Page 91 of Journey to the Scottish Highlands

I tutted. ‘Don’t you dare go round upsetting anyone.’

‘Who? Me?’

‘No, Brad Pitt. Of course you!’

Grandpa looked affronted. ‘I’m the personification of tact.’

He leant in towards me as Louise clattered the tea set behind us and prepared to come back out to go and collect her cake. Grandpa gave me a wink. ‘Seems like you’ve made an impression on brother number two as well.’

Luckily I hadn’t been drinking my tea yet, as I would’ve spluttered it everywhere otherwise. ‘What? Don’t be daft, Gramps.’

Grandpa arched his brows. ‘Didn’t you notice the way he was looking at you?’

I shuffled on the spot. Dane had been staring at me for a little longer than usual. And I had to admit, I did wonder why he’d made an effort with his clothes. I brushed it off. ‘Oh, Grandpa, your imagination is in overdrive again.’

‘I may be old, but there’s nothing wrong with my eyesight.’

At that moment, Louise edged past us. ‘You two go and make yourselves comfortable. I’ll just bring the baking in from the kitchen.’

We did as we were told.

The Lords were sat in the squashy, pale armchairs, with Evan and Dane on the sofa. When Dane spotted us approaching, he leapt up. ‘Come and sit over here, Daisy.’

Evan scowled at his brother.

‘Do you think Cayla will agree to be Florence?’ asked Alison, stretching over to the glass coffee table where the cups and teapot were set out.

Bennett insisted on guiding Grandpa over to the other vacant armchair, and I found myself sandwiched between Dane and Evan. ‘I hope so,’ I sighed. ‘I’ll do everything I can to persuade her.’

‘If anyone can talk her round, you can,’ grinned Dane.

Evan threw a dismissive look along the sofa at his brother. ‘I thought you had rehearsals to go to?’

Dane looked unfazed. ‘I’m sure the guys can manage without me for a little while longer.’

Louise re-entered with a huge tray, laden not just with red velvet cake but also fruit, plain, treacle and cinnamon scones.

‘How many people have we got coming?’ joked Dane, flashing Louise a charming smile.

She took a playful swipe at his arm.

I glanced along the sofa to where Evan was surveying Dane and me. His mouth flatlined. What was the matter with him? Only ten minutes ago, he’d been charm itself out by the car, insisting on helping with the luggage. Now his face was stormy, and he wasn’t saying much.

We savoured the tea and cake over convivial chit-chat as the late morning sun caused a kaleidoscope of shapes to move over the gardens.

Grandpa and Dane chatted about plants, gardening and the Rolling Stones. ‘If you need any help with potting some shrubs, I’m your man,’ emphasised Grandpa.

‘That would be great,’ grinned Dane across at my grandpa. ‘We’ve got a few honeysuckle and dwarf rhododendrons that’ll need tending to.’

Once I’d finished my tea and cake, I started to make my way up to my room. Bennett had already assisted Grandpa up the staircase so he could take a nap.

‘Where are you going?’

I turned to see Evan propping one arm on the bannister.

I felt my neck flush purple. ‘I’m going to unpack.’

‘Good plan,’ he mused. ‘But I also think we should get started on some brainstorming for this tour and how it’s going to work.’ Evan’s eyes were charged. ‘Work together.’