Page 52 of A Scottish Country Escape

Cate gave me an encouraging smile. ‘Sounds like you really are going for it. Good! Well, just let me know what I can do.’ She wrinkled up her nose. ‘Pity you couldn’t get a well-known face on board.’

She walked into the kitchen and began clattering around with the kettle. ‘If you could attract the interest of a famous name and have them voice their support for the reserve, that would be such a coup.’

She reappeared in the doorway as the kettle began to grumble behind her. ‘I bet the national newspapers would pick up on it then.’

I pulled a face. ‘But who could I ask?’ I snapped my shoulders to attention. How stupid was I? The answer was staring me in the face. ‘Oh my god! That’s a brilliant idea!’ I pushed my hands into the pockets of my denim skirt. ‘I mean, I’m doing him a favour by helping him find Mrs Carlucci.’

Cate’s mouth dropped open. ‘You’re going to ask Dexter? Are you serious? I was meaning someone more like Frankie McVey who has that holiday home up by the park.’

Frankie McVey was the drummer in a well-known Scottish folk band, who dropped by Fir Haven for the odd weekend break. ‘Yes, but you just said it yourself. Frankie McVey has a holiday home here. He doesn’t live in the area though, does he?’ Excitement began to pump in my chest. ‘At least Dexter does. He’s got such a high profile too.’ Then another idea made me gasp. ‘Maybe Dexter’s team could release a press statement, voicing his support for the reserve?’

I moved towards Cate, more ideas bubbling away. ‘What do you think? Do you think he might get involved?’

Cate made a helpless gesture with her hands. ‘I’m not sure, Elle. From the little I know of him, he doesn’t come across as exactly generous of spirit. That’s why Linda Carlucci took exception to him in the first place.’

Snapshots of Dexter speaking out in favour of the reserve and headlines proclaiming ‘FAMOUS AUTHOR PROTECTS SCOTTISH BEAUTY SPOT,’ lodged themselves behind my eyes. ‘But that’s the point,’ I argued. ‘If Dexter lets people see – especially Linda – that he’s changed for the better, or at least is trying to, then it’s all to the good.’ I clapped my hands together. ‘I’ll ring Dexter now and ask if it’s convenient to go and have a chat with him.’

While Cate furnished me with a mug of tea, I pulled up his number on my phone. She didn’t appear convinced by my suggestion at all, judging by the long looks she was giving me.

When he answered, I didn’t reveal in the call what I wanted to discuss with him. I thought it would be better face to face, in the hope he would agree if he could witness first-hand what saving the nature reserve meant to me and everyone else.

Dexter told me he had a Skype call with his agent at 10:30 a.m., but that any time after that would be fine.

Once I ended my conversation with him, I took a thoughtful sip of my tea. ‘I can ring Gran and ask her to come in and help you out at lunchtime, till I get back.’

Cate said no, that wasn’t necessary. ‘I’m sure I can manage. You just concentrate on the reserve for now. Paper Roses is in capable hands!’

Chapter Thirty-Three

‘What you said, Elle, about me being part of the community here now, well, you’re right.’

Dexter cleared his throat. ‘I’m in a position where I can hopefully do something.’ His deep, lilting voice tailed off as he continued to search my face. ‘It’s the least I can do. Anyone can see how much this means to you, Elle.’

‘Thank you,’ I breathed. ‘I mean it. I’m very grateful.’

I squinted across at him in his sunlit study, the atmosphere crackling. ‘So, have you actually been to see the nature reserve for yourself yet?’

‘Not yet, but that’s something I intend to remedy as soon as possible.’

‘You ought to pay a visit,’ I encouraged. ‘I’m sure, being a writer, it won’t fail to charm you.’

My heart hammered against my ribs as Dexter continued to study me. Why did I sound like a cartoon mouse all of a sudden?

Deeper sunlight swept across the room, sifting through Dexter’s black hair and highlighting its shots of dark red. ‘So, when can you take me to see it?’ Dexter’s eyes refused to leave my face.

There was a charged silence, except for the odd distant clacks from a couple of magpies outside amongst the trees.

Dexter continued, undeterred. ‘I think us going to see the nature reserve together would take on far more meaning, don’t you agree?’ He glittered at me from under his sooty lashes.

I felt like I was struggling to breathe.

I couldn’t resist. I found myself agreeing, as though I were being hypnotised. ‘Yes. Yes. Of course. That makes sense.’

I adjusted one of my earrings for something to do. ‘You should see for yourself how beautiful it is.’

‘Then how about this evening? That’s if you haven’t got anything else on?’ Dexter was expectant.

I disguised the excited breath in my throat by swallowing.