Page 77 of Summer Escapes on the Scottish Isle

As he approached the reception desk, Avril, who was manning it this evening, gave him a smile. ‘Did you want Cal?’

‘I was hoping to have a quick word with Mhairi,’ he said. ‘I promise I won’t keep her long.’

‘I’ll see if she’s free.’ She picked up the phone and spoke softly into it, before turning her attention back to him. ‘She’s in the kitchen, checking on dinner, if you want to pop along and see her. Will five minutes be enough?’

‘It will. Thanks, Avril.’

The route to the kitchen took him past the residents’ lounge, and a cursory glance inside revealed several guests enjoying pre-dinner drinks. One of them was the loud chap from earlier, and Mack grimaced, hoping that the man would check out before he and Freya ate there – assuming Mhairi agreed to bend the rules for him, of course. There was no guarantee that she would.

Reaching the kitchen, he pushed the swing door open and a glorious wall of delicious smells hit him.

Remaining where he was (he didn’t want to risk sullying the pristine cooking areas), he waited for Mhairi to notice him. When she did, she ushered him back out into the corridor with a regal waft of her hand.

‘You wanted to see me?’ she said.

‘I did.’ He shuffled nervously, wondering where to begin.

‘Out with it, Mack, I have guests to see to.’

‘Of course, yes, sorry. The thing is, Freya wants to take me to dinner to thank me for letting her use my byre. She’s trying to work while she’s here and she can’t do it at home, so I said—’ He stopped. ‘I’m waffling.’

‘You are.’

‘I know it’s your policy to only allow guests to eat here, but do you think you can make an exception?’

‘I can. When?’

‘Whenever is convenient for you. Oh, and there’s something else; she’s expecting to pay but I don’t want her to, so could I pay for it without her knowing?’

‘I think that can be arranged,’ the old lady said with a twinkle in her eye. ‘Speak to Avril.’

‘Thanks, I really appreciate it.’

Buoyed up by the success of his mission, Mack had a bounce in his step as he made his way towards the grand entrance hall. Once more, the route took him past the lounge, and once more he glanced inside, thinking that before long he would be there with Freya and they would be enjoying a pre-dinner drink of their own.

Abruptly he halted, his eye caught by a familiar figure.

It was Freya, and she was standing at the bar with the obnoxious guy from the boat.

Unable to take his eyes off the pair, he saw the man put his arms around her and draw her into his embrace. Then the spell was broken by the sound of laughter from a group of ladies as they raised their glasses.

Anxious not to be seen, Mack hurried off, dismay filling him.

But before he left, there was something he had to do – and it wasn’t booking a table. That was the last thing he wanted to do right now.

Cringing at his subterfuge, but knowing he had no other choice, as Avril wouldn’t be able to give out information about the castle’s guests, Mack said to her, ‘Did I just see Hadrian Thingamajig in the lounge?’ He tapped his forehead with his open palm. ‘I’ve forgotten his surname. My memory is like a sieve these days.’

Avril glanced at the computer screen. ‘Yes, you’re right. Hadrian Godley.’

‘That’s it! I thought it was him.’

‘Do you want to go in?’ Avril was staring doubtfully at his customary T-shirt and shorts.

‘I would, but I’m not dressed for it. Mhairi would throw me out on my ear,’ he said, and Avril giggled.

‘Shall I let Mr Godley know you want to see him?’

‘No need. I’ll catch up with him another time.’

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