‘I’m just in the looking stage at the moment to get a feel for the market.’
‘I see. You’ve got a lot going on. What about the promotion you were telling me about? Have you decided on whether to take that or not? Logan said you were thinking about another career? Taking another path as it were…’
Cally really couldn’t be bothered to go into the ins and outs of it with Anne. Anne was nice enough but she doubted she’d ever really worked a day in her life or had a job, let alone three. ‘Umm, not really. I just need something to, you know, pay the bills.’
‘Rather tedious, really, isn’t it?’
‘I guess so.’ Tedious andrequiredfor Cally to exist.
‘So have you had a chance to think about the offer a bit more since you’ve been up here?’
Cally nodded. In actual fact the break in Scotland had been great in giving her the clarity to see that Birdie's job was just what she wanted. Being away from Lovely had sealed what she now realised was a very special deal. ‘I have, actually. Being up here has made me see that I think I’m going to give it a whirl.’
‘Ahh, that’s good news.’
Cally smiled. She really hoped she’d made the right decision. She’d soon find out.
20
The afternoon when Cally had laid on the sofa recharging and reading, she’d also flicked through quite a few pamphlets and old history books detailing all sorts about the estate. Her appetite regarding the estate had already been whetted just by strolling around and lapping it up, but learning more about it had really opened her eyes. She’d read with interest about the history of the house and its inhabitants, learnt more about the walking trails and read up on the wildlife, trees and many different plants on the doorstep. As she’d flicked through the books, she’d stopped with particular interest at a chapter about stargazing at the estate and the clarity of the skies.
Estate stargazing had piqued her interest, she’d noted the best-recommended spots and had planned on their last night to make the most of a clear sky and good weather. She’d planned what to eat, had walked down to the town to get supplies, and now stood in the kitchen over a huge bowl of chilli, spooning overloaded ladles into insulated Thermos bowls.
Across the other side of the kitchen, Logan had two open picnic baskets on the table and was putting a small gas cooker ring, a saucepan, and various other accoutrements into them. Cally put the two insulated bowls in one basket, went into thesitting room, grabbed a few of the tartan blankets from the back of the sofa, folded them neatly, and added them to one of the baskets.
Logan closed a basket and adjusted the little leather straps on the front. ‘Okay, are we all set? Do you think the chilli will stay warm enough?’
‘Yeah, it should do in those Thermos bowls. We’ll use the cooker thing if we need to.’
‘Excellent. Okay, we’re done. I just need to put the milk, chocolate powder, and marshmallows in.’
‘Yep, done.’
'Are you sure you're going to be warm enough?' Logan asked, eyeing Cally's layers critically. ‘It can be cool up the top there, even at this time of year.’
Cally nodded, adjusting her scarf. 'I've got a few layers on. Do you think I need my coat? Nah, I think I'm good.'
‘You definitely need your coat. Why risk it?’
‘Right, yes, true. You’re the expert in these matters. Pop that in, too.’
A few minutes later, each with a basket and a camping chair, they stomped out of the house, headed across the grounds, around the sunken garden, and made their way up the hill to the higher ground area detailed in the book. Logan carried a picnic basket in one hand, the bundle of tartan blankets in the other, and Cally clutched a bottle of wine and a smaller bag containing extra supplies. Chatting all the way, mostly about Birdie’s promotion offer, once they’d arrived at the top of the hill, Logan put down the stuff and looked around. 'This is the best spot. We've got a clear view of the sky, and the fire pit is just over there. This is the one the book said, wasn’t it? I haven’t been up here for a while.’
‘Yeah, it said this one for this time of year.’ Cally nodded, taking in the breathtaking panoramic view. The sun had justdipped below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of pink and orange. In the distance, she could see the silhouette of the main house, its windows already glowing against the sky. 'I’m so glad we made the effort to do this.’
Logan smiled as he started to lay the blankets on the ground. 'Wait till you see it when it's properly dark. The stars up here are like nothing you've ever seen. It’s amazing. Alastair and I used to come up here often back in the day.'
Arranging their spot, they opened the chairs, put out the blankets for warmth and unpacked the food. Logan pulled dry kindling and wood out of a little brick cubby area by the firepit and got a fire going as Cally took the Thermos pots out.
Cally shook her head. 'The days have flown by up here. I can’t believe we’re leaving tomorrow and I’ve got to go back to work. It's gone by so fast.'
Logan nodded. 'We can come back any time you want.'
Cally sat down on one of the rugs, leaned back on her elbows, and tilted her head to look up at the deepening twilight. ‘Ahh, the colours are so pretty.’
Logan sat down and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. 'It'll only get better as it gets darker.'
‘Hope so. In a funny way it reminds me of when we went in that hot air balloon. It must be because we’re high up. Remember that? I loved it. Imagine doing that over here…’ Cally remarked as she opened a basket and laid out cheese, French bread, and a jar of chutney she’d helped herself to via Cecilia at the main house.
