Chapter 26
‘Come on, you ridiculous thing,’ Skye said to Wolfie, half-fondly, half-sternly.
It was Tuesday, mid-morning, and Skye pushed open the door to Anderson and MacDougall. The bell gave a little tinkle, a happy, welcoming sound, and Skye tugged Wolfie over the threshold.
Wolfie gave a feeble growl, then, limping slightly, followed her in, and lay down on the floor with a thump. Chloe looked up from the reception desk, and gave a wide smile.
‘Och, what’s the bugger done now? Something about a sore paw, wasn’t it?’
Skye nodded. ‘He was out yesterday afternoon, haring around up on the moorland with Hamish. At some point he refused to stand on it, and Hamish removed a thorn, but it hasn’t got any better. None of us at the castle can tell if it’s swollen much, or what.’
‘Poor old chap,’ Chloe said.
She came out from behind the desk, and crouched down to give Wolfie’s ears a scratch. He wagged his tail weakly.
‘I’ll let Holly know you’re here. In fact, because it’s Wolfie, come with me now. Come on, boy,’ she said to Wolfie. ‘Up you get.’
Out the back, Wolfie sat on the ground next to the table. Holly lifted up his paw and Paolo came to help hold it while Holly leaned in to take a look.
‘I can’t see anything, so looks like whatever it was is already out, which is good news. It is swollen, though,’ said Holly. ‘Let me take his temperature, listen to his heart.’
Skye watched as she ran through her checks. She glanced at Paolo, who gave her a small, if odd smile. She hadn’t seen him for over a week, not since he’d come over to Glenalmond.
‘All normal,’ Holly declared, giving Wolfie a pat, then standing up. ‘But I’m going to give you a prescription for antibiotics. A short course, which will clear up any remaining infection. I love you, Wolfie, but trouble seems to come and find you, doesn’t it?’
You and me both , thought Skye.
She opened the door to leave the room, when Holly called her back.
‘Skye, are you doing anything tomorrow night? Only I’m having a small picnic down at Finnen Beach for my birthday. Nothing massive, really relaxed, right, Paolo?’ Holly shot Paolo a look.
‘Being low-key doesn’t mean you have to lack all sophistication,’ said Paolo. ‘We’ll not have any of those red plastic cups. We’re not in a frat house.’
‘So, come?’ asked Holly. ‘I sent Hamish a text this morning asking him, but he hasn’t replied. Probably out with visitors, I guess. Sorry it’s so short notice.’
‘I’d love to,’ said Skye. ‘If you’re sure. I mean, I’ve not been here that long.’
‘I am,’ said Holly. ‘As for not being here long, Chloe’s asked Bear too, and he’s going to come.’
One trouble with being so pale was that there was no denying a blush. Skye tried to freeze her face, to mask the inner excitement she felt at the prospect of seeing Bear again, but she could feel a magenta hue crawling up her neck.
‘Great.’ She smiled, hoping it wasn’t too obvious. ‘I guess I’ll go and square this with Chloe, then. Come on, Wolfie.’
‘Bring Wolfie too, if you like,’ said Holly. ‘Sadie’s coming, that’s mine and Greg’s dog. I think she was having a day over at Auchintraid when you first arrived. Fiona looks after her sometimes to make sure she gets the care and attention she needs.’
Skye allowed herself a smile as she walked back into reception. The thought of another night with Bear filled her with warmth, like drinking a hot drink while wrapped up in a blanket. More than warmth — heat. She shook herself.
Back out the front, Chloe did not look her usual together self. On the occasions that Skye had seen her, Chloe had projected nothing but neatness, from the perfectly styled fringe to her pretty pumps, all the way to her immaculate workspace.
‘Are you OK?’ Skye asked.
Chloe was bent down, fiddling with a cabinet. ‘Yes,’ she said. She sat up, smacking her head on the edge of the desk. ‘No. That hurt.’
‘I shouldn’t have startled you,’ Skye apologized.
‘You didn’t.’ Chloe rubbed her head. ‘The dratted roofers want to come on Friday. Not that they’re dratted, because we need a roof and it all has to be special materials, and I’m sure they’re really lovely guys, but the never-ending saga of the renovations are frying my brain. And I’d booked it off, but now I don’t think I can do Friday — we’ve got a full diary here. Holly looked stressed when I reminded her. But I need to be at Auchintraid. Och, shite! I really can’t miss the meeting with them. Paolo could duck in and out, but if he’s busy, who’ll answer the phones? Soothe owners? Remember the PC password?’ Her voice had risen to a squeak.
‘I will,’ said Skye. ‘If I can. Can I? I’m only part-time at Glenalmond, and can wiggle the hours a bit. I’ve basically lived in an office for the last few years, and I know my way around a desktop. And anything I get stuck on, I could leave you a note, or text if it’s urgent. I used to help out here when I was a teenager, but I expect things have come on since then.’
Uncle Hugh had obviously upgraded a few things. They hadn’t even had reliable internet back then, and Skye remembered noting everything in a large leather-bound book.
‘Really? That would be great, thank you! I’ll do a bit of a handover. Show you where everything is.’
Skye nodded vigorously. ‘I’m sure Hamish will let me take Friday off, and a couple of hours out on Thursday for a handover. Especially if I make them up in the evening. There’s nothing big in our diary that day, so he could man the office for a bit. He’d be more than happy, seeing as it’s you guys. And I’d love to help out. It’s the least I can do, given how kind you were to me when I got here. I owe you all, big time.’
‘You really don’t, but wow. Just wow.’ Chloe beamed. ‘You’re a superstar, Skye. Thank you.’
Skye let herself be led out the door by Wolfie, feeling uplifted.
* * *
‘Paolo, of course I’m going to invite her. She’s lovely,’ said Holly.
‘For someone who claims to loathe drama, you’re certainly inviting it. Not only is she getting her claws into Hamish, but she doesn’t like Bear,’ Paolo replied.
‘Why wouldn’t she like Bear?’
‘Because . . .’ said Paolo, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. ‘She’s obviously having it off with Hamish.’
‘We’ll follow the plan tomorrow,’ said Holly. ‘Play it cool. And by that, I mean play it as close to normal as you can.’
Paolo raised an eyebrow. ‘My love life’s on the line, Holly. It’s the one area of my life where I’m less than relaxed.’
‘Pragmatic approach, Paolo. Remember? It’s what we agreed on the board.’
Paolo nodded at Holly’s coaching.
Pragmatism was a sensible option. The best option. He thought about Fabien’s message again, trying to guess his ex’s intentions, and wondered if replying to Fabien was pragmatic too.