Page 82 of The Secret Castle in the Highlands

I nodded through a shaky smile. ‘Yes, thank you.’

He turned and glowered towards the castle tearoom, where the silhouettes of customers wavered behind the draped curtains. ‘Did you notice his face when I said we knew the identity of the Scarlet Highwayman? We’re onto something big and he knows it.’

I looked up at Mason, whose attention was boring into Alex Lapley’s retreating figure. ‘But we don’t know who the highwayman is.’

‘Not yet we don’t, Poppy, but we soon will.’

‘There you are!’ exclaimed Mason’s dad, swinging a McKerron Castle-embossed carrier bag. ‘Sorry we took so long. Anyone would think your mother had never been to a gift shop before.’

Orla batted her husband’s arm. ‘Away with you! It’s not my fault if I’m a discerning shopper.’

I was only half listening as she rummaged around in her purchases, producing a candy-pink chiffon scarf embossed with the McKerron Castle crest – three black-and-silver roses on a circular coat of arms – a sea-blue silk tie with the Port Starr emblem for Jack, two boxes of clotted-cream fudge, various postcards featuring the harbour and a glass jar of cinnamon potpourri, topped off with a blue-and-green tartan ribbon.

‘We got these for Anna and Patrick and Maeve and Rory. They’ve all got such a sweet tooth,’ explained Orla, indicating the two boxes of fudge.

‘They’re Mum and Dad’s neighbours,’ supplied Mason in answer to my puzzled stare.

Orla surveyed us both from out of her dark, wide-set eyes. ‘Are you two all right?’

‘We’re fine, Mum,’ insisted Mason. ‘Poppy was just heading back to work.’

I nodded. ‘So sorry to dash off, but it is Saturday.’ I smiled at them. ‘I’m sure I’ll see you both shortly.’

Relieved that I’d brought Dad’s car and could gather my thoughts on the drive back to the cottages, I proffered Mason a small smile. ‘Thanks for just now.’

‘Poppy.’

I paused and turned around.

In two strides, Mason was in front of me. He hesitated, before pulling me into his arms and allowing his lips to move softly against mine.

I pulled back, disorientated. I finally managed to gather myself together. ‘Nice acting.’

Mason’s eyes looked every bit as surprised as mine. There was a glimmer of something that passed across his face that I’d never seen before. ‘Who said I was acting?’

Chapter Thirty-Six

‘You need to do something about these hot flushes of yours,’ teased Katie. ‘Something – or someone – is affecting your blood pressure.’

I stuck out my tongue. ‘You’re letting your imagination run riot again.’

Saturday afternoon brought with it a steady stream of enquiries, not just over the phone but also via our website. We received four week-long reservations for the October school holidays, which we were thrilled about.

The June rain had evaporated, bringing sunshine tinged with sea salt and the zingy hue of damp grass.

‘I’ll need a good dose of my peppermint foot lotion tonight,’ I sighed, waggling one of my feet encased in baby-pink loafers to emphasise the point.

‘And I really should have a date with a half-finished kitchen utensil jar in honey glaze,’ mused Katie. ‘Poppy, how about coming over this evening after we finish? We could grab a takeaway.’

I moved towards the back of the office, which was now nestled in pools of sleepy sunshine. ‘Thanks, but after the past couple of days, all I want to do is sink into a warm bath, slip on my fluffy bathrobe and take it easy.’

If Mason did suggest meeting up again with his parents this evening, I’d try to excuse myself. My fingers reached up and absently touched my lips. I thought he was playing along for the benefit of Orla and Jack, but that comment he made and the way his eyes had scorched mine… Everything was turning into a muddle in my head.

I pulled my hand away from my tingling mouth. ‘Katie, I can lock up tonight and you head off home now, okay?’

There was no answer.

There came a couple of thuds, followed by some loud exclamations from Katie.