Page 104 of The Secret Castle in the Highlands

Following behind Katie were Jenny and Maisie. They stood outside the office window, reading the poster I’d placed there, decorated with the horseshoe emblem and entwined roses drawn in the lower corners.

From inside, I could see their mouths fall open. Jenny hitched up the strap of her bag and wandered in. ‘What’s going on?’

Katie folded her arms across her embroidered mint-green blouse. ‘I’ve just asked the same question. You’ll have to wait until two.’ Her mouth seemed to hold the promise of a smile as she looked at me. ‘And what happened to you last night? You never came back to the office, and you didn’t answer any of my calls.’

Visions of Mason pinning me to his bed, our limbs entangled, lodged in my mind.

Katie didn’t wait for my reply. ‘Oh, I see. Mason wanted to inspect your watercolours.’

Jenny laughed as she removed her coat. ‘Stop teasing the poor lass. It’s none of our business.’

I stopped toying with my ponytail. ‘Thank you, Jenny.’

‘I bet he’s one hell of a kisser, though,’ Maisie added over her shoulder.

Katie sniggered.

‘Yes, thank you. I’m glad I’m providing such light relief.’

I snatched up my notebook and tried to bury my face in it, when FaceTime erupted on my laptop. It was Mum and Dad.

I sat down behind the desk, and Maisie and Jenny disappeared over to the cottages. ‘Hi, Dad. How are you?’

‘I’m fine, thanks,’ he assured me after a pause. ‘I just got your email and I’ve seen your poster.’

Mum appeared behind him, a soft smile playing on her lips.

Dad was looking at me with a slight inclination of his head. They were now on their docked cruise ship in New Zealand and the evening sky outside their cabin was a rich concoction of deep raspberry and amber.

Dad looked like an opulent weekender in his beige trousers and brown checked shirt. ‘I should never have doubted you. You’ve found out who the Scarlet Highwayman is, then.’

‘Yes, we did and we also uncovered a link he had to this place.’

‘What? You mean the cottages?’

I nodded. ‘I spoke to Historic Heritage just recently and they said that if we could find a credible link between the Scarlet Highwayman and our business, we stood a very good chance of achieving Listed Building status.’

‘Well, that’s wonderful news,’ assured Dad. ‘Alex Lapley wouldn’t be able to do a thing.’

‘Exactly.’

‘And is someone from Historic Heritage able to come along to your announcement this afternoon?’

‘Unfortunately, no,’ I admitted. ‘I did try to ring David Telfer – he’s the official I spoke to – but his boss answered the phone and said he was too busy to attend.’ I pulled a disappointed face. ‘It’s a pity as I got the distinct impression David was genuinely interested in the Scarlet Highwayman story.’

Dad cocked his head to one side, to show he was listening.

‘So,’ I said, clapping my hands together, ‘how are you enjoying yourselves? I take it you’re both eating far too much. You both look great.’

My father didn’t reply. He was lost in his thoughts.

‘Dad? Did you hear me?’

‘Oh. Yes. Sorry,’ he murmured. He patted Mum’s shoulder. ‘Look, darling, apologies but I’ve got to shoot off.’

He hurried out of sight of the screen and Mum smiled and blew me a big kiss. ‘We’ll be in touch soon, sweetheart – and huge congratulations again. We’re so proud of you.’

‘Sure,’ I answered. ‘No problem.’