Page 66 of Summer Escapes on the Scottish Isle

The pub was as busy as it had been the last time she’d been in, and the same group of people were sitting at the same table, but this time she was going to join them.

Cal was there with Tara, together with Jinny and Mack’s brother, Carter. She also recognised Rob the potter, and the glass-blower. Angus and another guy, who was part of Mack’s crew, were propping up the bar.

‘Drink?’ Mack asked. She opted for a glass of cider and, after he’d gone to the bar, she draped her jacket over the back of a chair and sat down, feeling self-conscious.

She needn’t have worried, because she was immediately welcomed into the group, as both Tara and Jinny began speaking to her at the same time.

‘How are you?’ Tara asked, as Jinny said, ‘I remember you from when we were kids. I was quite a bit older than you, though.’ She laughed. ‘I still am – unless I’m going backwards!’

Freya couldn’t help but smile at the warm welcome. ‘You married Carter, didn’t you?’ she said to Jinny.

‘For my sins.’ She glanced fondly at her husband. ‘Don’t tell him, but he’s the best thing that ever happened to me, apart from the kids. We’ve got two.’

Tara added, ‘Jinny manages the gift shop at the castle’s craft centre. I’d better introduce you to everyone. This is Gillian, who runs the cafe; next to her is Fergus, who does glass-blowing, and Shane, who does stained glass. Then there’s Giselle, who makes sea-glass pictures, and Isla, who is our needle felter; and Rob is our potter. Everyone, this is Freya Sinclair.’

A chorus of hellos greeted her, and she said hi back, then caught Rob’s eye.

‘FreyaSinclair?’

‘Er, yes.’

‘TheFreya Sinclair? Youmustbe. I can’t imagine there are many Freya Sinclairs who are potters. You should have said!’ He turned to the others. ‘Freya Sinclair’s work is really good. I meanreally good!’

Embarrassed, Freya blushed. She had no idea what to say to that.

‘I love your work,’ he continued, and she blushed even more.

Jinny said, ‘Tara told me about you, so I looked at your website – your pieces are gorgeous! A bit pricey, though.’

‘Jinny!’ Tara cried. ‘That’s so rude.’

Jinny grimaced. ‘I didn’t mean it to be. I’m simply stating a fact. Freya’s stuff is way out of our league. Her prices are London gallery prices.’

Mortified, Freya said, ‘Sorry.’

‘Gosh, don’t be! They’re worth every penny. They’re stunning and I can see where you get your inspiration from – they’re the epitome of Skye.’ Jinny turned to Tara and winked. ‘It says so on her website.’ Then back to Freya. ‘Have you visited the castle’s gift shop?’

Tara rolled her eyes. ‘Always the salesperson…’

‘I haven’t,’ Freya admitted. ‘I didn’t get a chance.’ She gave Cal a meaningful look. If he hadn’t whisked her away to see Mack, she would have had a good nose around.

‘You must! We’ve got such a lot of lovely stuff, and you could treat yourself to coffee and a cake while you’re there.’

‘I’ll go tomorrow,’ Freya promised. As long as her dad didn’t need her for anything, a visit to the castle and its craft centre would do her good.

Mack strolled over to Graham, a couple of pints in his hands. ‘For you,’ he said, giving one to Graham and placing the other on the bar. ‘Tell Angus this is for him.’

‘Cheers, Skip.’ Graham slurped it thirstily.

‘Stop calling me Skip.’

‘OK, Skip.’

‘I thought your name was Mack,’ a voice said, and Mack turned to see a pretty blonde woman standing behind him. It took him a moment to place her. Then he realised he’d dated her last summer, but couldn’t for the life of him remember her name.

‘Hi,’ he said. ‘Long time, no see. ItisMack, but this bozo thinks it’s funny to call me Skip. What are you doing here?’

She gave him a puzzled look. ‘I’m on holiday.’

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