Page 110 of The Cottage in the Highlands

Flynn senior introduced us all to one another with aplomb and then clapped his hands together in a business-like fashion. “Right. Let’s all go inside shall we, before we take root out here.”

Flynn leant in to my ear. “Sorry about this. We haven’t been out on our first date yet and you’ve already met my parents.”

“Who said I was going to go out with you?”

I returned Flynn’s lazy grin.

Ahead of me, Lily was gazing up at the townhouse, with its gorgeous balconied windows. Her attention landed on the gate and the frosted name plate, Lily Grove, as she made her way past. I thought her eyes were going to fall out of her head. I noticed her swallow and gather her shawl tighter to her shoulders.

Meanwhile, I surreptitiously studied Flynn’s mum and dad, while Kerry followed up the rear. Then she stopped and angled me to one side. “I’m going to head off home now, Leonie.”

I opened my mouth to argue the point, but she shook her head. “I’ve got a lot to repent for. You go ahead with the Talbot family. You can give me the lowdown later.”

“Are you sure?”

She placed one hand on my coat sleeve. “Positive.”

I watched her return to her car and jump in the driver’s side. “Kerry?”

She was about to close her car door.

“Thank you for coming to my rescue earlier and for what you did about the Chandler issue.”

She gave a small smile. “It was the least I could do.”

Her little white car vanished off back down the road in a blaze of headlights.

As they entered Flynn senior’s house, Carl and Diana Talbot reminded me of the well-heeled married couples you often see on cruises.

He was like an older, staid version of Flynn, with dark greying hair at his temples and a quizzical look to his Irish features.

Diana was a cool ash-blonde, with a sharp chin and long legs.

Mrs Oates ushered us all towards the end of the hallway, where a closed door to the left revealed a gorgeous dining room with burgundy flocked wallpaper. The table was a sea of sparkling crystal, set atop a dramatic black and white damask tablecloth. Matching napkins poked out of ball glasses.

A Christmas candle table decoration comprised of berries, pinecones and frosted holly sat proudly in the centre.

Fairy lights were strung along the edge of a heavy cabinet at the rear of the room.

Flynn senior directed each of us to our seats. I sat beside Flynn with Mrs Oates and Flynn senior at opposite ends of the stretching table. Flynn’s parents were seated opposite us and Lily sat at Flynn senior’s right.

Mrs Oates vanished, moments later returning with a grand silver terrine. Flynn jumped up from beside me to assist her.

She dashed off the ornate lid to reveal the rich, creamy aroma of smoked haddock soup.

While Mrs Oates swooped generous portions of the Cullen skink into each of our soup bowls, I noticed Diana flash her husband a pointed look. “Ask your father what this is all about, Carl,” she hissed from the corner of her mouth. “Don’t you think it’s all rather unnerving?”

I wasn’t sure if Flynn senior had heard, but if he did, he didn’t react. He appraised each of us from the head of the table, like a dashing moustachioed lord of the manor. “Please eat first, everyone, and then I will explain.”

After everything that had taken place today, I was taken aback by how hungry I was. I was sure my run-in with Seth Gordon would have taken its toll on my appetite, but the smoky taste of the Cullen skink, together with the dash of potato and onion, was delicious.

There was a revered hush as soup spoons clinked against the sides of bowls and there were murmurs of appreciation.

When everyone had finished, Mrs Oates moved to gather up the empty soup bowls and I rose to assist her, but Flynn senior indicated for us to leave the clearing up for now and sit back down.

“I didn’t sell Merry Wood all those years ago,” announced Flynn senior, with an air of resigned calm.

Carl and Diana Talbot’s expressions were of stricken bemusement. Their spoons clattered in shock.