Page 79 of The Moon Sister
That afternoon, I rooted through the cupboards for ingredients for a curry I’d been promising to make Cal for ages. He’d been patient with me recently and I decided I needed to say thank you. The lack of almost everything I needed had me jumping into the spare Landy to race to Tain and gather supplies.
‘Hi, Cal,’ I said when he arrived back home that evening. ‘Good day?’
‘Very good, thanks,’ he said. ‘Lochie’s a gem – much stronger than he looks an’ he really knows his stuff too.’
‘That’s great,’ I said, as without further ado he headed for the bathroom. To my surprise I heard the taps running. Normally Cal – being the gentleman he was – would let me use the bath first.
Maybe he’s fallen in deer poo, I thought as I went back to the kitchen to check on the curry.
When Cal hadn’t emerged after fifteen minutes I knocked on the bathroom door and smelt a pleasant waft of aftershave emanating from behind it.
‘The curry’ll be ready in ten, okay? I told you I’d make it for you and I have,’ I called.
The door opened and Cal emerged in his dressing gown, freshly shaved.
‘Tig, I’m sure I told yae that it’s my night for seeing Caitlin? I’m away tae Dornoch tanite.’
‘Oh, of course! I’d completely forgotten. Never mind, curries are even better after twenty-four hours. I’ll save you some for tomorrow.’
‘Thanks, and sorry about that, Tig.’
‘Don’t be,’ I said, following him as he made for his bedroom to get dressed. ‘And you really should bring Caitlin here for supper soon. I’d love to see her again.’
‘I will.’ He proceeded to shut the bedroom door in my face, then emerged ten minutes later dressed in a checked shirt and clean jeans, looking very un-Cal-like indeed.
‘Will you be back tonight?’ I asked him, feeling I was clucking round him like a mother hen.
‘If the skies stay clear, yes. Bye, Tig,’ he said, throwing on his jacket. ‘Keep out o’ trouble while I’m gone.’
‘Hah!’ I said to Alice as I fed her. ‘Chance would be a fine thing, but I will let Thistle in,’ I added, feeling subversive. I opened the front door and called him, feeling an icy blast of air that was already sub-zero.
‘Come on, darling!’ I called to encourage the dog.
‘That is a nice welcome,’ said a human voice as Thistle loped forward, followed a moment later by a man.
‘Hello, Zed,’ I said, my heart sinking. ‘Do you need something?’
‘Yes. Someone to share this very good bottle of Château-Neuf-du-Pape with on a freezing winter’s evening. Something smells good,’ he said, sniffing the air. ‘Are you expecting company? I saw Cal go out.’
‘No, I just decided I fancied a curry,’ I responded, unable to think of a single reason – apart from blatant rudeness – not to invite Zed in. ‘You’re welcome to join me for a drink.’
He stepped over the threshold, but Thistle positioned himself in front of me, his hackles raised, a threatening growl coming from his throat.
‘Scheiße, control that thing!’ Zed muttered, taking a step back.
‘Shh, Thistle, it’s okay,’ I said, laying my hand on the dog’s back. ‘I don’t know what’s got into him, he’s usually so calm and gentle—’
‘He’s obviously had no discipline,’ said Zed curtly.
‘Thistle,’ I whispered into his ear as the growling continued, ‘if you don’t stop, I’ll have to leave you outside.’
Feeling horribly disloyal to my canine protector, but fearing complaints to Cal or Charlie about Thistle’s behaviour, I coaxed the dog out into the courtyard as Zed entered the cottage. As I closed the door behind us, I thought what an unfortunate trade-off it was. I tried to close my ears to the persistent whines coming from outside.
Zed followed me into the kitchen and I handed him the ancient corkscrew, which was bent and took serious skill to manipulate. I watched him struggle with it, before pouring the ruby liquid into two glasses.
After his usual sniffing and swirling, he took a sip and put his head back, sluicing the wine around his mouth before finally swallowing. ‘It is good,’ he announced. ‘It would probably complement a curry perfectly.’
‘Is that a hint? If it is, you can have some, but I’m warning you, it’s vegan. Besides, I’m sure Beryl has something delicious waiting for you at the Lodge.’
