Page 69 of Journey to the Scottish Highlands

‘Just catching up with an old friend. Won’t be long.’

I clocked Evan’s polished, pointed brogues. He must be all dressed up for Sacha.

I took a couple of involuntary steps backwards, as though doing that would make my festering Evan attraction dissolve in an instant. I wished it would!

God, those dark, bitter eyes of his were lethal.

My stomach did a weird plummet to the floor as he stalked away and then drove off.

It was for the best, keeping Evan at arm’s length. The last thing I should do was start stoking a fire that could very easily and very quickly get out of control. Evan must still have feelings for Sacha, so even if I had been tempted to get closer to him, it was a disaster waiting to happen.

I recalled the scent of his expensive aftershave and what he was wearing. He’d been secretive too about where he was going. He’d said he was off to visit an old friend. Yeah, right. An old friend with blonde, wavy tresses and a self-satisfied smile.

The sensation of his touch on my skin replayed itself.

I picked up speed as I headed into The Ramblings in an attempt to block it out.

‘Hi,’ I called out, as I shut the kitchen door behind me. Everything was pristine but empty. The copper pots and pans shone on their hooks, the marble breakfast bar gleamed and there was just the very faint hum from the huge Smeg fridge-freezer.

I tapped across the polished wooden floor and out into the cool, tiled, sun-spilt hallway.

‘Anyone here?’ I called out, my voice bouncing off the staircase and the opulent vases of dry reeds and flowers.

Hmmm.

Everybody else must’ve gone out.

I decided to go and dump my bag in my room and then take a stroll around the grounds. I’d give Grandpa a call too to see how he was.

At that moment, my phone buzzed in my bag. I fetched it out.

It was from Jade. She’d sent me a selfie. She was pouting at the camera. Her long, candy floss-coloured hair was styled in waves over one shoulder, and she looked dazzling in winged eye makeup and a glittery, slash-necked top.

Hoping to slay Jasper with my knowledge of sonnets and free verse, as well as my mermaid look! Hope all ok with the dashing lord!

Speak soon,

J xx

Jasper didn’t stand a chance tonight. I almost felt sorry for him.

I fired off a reply:

You look stunning! I want all the details – well, not all of them, but you know what I mean.

Lots of love,

D xx

I didn’t make any comment about Evan, but I did add in a purple heart and pressed send.

I plopped my phone back in my bag and started to make my way upstairs, my trainers slapping on the white marble, when I thought I heard faint voices travelling out of the dining room. The door wasn’t quite closed.

I drew up and listened. It sounded like it might be Alison and Bennett. They couldn’t have heard me arrive back.

I turned around on the staircase and tapped back down again and across the hallway to go and say hello. I reached the dining room door and was about to knock when I snatched my hand away again.

They were talking about The Ramblings and its financial situation.