Chapter 28
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
CAT
The final bell rings, and I practically sprint from my classroom. I’ve been sneaking not-so-subtle glances at my phone since lunch, when David texted to say Robbie had been released. My S3 class definitely noticed my distraction during our discussion of Romeo and Juliet . Somewhat ironic, given my own romantic drama unfolding.
I drive to Robbie’s cottage, my stomach in knots. I tried to see him at the police station last night, but they wouldn’t let me in. After that, I couldn’t sleep, just kept seeing him being led away in handcuffs and feeling the weight of everyone’s judgemental eyes boring into me.
Pulling up beside Robbie’s motorcycle, I take a deep breath then get out my car. The cottage looks peaceful against the backdrop of Bannock Woods. Hard to believe its owner’s life is imploding.
I knock, but there’s no answer. So I try again, louder this time.
“It’s open,” Robbie calls, his tone weary.
I head in then go through to the kitchen, where sunlight streams through the French windows, catching the dust motes in the air. Robbie sits at the table, hunched over a mug of something I think might have long since gone cold. He looks up as I enter, dark circles under his eyes, and for the briefest moment, he looks almost lost. Then his expression shutters closed.
“Hey,” I say, dropping into the chair opposite him and putting my bag on the one beside me.
“Hi. How was school?” The question, which would be perfectly ordinary any other day, seems ridiculous today.
“Not bad, but I had trouble focusing. Romeo wasn’t the only troubled hero on my mind.”
He attempts a smile. “Och, I hope you weren’t worrying about me. I’m fine.”
I reach across the table and place a hand on his. “Are you, though?”
He shrugs. “Well... honestly? I’ve been better. But my da paid my bail, so that’s something, I suppose.”
Robbie briefly fills me in on what happened, including that his second hearing is next Tuesday. My knowledge of the justice system is sketchy at best, and most of what I do know comes from TV, which isn’t much help since in Scotland we do things differently than in England or the US. But apparently, his second hearing is when he enters his plea.
“Well, you’ll be saying not guilty, obviously.”
The fingers of his free hand tap restlessly against his mug.
“I’m not sure it’s that simple. Da wants me to chat with his solicitor, and I will—maybe I’ll have a clearer plan of action after that. But at court this morning, I got five minutes with the duty lawyer before my bail hearing. He said if I plead not guilty and get found guilty anyway, I’m probably looking at three to five years. But if I hold my hands up from the start... one or two years maybe, less with good behaviour.”
“Jesus, Robbie. You can’t plead guilty to something you didn’t do!”
“Aye, but what if I fight it, lose anyway, and spend even longer locked up?”
“We’ll find evidence to clear your name,” I insist. “We just need?—”
“A confession from Samantha? CCTV footage that doesn’t exist? Some kind of miracle?” His mouth twists in a wry smile. “Besides, my bail conditions include staying away from the resort and from Samantha. Break my conditions and I’ll be remanded in custody until my trial. Makes proving my innocence a bit difficult, doesn’t it?”
“I can keep investigating. I’m not bound by your bail conditions.”
“No. You’ve done enough already.” He gently pulls his hand away from mine. “This town has a long memory, Cat. If they decide you’re trouble, they’ll hold it against you forever. Trust me, I know. I don’t want to bring you down with me.”
“I don’t care what people think about me,” I say, though that’s not entirely true. I heard the whispers at school today, saw the way some of the other teachers looked at me. Word of my rather vocal defence of Robbie last night has, of course, already made its way around town. It doesn’t sting yet, but I know how these things work. Gossip has a way of wearing you down over time.
“You should care. You’re new to your position at Bannock High. You’ve got your whole career ahead of you. Standing by me... it’ll turn folk against you.”
The fact he’s worrying about my future when his own is dangling by a thread... well, it just about breaks me. The town might see Robbie as trouble, but I know the truth.
“I’m not abandoning you. We’re in this together.”
Robbie just shakes his head, like I’m a naive child who doesn’t understand how the world works. And maybe I am. But I’d rather be naive than give up on someone I care about.
My eyes catch on an official-looking envelope on the table. I reach for it before Robbie can stop me.
“Cat—” he starts, but I’m already pulling out the letter.
It’s a fixed penalty notice from the Scottish Safety Camera Programme. The details jump out at me: Robbie was caught doing seventy-eight on a road with a sixty limit. Hundred pound fine. Three points on his licence.
“Talk about kicking me when I’m down, eh?” Robbie says with a hint of his usual dry humour. “Remember I said I thought I might’ve been caught by one of those mobile speed vans?”
I do remember, and this couldn’t have come at a worse time. We’re trying to prove he’s a changed man, and while a speeding ticket isn’t theft, it doesn’t scream model citizen either.
“A hundred pounds?” I scoff. “Please. I happen to know what your day rate is, and that’s hardly going to bankrupt you. Besides, if necessary, I’ll just break something else in my flat for you to fix.”
A ghost of a smile touches his lips.
“Seriously, Robbie, forget the speeding ticket—that’s nothing. And as for the theft charge, listen to me: you are not going to jail for something you didn’t do. I won’t let that happen.”
“Oh, aye? Are you going to flash your teacher badge at the judge and give me detention instead of prison?”
I set the letter down and move around the table, taking the chair next to him instead. Robbie watches me warily, like he’s not sure what I’m up to.
“You know what I think?” I slide my hand onto his thigh.
“I’m guessing you’re about to tell me.”
“I think you need a distraction.” My hand inches higher. “Something to take your mind off all this, even if it’s just for a wee while.”
Robbie catches my wandering hand before it reaches his crotch. “Cat, I appreciate what you’re trying to do, but I’m not exactly in the mood.”
I lean in and press a soft kiss to the stubble along his jaw. “Are you sure? Because I can be very persuasive.”
“I’m sure.” He gently pushes me back. “This isn’t something we can just shag away, and believe me, I wish it were. If sex solved everything, my troubles would have buggered off years ago.”
I sigh dramatically and flop back in my chair. “Fine. But in that case, I’ve got another idea.”
“God help me.”
“Let’s go riding.”
“Oh. Aye, that’s fine. We can hit the road, and?—”
“No, not on your bike, silly.”
He raises an eyebrow. “Wait, do you mean on a horse?”
“No, a unicorn. Of course a horse! I went on your bike, now it’s your turn to try something new.”
“Absolutely not.”
“Come on! It’ll be good for you. The smell of the stables, the way a horse seems to know what you’re thinking before you do...”
“The broken neck when I inevitably fall off?”
Laughing, I loop my arm through his and give his biceps a wee squeeze. “I won’t let that happen. I promise.”
“Cat, I’ve never been on a horse in my life.”
“And today we’re going to fix that.” I give his arm another squeeze then rise from my chair and try to haul him up with me. He doesn’t so much as budge, no matter how hard I tug. “Please? For me?”
“No.”
“Pretty please?”
“Still no.”
I let go of his arm and put both hands on my hips, fixing him with what I hope is my most intimidating teacher glare. “I’m not leaving until you say yes.”
“Then you’ll be here a long time.”
“That’s fine. I’ve got nowhere else to be.” I plonk myself back down and fold my arms.
Robbie holds out for nearly half a minute before letting out a resigned sigh and shaking his head. “Fine. One ride. But if I break something, it’s on you.”
I smile, victorious. “Deal!”
* * *
Twenty minutes later, we’re at Bannock Stables. Janice waves from behind a wheelbarrow piled high with straw, then her mouth forms a perfect “o” when she catches sight of Robbie trailing behind me. Just like everyone else in Bannock, she’s no doubt heard about the arrest.
“Cat!” She schools her features. “Didn’t expect to see you today.”
“Thought I’d introduce my friend to the joys of horse riding,” I reply cheerfully.
She shoots another glance at Robbie then, to my relief, smiles. Maybe the repair job he did on her fence has put him in her good graces. “Well, you know where everything is. Bracken’s free if you want her.”
“Perfect! And maybe Thor for Robbie?”
Robbie throws me a look. “ Thor? ”
I grin. “Don’t worry, he’s a gentle giant.”
We head to the tack room, where I grab my trusty helmet then peer at the shelves for something that might fit Robbie. I pluck a large one and plonk it on him, but it barely covers his ears. After a bit of rummaging, and coughing through a cloud of dust, I finally spot a gigantic one lurking right at the back. It looks like it hasn’t seen daylight for years. I brush off a few cobwebs and offer it to Robbie with a flourish.
“This should fit your massive noggin,” I tease.
He manages to wrestle it on, muttering that his head isn’t that big.
We head to the stalls, where Bracken is dozing contentedly. Three doors down, Thor is impossible to miss: his massive head pokes out over the stable door. He’s doing his best statue impression, the only giveaway the gentle twitch of one ear.
“Wait, that’s Thor?” Robbie says. “Christ almighty. That’s not a horse, that’s a double-decker bus on legs. Can’t I start with something smaller?”
“You’re six foot five, Robbie. If we tried putting you on Bracken, she’d lodge a health and safety complaint.” I pat Thor’s shoulder fondly. “Besides, this guy is as lazy as a Sunday morning. Perfect for a beginner.”
I demonstrate how to approach Thor then gesture for Robbie to give it a try. “Go on, hold your hand out flat so he can smell you.”
Robbie edges forwards with the same enthusiasm most folk save for tax returns or dental work. When Thor leans forwards to snuffle at his palm, Robbie stiffens, but he doesn’t bolt.
“You see? He likes you. Trust me, tough guy, if you can handle a motorcycle, you can handle Thor.”
After saddling both horses, I walk Robbie through the basics of mounting. “Take it step by step: reins in your left hand, foot in the stirrup, then swing your leg over, nice and smooth.”
Robbie huffs but manages it without major incident, though up on Thor, he looks about as relaxed as someone sitting on a time bomb.
“Piece of cake,” he deadpans. Even Thor seems unconvinced.
I show Robbie how to hold the reins, then I get up on Bracken and we set off round the paddock at a walk. Soon I notice Robbie shifting in the saddle like he’s sitting on a hedgehog.
“Is this supposed to be quite so sore on my balls?” he asks bluntly.
“Sit up straight!” I order, half giggling. “Keep your heels down, but don’t grip the saddle for dear life—you’ll just bounce more. Move with Thor, not against him. Unless you want to end up singing soprano, of course.”
Robbie mutters something about medieval torture, but he follows my instructions, and soon the thundercloud on his face softens.
“That is better,” he admits grudgingly.
“See? It’s not just English I can teach.”
“Don’t let it go to your head, McIntyre.”
When I’m satisfied Robbie isn’t about to go flying off Thor’s back—or make a gelding of himself—I lead us out of the paddock and towards Bannock Woods. The trees create a dappled canopy overhead, and the air is cooler among the foliage.
“This is actually quite nice,” Robbie admits, his posture noticeably more relaxed. He looks around, taking in the filtered sunlight and ancient trees. “I know these woods well, but it’s a different perspective from up here.”
We ride on for a bit, allowing a silence to settle—the kind that’s warm and companionable rather than awkward. The only sounds are the rhythmic clip-clop of hooves on the dirt path and occasional birdsong. Thor plods along, steady as a stubborn old tractor, seemingly aware of just how much faith is being placed in him today.
“You know,” I say eventually, “riding a horse isn’t so different from being on a motorcycle. It’s that same feeling of freedom, of connection to the world around you, but with the added bonus of bonding with another living being.”
Robbie smirks. “I’ll stick to my bike for speed, thanks.”
“But you can’t do this with your bike.” I lean forwards and stroke Bracken’s neck. She flicks her ears at me like she knows she’s the star of the show.
“No, but my bike doesn’t need to have its shit shovelled.”
“Fair point,” I laugh.
We continue along the path until we reach a small clearing. Sunlight streams through the gap in the trees, illuminating a patch of wildflowers swaying lazily in the breeze. I draw Bracken to a halt and gesture for Robbie to do the same.
“This is one of my favourite spots,” I tell him.
Robbie looks around, taking in the peaceful scene. For once, he doesn’t have a sarcastic retort. He just nods appreciatively.
Thor shifts his weight and spreads his back legs. Robbie tenses. “What’s he doing? Am I about to be thrown?”
“No, he’s just having a pee! Stand up in your stirrups for a sec.”
“You’ve got to be joking,” Robbie mutters, but he rises, and Thor relieves himself with what seems like endless volume.
“Jesus,” Robbie says, staring down in disbelief. “It’s like a bloody waterfall.”
When Thor finally finishes, Robbie settles back into the saddle. “You didn’t warn me that might happen.”
“Consider it part of the authentic experience,” I say with a grin. “Anyway... I’ve got to ask, Robbie. How are you doing? Really?”
He weighs his reply before speaking. “I don’t know. It’s like no matter what I do, folk round here will always see the teenage eejit I used to be.”
I reach over and touch his forearm. “Well, you know what? I won’t stop until everyone in Bannock sees you the way I do.”
“Oh, aye? And how’s that? Tattooed, irresistible, and with a few interesting piercings?”
I snort. “Okay, maybe they shouldn’t see you exactly the way I see you. But you know what I mean.”
He winks at me. Then, more seriously, he says, “Like I said back at the house, you don’t have to stick by me, Cat. Most people would’ve walked away by now.”
“Well, I’m not most people, and you better get used to that.”
Robbie chuckles. “You certainly are... unique.”
For a while longer, I listen to the birdsong and the gentle sound of Bracken munching on grass. I try to freeze this perfect wee moment in my memory. Then I say, “All right, we should probably make tracks before Thor decides this is nap time instead of adventure hour.”
Robbie nods, and we turn our horses and head back to the stables, together.