Page 29 of Journey to the Scottish Highlands

Hmmm. I wonder what that meant.

‘Anyway, you were asking what was going on.’ Karl looked towards his colleagues. ‘We’re waiting on the arrival of a military expert from Inverness.’

‘Military expert?’ I repeated.

Karl nodded.

‘A chap out with his little grandson walking his dog in the fields up by Loch Crawe stumbled across what looks like two unexploded World War Two bombs.’

‘Bloody hell!’ breathed Evan. ‘Are you joking?’

‘Nope. Wish I was, mate.’

Bombs? Loch Crawe? That was the only way I could get home to Strath Ross. Panic flooded me. ‘But I have to get back.’

Karl shook his head. ‘Nobody is going anywhere near that road for the time being. We need this expert to take a look.’

‘And then what?’ I asked, my optimism and excitement at the prospect of seeing my grandfather today withering fast.

‘And then he’ll advise us on what should be done next. Bomb disposal will be called in.’

Oh shit. This was not going to be solved in a matter of hours. I recalled a similar incident in Wales a while back. The bomb had to be exploded, and the nearby locals ended up being evacuated from their homes for several days.

Karl spoke again. His expression was sympathetic, as the sun glided down one side of his face. ‘Is there somewhere else you can stay for the time being, Miss…?’

‘Daisy Madden,’ I faltered.

‘Miss Madden, I can let you head on down to Evan’s folks’, but you can’t go any further.’

I watched the blonde reporter still buzzing around the police car and the officers chatting amongst themselves. This was just what I needed!

I’d have to ring Grandpa and tell him. He’d be every bit as disappointed as I was. My shoulders sank under my T-shirt. I’d just have to deposit Evan at his parents’ home, turn around and then head back down the road and find a bed and breakfast somewhere.

I’d planned to put the money Evan had given me towards the cost of petrol for my journey back to London, not on accommodation. So much for the best laid plans.

The hotels round this area were sumptuous but on the pricey side. If I couldn’t find a reasonably priced bed and breakfast, I’d have no option but to fork out more money. It would either be that or sleeping in Marlene.

Karl stepped back from my driver side window. ‘Apologies again.’

I pressed the accelerator and pulled away. I was churning with disbelief and annoyance. I had to shrug off the enveloping feeling of self-pity. These bombs could’ve killed someone. In the scheme of things, my predicament wasn’t that serious. It was just so infuriating and disappointing.

‘My parents’ place is just up here, if you take the sharp right.’

My mind stuttered back to focus on what I was doing.

The lane, sandwiched between two thick bands of hedgerows, had a huge corn field on the left protected by a long fence. Beyond the field, I caught a glimpse of hills weighted down by heather.

I steered Marlene on as the trees ahead parted.

Wow.

Facing me was an imposing Edwardian mansion. It possessed a glossy, oak double door at the grand entrance and half a dozen glinting windows. Furling crenelations of unicorns and eagles twisted like elegant cake decorations in the afternoon sun.

Surrounding the property was an endless throng of swaying Scots pines and ferns. All it needed was a dusting of snow, and it’d make the most stunning Christmas card.

‘This is beautiful,’ I breathed, resting both my arms on top of Marlene’s steering wheel.

Evan didn’t say anything for a moment. I could feel his eyes on me.