Page 11 of Journey to the Scottish Highlands

Jason revealed that he and his boyfriend were going to catch the latest Brad Pitt movie at the cinema, while Kieran was planning on going to a new nightclub with his mates. He let out a huge yawn. ‘That’s if I can muster up some energy.’

Now it was my turn to reveal my Saturday plans. ‘I’m about to drive up to Scotland. I’m going to visit my grandfather.’

Sue squinted in the mid-afternoon sunshine spilling through the trees. She jangled her car keys in her hand. ‘Goodness! That’s a long drive, but I bet he’ll be looking forward to seeing you.’

‘He is. I can’t wait to see him either. We FaceTime and call each other a lot, but I haven’t seen him properly for a good few months.’

‘Oh, that sounds wonderful,’ enthused Sue. ‘Whereabouts in Scotland are you headed?’

‘Highland area. Strath Ross.’

Sue’s mascara-lashed eyes danced. ‘I’ve never been as far as that. I’ve visited Edinburgh and Perth, though.’

‘Good job you’re not flying back,’ piped up Kieran, as he prepared to clamber into the driver’s seat of his black Ford Escort. ‘Nationwide IT failure at all UK airports. All flights cancelled.’

‘What?’

Our heads snapped round to see where the other voice had come from. It was my rescuer from earlier.

Kieran nodded. ‘It’s true, sir. Just saw it on my phone. Came up on the news.’

The man scrambled about in his suit pocket and pulled out his mobile. He jabbed at the screen. ‘Shit!’ He pushed a furious hand through his dark waves. ‘I don’t believe this.’

‘Have a safe drive to Strath Ross,’ smiled Sue at me, unlocking her car and dumping her bag on the back seat.

I made to walk across to where Marlene was parked.

‘You’re driving to Strath Ross? As in Scotland?’

Morganite Man’s questioning voice made me start. I frowned over at him. ‘Yes.’

‘When?’

‘I’m setting off now.’

He strode closer. A slow expression of hope spread across his face. ‘So, you can drive me there?’

My shocked mouth sprang open. ‘Sorry?’

‘To Scotland. You can take me there. You just said that’s where you’re headed.’

I floundered. ‘Yes, that’s right, but…’

He stuffed his mobile into the inside of his suit jacket. I caught a flash of electric blue satin lining. ‘I was supposed to be flying up there this evening, but that’s not happening now.’ He oozed confidence. ‘Under the circumstances, I think it’s the least you can do.

He flexed a brow, which made my breath catch. ‘I think you owe me one, don’t you?’