Page 22 of From Scotland with Love

After some time sitting in silence, with only the distant sounds of seagulls and waves to intrude on their thoughts. Lori asked her sister the question she most needed to know.

“Will you tell Alan?”

Tammy’s blotched tear-stained face looked at Lori in alarm. “Oh no, I couldn’t bear him to think badly of me!”

“Do you want to cancel the wedding?” Lori pressed.

“No, I want to marry him. He’s the father of my child. I love him!”

“Doesn’t he deserve the chance to make the decision himself, before you...” Lori bit her lip as Tammy shrugged off her sister’s arm from her shoulder.

“How dare you, it’s not like I’m trapping him into some sort of lie! He’s the one I want!”

Lori looked at Tammy with genuine love, and with pity. “You need to tell him.”

13

Lori left Tammy alone on the beach to think things over, after all it was not her decision to make. She offered her sister the best advice she could, but there was nothing more that could be done. It was up to Tammy to decide what she wanted.

She went back to Gran’s, hoping to spend the rest of her day with some comforting company, but found yet another note stuck to the fridge saying that Mary was having dinner over at a friend’s that night, and not to wait up. Lori felt a little depressed. The fact that her Gran, who was over forty years her senior, had a far more exciting social life than her it seemed. She resisted contacting Jean, as it was a school night, her sister would also likely be occupied, marking homework or taking the girls to some exciting activity until evening set in. Lori sat on the sofa in the lounge, cooling off from her day. Bracken appeared and placed his heavy head on her lap.

“Oh Bracken, you need some exercise!” She stroked his silky head and he sighed, as though he had spent a busy day running about outside, rather than the reality of sleeping for the entirety of it. She continued to pat his fur. “OK, enough! We both could do with some walkies!” Bracken lifted his head slowly and looked at her, to then drop back down on her lap, stating his thoughts on the matter. Lori laughed and shook him off. “Come on lazy lump!” She rummaged in the kitchen cupboard for some dog biscuits as a bribe, which miraculously worked, and she and Bracken set out together in the evening sun towards the village hall. The street was quiet, which was strange for this time of year, but Lori wasn’t complaining. She enjoyed the peace, a welcome solace from the twists and turns of the day. She strolled along the waterfront, with Bracken plodding along quietly by her side. Her thoughts drifted to Tammy and Alan. Would Tammy tell him tonight? Would she ever tell him? She breathed in and out, and mused to herself in mild surprise: Another day without thinking of work! How was that possible? She reached for her phone in her back pocket, but lost interest as soon as she touched the device, leaving it tucked away where it was. Bracken startled her by barking happily and wagging his tail, tongue dangling from his mouth. Lori looked up to see Callum walking towards them, smiling as the affectionate collie waddled up to him. He patted his old flanks, laughing.

“He loves you,” Lori declared dryly.

“I know Bracken well, don’t I wee man?” He briefly crouched, patted him on the head and stood up to face Lori. “What you up to?”

“Nothing much, just having a stroll. Beautiful night!”

“It is.” He nodded and looked over to the water. “There’s been some sightings today of a pod of porpoises. A few of the boat tours got some great photos.”

“Oh wow, that would be incredible to see!”

He grinned at her with a mischievous glint in his eye. “You fell into that trap Miss Robertson! Why don’t I take you out tonight? We’ll get in a kayak and who knows - we might see something.”

“Oh no, I couldn’t. It’s been such a long time since I’ve been in a kayak or any boat for that matter!” Lori raised her hands and looked around for support from Bracken but he had already started walking back to the house.

“Come on, it’s a perfect night for it. Plus you’re with a professional guide, what’s the worst that could happen?”

“Well something terrible now I’m sure, since you’ve said those words!” Lori laughed, and then gave in.

They met later that evening down at the small beach on the outskirts of the village. Callum’s yellow van was parked in a nearby lay-by, and he was darting back and forth to grab various pieces of equipment when Lori arrived. She wore an old pair of trainers that Gran had kept for her since high school, and a tiny pair of sports shorts on, which she now regretted wearing, and self-consciously kept pulling down with each step. In no time Callum had fitted her out with a spray skirt, which drooped around her like a damp tutu, then he fixed over her a bulky vest-like life-jacket, and handed her a paddle. The water lapped rhythmically against the kayaks as they glided from the beach. Almost immediately Lori remembered a time when she had done this once before with Callum; it had been a summer night much like this when they had paddled around the bay to a tiny secluded island. They had camped there, lit a fire on the beach and had made love all through the night, surrounded by the sounds of the water, and the breeze sweeping into shore. Lori had all but forgotten this memory, but as it came back to her now she blushed brightly thinking of their tender moments together, and hoping Callum didn’t notice, or remember the occasion himself.

The evening sun sparkled as it hit the shimmering water, and slowly descended into the horizon, melting from yellow tints to a dreamy pink, the shades growing deeper with each passing minute.

“I just never get sick of this,” Callum said as he paddled next to her.

“I mean... it is amazing.”

“It’s very still tonight, hardly a breath of wind.” Callum had his sunglasses on, and smiled over at Lori.

“What made you decide to do this? I mean apart from traveling and seeing that you wanted to start your business - why kayaking?”

“Hey, it’s not just about the kayaking, Robertson! You know me, I love being outdoors.”

“I do know that about you!” Lori chuckled and felt her face grow hot again. What was the matter with her tonight? She clenched her hands around the paddle, willing herself to keep calm.

“I really couldn’t sit tight at the fish farm all my life. And just, well - working for others was making me go mad. I wanted to set my own rules, so after being in New Zealand, I realised that there was a market for extreme sports around here. In some ways the Highlands and Islands really are like New Zealand. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t do every extreme sport - we don’t offer skydiving!”