‘Yes, so I hear. An old friend of yours, I understand?’
‘Greg? Oh aye, he and I go way back. He used to play at a pub I ran by the bridge at Clachan. Anyway, I’ll leave you to browse the menu. Just give Joren a shout when you know what you want.’
Juliette handed the menu straight back. ‘No need. I’ll have the haggis, if that’s okay? Caitlin here tells me it’s your speciality.’
‘Same for me, Stella, please,’ Caitlin agreed.
Their host raised her eyebrows and nodded, smiling. ‘Oh, right then. Well, that was easy. Coming right up.’ Stella retrieved the menus and marched back to the kitchen.
Juliette sighed in contentment. ‘I really could get used to this. I don’t think I’ve ever been anywhere where people have taken to me so easily. It’s lovely.’
‘Aye, well, don’t get too used to it. Leanna and Donny McNair have just walked in. Just know thatwhatevershe says, it’s bull, so take it with a pinch of salt, okay?’
Juliette crumpled her brow. She was aware that Leanna wasn’t exactly a friendly and welcoming person, but was she all that bad? ‘What makes you say that?’
‘Well, she’s rather fond of a certain local artist and café owner. She’s absolutely batty about him, to be truthful. I’m talking bunny-boiler level of stalker. Any new woman who appears in the village is automatically seen as competition.’ She widened her eyes to accentuate her point. ‘If ever you want to know where Reid is or what he’s doing, just askher. They’ve known each other forever and she reckons they’re going to end up together someday. Although I’m not sure what her hubby, Donny, would say, if he knew.’
Juliette widened her eyes. ‘He doesn’t know?’
‘Na. Poor Donald, he’stotallyoblivious. Thinks the world revolves around his princess. He’s a fair bit older than her and acts like he’s lucky she’s with him. He’s from a long line of crofters and isn’t short of cash. Gives her everything she wants, whether it’s jewellery or surgery. Not the best basis for a marriage, if you ask me, but it’s not my place to break the poor wee guy’s heart.’
‘Blimey.’
Before Juliette had a chance to respond further, the busty blonde from the café appeared before their table. ‘Caitlin, you’re in here,again,’ she snidely pointed out in a pseudo-posh accent.
Caitlin smiled sweetly despite the barbed comment. ‘Aye, so it would seem. Just likeyou, I guess?’
Leanna ignored Caitlin’s retort and turned her attention to Juliette. ‘And you’re thatdoglady, aren’t you?’ She pursed her lips in a fake attempt at a smile and limply held out her hand. ‘I’m Leanna, I think we met before your…adventure. You left your kiddies wellington boots in my café. Well, I say kiddies, but they were adult-sized, so I’m guessing they were actually yours. You’re the talk of the village now and not even because of the boots.’ She forced a humourless laugh. ‘Don’t worry though, they’ll all be bored of you soon and onto somethingfarmore interesting.’ Her words were more than slightly acidic, but nonetheless, always willing to give people the benefit of the doubt – sometimes to her own detriment – Juliette reached out her hand in response. However, Leanna’s was swiftly withdrawn as Caitlin spoke.
‘I wonder what possible gossip there could be to replace that of such a selfless act as Jules’s? Ooh, I know, perhaps someone’s teenage crush will get out of hand?’ Caitlin tapped her chin before fluttering her eyelids and giving Leanna a knowing look.
Leanna sneered and leaned closer and her own accent made an appearance. ‘Whatever, Caitlin. Some women are actuallyfeminineenough to attract more than one man. Unlike others I could mention, who don’t attractany, thanks to spending their time eating their business profits and getting fat.’
Ouch. Now I understand what Caitlin meant about sour apples, Juliette thought silently.
But Caitlin wasn’t one to be cowed. ‘Be careful, Leanna, won’t you? The fire by the bar is lit and we wouldn’t want you melting yourperfectfemininefigure, would we?’
Juliette surreptitiously eyed the blonde woman’sassetsand silently agreed that the breasts definitely looked fake. There was clearly not an ounce of love lost between the women. Juliette pulled her lips in between her teeth and widened her eyes, waiting with bated breath to dodge the next insult that flew like a dagger across the room.
Instead, Donny appeared and grabbed his wife’s arm. ‘Come on, darlin’. I’m parched. Let’s get a drink and you can come back and talk to your friends later, eh?’
Once they had walked away, Caitlin whispered to Juliette, ‘See, oblivious toeverything,that man.Friends,my arse.’
Moments later, Joren placed two steaming plates of food before them and the accompanying aroma was a heavenly mix of pepper, onions, rich meat and spices. This was to be only the second time Juliette had tried haggis and her mouth watered in readiness. ‘Mmm. It smells amazing.’
Caitlin had already tucked in and through a mouth full of food, she mumbled, ‘Wait ’til you taste the tatties. Creamiest you’ve ever tried, I guarantee it.’ She tilted her head back, closed her eyes and let out an orgasmic moan.
Juliette didn’t need telling twice and scooped up a forkful of mashed potato and haggis, closed her eyes and slipped the food into her mouth. There was an explosion of flavours, from the cream in the potatoes to the spices, and a meaty richness to the haggis.
A similar noise to that of Caitlin’s emanated from her throat almost involuntarily. ‘Ohmygodthat’samazing,’ followed in a rush of slurred vowels and consonants.
‘Told you!’ Caitlin laughed.
Joren’s voice rang out over the hidden sound system. ‘Ladies and gentlemen, please give a warm Coxswain welcome to The Toilichte Hens.’ His announcement was followed by raucous applause and whistles.
Juliette, still enjoying her foray into Scottish cuisine, glanced over to the fireplace, where two young women – one blonde with a fiddle, and one brunette with an accordion – stood ready to entertain.
As the bouncing rhythm of the music kicked in, Caitlin leaned towards her and said, ‘In case you’re wondering, their name is Gaelic and it translates roughly toHappy Hens.’
