ve only just made an offer and I’ve not seen anything in writing yet. And I have my dad to consider.’ How often could she feasibly fly over to Scotland to see him? Maybe he’d like to visit her, and they could take it in turns.

‘When will they let him out?’

Freya laughed. ‘It sounds like he’s in prison, doesn’t it? And I’m sure he thinks of it that way; he’s not the easiest of patients. I’m hoping they’ll discharge him in a day or so.’

‘Give him my best. He used to let me help on his trawler sometimes. Paid me peanuts, of course, but he taught me how to handle a boat.’

‘I didn’t know that.’

‘You’d left for uni. Can I drop in on him when he’s home?’

Freya beamed. ‘I’m sure he’d love to see you.’ She ignored the voice in her head telling her that she would like to see Mack just as much as her dad would.

She must phone Hadrian, she reminded herself.

Mack said, ‘I’ll drop you at home, then send you the photos.’

‘I can’t wait to see them.’ She’d brought her watercolours and sketch pad with her from London, and she was itching to start designing.

How could she have allowed herself to forget how wild and beautiful her homeland was?

‘Thanks for insisting on taking me out in your boat,’ she said as they drove away from the quay a short time later. ‘Are you going to take Cal up on his offer?’

‘Maybe. I haven’t decided yet. It seems like a lot of bother.’

‘My experience hasn’t convinced you?’

He gave her a sideways glance and shrugged, as he pulled out onto the road.

Oh well, it was his business, his decision. Nothing to do with her.

‘Have dinner with me?’ His suggestion startled her, and she didn’t know what to say.

On the one hand, she was hungry, but she knew that as soon as she stepped through the front door, she would get out her sketch pad, and food would be the last thing on her mind. On the other hand, she needed to eat, and she knew she’d regret it later if she didn’t.

However, considering how attracted she felt, having dinner with Mack was dangerous, and she suspected that food would still be the last thing on her mind.

‘I’d better not,’ she said.

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