‘Did you have to tell her? She’ll buy half the damn shop.’ The man rolled his eyes.
‘I love a craft centre,’ she said. ‘And we need a little memento of our holiday, don’t we, Frank?’
‘We don’t,’ Frank sighed, ‘but she’ll buy one, anyway.’
Mission accomplished, Rocco’s attention returned to the scenery. The boat was sailing parallel to the shore, and he was thrilled when he saw several grey shapes sprawled on the rocks. Then he noticed the sleek head of a seal bobbing in the water, gazing at them with huge dark eyes, and his heart melted.
Gradually, the boat moved into deeper water, and soon it was in the middle of the loch. Rocco scanned the surface incessantly, but he couldn’t see anything even remotely resembling a fin.
Mack was in the middle of explaining that the conditions weren’t ideal for whale spotting when a shout went up from one of the crew. ‘Harbour porpoise to starboard!’
‘That’s to your right, for all you landlubbers,’ Mack informed them over the speakers.
Rocco craned his neck. He couldn’t see anything for a second, then a stubby grey dorsal fin curved out of the water before disappearing, followed by three more. The animals were about a metre and a half long (according to Mack; Rocco couldn’t tell) and had grey backs, with lighter sides and white underbellies.
Mack explained how porpoises differed from dolphins, and that both species used echo location to hunt fish. Rocco was also fascinated to learn they could hold their breath for up to twelve minutes.
The boat kept pace with the animals for a while, until Mack said, ‘I think we’ll leave them in peace now,’ and the boat veered off. The porpoises quickly disappeared, but for Rocco, out of sight didn’t mean out of mind.
‘That was brilliant. Thank you,’ he said to Mack when they were back at the quayside. ‘Giselle says hi, by the way.’
Mack gave him a slow nod, his gaze assessing. ‘Don’t hurt her.’
Surprised, Rocco lifted his chin and gazed steadily back. ‘I won’t. It’s not like that. We’re friends, that’s all.’ And even if they were more than friends, it was none of this guy’s business.
Mack’s eyes were hooded. ‘Let’s hopeshesees it that way.’
‘Sees what? There’s nothingtosee.’ Last night’s almost-kiss flashed across his mind. There would have been something if she’d let it. ‘Just friends,’ he repeated firmly.
A spark of jealousy lit him from within before subsiding as he remembered that Mack had a girlfriend, a flame-haired potter called Freya. One big family, Giselle had said, so maybe the man was playing the role of a big brother. He clearly had her back, and Rocco realised he was glad she had people looking out for her. And envious, too.
One big family… Giselle was fortunate, indeed.
Two coaches and a car park full of cars and motorhomes greeted Roccowhen he returned to the castle, and both the cafe and the gift shop weredoing a brisk trade, he was pleased to see. Despite his intention tosell the estate, wages and bills still had to be paid, so any money inthe till was welcome. If the craft centre had been making a loss, he’dhave no hesitation in winding it up immediately, but since it was payingits way and making a decent profit, it made financial sense to keep itgoing, and although he wouldn’t be there to monitor it, Cal would carryon as the estate’s manager until the castle was sold. After that, itwould be up to the new owner to decide whether they wanted to keep thestaff on.
However, Rocco wasn’t popping into the gift shop to check on sales. He was there to make a purchase.
Two staff were working today, Jinny and another woman, and when Jinny saw him, a look of alarm flashed across her face before being swiftly replaced with a polite smile.
‘Is there anything I can help you with?’ she asked, a note of worry in her voice.
‘I’m killing time, waiting for the lunchtime rush to subside,’ he said. ‘The cafe is full.’
‘You’ll have a long wait. It’s usually busy well into the afternoon.’
‘In that case, I’d better join the queue. But since I’m here, I’ll have a look around first. I didn’t have the opportunity to mooch last time – too focused on trying to orientate myself and get a feel for the place.’
‘Mooch away,’ Jinny said, adding, ‘Shout if you need me,’ as she went to serve a customer.
Rocco was relieved to see her go. He didn’t want her to guess what he was up to.
Seemingly at random, he dawdled around the shop, picking things up and putting them down again, pausing to admire displays and standing back to study pottery or paintings, until he came to the real reason he was here.
The large sea glass picture of the loch was still for sale. That was all he wanted to know.
Slipping outside, he reached for his mobile, dismayed when he saw the number of notifications pop up. Ignoring them, he phoned Claire.
‘Sorry to call you on a Sunday,’ he said. ‘I’ll make it quick. Could you do me a favour? Would you purchase a picture for me if I send you the details?’
