‘No problem. Give me two ticks.’
She dug her toes into the pale stones that were scattered across the beer garden.
‘Are you digging to Australia?’ said Logan when he reappeared with their drinks.
‘Oops,’ she said. ‘I was miles away there.’
Logan laughed easily. ‘Cheers,’ he said, holding his beer up to her glass.
‘Cheers.’ Kitty took a gulp of her drink. It was cold and refreshing and just what she needed.
‘How is Olivia today?’ said Logan.
‘She was a bit rough this morning, and I left her having pizza on the sofa and watching Netflix. I think she’ll be fine by tomorrow.’ She didn’t want to betray Olivia’s confidence, but she felt she wanted to give Logan a bit of an explanation as to what had happened. ‘She’s had a bit of a rough time these past few years.’
Logan put his hands up to stop her. ‘You don’t need to tell me. It’s okay.’
‘I don’t think she would mind me telling you a bit. But it involved a particularly nasty break up with her ex, and she’s staying away from men for the foreseeable.’
He grimaced. ‘I got that sense from what happened on the mountain yesterday. I’m really sorry to hear that.’
‘Anyway,’ said Kitty, keen to steer the conversation away from toxic men and Olivia’s relationship, ‘tell me about you. Have you enjoyed this trip? Are you excited about the next one?’
He rubbed his hand over his jaw, which had a light smattering of stubble. ‘It’s been great, and so good to be back on Arran. We’ve been so lucky with the weather.’ He took a drink of beer. ‘It can be hard to switch your thoughts to the next tour and location. But I’m really glad I’ll be back here soon.’
‘And remind me, when is that?’ she asked, trying to make her question sound casual.
‘I’ll be back towards the end of next week.’
She knew he was watching her for a reaction, and she couldn’t help but give a small smile as heat flared across her cheeks.
‘So, what have you got planned now you have the walks out of the way?’ he asked, smiling encouragingly.
‘Well, some art, and Amy’s yoga class . . .’
‘I hear she’s very good at it,’ said Logan. ‘Even James — that’s my friend who’s going out with her — has become hooked, and that says a lot. He can even touch his toes now, which is no mean feat for a stiff ex-rugby player. That’s all down to Amy’s careful tuition.’
‘Well, there’s hope for me yet,’ said Kitty. ‘I’ll let you know how I get on with that. And Olivia and I still want to do Goatfell.’
‘And I know just the man to escort you,’ said Logan softly.
She dropped her gaze from his, unable to stop herself blushing. ‘Sounds good,’ she said quickly. ‘Okay, can I get you a drink? Same again?’ She stood up, feeling completely flustered. Why couldn’t she just be herself? So much for her self-talk earlier.
When she returned to their table, she passed a beer to Logan and sat down.
‘Is everything okay?’ he asked. ‘You seem a bit . . . on edge.’
‘Yes. Actually, no,’ she said. So much for gin and tonic being her safe drink. ‘It’s this whole thing. Being here with you,’ she said. ‘It’s been a while since I had a drink with a bloke who I wasn’t related to.’
Logan smiled reassuringly. ‘There’s no pressure from me at all. Just be yourself. We’re two friends having a drink.’
‘You’re right. That’s all this is. Two friends having a drink. Okay, so let’s just try and have a laugh. That’s what I could do with.’
‘Well, you’ve come to the right place,’ said Logan. ‘My friends often tell me I’m the funniest person they know.’
Kitty rolled her eyes. ‘Of course you are,’ she said. ‘I think they’re pulling your leg.’
When Logan walked her back to Lilybank Cottage later she felt so much more relaxed. They’d ended up having a fun night after all, and she’d managed not to disgrace herself with any singing, especially when there had been so many opportunities. He had mentioned so many song titles tonight, but she hadn’t risen to his bait, even when he had unwittingly mentioned he had been all around the world. That Lisa Stansfield song was one of her favourites, and one she liked to belt out at home. She didn’t want him running for the hills when he witnessed her questionable musicianship.
