‘All right,’ said Sara.
Kitty sniggered and started singing the chorus of a Supergrass song. ‘Oh dear. Well, you did say, “All right,” Sara.’
Logan watched the trio of women start to make their way back down the slope . . . while Kitty belted out the song and Olivia shook her head. What on earth was that about?
* * *
It was now just after eight and Logan stood in the pub with Adam and Liz. It had been a very long day and they had reached the summit, much to Adam’s delight.
‘Never before has a beer tasted so good,’ Logan said as he clinked his glass against Adam’s and Liz’s.
‘I wonder how the girls got on with that woman.’ Adam had filled Liz in on the drama from earlier, and how Kitty and Olivia had gone to Sara’s rescue.
‘Well, Kitty sent me a text message to let me know she was okay, and they made it down. She and Olivia should be here any minute. That’s if Olivia isn’t trying to track the boyfriend down,’ he said wryly.
‘Ah, there they are,’ said Adam as Kitty and Olivia strolled into the bar.
They clapped as the women neared them. ‘You two saved the day,’ said Logan. He couldn’t take his eyes off Kitty. She wore jeans, a simple yellow top and her hair hung loose around her shoulders. She was beautiful.
‘It was nothing, we just chummed her down the path and kept her entertained with some singing. I think you might have helped though, with your expert bandaging,’ she said.
‘I just wish she’d been wearing the proper gear, then it wouldn’t have happened. Honestly, the number of times I pass people wearing flip-flops and flimsy summer clothes. It drives me mad,’ admitted Logan.
‘It wouldn’t have happened if her dickhead of a boyfriend hadn’t abandoned her,’ said Olivia darkly.
‘Glass of wine?’ asked Logan. ‘I think you deserve it.’
‘Please,’ said Olivia. ‘In fact, make it a bottle. Kitty, would you like wine too?’
Kitty nodded, looking a bit concerned by Olivia’s mood, which seemed to have declined since that afternoon. ‘So how was the climb then, Adam?’
‘Tougher than I thought,’ he admitted. ‘But I’m glad I did it.’
‘And how are your blisters, Liz?’
‘They were bloody sore. I mean, I could hardly make it to breakfast this morning, never mind hiking up Goatfell. I am sorry, as I was looking forward to it,’ she said, before adding, ‘but not too sorry as I had a lovely time in the spa.’ She spread her hands out and showed her fuchsia-painted nails.
‘Very nice,’ said Olivia, taking a gulp of wine and quickly draining her glass.
Logan caught Kitty looking at her quizzically.
‘What’s next for you, then?’ asked Kitty to Liz and Adam.
‘Well, after this, we’re off for some dinner at the hotel. In fact, we’d better watch our time, love, so we make our reservation,’ Adam said. ‘Tomorrow, we leave to get the ferry back to the mainland, then we’re off to Inverness.’
‘Oh, wonderful,’ said Kitty. ‘Have you been there before?’
‘No,’ said Liz. ‘Have you any pointers?’
‘I do indeed. I live very close. Just about a half-hour drive, in fact — in Rosemarkie, on the Black Isle.’
‘Isn’t that where you can see dolphins?’ asked Liz.
Kitty smiled. ‘Yes, it’s near Chanonry Point, which is halfway between Rosemarkie and Fortrose. If you’re lucky you’ll see bottlenose dolphins, but you need to check the tide times to make sure that it’s not a wasted journey. The best time to arrive and wait is from low tide.’
‘Great, thanks for that tip. We’ll definitely need to remember that, Adam. Where else do you recommend?’
‘Why don’t I make you a wee list?’ Kitty quickly jotted down a few suggestions on a piece of paper, and Liz tucked it away in her bag.
