Page 95 of A Scottish Country Escape

I glowered at his audacity. ‘Yes, to someone who is ardently opposed to this horrific plan.’ I planted my hands on my hips, my heart pumping. ‘You’re wasting your time, Mr Boyd, and I want you to leave. Now.’

He retreated back towards the shop door. ‘You’re making a terrible mistake, Ms Cassidy. By Christmas, you’ll be wishing you had accepted that offer.’

The three of us glared at him disappearing out of the door, his suit jacket rustling behind him.

Grandma stared at Angus. A bloom had overtaken her cheeks. ‘Thank you for your support.’

‘Not at all. What are friends for?’

I eyed them both with interest. I suddenly felt like I was intruding on something.

* * *

The latter end of Monday was quiet, but the tranquillity was welcome after the charged exchanges that morning with Joshua Boyd.

Grandma insisted on cashing up at the end of the day, while I jotted down a series of ideas for future events to support and raise money for the reserve. At the top of my list was approaching Dean Ellwood about his offer of further help.

I looked up from my notebook to where Gran was on the other side of the counter. ‘Angus was very alpha male this morning.’

I noticed her speckled hands hover for a moment over the till. ‘Yes. Yes, he was very supportive.’

I concealed a grin. ‘I think he likes you, Gran.’

‘I should hope so! We’ve known each other for sixty years.’

‘You know full well what I mean, Grandma.’

She pushed a lock of her bobbed hair back behind her ear. ‘He’s a dear friend, Elle. Nothing more.’

I wanted to pursue my line of enquiry, but my grandmother was wearing a steely look of concentration as she continued adding up the day’s takings with her calculator.

I decided I would select my moment to continue this conversation at a more conducive time.

I ordered Gran to take herself off home a bit earlier than normal, as she was eager to finish the last thirty pages of the book club novel she was reading. ‘It’s lovely when you can lose yourself in a good book.’

She swished on her belted maroon coat. ‘Oh, it’s not that, love,’ she groaned. ‘It’s an awful bloody story! I could only manage the first three chapters and then I found myself losing the will to live.’

As Gran beetled out of the door, she added with a cheeky smile, ‘At least that bossy old bat Nora Witcombe won’t be selecting our next read.’

‘Whose turn is it next time then?’

Her glittery-eyed grin told me the answer.

‘And what book do you think you’ll choose for the group then?’

‘Something racy, with lots of erotic sex. That should put Nora’s pacemaker to the test. See you back at home soon, darling!’

I laughed and shook my head at my incorrigible gran’s disappearing figure.

I flicked off the shop lights and had turned the door sign to read closed. I was just reaching for my bag under the counter when there was an urgent rapping on door.

It made me jump.

I peered through the main shop window.

Elsa Bennett, Dexter’s housekeeper, was hopping from foot to foot on the step. I checked to see if Nadia was with her, but she wasn’t.

Oh no. Don’t tell me that little girl has taken off on her own again.