6
Juliette awoke feeling surprisingly refreshed after her first night in the bed and breakfast, but, as she moved to get up, her muscles reminded her of the previous day’s events. ‘Stupid bloody excitable dog,’she chuntered.
Once showered and dressed, she went down and took her seat at the table set for one in the dining room.
Morag greeted her with a smile. ‘Morning, hen. Did you sleep okay?’
‘Good morning. Yes, I sleptreallywell, thank you,’ she replied with a contented sigh.
‘I’m so glad. Now, can I get you the full Scottish?’
Juliette’s stomach rumbled at the thought of food and she put it down to the fresh Scottish sea air. ‘Definitely!’
‘Great. I’ll take your order through to Kenneth. He cooks a mean tattie scone.’ She tapped the side of her nose and left.
Juliette was yet to meet the elusive Kenneth; a multi-talented man, by the sound of it, with this latest discovery that he was also the chef.
Breakfast was a feast for the senses. The thought of haggis had been something that had previously both intrigued and disgusted Juliette in equal measure, but on tasting it, she had to admit it was delicious. And Morag was right; the home-made tattie scones were to die for. Although Juliette knew she’d need to gain willpower from somewhere, as eating like that every day for the foreseeable future would mean she would go hometwicethe person she currently was. Not that alittleweight gain would hurt.
After breakfast, she resolved that further exploration was on the cards and set out in the warm golden hues of the morning sun to see what other delights the village of Glentorrin held. Her first stop was the bakery at the other side of the inlet.
Caitlin’s Cakes and Bakeswas another whitewashed building with coloured bunting hanging above the windows. It really was a picture-postcard setting. She walked into the shop and admired the displays of sweet and savoury confections, her mouth watered despite the humongous breakfast she’d consumed mere moments before.
‘Hi there, what can I get you?’ a woman with fiery red hair asked as she appeared through a beaded curtain at the right-hand side of the shop.
‘Oh hi, I’m just trying to decide. It all looks so scrumptious. I’m heading out for a stroll and thought I’d take something for a snack, although I can feel the calories piling on just looking at these displays.’
The woman tilted her head. ‘Well, I’m guessing you’re on holiday, so the calories don’t count.’ She gave a wink and giggled.
‘Ah well, in that case I’ll take some shortbread rounds and a bottle of water, please.’
‘Coming right up.’ As the woman packaged up the shortbread, she asked, ‘That sounds like a north-east England accent, am I right?’
Juliette nodded. ‘Spot on, I’m originally from Durham, although I live in the Cotswolds these days.’
‘Wow, that’s quite a trek you’ve made. Are you here with your family?’
The question that always seemed to pop up didn’t seem to sting as much today. ‘No, just me. A bit of time away to recharge the old batteries.’
‘Ah, good for you. Are you staying locally?’
‘Yes, I’m staying at Thistle House.’
The friendly woman’s smile widened. ‘You’ll have met Morag then. Such a lovely woman. Kenneth’s a great guy too.’
‘Yes, everyone seems so nice around here. Very welcoming.’ With the exception of the grumpy pedestrian she’d encountered when she’d first arrived, Juliette thought.
The red-haired woman grinned. ‘Aye, we’re not a bad bunch. There are a few sour apples in the barrel, but for the most part we’re quite welcoming. My name’s Caitlin, by the way.’
With a wide smile, Juliette replied, ‘I’m Jules.’
‘Well, Jules, I hope you enjoy your stay in Glentorrin. You know where to come if you need to replenish some of the calories you walk off while you’re exploring.’
Juliette laughed. ‘I think it might be a case of walking off the calories I’ve eaten if I’m not careful!’
Caitlin laughed along. ‘Well, you’d better get walking then, eh?’
‘Bye for now, and thanks.’ Juliette waved as she left the bakery and set out past the outdoor clothing shop with its window display of brightly coloured wellingtons and fishing gear, then along the road away from the village. The sun cast a rich, balmy glow on the purple heather and hills that surrounded her, and she felt the tension in her neck and arms begin to dissipate.
