‘Right. But what’s the point of having a car you’refrightened to drive in case something happens to it?’
‘I know.’ I sigh, having been thinking exactly the samemyself. ‘It’s ridiculous but I miss my old Fiat. I could drive around in totalobscurity and no one would ever want to steal it!’
She laughs. ‘That’s true. Look, I just wondered if youfancied coming over tonight? Ronan’s out with some mates and I thought I couldcook us something nice. We haven’t really celebrated the lottery win yet, justthe two of us.’
I gulp. ‘That sounds lovely, Carrie, but...well, I’m busy tonight. Can we make it another day instead?’
‘Of course. Ooh, what are you up to, then? Don’t say you’vegot a date with the lovely Adam at long last?’
‘No, of course I haven’t!’ Lowering my voice, I glance at Doug,who’s returning with our coffees. ‘I’m just... planting a veggarden and I know I’m going to be exhausted tonight. All I’ll be fit for is asoak in the bath and an early night.’
Now I’m feeling bad because if he heard that, Doug must bewondering why I’m telling my sister fibs. Did he hear me? When I glance over,he’s either genuinely engrossed in stirring sugar into his coffee or he’s justpretending he is, so I’m none the wiser.
Carrie laughs. ‘Defeated by some gardening? You can’t takethe pace these days, can you, love? Well, listen, give me a ring tomorrow andwe’ll sort something out, okay?’
‘Okay. Great. Speak soon.’ I quickly end the call.
I’m actually sweating! Lifting my arms (discreetly) for adrying effect, I glance out of the window at the fields and houses flashing byas Doug checks his own phone. I hate lying to Carrie but if I told her thetruth about today (and more especially, abouttonight) she’d be askingall sorts of awkward questions, and if Doug was back, that would have been soembarrassing. I’ll tell her tomorrow, depending on how our trip turns out...
I haven’t told Adam yet, either, about my trip today withDoug. He doesn’t know about Doug at all and I’m a bit confused myself about myreluctance to mention him to Adam. Why should I feel awkward about it? Adamgoes out with girls all the time – well, not all the time, but he never hidesit from me if he’s going on a date. So why haven’t I been upfront about Doug?
I suppose there’s always been that little frisson betweenAdam and me, which we both choose to gloss over, but it’s nothing serious. Atleast I don’t think it is. Adam often jokes about us getting together, and I dowonder if he might be hiding deeper feelings and not daring to be truthful withme.
How would I react if Adam were to confess real romanticfeelings for me? It would throw me into a spin, that’s for sure, so I’d reallyrather things just stayed as they are between us.
Doug puts down his phone. Smiling, I raise my paper cup athim. ‘Thanks for this.’
‘Hey, no problem. And remember I’m paying for our B&Bstay tonight?’
A feeling of relief trickles through me, hearing this. ‘Ifyou’re sure?’
He gives me his wide, eye-crinkling smile. The one thatmakes my heart leap and my body tingle. ‘Of course I’m sure, Krystle. You wereso generous the other night, paying for everything. And it’s my turn tonight.’
‘Great!’ We settle back in our seats and admire the viewfrom the window for a while in companionable silence. I feel so much betterafter this exchange.
I can’t wait to get to Edinburgh now and start exploringwith Doug...
CHAPTERTWENTY-FOUR
The city of Edinburgh, when we emerge from the stationonto Princes Street, is thronged with people enjoying the celebratoryatmosphere of the festival.
We walk along, taking it all in – enchanting sightseverywhere you turn, taxis rushing by along the main street, the aroma ofstreet food, and the music, chatter and colour of a city pulsing with theexcitement of this spectacular cultural event.
Crossing over Princes Street, we wander up side streets justenjoying the buzz, not needing to check with each other where we should go, butjust walking where the mood takes us. Performers in eye-catching costumes areweaving among the crowds and handing out leaflets advertising their shows, andI collect them with a smile, hardly knowing what to focus on next because it’slike a delicious assault on my senses.
Made all the more delicious because I’m here experiencingthis whole thing with Doug.
It’s late afternoon and our thoughts turn to finding ourB&B, but when we arrive at the place – a short walk from the centre – wefind there’s been a mix-up with the booking. When Doug phoned last night tobook another room, he was told there was a vacancy, but it turns out the memberof staff who took the call made a mistake. Instead of booking another room forme, they cancelled Doug’s booking altogether. So they’re actually full tonight.
‘That’s a problem,’ he says. ‘Especially since rooms will behard to come by because everyone’s here for the festival.’
‘I’m so sorry.’ The receptionist, Tina, is very apologetic.‘I can phone around and see if I can get you in somewhere else?’
Doug nods. ‘If you could, that would be great.’
But as we wait while she makes a few phone calls, it becomesclear fairly soon that all the B&Bs are full because of the festival. ‘Mostof the hotels are full as well,’ Tina murmurs, concentrating on her screen.‘The only one that’s coming up with rooms available is The Balmoral?’ She looksup at us and winces, presumably thinking of the cost and realising it might bebeyond our budget.
‘That’s great,’ I say quickly, not fancying sleeping on apark bench! ‘Could you book something there for us, please?’ It’s not as if Ican’t afford it, however astronomically expensive a one-night stay there turnsout to be. I’m having too lovely a time and I just want to get on with enjoyingthe evening.
