Chapter 29
Bea
As she reached the front door, Bea’s phone beeped with a message from Craig.
Just checking you’re sure? Thought we could have a fun time together.
Yes, absolutely she was sure. She’d called things off with Craig in a phone call that morning. It didn’t sit well being with Cal and still having someone else in the wings, and Craig was never going to work out, not after last night’s experience.
Cal was waiting outside the main door at ground level, wearing jeans and a blue button-down shirt and looking fresh and handsome in the low evening light. He kissed Bea gently, and she got a waft of his delicious cedarwood and lime scent.
‘You look beautiful this evening,’ he said.
‘Thank you. You’re very eye-catching yourself.’
‘I try my best.’ Cal reached for her bag. ‘I’d have come up and got that for you.’
‘Oh, it’s nothing,’ she replied. ‘Not even heavy.’
‘So, it’s about an hour’s drive,’ Cal explained as he pulled away from the apartment. ‘Hope you don’t mind having to talk to me for that time.’
‘On the contrary. I can’t wait.’
‘I would suggest you read to me, but knowing what’s in your books, I’m not sure I could be trusted to concentrate on the road.’
‘That is very flattering.’ Bea glowed at the compliment. ‘And I’m a big believer in road safety so let’s stick to safe topics. Until we get to your house, at least.’
Cal smiled. The knee-weakening effect was something that probably cost Hollywood studios thousands in make-up and strategic lighting to create, and Cal just had it naturally.
She would be sorry to have to leave that face behind, but what was the point fast-forwarding when they’d just begun their adventure together?
‘So why do you live so far from the bar?’ she asked. ‘Far for Scotland that is. You must enjoy driving.’
‘It’s not that I enjoy driving as much as I need to have somewhere to get away from it all. I grew up in a village called Kinshore on the Kintyre Peninsula and I crave the country quiet to help recharge my batteries, you know? The bar can get intense and I love that, but I need the flip side too.’
‘I understand,’ said Bea. ‘I grew up in a small town, too.’
‘You did?’
‘Yeah. New York City is an amazing place to live, but sometimes I need to go home to unwind and take my foot off the accelerator. So I can appreciate NYC when I’m back there.’
‘Yes, exactly,’ said Cal. ‘I couldn’t be Edinburgh Cal without Belhaven Cal. But too much village living and I’d go stir crazy. I need a break where old ladies don’t chat over scones and tea about the fact that they saw you posting a letter that morning.’ He chuckled.
‘Are you something of a local celebrity, then?’ Bea asked, then thought she saw something shift in Cal’s face at this question. But if it bothered him he didn’t reveal anything further.
‘I’m definitely no celebrity. Although, I think maybe a few of the pensioners might have a bit of a crush on me. Dorothy Mackay asked me out on a date last week.’
‘She did?’
‘Aye, I went into her house to change a lightbulb and she asked if she could take me for tea and cake.’
‘Are you sure it wasn’t to say thank you for your handiwork?’
‘Well maybe, but you weren’t there, Bea. You didn’t see the glint in her eye. She’d have me; I know she would.’
Cal’s humour warmed Bea like gentle Scottish sunshine. There was a sweet and funny man underneath the cool exterior and spending time with him would be most enjoyable.
‘And what was it like growing up on the Kintyre Peninsula?’ she asked. ‘It must have been idyllic.’
‘Well, it’s not all picture postcard, but it had its plusses. Again, there are places to surf, which me and my siblings love. And there’s a ton of whisky. And, of course, some of my family.’
‘Some?’
‘Cara and Eilidh live down here, just a few houses along from me. Niall is in Australia and Sean and Nate are in Kinshore, as is my brother Jamie who works for the family business. Dad’s the CEO, Jamie’s the Chief Operating Officer.’
‘You didn’t want to work for the family business?’
‘You ask a lot of questions, don’t you?’
Maybe she was asking too much. She and Cal were meant to have a no-strings arrangement. Perhaps they shouldn’t learn so much about each other’s lives. He didn’t appear to want to talk too much about his family, beyond the basics.
‘Oh, sorry. You’re right, I do. I think it might be an occupational hazard.’
‘Of being a bartender? Mine is that I can tell what people’s favourite drink is within five minutes of meeting them.’
‘I meant writer but, wait, you can do that?’
‘Yeah, I mean it took less time with you. Thirty seconds in and I knew you were an almond mocha drinker.’
‘Ah! You’re joking.’
‘Well, I am about that, but, no, I meant I can tell what alcoholic drink someone likes. I knew you were a Manhattan woman, both literally and metaphorically.’
‘You did? Why is that?’
‘You’re rich and decadent. Bold. And you struck me as a woman who isn’t afraid of her whisky.’
‘Oh, you’re good,’ said Bea. ‘I’m not afraid of whisky. Although, I will admit to not knowing nearly enough about Scotch. Perhaps you could teach me.’
‘Absolutely.’ Cal’s face lit up. ‘I’ve a cellar full of inspiration and education. I did grow up pretty much bathing in the stuff, after all.’
After a while on the main road, Cal turned off onto a minor road leading to a small village signposted as Belhaven.
A few minutes later he pulled up next to a stone cottage that must command exceptional views of the bay.
It was stunning and Bea almost tumbled out of the car so she could absorb her surroundings.
‘Welcome to my home.’ Cal admired his house as if he had built it himself, the radiant joy in his face highlighted by golden evening sunlight.
Bea threw her hand to her heart. ‘Oh my goodness, it’s stunning,’ she said. The wide bay was a deep teal blue with white-crested waves folding into the shore. Out in the background sat an enormous rock.
‘That’s the Bass Rock,’ Cal explained. ‘There’s a castle and a lighthouse on it, as well as about 150,000 gannets.’
‘Wow!’ Bea scanned the coastline. There was barely a soul around, save a few lone dog walkers and one surfer catching the last of the evening waves.
‘I don’t suppose he has to worry about sharks at dusk,’ she remarked.
Cal looked a little surprised that Bea knew the danger times for surfers when it came to sharks. She just smiled.
‘Aye,’ he said. ‘It might be bollock-cold but it’s extremely unlikely we’ll meet anything more dangerous than the swell itself out there.’
‘It’s impressive swell,’ said Bea. ‘I never knew Scotland had such excellent surfing conditions. Although, it is “bollock-cold” for sure.’ She rubbed her arms, encased only in a silk blouse.
Cal touched her arm for a moment. ‘Come on, let’s go inside. Can’t have you getting a chill.’ He grabbed Bea’s bag from the boot of the car and led her to his home.
Through the door, Bea marvelled at Cal’s cottage. The low raftered ceilings, the open fireplace, the large stove which sat under a window with breathtaking views across the bay. It was traditional, homely and characterful.
‘Just like me,’ Cal said, playfully when Bea shared these thoughts with him.
Bea noticed the table in the dining area of the open-plan lounge was set for a meal. There were placemats, cutlery and even empty wine glasses. Cal caught her staring.
‘I was going to throw something together for dinner,’ he said. ‘But I’ve had a different idea. How do you feel about fish and chips on the beach?’
‘That sounds delightful,’ Bea chirped. It sounded even more perfect than dining indoors. For someone who wasn’t trying to pursue a romantic relationship, Cal was making quite the effort. If only all guys were like this.