Page 47 of Summer Escapes on the Scottish Isle

‘I do. Hello, again.’

Cal gave her a wave then turned his eyes on Mack. ‘You scrub up OK, Mack. One of these days we’ll see you in a suit.’

Mack scoffed. ‘I highly doubt it.’

‘What about a kilt?’ Mhairi asked. ‘You like getting your legs out.’ She gave them a pointed look, adding, ‘It’s nice to see you fully clothed for a change.’ She turned to Freya and continued, ‘I don’t object to seeing Mack’s legs, but he does tend to flaunt them.’

Freya barked out a laugh which she hastily turned into a cough.

He glowered. ‘I do not. I like shorts, that’s all.’

Mhairi stared at him over the rim of her silver-framed spectacles. ‘Let’s enjoy our meal, then we’ll talk business. Take your seats, please.’

Mack pulled out a chair for Freya and she sat down, admiring the crisp white tablecloth, the silver cutlery and the lead crystal glasses, none of which would be out of place in any of the top London hotels. This was seriously posh, and she felt rather awkward.

After the first course had been served and Freya had taken a sip of the miniscule portion of pea and mint soup, Mhairi said, ‘Freya, my dear, I believe you father has recently had a fall. How is he? On the mend, I hope?’

Freya placed her soup spoon neatly on the edge of her plate before answering. ‘He’s fractured his hip, but I’m hoping he’ll be discharged tomorrow.’

‘I expect he’s looking forward to coming home. Please give him my regards. It’s not going to be easy for him for a while, but I’m sure he’ll recover swiftly with you to look after him. If there’s anything I can do to help, please don’t hesitate.’

‘That’s very kind of you. I’m fine at the moment. Mack and Cal have been a great help.’

‘Ah yes, moving furniture.’ Mhairi pressed her lips together. ‘As one gets older, falling does become a worry. But then, lots of things become worries, and what one could cope with easily when younger becomes more difficult as one ages.’

Cal shot his employer a concerned look. ‘Is everything all right?’

‘Of course. You’ve nothing to worry about; I’m as fit as a fiddle. However, I am realistic.’

‘You would tell me if something was wrong, wouldn’t you?’ Cal persisted.

Freya realised that he genuinely cared for the old lady and that their relationship went deeper than employer and employee, and it warmed her heart.

Mhairi waved a dismissive hand in the air. ‘You know I would. Now, can we move on from the dreary subject of old age? I want to ask Freya about her wonderful pots. I understand you’re becoming quite famous in ceramic circles?’

Freya’s cheeks grew warm. ‘I’m doing OK.’

‘She’s being modest,’ Mhairi said to the others. ‘Maybe we could ask Freya whether she would like to run a workshop here – as a one-off, of course. Rob isn’t keen, so I’m sure he wouldn’t mind.’ She turned her bright gaze on Freya. ‘I realise you have commitments elsewhere, but if time allows maybe you would consider it? Or perhaps a talk? Hmm, that might be an option.’

Freya had been starting to relax, despite the formality and the castle’s rather intimidating owner. Mhairi was a gracious and genteel host, if somewhat regal, with old-world manners. Cal appeared totally at home in her company, although Freya sensed that Mack was a fish equally as out of water as she. It kind of bonded them together in some small way, as they kept meeting each other’s gaze, usually with a smile and occasionally with a hint of mild panic when faced with so many choices of cutlery.

But now Freya was tense once more. So much for not discussing business until after the meal! They hadn’t finished the first course yet and the old lady was already bargaining harder than a dodgy market trader.

‘Um, I’ll have to see how it goes with Dad,’ Freya hedged. ‘I’m not going to be able to leave him alone for long at first.’

‘Understood…’ Mhairi said, and Freya thought that was the end of it, until she added, ‘But when you are able, we’ll discuss it, yes?’

Like a rabbit caught in headlights, Freya froze, not wanting to discuss it at all, and she wondered how she could politely turn the woman down. It seemed rather rude to refuse, when she was enjoying a meal at her table.

A tap on her ankle from Mack’s foot made her realise that Mhairi was staring at her expectantly, waiting for an answer.

‘Er, yes, of course. We’ll chat again when he’s better.’

Another tap, this time slightly harder, and she glared at Mack, who was grinning at her.

‘Liar,’ he mouthed, and she scowled at him.

The rest of the meal went considerably smoother – for Freya at least. For Mack, not so much.

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