‘So, have you heard anything more from Loony Lyle?’ Dexter asked before taking a huge gulp of his pint.
Caitlin laughed. ‘Loony Lyle? Thankfully no. I think he got the message when Archie saw him off and he is due to leave for Canada any time now.’
‘Aye, he’s a good bloke is Archie.’ He gave her a knowing look.
She narrowed her eyes at him. ‘What?’
‘Nothin’, mate. Do you think you’ll see Lyle before he leaves?’
Caitlin sighed. ‘I doubt it. I just hope he sees sense and allows the girls to say goodbye. As hard as that will be, I think they both need it.’
Dexter shook his head. ‘Aye, poor Gracie. It’s awful to lose such a close friend like that. Maybe someone needs to have a word in his ear.’
Caitlin glared at him. ‘Dex, don’t you dare go all guns blazing to Lyle’s house. I’ll be extremely pissed off if you do.’
Dexter shrugged. ‘Well, you cannit go, can you? He’s likely to kidnap you or something. Nah, I just want him to see sense.’
Caitlin shook her head. ‘Still, you need to stay away, do you hear me? Hopefully he’ll come to a sensible conclusion by himself.’
‘Aye, we can but dream.’ He took a drink of his beer and changed the subject. ‘So, what do you think of Sophie? She’s a little sweetheart, isn’t she?’
Caitlin beamed. ‘Oh, she’s gorgeous. Archie was going to register her with the GP today. Have you seen him?’
Dexter nodded. ‘Aye. He said she wouldn’t speak to the receptionist, but he managed to get things done. Bless that poor lass and what she’s been through. I couldn’t think of a nicer dad for her to have.’
‘No, me neither.’ There was a long pause in the conversation where Dexter appeared deep in thought. ‘Come on, Dex, I can sense you have something to say.’
He pursed his lips and rubbed his beard. ‘I was just thinking… You and Archie would make such a cracking couple.’
Caitlin rolled her eyes. ‘Ugh, not you as well?’
‘Aye, I know our Jetty has hinted at it too. And so have Ruby and Morag but… I think they’ve got a point. He’s dead fond of you, you know?’
‘And I’m fond of him, but he has Rosabeth now, so it makes no difference how I feel. If I felt anything, which I don’t,’ she blustered. ‘Anyway, I think Rosabeth’s coming to the barbecue on Saturday, and it’ll be the first time she meets Sophie, so I hope it goes well.’
‘Hmm. Archie was telling me she was a little angry about the news that he had a daughter. She says she was never interested in having kids, but that she’ll give things a go seeing as she likes him so much. So, that’s good, I suppose.’ Dexter’s words didn’t match the uncertainty in his eyes.
‘You don’t seem convinced.’
He sighed and scrunched his brow. ‘I… I just don’t get it… the not wanting kids thing. I’d love to have a family of my own. I see our Jetty with Evin and you with Grace, now Archie with Sophie… Yous are all so lucky. I can’t understand anyone who thinks having kids is a bad idea.’
‘I know what you mean,’ Caitlin agreed. ‘But I suppose not everyone feels that way. And it wouldn’t do for us all to feel the same. I just hope she doesn’t hurt him. He doesn’t deserve that.’
‘No, you’re right, he doesn’t.’ Dexter eyed her in that suspicious way again. She could tell he was making more of her words than she had intended. As if reading her mind, he rapidly changed the subject. ‘So, this Bram fella is coming on Saturday too?’
Caitlin felt her face heating substantially. ‘He is, and you’d better be nice.’
Dexter held up his hands defensively. ‘Hey, I’m a nice bloke, me! But I’m also a dickhead radar, so I’ll tell you exactly what I make of him. I wouldn’t be a good friend if I didn’t. And it sounds like my radar might have come in handy with old Barmy Budge.’
Caitlin almost choked on her drink. ‘Loony Lyle, Barmy Budge. Honestly you should be on a stage.’
He winked. ‘Aye, I might just enter the talent show at the Glentorrin Highland Games this year.’ He chuckled.
‘Hmm and I’ll be ready with my stock of rotten tomatoes.’
* * *
The sun was high in the sky on Saturday and Caitlin was relieved for Archie’s barbecue plans. The one thing that was certain on Skye was the uncertainty of the weather.
