Page 36 of Journey to the Scottish Highlands

I moved towards his desk for a better look.

It has been confirmed in the last few minutes that two unexploded bombs discovered on the outskirts of Loch Crawe in the Scottish Highlands are both SC-500 devices, weighing 500kg each, used during the Second World War.

Renowned Inverness-based war historian Professor Morris Sneddon confirmed the findings only a short while ago. ‘These bombs are around eighty-five years old and could potentially cause a great deal of damage.’

An expert bomb disposal team are now in the Loch Crawe area assessing next steps. The leader of the team, Captain Susan Muir, said, ‘This is a highly complex operation, with a disposal team comprised of army and search squadron.’ She added, ‘We will be assisted by other emergency services and partners, who can all provide expert knowledge in their field.’

Captain Muir confirmed that the two unexploded bombs would be dealt with on site, and that one option would be to construct a sand-filled pit around the two bombs to mitigate any surrounding damage to the area when they are neutralised.

An army disposal spokesperson explained that the operation to neutralise both bombs would take several days to complete.

I let out a loud groan. Oh, you had to be kidding! Several days? A week in other words? I’d been trying to convince myself it would be just a couple of days at most, and then I’d be gone.

Evan straightened up beside me. ‘That bad, huh?’

‘It’s just … well … several days? I was so looking forward to seeing my grandfather and Strath Ross again.’ And putting distance between me and you.

Then another voice chipped in with, Why would that be?

‘And you still will get to Strath Ross and see him,’ assured Evan, his lips curling in a sympathetic smile that made his eyes shine.

My breathing did a funny, raggedy thing. I had to leave here as soon as I could. My acting had to come first, especially now when I was struggling to secure auditions and roles. Allowing myself to fall for a pair of sexy, chocolate eyes wouldn’t help me.

Evan continued to look at me.

My breathing picked up a sterner pace.

It was then that his mobile trilled to life by his laptop.

I glanced down at Evan’s phone.

I recognised her photo on his phone screen. It was that blonde reporter from earlier. Sacha whatsit.

My fast breathing vanished. A dull, odd feeling took over.

Evan’s gaze followed mine to his ringing phone screen.

I could feel my wobbling emotional walls growing stronger again, shooting high up into the sky, impenetrable and solid. Her picture had reminded me of why I had to stay strong, forge my own path and not allow myself to become emotionally attached to another man.

I flicked a dismissive look at Evan’s phone, lying there ringing on his desk. ‘Aren’t you going to answer that?’

Then I strode out of his room and headed across to mine.

I banged my bedroom door shut behind me. Maybe Sacha calling when she did had been a godsend. It had brought clarity where there had been initial thoughts starting to creep in about Evan, a stirring attraction threatening to shake my resolve.

I suspected there had been something between them when Evan had caught sight of her on the country lane earlier today. That police officer friend of Evan’s had hinted as much.

As soon as the bomb situation was over, I’d leave.

I couldn’t wait.