Page 82 of Journey to the Scottish Highlands

Dane’s mouth drifted into a soft expression. ‘You’re something else, Daisy Madden, do you know that?’

I laughed and flapped one hand in the air. ‘Yeah, yeah.’

Evan’s unimpressed jaw clenched.

I returned to Marlene, turned the ignition and wound down my driver side window. ‘Thank you again,’ I called out over the throb of the engine. ‘Take care, and do let me know what you think about my tour suggestion. I won’t be offended if it’s a no!’

Alison nodded and tucked her arm around Bennett’s waist beside her. Meanwhile, Evan was firing black looks across at his younger brother, but Dane didn’t notice; he was too busy gazing at me with a preoccupied expression as he watched me leave.

‘We’ll get back to you,’ shouted Bennett. ‘Drive safe now.’

I couldn’t help it. As I edged towards the main road, my attention was drawn to my rear-view mirror again. My light grey eyes focused on Evan, who was splitting his attention between my car driving off and Dane.

When the next car slid past up the country lane, I began to ease out into the road and waved back.

More thoughts of Evan filled my head.

I put my foot down and headed right, down the rest of the lane towards the road signs that would take me past Loch Crawe and the bomb disruption of just days ago.

This could very well be the last time I set eyes on Evan Lord and The Ramblings, and if it was, I’d just have to accept it. It was fine. It was good. No problem.

My fingers dug into my steering wheel. Who was I kidding? It wasn’t fine at all. I watched the lines and undulations of the hillsides flowing past outside my window.

I cajoled myself to think happier thoughts.

Strath Ross and Grandpa, here I come!