Logan lifted his chin in the direction of the view. 'It's beautiful this evening, isn't it?'
Cally nodded. 'I don't think I'll ever get tired of this view.'
'Me neither. Actually, speaking of views, there was something I wanted to talk to you about.'
'Oh?'
Logan went to continue just as Colin reappeared, carrying two steaming bowls of chowder.
'Here we are,' he announced, putting the bowls down in front of them. 'Two curried crab chowders, piping hot and ready to warm your souls. Joking, two regular old Lovely chowders. Though I have to say these are far from same old same old.'
Cally inhaled an incredible aroma wafting up from the bowls – a mix of seafood, garlic, and something uniquely, as far as she was concerned, Lovely. ‘Amazing. Thanks.’
Colin beamed. 'Wait till you taste it. It’s good. Shout if you want more.’
As Colin moved away to check on other tables Cally and Logan dug into their chowder. For a few minutes, neither of them spoke. There were more than a few appreciative nods. Cally dipped her spoon into the thick, creamy concoction: rich, velvety, and with just the right amount of garlic. It was one of the best Lovely Bay chowders she’d had, but she said that every time. 'Oh my god,' she mumbled around her spoonful, her eyes wide. ‘This is fab.’
Logan nodded. ‘And there Colin was having us on about curried chowder. You can’t beat this.’
'It’s so good.’
Logan nodded and wiped his mouth with a napkin. 'Funny really. I never would have tried chowder if it wasn’t for living in Lovely.’
'Same. That's Lovely for you.'
Logan lowered his voice. ‘It’s all a tad weird, really.’
‘I know. When I first worked for Birdie, I swear I thought everyone was a bit bonkers here, as if there was something in the water. And now here I am, part of it.’
'Speaking of surprises and back to what I was saying. I've been thinking. Now I’m feeling better about everything and a bit of time has passed...'
‘Right, yep.’
‘First, I want to say thank you for, well, you know, sticking by me.’
‘Don't be ridiculous! I can’t believe you’d even say that.’
Logan raised his half-full glass. ‘I know I’ve been putting away much too much of this.’
‘It’s fine.’ Cally pretended. It wasn’t fine. Logan had been very sad and had dealt with it by drinking way too much way too many times.
‘It’snotfine.’
She decided to come clean. ‘Okay. Actually, you’re right, it’s not fine.’
‘You’ve stuck by me when I was far from my best.’
Cally joked. ‘You’re worth it. Just.’
‘I mean it. Anyway, in light of all that, I thought you might like a trip up to the estate.’
Cally wrinkled up her nose and frowned. ‘The estate? What in Scotland?’
‘Yep. You said you wanted to see snow when we were there back in the summer. So if you want to, I’m going to arrange it. It’s amazing up there when it’s cold.’
‘Do you mean for Christmas?’ Cally frowned.
‘I was thinking just before so we get all the best bits of the festive season but still get to spend time in Lovely for Christmas itself. Up to you.’
