Chapter 9
CHAPTER NINE
CAT
“And at the end of that round, the Bannock Brainiacs are still in the lead, now with twenty-four points!” Jamie announces into the mic, his voice carrying across the packed pub. “As for the rest of you, remember, it’s not about the winning or the losing, it’s about... oh, who am I kidding? It’s totally about the winning. Step up your game!”
I roll my eyes and take another sip of my wine. My brother will always find ways to stir the pot.
From a corner of the room, Scott—who used to teach me maths at Bannock High but as of today is now a colleague of mine—calls out, “We all know you’ll do anything to win, Jamie, but some of us have a wee thing called dignity!”
Laughter fills the Pheasant.
“You don’t have to tell us its name, Scott, or that it’s wee—just keep it in your trousers, please!” Jamie fires back, not missing a beat.
The pub erupts, and even I can’t help but laugh. As irritating as Jamie can be, I have to admit he’s handling this quiz night like he was born for it.
“I’ve missed this,” I say, turning to Iona, who’s perched on the barstool beside mine. “Just us girls, hanging out.”
“Me too,” Iona agrees. She’s wearing one of her signature animal-print blouses, this one covered in tiny owls with spectacles. “Sorry I’ve been so busy lately.”
“It’s fine.” I wave it off. “I get it. You’ve got Lewis, and Maisie’s got Jamie. I’m just glad we’re getting some girl time tonight.”
It’s strange, seeing my two best friends coupled up with my brothers. For a few years, Iona and I shared a tiny flat down in Glasgow, where we’d spend hours dissecting our dates and hook-ups over cheap wine and takeaway. Back then, Iona was always searching for “the one”, poring over romance novels and sighing dramatically about finding her own hero. Meanwhile, I wasn’t looking for the one but rather the fun—the flirting, the banter, the tumble between the sheets.
Funny how she ended up finding her perfect match in Lewis, who was right under her nose all along. I mean, Iona literally grew up in the building opposite me and my brothers.
“Check out the way she’s looking at him.” Iona nods at Maisie, who’s behind the bar and gazing at Jamie with undisguised adoration.
“Aye, she’s absolutely smitten.”
Apparently overhearing us, Maisie turns to me and plants both hands flat on the counter. “If you had a man who can go three rounds in one night and still have the energy to make you breakfast in the morning, you’d be smitten too.”
I’ve just taken a sip of wine, and I choke on it. “Jesus Christ, Maisie! That’s my brother!”
“What? Making breakfast is a very attractive quality.”
“That wasn’t the bit I objected to, and you know it.”
Before Maisie can torment me with further details of my brother’s bedroom prowess—details I absolutely do not need to know—Jamie speaks into the microphone again.
“Before the next round, I have a few important announcements. If I could have everyone’s attention, please.”
The pub hushes, and all eyes turn to Jamie.
“First off, look at this, eh?” He holds one arm out wide. “Me, hosting quiz night at the Pheasant! Who’d have thought it? Especially after the rumours that Maisie and I were set to start World War Three with our competitiveness. But here we are, working together! And this is just the beginning of a more collaborative approach between the Bannock Hotel and the Pheasant.”
People murmur their approval, and a few break into applause.
“Next up,” Jamie continues, “I regret to say I’ve actually had a number of complaints tonight. About you, Iona Stewart.”
Everyone turns to Iona, who blinks. “Er... you have?”
“Aye,” Jamie confirms. “If you could please stop waving around that sparkly engagement ring quite so smugly, then people might be able to concentrate on my questions. Thank you.”
The room bursts into laughter again, and Iona holds her hand aloft and gives her fingers a proud wee wiggle, the diamond catching the light.
I shake my head but laugh all the same. Iona’s been on cloud nine since getting engaged.
“Remind me,” I say quietly, nudging her with my elbow, “how did Lewis propose?”
Her cheeks flush pink. “Why do you keep asking me that? I’ve already told you. We were on a lovely walk one evening, and he just went down on one knee.”
“We keep asking,” Maisie says, leaning across the bar with a sly grin, “because every time we do, you blush. Which makes us think there’s more to the story than you’re letting on.”
“There isn’t!” she protests.
Before Maisie or I can press her further, Jamie continues. “And in other news, Ally and Emily welcomed their second child—another wee boy—into the world just yesterday. Baby and mother are both doing great, and Ally is... well, still Ally. So, I hope you all have a drink to hand—and if not, stop being a cheapskate and go order something off Maisie! This is a pub, people! Anyway , I’d like to ask you all to raise a glass to wee Ciaran.”
There’s a round of chuckles, and drinks are raised. “To Ciaran!” we all say.
I heard the good news last night as I was finishing up at the stables, and I popped by Ally and Emily’s house after work today. Ciaran is perfect—all pink and wrinkly with a tuft of chestnut hair, just like his big brother, Ru. Emily looked exhausted but delighted, and Ally was practically bursting with pride, even though he tried to play it cool.
“One last thing,” Jamie says. “Can we please all take a moment to appreciate how stunning Maisie looks tonight? That lilac hair suits her perfectly—not that there’s any colour she couldn’t pull off.”
The whole room goes, “Aww!”
Maisie tosses her hair and gives the pub a jokey regal wave.
“Of course, there are a lot of people around the world who adore Maisie’s videos,” Jamie adds, “but let’s not forget, she was ours first!”
The room answers with more awws and a smattering of cheers. Bryce, Maisie’s da, bellows, “Damn right!”
Jamie shoots Maisie a wink then dives back into his quizmaster routine.
“I still can’t believe you’re with Jamie,” I say to Maisie as he reads the next question. “I’m happy for you. I just... can’t wrap my head around the appeal.”
Growing up, Jamie was the bane of my existence—always pulling pranks, hiding my things, and generally being a nuisance. Even now, as an adult, he can’t resist winding me up at every opportunity. I don’t get how anyone—never mind Maisie—could fall for someone who delights in being so infuriating.
“I can see it now,” Iona says. “I couldn’t at first, but now I reckon they’re perfect for each other. Jamie’s met his match in Maisie.” Iona gives her a small approving nod. “No one can keep him in line like you can.”
I cock my head then admit, “That is true.”
Maisie glances back at Jamie, a soft smile playing on her lips.
“You know,” Iona says to Maisie, “we’re practically family now, what with our parents being together.”
Around the same time that Maisie and Jamie began to secretly see each other, so did Bryce and Elspeth. Elspeth is Iona’s maw. She’s also been something of a surrogate mother to me and my brothers ever since we lost our own maw.
“Aye,” Maisie agrees. “Plus, when you marry Lewis, you and Cat will become sisters.”
“And if you and Jamie ever get hitched,” I add, “we’ll all be sisters. One big happy but slightly weird family.”
“True! It’s funny how everyone is pairing off now.” Realisation hits Maisie a beat too late, and she winces. “Oh! Sorry, Cat. Not you, obviously, but?—”
“Ha!” I give a dismissive wave and swirl what’s left of my wine, totally unfazed. “That’s okay. I’m not exactly looking to settle down. Although ... I may have my eye on someone I could have a wee bit of fun with.”
Iona, immediately interested, sits forwards. “Oh? Spill!”
“Well, let’s just say I have a thing for a certain... bad boy.”
“Oh my God. Not Robbie MacDonald?” Maisie laughs so loudly that a nearby table glances our way. “Cat, please tell me you’re joking. I’ve seen that man pick up more tourists in here than hot dinners.”
“What can I say? I’m a sucker for tattoos. And piercings.”
Smirking, Maisie pours us more wine, including a glass for herself. I take a sip and savour the crisp, tangy bite. I’ll stop after this one. Today was just an in-service day—a chance for teachers to prepare for the new term—but tomorrow there’ll be actual students at the school. I can’t show up on my first proper day with a hangover.
“What would Ally think about this wee crush,” Maisie wants to know, “considering the number of times he and Robbie nearly killed each other back in the day?”
Remembering those fights, I can’t hold back a grimace. I was too young to understand what started it all, but the bad blood between them ran deep.
“Pah, that’s ancient history.” I try to sound breezy. “People change.”
“Do they, though?” Maisie questions. “Because there’ve been all sorts of rumours going round about why he left his job at the resort.”
“You said it yourself, they’re rumours ,” I point out. “And as we all know, the folk in this town love nothing more than to exaggerate a story. Besides, in the classroom, I’ve seen how teenagers act out when they’re hurting. The way Robbie was when he was younger... well, sometimes the worst behaviour is just a cry for help.”
Maisie isn’t convinced. “That might be true, but Robbie’s not a teenager. He’s a grown man who still has a reputation for trouble.”
“He’s also gorgeous,” Iona adds with a dreamy sigh. When we both stare at her astounded, she flushes. “What? I’m engaged, not blind. And I do read a lot of romance novels. There’s just something about the brooding bad boy with a hidden heart of gold...”
“Exactly!” I point at her. “See? Iona gets it.”
“I still think you should be careful,” Maisie warns. “Though, I’ll admit, if anyone can handle Robbie MacDonald, it’s probably you, Cat.”
I lean in closer. “Want to know a secret? You can’t tell Lewis, Iona. And Maisie, you absolutely cannot tell Jamie. But... I’ve asked Robbie to do a bit of work around my flat.”
Maisie’s eyes widen. “You’ve what?”
“Hey, none of my brothers were willing to help, and Robbie’s available for work. Plus, he’s good with his hands.” I wiggle my eyebrows suggestively.
“And if this gives you an opportunity to flirt with him, then that’s just a perk, right?” Iona says with a knowing look.
I wink at her. “Aye. Trust me, after how dull the dating scene was up north, I need a bit of excitement. I’m not wanting to be his girlfriend or anything. Just, you know, have some fun. I’m calling this...” I pause dramatically. “Project Bang a Bad Boy.”