As she strolled back towards the village, she caught sight of Caitlin walking a dog that was the complete opposite of Chewie: small, dainty and, most importantly,dry.
People really seem to like their dogs in this place, she pondered.
‘Oh, hi! This is a serendipitous meeting,’ Caitlin said with a warm smile.
‘Really? How come?’
‘I was going to pop into Morag’s while I’m out walking Cleo. I thought you might like to come to the pub with me for dinner tonight. If you’re not busy, of course.’
Juliette was touched. ‘Oh, how lovely of you. That would be great. I was thinking of going and had actually thought about inviting you.’
‘Ah, now that’s what you call serendipity indeed! Shall I meet you outside the pub at seven?’
‘Perfect. I’ll see you there. So, this is Cleo, eh?’ she asked, deciding to make more of an effort seeing as the folk in the village weredefinitelydog people.
Caitlin crouched and scratched the ball of fluff behind her ears. ‘It sure is. She’s a Yorkie Poo. Aren’t you, Cweo? Yesh, you are, yesh, you are,’ she said as she stroked the dog, who had begun to frantically wag her tail at her silly voice, causing her whole body to wiggle.
‘She’s cute, and a lot more manageable, size-wise, than Chewie.’ Juliette laughed.
Caitlin stood but kept her eyes on the dog for a moment. ‘Oh, that’s for sure. She’s a cuddly wee creature. I love her to bits. But she’s Grace’s dog really. Although, guess who gets to walk her most of the time?’
Juliette laughed. ‘Grace is such a beautiful name.’
‘Aye, love of my life that one. I’ll have to introduce you.’
‘What’s she going to be up to tonight?’
‘She’s at a sleepover, and when the cat’s away… Ah, the joys of summer.’ She gave an excited grin. ‘So, what’ve you been up to?’
‘I’ve been for a lovely walk up to the bridge and now I’m heading to the shop to grab a few magazines. I think I’m going to chill out a bit this afternoon.’
Caitlin’s smile was replaced by a look of concern. ‘I think you deserve it. How are you doing now?’
Juliette waved a dismissive hand, unwilling to dwell on yesterday’s events for fear of reliving the whole terrifying experience. ‘Oh, I’m fine. Good as new. Thank you for your help, by the way. I’ll have your clothes washed and bring them over.’
‘No rush.’ Caitlin cringed and her cheeks flushed pink. ‘I hope you didn’t mind me changing you. I just thought you needed to be out of the wet clothes. You were ice cold and shivering and you didn’t deserve to catch pneumonia after what you’d gone through. We haven’t had such awful weather in ages. The waves in the inlet were terrible.’ She shuddered as if the memory conjured up a chill.
‘Of course I didn’t mind. I really appreciated that you didn’t leave the job of undressing me to poor Reid.’ She blushed at the thought of him seeing her naked.
‘I’m not sure he could’ve handled it.’ Caitlin leaned forward conspiratorially. ‘He’s actually quite shy underneath the grumpy temperament, despite what he’d have you think,’ she whispered.
Shy wasn’t a word Juliette would’ve associated with Reid MacKinnon. But it was interesting to hear someone else’s opinion of him.
Caitlin glanced over at the inlet. ‘I honestly brushed off the storm as a load of nonsense until it struck. Never seen weather like it here, not in summer. Give me the light nights, midges and showers we normally get at this time of year, any time.’
‘Yes, it was certainly a humdinger. Well, I should go. Those mags aren’t going to read themselves. See you at seven?’
‘See you then.’ Caitlin raised her hand in a wave and set off along the lane.
* * *
Juliette arrived a little early and stood outside The Coxswain waiting for Caitlin. She glanced up at the swinging sign. There was a painting of what she presumed was the old lifeboat and in the foreground stood a serious-looking, bearded man wearing a sou’wester and what looked like a life vest made from cork.
Across from the pub was a church, and she resolved to visit and look at the gravestones for any connection to the McLeods, and beside that a huge field she hadn’t really taken much notice of until now. A brightly coloured banner was attached to the fence that read ‘Glentorrin Games’ and an impending date which wasn’t too far in the future. Butterflies took flight in Juliette’s stomach at the prospect of witnessing her first Highland games. How exciting.
Beyond the field was a small range of purple-hued mountains, highlighted by the burnt sienna touches of the early-evening sun. It really was the most stunning place.
Juliette smiled to herself as she glanced back down the main road towards the museum. The row of houses that skirted the edge of the little inlet each had their own character, an expression of its occupants, no doubt. And each was picture-postcard perfect. Mistford was a pretty village and Juliette had always been won over by its charms, but Glentorrin possessed something of the ethereal about it. Something almost mystical that she couldn’t quite put her finger on. It had only been a short amount of time, but the place had already left its mark on her heart, and Juliette hoped Reid might be at the pub tonight so she could tell him she was happy to accept the job.
