Page 42 of Summer Escapes on the Scottish Isle

Jinny opened her mouth to say something, but closed it again, which was just as well, because he was done with the conversation.

Getting to his feet, he said in a softer voice, ‘I’d better go find Cal – he’s expecting me and I’m late, thanks to you. We must do this again sometime. I enjoyed our little chat.’

‘Liar.’

She was laughing at him, and he couldn’t help but laugh back. Jinny might be as irritating as hell, but he thought the world of his sister-in-law.

When he entered the castle, Mack asked the woman on the reception desk where he could find Cal, and she informed him that he was with Mhairi in the parlour, and that Mack was to go on through.

Mack had a soft spot for Mhairi and a great deal of respect for her. She still took an active role in the running of the castle, despite her advanced years, and her business acumen was second to none. She was as sharp as a tack, yet she was also warm and generous. He intended to tell Cal that he was turning down the offer and although he knew Mhairi wouldn’t hold it against him, he couldn’t help feeling he was letting her down.

‘Mackenzie, my dear!’ Mhairi cried as soon as she saw him step into her parlour.

This was the hub of the castle, where Mhairi conducted her business, made decisions and held meetings. There were old paintings on the walls, a marble mantlepiece and antique furniture, including the desk she used, which was probably worth a fair bit.

She wasn’t sitting at it now, but was perched on one of the two chintzy sofas, her back ramrod straight, her legs neatly crossed at the ankle. She held out both hands, and Mack walked across the room. Taking them in his, he bent to kiss her cheek.

It was like an audience with a senior member of the royal family, without the bowing.

‘Tea?’ she asked, letting go of his hands and reaching for the teapot sitting on a low table between her and Cal.

Mack gave Cal a nod of acknowledgement, then said, ‘No thanks, I’m not stopping. I’ve just come to tell Cal—’

‘Nonsense! There’s always time for a cup of tea.’

Mack glanced at Cal, who raised his eyebrows and shrugged, and Mack knew when he was outgunned so he took a seat, saying, ‘That would be grand.’

He watched her pour the tea into a delicate china cup, which sat on an equally delicate saucer. When she handed it to him, he took it from her with a rattle. Worried he might spill his drink, he balanced the saucer on his knee.

Mhairi began, ‘Cal tells me you’ve taken your first client out on theColours of Skyetour.’

Mack gritted his teeth and shot Cal a venomous look, sensing he was being set up. ‘Not exactly. I had a trial run.’

‘How did it go?’

‘All right, I suppose. The lady seemed to get something out of it.’

‘Would you say it was a success?’

‘Difficult to tell, what with it being only the one person and only the first trip.’

‘In that case, you must organise another. I’ve been canvassing opinions among my guests and they think it’s a good idea.’

Wait till he got Cal on his own…

He said, ‘Mhairi, I’m not sure this will work. My boat takes fifty-three and it runs at between 90 and 95 per cent full capacity at this time of year. For me to put on an additional excursion, what with the fuel, the additional staff costs, the—’

Interrupting him, Mhairi said, ‘I’ve worked out some figures, and of course I wouldn’t expect you to do this for nothing. You have to make a profit. Cal?’ She inclined her head, and Cal placed a sheet of paper on the table.

Mack looked at it, swiftly working out the figures in his head. They added up. ‘Your guests would pay this?’

Mhairi smiled. ‘They would. I don’t think you appreciate quite how exclusive our clientele is.’

‘Why wouldn’t they just book on a normal trip?’

‘As I said, they enjoy exclusivity.’

Mack shook his head, bewildered. He was aware that staying at the castle wasn’t cheap, and that it catered to what his mum referred to as ‘the more discerning guest’ and what he silently called ‘those with more money than sense’, but for them to pay four times what he normally charged for a whale-watching trip was beyond his ken.

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