Page 23 of Journey to the Scottish Highlands

Chapter Five

Evan’s expression was carrying almost as much weariness from the journey as mine was.

He fetched his case from my car boot and then manoeuvred out my pink wheelie one. He tugged up the handle for me. ‘There you go.’

‘Thanks.’

‘You’re welcome.’

Under the Lake District stars and the soupy glow from the streetlamps, he towered over me. But our Entente Cordiale was short-lived. When he saw me let out a big yawn, Evan gave me a wry, ‘I told you so’ expression. ‘If we hadn’t got involved in rescuing that furball, we’d have got here earlier.’

I locked my driver side door.

Even though I knew deep down that Evan had done the right thing by stopping my impulsive streak, he could protest all he wanted. He was more like the arrogant critic than he thought. ‘And if you hadn’t interfered this morning, your critic friend Fox would’ve been wearing champagne, and I’d feel satisfied.’

Evan shook his head in exasperation. ‘Yes, satisfied but out of work. And like I told you, that ignorant idiot is no friend of mine.’

My mouth flatlined. Yeah, right. He would say that.

Just across the street was our snug little bed and breakfast, with blossoming planters stationed at the windows. From outside, I could see twinkling gold lights strung around a couple of paintings by the reception area.

All I wanted to do after such a long drive was sink into a deep sleep.

Evan studied me. I shuffled from trainer to trainer on the lit-up pavement.

I tried to cover up my appraisal of Evan with a dry laugh. ‘People like Fox only think of themselves. They’re narcissists.’ More pictures of Leon went through my head. ‘Believe me, I’ve come across guys like him before.’

Evan gave me a prolonged look. ‘That guy certainly didn’t do himself any favours earlier today.’

Behind Evan were the smoked glass windows of an Italian restaurant. A loved-up couple inside were clinking glasses, lost in each other’s eyes.

There was a slight bite to the evening breeze now.

I huddled deeper into my pink denim jacket. ‘He’s a judgemental, unfeeling piece of work.’

I snatched hold of the handle of my case and brushed past Evan, the wheels rumbling. Tiredness was pulling at me. ‘I wonder how that man can sleep at night, which is what I intend to do right now.’

I headed onwards, tugging open the door and stepping ahead of Evan into the softly lit, welcoming interior.

The reception desk was to the left, and stationed behind it was a lady with shiny, copper hair and a pair of spectacles draped around her neck on a chain. I gave my name, and she replied, ‘Double room, is it?’

I blinked at her. ‘Sorry?’

‘A double room for you both.’

In my post-driving fog, it took a few seconds for me to realise that she thought Evan and I were a couple. Not again. This was getting embarrassing. ‘Oh no! Good grief, no!’ I blabbed, before letting out an odd laugh. ‘We’re travel companions. We’ve travelled together. I mean, I’m giving him a lift…’

Evan bent down by my ear. I got a shot of his woody cologne. ‘You don’t have to tell her your life story, Daisy.’

I threw him a look and gave the lady at reception a pleading smile. ‘No, separate rooms please. I did say that when I rang earlier to make the booking.’

As she got us to sign in and took our details, Evan lowered his voice. ‘Let me know if you change your mind about the room situation. I could ask for a connecting door.’

I tutted and turned away from him. ‘No, you’re fine, thank you.’ I should never have agreed to giving this man a lift back to Scotland.

For many reasons.

It was a relief to sink into the bed, which smelled of sunshine and lavender, and to try to put behind me my disastrous day, my troubling travel companion and the reasons why he was making me feel on edge.