‘It’s been so lovely meeting you all,’ said Adam. ‘Thank you, Logan, for being such a great guide. I thoroughly enjoyed today and hearing a bit more about your work too.’ He glanced at his watch. ‘That’s us off, then.’
‘Thanks again, everyone,’ Liz said. ‘Take care and enjoy the rest of your summer.’
Logan, Kitty and Olivia chorused their goodbyes before Olivia disappeared into the ladies.
‘What a day, eh?’ And although it was the very last thing Logan wanted to be saying to Kitty, he said, ‘I hope I’m not speaking out of turn, but I think it might be a good idea to get Olivia home?’ He added softly, ‘She’s just about finished that bottle of wine and doesn’t seem to be in very good spirits.’
‘Oh no,’ said Kitty. ‘I didn’t realise she was drinking it so fast, and she had a couple of whiskies too before we came out. She insisted she would just have the one, but I suspect she’s had more. Thank God I made her eat some dinner first.’
‘I think it may be better if you suggest it rather than me,’ said Logan. ‘I get the feeling that she has some beef with the opposite sex today.’
‘I would agree with you. I had to suggest she dial it down a bit with Sara. She was telling her to ditch the boyfriend and that he was a useless lump, or words to that effect. And she pointed out in no uncertain terms that if he left her stranded on a mountain, at this stage in their relationship, then think what would happen if the going really got tough.’
‘Ouch,’ winced Logan.
‘Yip. I think the poor woman’s ankle was the least of her worries by the time we left her.’
Just then, Olivia stumbled out of the ladies and walked towards them. ‘I’m tired,’ she slurred. ‘Do you mind if I go home?’
Kitty’s shoulders slumped with relief. ‘No, of course not. Come on, let’s head back to the cottage.’
‘S’okay. You don’t have to come. You can stay here with him,’ she said, pointing at Logan. ‘Have some fun. You deserve to have a wild night out.’
‘Come on,’ Kitty said gently. ‘Let’s go back and have a nice cup of tea together. I’m tired too. It’s been a long day.’
‘Just stay,’ Olivia tried to insist. ‘I can manage to get back on my own. I’m not a child.’
Logan begged to differ. At this moment in time she looked young and vulnerable. There was no way he was letting either of the women walk home alone, especially when Olivia was so inebriated. ‘That’s okay. I’ll walk you home,’ said Logan, looking at Kitty. ‘It’s been quite the day for everyone. I need my beauty sleep too.’ He stifled a yawn.
He gave Kitty an apologetic smile. What he really wanted to do,once again, was to reach out and pull her close to him. But the timing really wasn’t great.Again.He couldn’t help but think a trend was starting to emerge here. And it was the final day of the tour. It was fair to say that it hadn’t ended in the way that he’d hoped it might.
Olivia began to walk towards the door and Kitty and Logan followed behind, trailing along the road that would then lead them up the steep hill to Lilybank Cottage. It was a warm and light summer’s evening, and the water gently lapped the bay as they followed the path along the road.
‘When is it you head off to your next tour?’ asked Kitty.
‘I have a couple of days here and then go to the mainland on Wednesday. . .’
‘Right,’ she said, keeping her eyes fixed ahead on Olivia.
‘Have you seen her like this before?’ he said under his breath.
‘No, and I’m a bit worried about her. What happened today seemed to trigger something.’
‘Yes, I noticed that too,’ he said. ‘I suppose she’ll tell you if and when she’s ready.’
Kitty nodded solemnly, and he could tell her mind was elsewhere, as she frowned after Olivia.
He wanted to say something,anything, but what? When Olivia started to walk haphazardly across the road, they both flanked her and linked arms on either side.
‘Sorry. I’m so sorry about this,’ she said.
‘That’s okay. It will all feel better in the morning,’ said Kitty, her tone light.
Before long they had reached Lilybank Cottage, by which time Olivia had started to cry. Loud, gut-wrenching sobs that made her shoulders shudder.
‘Will you be okay?’ Logan asked Kitty, quietly.
Kitty nodded. ‘It’s probably better that you go now and I sort her out. But thank you,’ she said, touching his arm. ‘For everything.’
