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Bob had a walk planned for that morning, and Kate was looking forward to seeing more of the local sights. HerGuest Information Bookwas filling up nicely. It occupied many long winter evenings as she’d filled it with some of the house’s quirks (let the shower run for two minutes before you get in, don’t turn the radiator to five unless you want to sleep in a furnace, don’t put anything other than loo roll and human waste down the toilet…) and other useful information (Wi-Fi code, where to leave rubbish, nearest shops). Theactivitiessection was still a bit bare, but with Bob’s help and a trip to the local Tourist Information office, it wasn’t as sparse as it might otherwise have been.
Kate shivered and headed back to the warmth of the kitchen. What she’d really love was a bath, but she’d cleaned the upstairs bathroom the day before and couldn’t face doing it again. Two more guests were due to arrive that evening, six p.m. they’d said, which should give her plenty of time to have a walk and make up the beds before they appeared.
In the hallway mirror, Kate checked her hair. It could go another day before needing a meeting with the shampoo bottle, she decided. And the only people she’d be seeing that day were Bob, and two strangers, so there was no need to make much effort.
At ten o’clock, Bob appeared at the front door, looking hot and bothered. “Are you all right?” asked Kate as he pulled a hanky from his pocket and wiped his brow.
“Yes fine, I thought I’d cycle over this morning rather than bring the car.”
Kate leaned out of the doorway and saw his bike and helmet propped against the door. “Was it a long way? You look knackered.”
“No, only a mile or so. It’s those bloody hills that killed me. I decided after last weekend I needed to get a bit fitter so I can keep up with you next time we’re on the trails.”
Kate grinned and moved aside so he could bring his bike in. He wheeled it through to the back door and locked it up against a drain pipe.
“So, where are we off to today?”
“I thought I’d show you my favourite walk.”
“Does it involve any driving? You know I’ve not got round to getting a car yet?”
“No, no need for the car. Are you ready to set off?”
“Yep, I’ll just grab some water and snacks.”
“Great, I’ll wait out the front, I need to cool off.”
“There’ll be no problem cooling off. It’s freezing out there.”
Moments later, they were walking down a steep road towards the imposing jail. When they reached the bottom of the hill, Bob veered off to the right, and began climbing the lane which passed the entrance to the museum.
“What goes down has to come up,” he said.
Kate groaned. “You’ve got that the wrong way round, you know?”
Bob winked and pressed ahead.
“Hey, slow down a bit will you, my legs aren’t as long as yours.”
Bob waited by the jail entrance. “I’ll take you there soon. It’s probably best to go at this time of year when it’s less busy. Actually, I meant to ask you, our office are having our Christmas bash there. I don’t suppose you fancy coming along?”
“Really? Won’t that be a bit awkward? I mean, you’re the only one I know. They may view me as an intruder.”
Bob laughed. “Not at all. You’d be doing me a massive favour. Everyone is bringing a plus-one. It’s a rule I hate. Morag from accounts brings her sister every year in the hope of setting me up with her. Her sister’s into snakes.” Bob shuddered.
“Snakes? What do you mean, likesnakesnakes?”
“Are there any other kind? She has a house full of them, apparently. It’s all she talks about. Last year I was worried she had one in her handbag.”
“You’re not scared of snakes, are you?”
“Too right I am, and heights, in case you were wondering. Sensible phobias they are too, so no laughing.”
“I wasn’t going to laugh. But I’m not sure the prospect of snake-woman is making this Christmas party very appealing.”
“Hmm, no. Maybe I should’ve kept that quiet. What do you think, anyway?”
“When is it?”
