Page 32 of Musical Games
‘Ha, ha. You have no idea how beautiful a Scottish summer can be.’
She sighed. ‘True, although I’ve heard the midges rather spoil the experience.’
‘There’s a bottle of Avon Skin So Soft in the bathroom. Mum swears by it to keep the buggers away.’
‘Do you use it?’
‘No. They don’t seem to find me that attractive.’
Sam opened her mouth as if to speak, then turned away and tidied the papers on the desk. ‘I think we should go out. You’re right. I don’t know Scotland at all.’
‘You sure? You did say you were “outside allergic”.’
She grinned. ‘I’m making an effort for the sake of the music. And this time I’m going to be prepared.’
Jamie leanedagainst the kitchen counter and tried not to laugh. Sam was wearing his mother’s walking boots and long khaki trousers with a shapeless long-sleeved jacket and a wide-brimmed hat covered in a net. Even her hands were lost inside net gloves.
‘There we go, love,’ said Morag, doing up the final zip and wrapping a scarf around her neck. ‘They won’t touch you now.’
‘Thank you, Morag, but I think there’s one thing you’ve forgotten.’
‘Eh? What’s that?’
‘Could you dip Jamie in jam to act as a decoy?’
Morag hooted. ‘Och, he doesn’t need it, he’s sweet enough.’
Jamie pushed off the counter and grabbed his keys from a hook behind the back door. ‘Come on, let’s go.’
He droveSam out of Kinloch on the road north. It wound in tight curves around the glen, the sunshine making the greens, browns and purples even more vibrant. Sam had taken off her hat and looked out the window as the landscape rolled by. He wasn’t sure what to say so remained silent. After fifteen minutes he pulled into a lay-by on the opposite side of the road.
‘Where are we going?’ she asked.
‘You’ll see.’
She pulled her hat on, secured the net over her face and got out after him.
‘We’re going to follow a path up the glen along the stream. It’s really pretty. I think you’ll like it.’
‘Will there be anyone else up there?’
‘I don’t know. Probably not. Why?’
She flapped her arms. ‘Because I look like a beekeeper crossed with a rambler from the seventies. It’s bad enough you’re seeing me looking like a walking contraceptive, but I don’t want to bump into anyone else.’
‘Do you want sunglasses to help your disguise?’
‘Do you have any?’
He shook his head and held his arm out so she could go first. She stomped up the path in front of him, chuntering away as she complained about the fact her boots didn’t have a heel, how hot she was and how annoying it was that he was only wearing a T-shirt. He smiled. He had an inkling she was actually enjoying herself but didn’t want to admit it.
Eventually, as the path got steeper, she stopped talking altogether. There was a stile up ahead and as she climbed over it she turned to face him. With the added height they were now eye to eye. She lifted the net off her face. Her cheeks were pink and her eyes bright. He felt a sudden pang as if they were in a church and she was removing her veil. Everything tightened inside him.
‘Are you okay?’ He sounded out of breath, his voice gravelly.
Her eyes left his, jumping around like a cricket until they landed on her twisting hands. ‘Yes, fine. I, er, just wanted to know how much further we’re going, that’s all.’
‘If you’re tired, I could always carry you?’ The words were out before he could stop them.
