Cally frowned as Logan made to turn left. ‘I thought the pub was that way.’
Logan gave a slight nod. ‘It is. That way takes you past the war memorial. I thought we’d go around the back over the cricket field. The view from there is nice.’
‘Oh, okay, right. Is it quicker because I’m ready to eat a horse?’
‘Yeah, it is.’
A few minutes later, with a gloved hand, Logan pushed a layer of snow off a stile. Cally hopped over, and they walked along a path down the side of a field covered with a pristine layer of newly laid snow. She wrapped her scarf tighter around her neck and popped a peppermint in her mouth. As they walked along the public footpath and turned a corner, she stopped and pointed at a sight in a neighbouring field: a huge hot air balloon right in the middle looking completely out of place.
Cally raised her eyebrows. ‘Oh, how funny. Remember when we went on that hot air balloon when we were first going out? They must do them here, too. What a coincidence.’
‘Yes, funny that.’
‘Have you been on a balloon ride here? Gosh, I bet the views must be fabulous.’
‘They must.’ Logan gave Cally a look.
Cally narrowed her eyes. ‘Wait, what? What’s that look on your face?’
‘Nothing.’
Cally’s hands flew to her face. She gazed at the balloon’s silk sections in pale blue and white swaying back and forth over the white-topped scenery. ‘Sorry! Are we going on that? I thought we were going to the pub.’
‘We’re not going to the pub, no.’
‘Logan! What about Eloise and everyone?’
Logan raised his eyebrows.
‘Oh, right, they’re in on it. What are they meeting us over there?’ Cally said, nodding in the direction of the balloon.
‘No, we’re going alone.’
‘Oh, okay. Yikes, that’s a bit mean. You should have asked them.’
Again, Logan said nothing and raised his eyebrows.
‘What a surprise! I thought you were up to something when you first started talking about coming to Scotland. IknewI was right! Now I know. I hope they don’t mind us going off without them.’
‘They’re fine. I thought it would be nice just you and me.’
‘Rightio. Exciting! I loved it last time. Thank you.’
As Cally and Logan approached the hot air balloon, Cally felt a sense of déjà vu. The enormous balloon, with its silk sections in pale blue juxtaposed against the white of the surrounding field, brought back memories of when she’d first been going out with Logan. This time, instead of rolling green fields and all the colours of a nice day, they were surrounded by a winter wonderland of snow-covered Scottish landscape. It did not disappoint.
'I can't believe we're doing this again. It feels like yesterday we were in that pink balloon over Lovely Bay. Time flies. Ooh, I loved that trip so much. It was such a nice day.'
Logan squeezed her hand. ‘I thought it might be nice to see how it compares. Plus, the view is going to be spectacular. You only live once, right?'
As they neared the balloon, a woman bundled up in a branded puffer coat, beanie and scarf gave them a cheerful little wave. 'Afternoon, folks! Ready for a wee adventure? Cold enough for you?'
Logan’s breath was visible in the air. ‘We are.’
'Excellent. Despite the temperature, we've got perfect conditions today. The visibility is outstanding, so you're in for a real treat. It’s a beautiful clear day up there. Float away my friends, float away…'
As the woman went through the safety briefing, the burner occasionally roared to life, sending a blast of heat into the air. Cally thought about the first time she’d been in a hot air balloon and how it had been so breathtaking that she’d been overwhelmed by it all.
'Right, let's get you two up in the air, shall we?'
