Olivia and Kitty. Guests at Lilybank Cottage. They should be calling you soon.
Sure enough, a few minutes later Logan’s phone rang. ‘Hi, is that Logan?’ said a woman’s voice.
‘It is.’
‘Hi, Logan. My name’s Kitty. I hope you’re expecting this call. Amy said I should phone you and mention her name . . .’
He laughed easily. ‘Yes,’ he said. ‘Her boyfriend James just this minute let me know you would be in touch. I hear you want to join the next tour?’
‘Please. If there’s space for me and another that would be brilliant.’
‘Sure. I just need to take some details.’
Logan exchanged pleasantries with the woman, explaining the walks they’d be doing and the kit her and her friend would need.
‘Don’t worry, I’ve come prepared,’ she said.
It did sound as though she had come to Arran with walking in mind — he was impressed. ‘There’s an outdoor shop in Brodick, which is brilliant, just in case you need anything else.’
‘Yes, thanks. I clocked that when I arrived and thought it might be handy.’
Logan raked his hand through his hair as he found himself wanting to continue the conversation with her. ‘Okay . . . well . . . you have my number, Kitty. Just call or drop me a text if you think of anything else you need.’ He paused, desperately thinking of something witty to say, but his mind went blank. ‘I look forward to meeting you and Olivia on Thursday morning. Remember your snacks and packed lunches.’ God, he sounded like a schoolteacher. Why didn’t he just add that she better make sure she was on time?
‘And our sunscreen, water, layers and waterproof?’ she added helpfully.
Logan raised an eyebrow and couldn’t stop himself from chuckling. ‘Maybe you should just lead the tour, you probably have more clue of what’s going on than me,’ he said jokily.
‘Maybe. I’ll see how I feel on the day,’ she said smoothly, not missing a beat.
He smiled. This woman sounded like she might add some sparkle to the group and keep him on his toes. At least he hoped so. Then he reprimanded himself for even giving it a second thought. It was so out of character. What was the matter with him?
‘Okay, thanks, Logan. We’ll see you bright and early on Thursday. And don’t worry. We won’t be late.’
‘Thanks, Kitty . . . Um, see you then.’
Um, see you then.What was that all about? Henevergot stuck for words. It was as though he had reverted to being fourteen again. He shook his head at himself. But there was nodenying that he was intrigued to meet the face behind the voice, and all would be revealed on Thursday when they met in person.
He reminded himself that she was perhaps already taken. She said ‘they’ would see him on Thursday. It suddenly dawned on him — maybe Olivia was Kitty’s partner, and she hadn’t actually been flirting with him at all but was just being friendly. He groaned, feeling slightly mortified. How typical that he would misread the signs and jump to the wrong conclusions.
Returning his attentions to his laptop, he quickly typed an email to Henry. He’d be pleased that a couple of others had joined the group. He pressed send and then grabbed his bag. It was time to get out on the water for some physical and mental health time, which would hopefully help him switch off and give him a mood boost. He hadn’t been out as much as he normally would these last couple of days, and it was clearly affecting his focus.
Chapter Nineteen
It was the night before the walking tour started and Olivia was chatting to her aunt Trudy on the phone, reassuring her that she was okay and that she was falling in love with Arran. ‘I now see why you were so enthralled,’ she said enthusiastically. ‘Thanks for recommending I come and for setting it all up.’
‘I’m glad you’re there and safely away from everything,’ said Trudy. ‘It will do you the world of good to have a proper break. Listen, I’d better go, I can hear your uncle Chuck calling. It’s been wonderful chatting. Keep in touch and let me know how things are going?’
‘Of course. Give Uncle Chuck a hug for me.’
‘I will. Goodbye dear and enjoy those walks.’
Olivia ended the call and looked out her bedroom window. In the garden Kitty sat with a glass of rosé and a bowl of olives. She looked up and, on seeing Olivia, gestured for her to join her. A few moments later she sat down at the table next to Kitty, who’d already filled another glass with wine. They’d spent the day making sure they were prepared for their first walk, which would take them to Whiting Bay and a circular route to the waterfalls of Glenashdale Falls and the Giants’ Graves.
‘I’m excited to see more of the island,’ said Olivia, taking a sip.
Kitty nodded. ‘I mean, I guess wecouldhave taken my car and a guidebook, but sometimes it’s just nice to follow the leader and not have to think for a change. I’m so used to always organising things, whether for Cameron and school or when I’m at work . . . I just feel like I’m constantly the one making decisions on everything and having to initiate stuff, you know?’
Olivia eyed her for a moment. ‘I guess parenting must be all consuming, huh?’
