She nodded. ‘Beer sounds good. It’s so warm.’
‘Aye, it’s lovely. I thought we’d go for a walk along the edge of the loch after we’ve eaten and then tonight, when it’s dark, we’ll get under the blankets and look at the stars.’
Oh gosh, it all sounded so perfect. So romantic. ‘Sounds wonderful.’
They sat at the table that was perfect for the four of them, Grace and Caitlin on one side, Archie and Sophie on the other, and ate their burgers. To anyone looking in, they would seem like a normal, little, happy family and Caitlin couldn’t help wishing that were true.
Breaking the silence that had fallen over them, Archie said, ‘One of these days I’ll have to cook you an actual meal that doesn’t consist of junk food.’
So, this tyre-changing, party-organising, computer genius of a businessman could cook? Ugh, she didn’t need more reasons to find him attractive. ‘Don’t tell me you’re a whizz in the kitchen too?’
‘I do a mean chicken salad. And I can cook a decent chilli.’ He laughed. ‘But I’m in no way a chef, don’t get me wrong. I just don’t want you to think I’m all about the barbecues and pizza.’
‘Your new lady friend is one lucky woman,’ Caitlin replied before she could stop herself, her cheeks flushing as red as the ketchup on Sophie’s chin.
Archie frowned and opened his mouth to speak, but Grace interjected.
‘Hey, Mum, we saw something in the water earlier. I reckon it’s the Loch Ness Monster on his holidays, what do you think?’ Grace winked as she nodded towards Sophie.
Sophie giggled. ‘Monsters don’t go on holiday.’
Archie grinned. ‘Aye, they do! Don’t you think they need it after spending all their time hiding? It must be exhausting scaring people and pretending not to be real.’
Sophie giggled again, her face lit up and her eyes were bright with adoration as she looked up at Archie. ‘You’re a bit bonkers, Daddy.’
Archie halted his burger’s route to his mouth, and he stopped dead with his mouth still partly open, as if in shock.
Realising what had happened, Caitlin inhaled sharply, and her eyes widened and welled up. She had just witnessed Sophie calling Archie Daddy for the first time and it was magical. Her throat tightened and she had to chew on the inside of her cheek to fend off the tears.
Archie was clearly affected too. His eyes turned glassy, and he locked them on Caitlin as his mouth turned up into the most glorious smile. She had to fight the sudden urge to hug him, to tell him what an amazing thing he had done stepping into the breach like he had, and what a fantastic job he was doing… and that she thought she might love him.
He placed down his burger, rubbed at his eyes, cleared his throat, and pulled Sophie into his side. He kissed the top of her head and said, ‘I think all daddies are a bit bonkers, don’t you, Soph?’
Sophie chuckled again, her laughter like music. ‘You’re the mostest bonkers though, Daddy. I bet you are the mostest bonkers in the whole wide world!’
Archie beamed. She’d said it twice. It wasn’t a fluke and she had evidently made his life complete with that one, simple little word.
25
The girls ran ahead with the dogs, their laughter could be heard ringing through the still evening air.
‘I reckon the fresh air will knock them out,’ Archie said with a grin.
‘We can only hope,’ Caitlin replied. ‘This is such a lovely spot.’
They were walking along the water’s edge as the sun had begun to make its descent behind the mountains. The sky was an array of pastel colours, from orange to pink to pale blue, and a buzzard was hovering overhead waiting to catch its supper. The ripple of the water as it reached the shore was a soothing background to their conversation.
‘I love it here. So peaceful. But I’m guessing you’re not much of a camper,’ he said with a glint in his eye.
Caitlin giggled. ‘Uh-oh, busted. What gave me away?’
‘I think I can read you quite well, and there was a distinct look of horror in your eyes when camping was mentioned. I think you even tried to get out of it but were beaten by a five-year-old and a thirteen-year-old.’ He chuckled lightly.
‘Ah… definitely caught red-handed.’ She gazed out across the water, watching the remains of the sunlight glinting on the surface. She thought about the places on Skye that she loved to visit, from the rugged beauty of the Storr rock formation to the peaceful serenity of Staffin Beach. ‘Don’t get me wrong, I love the outdoors. I love a nice long walk in the fresh air and taking in the scenery. Especially up at the Quiraing. The views from up there are spectacular. The fact that on a clear day you can see for miles… I think I’m maybe just getting a little set in my ways these days. I like my luxuries.’
He smiled and gestured back towards the site. ‘There are toilets and a shower block here, what more do you need?’
She shrugged and tapped her chin. ‘Hmm, I don’t know, let me see… good lighting to put my make-up on, a hairdryer, a comfy mattress, a cover that I can’t get trapped in if the zip catches, maybe a massage or a jacuzzi.’
