Page 34 of Summer Escapes on the Scottish Isle

‘OK.’

To her irritation, he didn’t seem bothered in the slightest. And it was his lack of concern that made her change her mind.

‘On second thoughts, I don’t feel like cooking, so it might be a good idea.’

‘Up to you.’

‘I will, then. Thank you.’

Having anticipated going home to shower, change and sort out her hair, Freya let out a yelp as Mack executed an eye-wateringly fast U-turn and headed back the way they’d come.

‘Where are we going?’ she demanded. ‘The village is that way.’ She jerked a thumb over her right shoulder.

‘I know. We’re going to mine.’

‘What?Why?’

‘Because that’s where dinner is.’

‘I didn’t agree to have dinner with you inyour house,’ she spluttered.

‘What’s wrong with my house?’

‘What’s right with it?’ It struck her that she was in a stranger’s car, being taken to his place, and no one knew where she was.

Mack sighed. ‘What has Cal told you? Whatever it is, he’s lying.’

Freya bit her lip. ‘He hasn’t said anything.’

‘My place might be a work in progress, but it’s perfectly liveable. And while I’m making dinner, you can download the photos.’

Freya’s panic subsided into mild concern. ‘This is a working dinner, then?’

‘Kind of. It’ll save me doing it later.’

‘Promise to take me home afterwards?’

Another sideways look. ‘I was hoping you’d spend the night.’

‘What?!’ Her shriek was loud enough and shrill enough to shatter glass.

Mack slapped the steering wheel with his palm and guffawed. ‘Got you going,’ he crowed. ‘Of course I’ll take you home.’

Freya glowered. She didn’t find his joke funny in the slightest. ‘What if I want to go home right now?’

‘Then I’ll take you homeright now. Just make up your mind, because I’m hungry.’ Pulling into the side of the road, he twisted in his seat to look at her.

‘What are you planning on cooking?’ she asked.

‘Thai prawn curry with rice.’

Freya’s mouth dropped open. She hadn’t been expecting that. A rib-eye steak or a pork chop maybe, with chips. Peas, if she was lucky. Thai prawn curry sounded delicious, and she was quite hungry, so… ‘OK.’

‘OK, what?’

‘Please.’ Cripes, it was like being a kid again and having her parents drilling manners into her. He needn’t be so snotty, though.

‘I mean, which do you want to do – go home now, or come to mine for food?’

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