‘Okay, so when we go over the bridge, there is a viewing platform. Sometimes it can be busy, so just be cautious and patient. We’re not in any rush at all. Take as much time as you need to get photographs and just appreciate the view.’
Kitty and Olivia were still at the rear of the group, allowing the more enthusiastic members to take the lead. ‘Tell me then, what are the best things about being a dancer?’ asked Kitty.
Olivia looked at her in surprise. ‘Gosh. I don’t think anyone has actually asked me that question before . . .’ Her voice trailed away as she closed her eyes and took a moment to think. She started walking beside Kitty again and began to talk. ‘Most of all, it’s about doing something that I love. I never forget how lucky I am to dance for a living. What else? The feeling of moving to the music, when you get it just right, and how you’re lost entirely in the moment. It’s unreal. Um, what else can I say? When you’re at your ultimate fitness in body and mind, especially when doing a tour, that’s an incredible feeling, which always makes me feel strong and powerful. Does that make sense?’
Kitty nodded.
‘And the friendships, meeting diverse people in different places and getting to travel and see places that I wouldn’t normally get to experience if I was stuck behind a desk in an office.’
‘Wow,’ said Kitty. ‘Your eyes totally light up when you’re talking about it. I can tell it’s your passion.’
Olivia nodded enthusiastically as her eyes sparkled. ‘I’ve been doing it since I was a little girl. It’s just always been part of me. I always remind myself why I dance and it’s for the feeling and love of it. I’ve learned to practice and practice and practice some more, be gracious and humble and know I have something to learn from every other dancer.’
Kitty felt her spine tingle as she listened. ‘The way you describe it is incredible. I can tell it’s part of you.’
‘I’ve been so lucky. I’ve travelled the world and experienced different cultures and learned to dance with some of the most amazing people on some of the most amazing dance floors and stages. And I’ve been able to teach too, which has been sorewarding. That’s the other part I love. Being able to inspire others and encourage them to dance, especially when they think they can’t.’
Kitty gestured to Olivia to walk across the bridge ahead of her. ‘You’re first,’ she said brightly, relieved that Olivia seemed to be a bit more upbeat.
‘Why, thank you,’ she said, putting her hands into her pockets and gracefully striding ahead.
She noticed Logan keeping a close eye on everyone, and it reminded her of working at the nursery and having to have eyes in the back of her head. So far, the group seemed quite relaxed and were quietly getting on with things, appreciating their surroundings. From what she could gather there weren’t any troublemakers, aside from her and Olivia holding them up at the start. She wondered if Logan had any tales of tricky customers. Then she checked herself as she found herself staring at him and admiring his strong shoulders. Just then he turned round and caught her eyes and weirdly Kitty felt her legs tremble. They actuallytrembled. This was not good.
He grinned. ‘All okay?’
Making herself take a steadying breath, she returned the smile. ‘Yes, all good.’ She was desperately trying to think of something witty or intelligent to say. ‘I was just wondering if you ever had any tricky guests. Anyone that caused you any problems?’Why on earth did I just say that?She felt like such an idiot.
He paused and rubbed his hand over his chin. ‘Apart from you two holding us all up with your constant chatting?’ he said wryly.
‘Hey, we were just a bit slow to start with,’ she said, feeling quite indignant. ‘All good now, though. Look, Olivia is way at the front. Mind you, she is super fit, so she should be way ahead.She’s a dancer.’ She gave herself another shake. Why was she just wittering nonsense?
‘I’m joking,’ he said, a hint of amusement in his eyes. ‘Not really, to answer your question . . . Most people who sign up are keen on the outdoors, and they might be on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Scotland so want to make the most of it. We try and remind people that some of our walks can be quite physical.’ He pulled a face. ‘I did have someone breaking an ankle once. Though maybe I shouldn’t be telling you that.’
She laughed. ‘Oh dear, and here was me thinking that we were in safe hands.’
‘Fortunately it was towards the end of a tour, and it was just one of those things where someone slipped and went over at a weird angle.’
‘Sounds sore.’
‘Yes, it wasn’t ideal. But we managed to get them seen to fairly quickly. There was no need to call out mountain rescue or anything like that. Fingers crossed and touch wood, that has been the biggest drama so far. I hope it stays that way.’
‘Yes, the last thing you want is any stressful situations,’ she said brightly.
‘And what about you? What brings you to Arran?’ he asked.
‘Oh, I’ve a few weeks off work and had the chance to spend the summer here, so thought it would be a bit of an adventure. Hence us signing up for this trip.’
His eyes crinkled as he smiled. ‘Well, I hope it lives up to expectations.’
She followed him over the bridge to the rest of the group, who had made their way to the empty viewing platform.
‘There you go,’ said Logan, raising his voice so everyone could see. ‘Bird’s-eye view and we even get it all to ourselves. I couldn’t have planned it better. Sometimes it can get a bit crowded up here and there can be sometensionsif people startto hog the best view. These are double falls around forty-five metres high, or one hundred and forty feet if you prefer, and they’re also known as theEas a’ Chrannaigin Gaelic.’
They all fell silent as they stood in awe, watching the jets of water cascade into a frothy pool below. Kitty found herself mesmerised by the water as it tumbled down over the rocks. There were so many shades of blue and green and brown. As she continued to stare at the scene ahead, she became aware of Logan standing next to her. His arm brushed against hers and she noticed that spicy scent of aftershave that reminded her of the first morning she’d seen him at the bakery. All of a sudden, she felt quite light-headed, as though she was having an out-of-body experience, and she rested her hands on the wooden bar in front of her. Taking a steadying breath, she looked across to Olivia, who was equally transfixed by the waterfall.
‘It’s quite something, isn’t it?’ murmured Logan.
She nodded, unable to form any words. Kitty had felt this strange sensation once before in her life and it was completely throwing her off balance. Sometimes she wished she wasn’t quite so in tune with her intuition. Kittyknewthere was a connection between her and Logan. It sounded weird, as they didn’t even know each other, and she was aware that if she voiced it aloud to anyone else they would think she was mad. Or a bit of a stalker. But what was overwhelming her more than anything else was that it was the same voice within that spoke to her when she last met someonespecial. This was exactly the same trembling and dizzy sensation that she’d had when she first saw Ryan. But there was no way that could happen again. That was a different part of her life and there was no way she was going to put herself through that. Not a chance. Then she felt a glimmer of guilt, realising she’d forgotten the earlier call from Cameron and her sense that he’d been a bit out of sorts. How could she have managed to push that aside? She felt Logangiving her a sideways glance, and she knew she had to say something, otherwise she would come across as being rude. ‘I’m just going to go and have a look over there,’ she said as politely as she could to Logan. ‘Get another perspective of it.’
