She’d been determined that she would not focus too much on hobnobbing with family members, but instead, she intended to revel in the wonderful scenery and nature and would do her darndest to enjoy a whole long weekend in the country. She’d always loved being out and about in nature and was going to jolly well make the most of it. She’d packed hiking trousers, was the proud new owner of a highfalutin suitcase, and she had a very nice and, to be quite frank, extremely fancy pair of wellies packed in the boot of Logan’s Aunt Cecilia’s car.
Sitting back in the first-class compartment of the train, Cally watched out the window as it trundled through the countryside. It then slowed to a snail’s pace, lowered down into a loch area and almost came to a stop as it waited at a signal. Since crossing into Scotland, the majority of the scenery had been beautifulas the train had snaked in and out of towns. But as it slowed on its approach to the town outside the estate, the view slowly morphed from beautiful to absolutely breathtaking. Logan put his hand on Cally’s leg as she sat glued to the window, looking out at the jaw-dropping scenery filtering past outside. Her eyes widened as the train wound its way through the increasingly dramatic Scottish landscape, and she became more and more pleased that she’d said yes to the weekend away. She exhaled as the rolling hills they’d first encountered became more rugged, and heather-covered moorland stretched as far as the eye could see. Laid out in front of her, a beautiful muted patchwork of purples and greens seemed to shimmer in the light. It was almost as if colours Cally had never seen before had decided they might like to get to know her and hug the side of the train. She couldn’t quite get enough.
With her nose practically pressed against the glass, she exclaimed. 'You totally undersold this! It's absolutely stunning. The scenery! What the heck, Logan? Why didn’t you say?'
Logan squeezed her leg. 'Iknewyou'd love it. Just wait until we get closer to the estate. You arenotgoing to be disappointed.'
As if on cue, the train rounded a bend, and Cally gasped as the track ran alongside a pristine loch. Its surface was so still it looked like a mirror reflecting the hills around it. Cally blinked and shook her head. 'I don’t know what to say. I've never seen anything like it. It's like we’re in a book.'
Logan chuckled. 'It has that effect on people up here. I’d forgotten that. I remember feeling the same way the first time I came up here as a boy. You haven’t seen the half of it yet.'
Cally frowned. 'How old were you when you first came up here?'
'Tiny, I guess. But I first remember what you’re feeling when I was about seven or eight, I think. I remember being absolutely gobsmacked by it all. I spent the entire weekend running aboutlike a wild thing. Alastair and I went nuts up here. I never get tired of this place, which is why I wanted you to come. I know you’ll like it.’
'I can just picture it. Logan gone feral.'
Logan laughed as the train passed a patch of dense forest. ‘Yeah, something like that.’
'Oh, wow,' Cally breathed at tall ancient Scots pines. 'Look at those trees. They must be hundreds of years old. This isstunning.'
Logan nodded. 'The estate has been working on a project to protect and expand the forest. It's one of the things Uncle Reg is most proud of. Honestly, though, fair warning: don’t even think about mentioning it to him because once he starts, he will chew your ear off about it. I’m surprised he hasn’t already.'
‘Actually, I’d quite like to hear about it.’
'I'm sure he’d be thrilled to enlighten you.'
Cally laughed. ‘I’m going to be in my element here. I’m glad my coat was ready.'
'You're going to absolutely love this weekend. There's so much to explore on the estate.'
All Cally’s doubts flew out the window. ‘I’m looking forward to it now we’re here.’
‘There are miles of walking trails and some easy strolls around the loch, others go up into the hills for some spectacular views. There's one trail that winds up through the pine forest and then opens out onto a highland clearing. The view from up there is breathtaking. You can see for miles in every direction.'
Cally rubbed her hands together. 'Ooh, this is going to be such a good weekend. I can't wait to see it all.’
‘Have you done fly fishing before?'
Cally raised an eyebrow. Of course she hadn’t. There hadn’t been many opportunities for Cally to do fly fishing. Funny that. Sometimes she did wonder if Logan hadanyclue at all what herchildhood had encompassed. 'Fly fishing? No, I haven’t. I'm not sure I'm posh enough for it,' Cally joked.
Logan laughed, shaking his head. 'Trust me, it's not about being posh. It's about patience and a lot of luck. There are some rare species of eagles, too.'
Cally's jaw dropped. 'Wow, eagles?'
Logan nodded. ‘If we're lucky, we might spot one.'
As Logan continued to describe the estate, Cally got excited about the weekend. Leading up to leaving for Scotland, she’d thought about the whole affair simply as a family obligation that she’d have to suffer through with gritted teeth. Now, though, as the train weaved its way through the countryside, she felt herself start to relax. From the train window, it was pretty clear that she was about to have the opportunity to immerse herself in some of the most beautiful wilderness she'd ever seen. Bring that right on.
'There's a sunken garden on the estate. It's been there for centuries, and it's absolutely gorgeous at this time of year. The poppies will be out soon, too. Honestly, Blackcurrant, they’ll take your breath away.'
‘Nice. I think I’m going to have a weekend to remember if that is anything to go by.’ Cally jerked her thumb at the scenery going past the window. The train passed through a glen and steep hills rose up on either side of the track. A small stream tumbled down a hillside and a little series of miniature waterfalls glinted in the sun. 'It's like every few metres it gets more beautiful.’
Logan nodded. 'I forget how nice it is. It was a good idea of Cecilia’s that we come on the train so that you would get to see this. Itispretty special up here.’
‘Mmm, you’re not wrong.’
‘There's a local legend that says the glen we're passing through now is home to fairies.'
