‘Yes ... Anyway. I’d better let you go – to drink your Irn-Bru, or whatever.’
‘Probably decaf tea, a book and then bed.’
‘Yes. Bed.’ The image of Cam without his top flashed back to her. He had a tattoo on his pec; she hadn’t expected it, but she didn’t know why. Norshouldshe wonder why.
‘I’ll deal with my end first thing, and I suggest you leave everything until morning too.’
Jenna nodded.
‘OK, goodnight – and Jenna,na gabh dragh.’
‘What does that mean?’ she asked, unable to even contemplate pronouncing the phrase that had rolled off Cam’s tongue so smoothly.
‘It’s Gaelic, and it means don’t worry. Everything will be OK. I promise you.’
Chapter Eight
Cameron
You total muppet! This is the worst idea you have ever had. What about work? What about Lachlan? What aboutyou?’ Iona exploded at Cam, scaring some of the tourists and a fair few seagulls.
‘Firstly, the charity has given me special leave, secondly Hannah is taking Lachlan on holiday for most of it, and thirdly, I’ll be fine. The Kilt Challenge needs to be completed, and I can do it,’ Cam declared, though he was starting to regret the hasty decision he’d made in the early hours of the morning.
Wheeling the bike alongside her towards the harbour so they could talk in more privacy, he had a feeling the conversation was going to get animated.
‘What about Sholto’s family?’ Iona demanded. ‘Do they mind you taking his place?’
‘They’re fully behind me,’ Cam said. ‘They were the first people I asked. Sholto was gutted about losing the sponsors and wasting all the hard work that’s gone into the logistics.’
Iona glared at him. ‘And what about Jenna?’
Cam paused before replying, wishing he’d never told Iona her name. ‘I haven’t told her yet.’
‘Jesus, Cam. You cannae go ahead with this. You haven’t trained. That bike hasn’t been out of the garage for months by the look of the cobwebs in the spokes. Are you sure you’re doing this for the right reasons?’
‘There are no cobwebs on my bike,’ he said, indignantly wiping them away, then: ‘Whatarethe right reasons?’
‘To help the family.Notto impress Jenna.’
‘Jenna has nothing to do with my decision.’
Iona snorted so loud that a gull flew off in horror. ‘Well, I’m not prepared to pick up the pieces when this all goes horribly wrong.’
They walked past the signpost and Cam tried not to catch sight of the arm that pointed south. It wasn’t even 874 miles to Jenna, because bikes weren’t allowed on the UK’s fastest roads. It was actually over a thousand along country lanes, hills, valleys – in just two weeks ...
‘You don’t mean that,’ he said.
‘No, I don’t ...’ She groaned. ‘Argh. Cam. I love you, but this – this – now I know yer finally aff yer heid!’
Cam was beginning to wonder the same thing but before he could answer, his mobile rang.
‘Shit.’
‘What?’
‘It’s Jenna. I think she’s just heard the news.’
‘Cam. Tell me I’m imagining things. Tell me it’s not true. It can’t be. You can’t.’
