Morag’s admission fuelled the simmering fire in Juliette’s belly. ‘So, I’m guilty by association of my sexandnationality? Perhaps I need to go and have words with this Mr MacKinnon.’ She huffily folded her arms across her chest.
Morag waved a hand. ‘No, no. Let me talk to him. He’s a funny man. Well, he has been since… well, you know. He used to be the life and soul of the party.Hershenanigans changed that.’
Juliette seethed for a few moments, her nostrils flared, and her heart thumped at her ribcage. But the truth was that she could do little to improve things, especially if she went off half-cocked at the ignorant arse. So, although she was pretty peeved about the whole situation, she willed herself calm. After all, she didn’t want to make herself even more unpopular than she already had.
She sighed. ‘No, don’t bother. If I’m not good enough for the job, I’ll find something else. Please, don’t worry about it, Morag. But thank you for being honest with me. Oh, and… if you know of anywhere I could rent for a few months, please tell me. Obviously, the house with the museum would have been ideal, but hey ho…’
It was worry that now creased Morag’s brow. ‘Och, dear, I don’t want you to feel unwelcome. I shouldn’t have said anything. I just felt it would be better coming from me.’
Juliette smiled in what she hoped was a reassuring way. ‘No, it’s fine, honestly. I’m just tired. I think I’ll go for a lie-down.’
‘Okay, dear. And I’ll get my thinking cap on about rental properties. I bet Kenneth will know somewhere. In the meantime, you can stay here as long as you need. I have a spare room in our living quarters, so you can always stay there. Although I’ve had a cancellation, so there’s no need for you to move out of your room at the moment. It’s all thanks to the talk of this wretched storm that’s supposedly approaching, So much for summer, eh?’
Juliette smiled. ‘Oh, thank you so much. I really do appreciate that.’
She stood from the table and made her way up to her room.
Once safely ensconced inside her four walls, she furiously hit dial on Millie’s number. After they had got their greetings out of the way, Juliette launched into a monologue about Reid MacKinnon and his ridiculous attitude.
‘Well, it sounds to me like you’ve dodged a bullet. Who wants someone like that breathing down their neck?’ Millie said once Juliette had finished telling her what she had discovered.
‘I know.’ She huffed. ‘Although, the job sounded lovely. It would’ve sorted my accommodation for the trip and I really liked the idea of working there. I’m really annoyed that someone can get away with discriminating in that way just because he’s had a shitty experience. He doesn’t know me, so how can he judge?’
‘I know, honey. It’s utterly absurd that he should have such stupid reasoning. He’s a bloody adult, for goodness sake. But I’m sure something else will come up, sweetie.’
‘Well, if it doesn’t, I can always move on, I suppose. I could tour the Highlands or something.’
‘Exactly. It’ll all work out fine. I just know it.’ Millie was always so positive. So optimistic. She’d always been the same. She was just the tonic that Juliette needed.
7
The days of her first week seemed to be whizzing by and Juliette had taken a couple to explore the beautiful isle of her family’s origins. She drove the winding roads and round every turn was a stunning vista that took her breath away, to the point where she became perturbed at her grandparents’ willingness to turn their backs on the place. Although she knew, deep down, they’d had good reason. Employment had been scarce, and this had been the main issue. But these days Skye was thriving with tourism, fishing and crofting. And, regardless of her lack of a tangible, recent connection to the place, it was definitely getting under her skin.
The residents of Glentorrin were beginning to wave at her and shout out their greetings as they went about their daily routines. Certain faces were becoming as familiar to her as she evidently was to them. And, although the contact from her parents, Dexter and Millie was almost daily, now she was experiencing that initial sense of acceptance in the little coastal village.
The weather took a slight turn, although Juliette didn’t let this deter her from exploring. She decided that a waterproof coat was needed and, with a borrowed umbrella from Morag, she set off to the outdoor wear shop in pursuit of one.
‘Good afternoon. Jules, isn’t it?’ said the man seated on a stool beside the wooden counter, as she entered and shook off the rain. He was dressed in khaki, multi-pocketed utility trousers and a checked shirt with a band T-shirt underneath. His dark hair was peppered with many strands of grey.
Juliette cringed. ‘Oh dear, does that mean my reputation precedes me?’
The man laughed heartily, his eyes crinkling with mirth, and he held up his hands. ‘Only the one about your penchant for shortbread, honestly.’
She wagged a finger. ‘Ah, you’ve been talking to Caitlin.’ She laughed. The bakery and its owner were now firmly ensconced in her daily routine, seeing as that elusive willpower was yet to be located.
‘Guilty. Honestly, no relationship in this place is sacred.’ He laughed and placed a theatrical hand at his forehead. ‘Gone are the halcyon days when a woman could confide in her baker.’
He was funny and Juliette immediately warmed to him. With a wide smile still in place, she replied, ‘Such a terrible, heartbreaking truth.’
The man stepped toward her from his resting spot. ‘I’m Archie, by the way. What can I do for you on thisfineday?’ He rolled his eyes as he glanced out through the rain-smeared glass.
‘Luckily for you, I’m on the hunt for a waterproof coat.’
‘Well, luckily foryou, you’ve come to the right place.’ He held out his hands and gestured at their surroundings. ‘Actually, you’ve come to theonlyplace.’
‘Ah, captive audience.’ She grinned. ‘Right, well, I’m intending to be here for a while, so can you recommend me something I can pack away easily?’
‘And get out at a moment’s notice? Absolutely. You’ll need that here. Apparently, we’re in for the tail end of a hurricane that’s been causing a ruckus in the US.’ That sounded awful but as Archie had said, she certainly seemed to be in the right place.
