Page 57
“What? No!” Jenn spluttered—and actually snorted tea out of her nose in her panic.
Vivi was beside herself, wheezing with laughter.
“Oh no, Auntie Peigi. Just a kiss! A very good kiss, but just a kiss.”
“Well done, m’ eudail,” Auntie Peigi said approvingly, giving Jenn a sage nod. “I know you young ones are all about the one-night stands these days, but there’s still something to be said for a bit of caution.”
“Yes… well… ehhh…” Jenn mumbled, suddenly very interested in the contents of her mug. Let’s not get into that.
“They’re meeting up on Thursday!” Vivi announced, valiantly rescuing the moment.
“Thursday. Well, that’s excellent.” Auntie Peigi perked up even more. “I assume he’s working, is he?”
“I’m not sure—probably?” Jenn shrugged. “He just messaged to ask if I wanted to meet up that night.”
“I see. And where’s this romantic rendezvous happening?”
“Not sure yet. He said he’ll pick me up after my yoga class—if I can get a lift there—then drop me home after.”
“Is he taking you for dinner?” Auntie Peigi asked, her tone now pure Spanish Inquisition.
“He just mentioned drinks…”
“Hmm. Right, well you’ll probably end up at The Brig, down in Beiradale,” she said, frowning thoughtfully.
“Where’s that again?” Vivi asked. “Have we been there?”
“It’s in the big hotel at Beiradale,” Jenn explained. “You know where Beira’s Break and that are?”
“Ohh! Yeah, I know where you mean.”
“We used to go every so often for dinner, years ago, right?” Jenn added, turning to Auntie Peigi. “But not recently. I don’t remember a place called The Brig?”
“It’s alright, The Beiradale,” Auntie Peigi said, waving her hand. “Caters for bus tours and the more upmarket surfers. But here’s the thing—it’s sort of an unspoken rule on the island: if you go to The Brig for drinks, folk leave you alone.”
“Ooooh!” Vivi waggled her eyebrows at Jenn. “So, it is a serious date, then?”
“Basically, yes.” Auntie Peigi nodded. “It’s quiet, especially this time of year. Not many locals go there, if you know what I mean.”
Jenn blinked, caught off guard. “Right. Didn’t realise there were unspoken rules.”
“Well, there are,” Auntie Peigi sniffed. “If it’s just casual, you go to The Dhu or the bar at the Hellisay Inn. But if you want privacy, it’s The Brig. Or if you’re really making an occasion of it, a nice dinner at the Hellisay Inn. Although these days, Eilidh’s new place is a much better shout.”
“And Hells Shells?” Vivi asked, licking icing from her finger.
“Too much foot traffic. Very public. Too many people sticking their oars in,” Auntie Peigi said firmly. “It’s great for food, but you won’t get five minutes to yourself.”
“Ahh.” Jenn nodded slowly. She hadn’t clocked any of this etiquette before. But then again, back when she was seeing Javi, things were casual—just the odd drink at The Dhu or the Hellisay Inn bar, and usually with other people. And when they weren’t out, they’d just meet here at the cottage.
“Well, I’m absolutely delighted about this!” Auntie Peigi clapped her hands. “He’s a good lad, that Ruairidh. Sensible head on his shoulders. And very handsome, too. Lovely family. His mum, Màiri, taught a few of Calum and Angus’s kids—she’s a great teacher, and a wonderful headmistress. Now his sister, Màiri-Seumas, is following in her footsteps. I hear she’s brilliant.”
Jenn half-expected Auntie Peigi to pull out a whiteboard at this point.
“Then you’ve got Cairistìona up at the surgery—patient and practical, that one. And Donnie… well… he’s a wild one, no denying it. Lovely boy, but wild.”
Jenn tried not to snort as Auntie Peigi unravelled the entire MacLean family tree like a late-night documentary. Vivi looked utterly baffled, swigging her Irn-Bru like she was watching a foreign film without subtitles.
“Donnie, was it? Wild, you say?” Jenn said innocently, shooting Vivi a smirk.
