Page 34 of Journey to the Scottish Highlands

‘I don’t want to put you to any unnecessary trouble,’ I bleated.

Alison wafted her manicured hand. ‘Of course it isn’t any trouble.’ She wrapped her arms around herself. ‘Just heard about those bombs on the radio news. Hope they can sort it out soon.’ She turned her attention back on me again. ‘The main guest room is already all made up, and I’ll make sure there’s clean towels.’ She twinkled. ‘Unless I’ve got the sleeping arrangements wrong.’

Not again! Maybe I should wear a sign around my neck in capital letters saying, ‘EVAN AND I ARE NOT A COUPLE!’ I shook my head and refused to think about her inference about Evan and me sharing a bed. ‘Oh no. It isn’t like that.’

I flapped my hands around like a windmill. ‘I was providing hospitality at a birthday lunch yesterday; Evan was there as a guest and after he found out the planes were grounded and heard me saying I was driving to Scotland, and, well, I gave him a lift.’

I slipped Evan a look out of the corner of my eye. His mouth had flipped into an amused hint of a smile.

‘Oh, I see,’ said Bennett. ‘Well, thank you very much again for helping him out.’

‘Anyway,’ exclaimed Alison, ‘you get yourself settled, and then we can have dinner. Evan, please show Daisy to the main guest room.’

And with that, she flounced off in a haze of caramel outfit and blonde hair, and Bennett followed up the rear.

My trainers slapped on the ornate staircase as Evan assisted me with taking my trolley case to my room. I’d assured him I could manage, but he’d insisted, taking the handle with one firm grip, his muscles bunching under his T-shirt as he manoeuvred it.

We reached a large, closed, panelled door.

Evan cranked the handle and opened it.

I was greeted by a sumptuous four-poster bed, decked out in lemon and white bedding. There was an ensuite bathroom with white fittings and peach and cream accessories. The whole pastel effect reminded me of a cornucopia of delicious summer ice creams.

Pale, gold, satin curtains framed the bedroom window and pooled down to the biscuit-coloured carpet. Sunshine was splashing over the bed covers.

‘This is stunning,’ I breathed.

Evan set my case down by the foot of the bed. ‘I hope you’ll be comfortable in here.’

‘Are you joking? It’s beautiful!’

‘Good. You relax for a bit before dinner.’

‘What are you going to do?’

‘No rest for the wicked.’ He flashed me a loaded grin.

I ignored a squiggle in my stomach and faffed around with a corner of the duvet.

‘I’m going to start a piece about men and romance in the twenty-first century that I’ve been asked to write for a woman’s magazine.’

He clicked the door handle and stepped out into the hall. He hesitated and turned to look at me. ‘Did it seem so outlandish?’

‘Sorry?’

‘The idea of us being romantically involved?’

My heart zipped in my chest. Bloody hell. What was going on with me? Why was I reacting like this? ‘No. Of course not,’ I floundered. ‘I mean, you’re very good-looking.’

I froze. Shit! What did I just go and say that for? Was I losing my mind?

Evan smiled. ‘Thank you. Ditto.’

I found myself fascinated by my bedroom window and the glimpses of the lawns. ‘It’s just… Well, we’re not; I mean, we’re not involved. We’re not a couple. Obviously. So, it’s ridiculous.’ I felt like I was scrambling for a lifebelt as a wave tried to pull me under. ‘You did me a favour, making sure I didn’t get sacked, and I did you a favour, driving you to Scotland, so we’re even.’ I was saying the words, but they sounded hollow, even to my ears. I’ll soon be out of your hair anyway.’

Evan gave me a thoughtful look that I was struggling to read. ‘See you for dinner.’

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