Page 68 of Summer Escapes on the Scottish Isle

Mack did too. ‘Shall we give it five and see whether it eases up?’

The rain was dropping vertically, tamping onto the ground in a steady downpour, and a small river had formed in the gutter.

‘At least we’re on our way home,’ she said, then groaned. ‘Oh no, you’ve got further to go than me. If it doesn’t ease, you’ll be drenched. I’d offer to drive you, but I’ve had too much to drink.’

‘That’s the whole point of walking,’ he said. ‘Don’t worry, it won’t be the first time I’ve had a soaking going home from the pub.’

‘Shall I see if my dad’s got a waterproof jacket you can borrow?’

‘It’s fine. I’m used to being wet, it’s part of working on a boat.’

She said, ‘Remind me to carry a brolly with me at all times. I’m not as keen on the wet as you seem to be.’

‘Don’t get me wrong, I don’t like it, but I can ignore it.’

She laughed. It was throaty, what Angus would call a ‘dirty’ laugh, and his pulse leapt.

‘Could you honestly ignore that?’ She flung an arm up to the sky. If anything, the downpour was getting worse.

‘Perhaps not,’ he admitted, wondering when it was going to let up and hoping it wouldn’t be too soon. He was enjoying her company and didn’t want the evening to end. Enjoying it too much, perhaps.

‘So,’ he said brightly, scratching around for something to talk about. ‘You’re off to the craft centre tomorrow?’

She beamed. ‘I am, and I’m really looking forward to it. Seeing other artists at work is always a treat, and I didn’t manage to have a proper look around last time because Cal dragged me off to Muirporth Quay.’

‘Am I to assume that your first port of call will be the pottery studio?’

‘Not necessarily. It might be the cafe. Jinny made the mistake of mentioning cake.’

‘They do good food,’ he acknowledged. ‘I’ve eaten there a few times myself.’

‘Would you like to come with me?’

Mack cringed. ‘I wasn’t angling for an invitation.’

‘I didn’t think you were.’

Shedidn’t? Now he felt even more of an eejit. ‘I wish I could,’ he said, ‘but I’ll be out on the boat.’

‘Pity, I would have treated you to a slice of something yummy, since you won’t allow me to pay you for using the byre. Maybe another time?’

‘I’d like that.’

‘I could probably stretch to something more substantial, like a slap-up dinner?’

He didn’t want her thanks, and he certainly didn’t want her to feel that she owed him anything, but he wasn’t going to pass up the opportunity to go out to dinner with her. He had no intention of letting her pay, though, so that would be a discussion if, and when, the dinner actually took place.

‘Would you consider going to the castle again?’ he asked, an idea beginning to form.

‘I would; the food was divine, but they don’t accept outside bookings. You have to be a guest.’

‘Mhairi makes an exception for locals. I’ll ask her, shall I? I think she owes me one.’

‘Oh, that’s right! I forgot to ask. How was your first photography trip?’

‘It was OK, actually. Only five people were on it, but Cal said that the feedback was positive, and there are more booked onto the next one. It makes a change from hoping and praying that a bottlenose will show its face.’

As he finished speaking, Freya hugged herself and shivered. It may be summer on Skye, but the rain was cold.

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