‘You’ve got a lot of stuff!’ said Ranulph the next morning, taking the laundry sack Cass had with her and putting it in the back of the borrowed pick-up.
‘It’s presents for the family. Only little things but I’m hoping it’s something a bit different from what can be got here. And I found a quirky little toy shop full of odd things for the children.’
‘It’s a lovely way to say thank you for being rescued,’ said Ranulph. ‘And that’s your art bag?’
She nodded. ‘I’ve probably got enough sketches to fill two books, but if I don’t bring it I’ll see something I’m dying to draw.’
He nodded. ‘So do you want me to drive? Or do you know the way?’
‘I know the way but you can drive. I can direct you.’
They drove in silence for a while until Cass said, ‘The last time I came up this hill, I was with Austin.’
‘Oh! That must be a bit triggering for you,’ said Ranulph.
‘I probably wouldn’t have said that exactly, but I am remembering what it was like and it was terrifying.’
‘Of course, on the way back, you were with me.’
‘Definitely worse!’ Cass made a joke of it. ‘Maybe I should drive now, to get rid of the bad memories. The weather was so wild and Austin wouldn’t turn back. He was mad!’
‘But he survived and, most importantly, so did you.’
‘And so did Dad’s camera.’
She couldn’t help thinking how much trouble that camera had caused. If she hadn’t had to retrieve it in London, she would never have slept with Ranulph. How much simpler her life would have been. But even as she framed the thought, she realised, in the verydeepest part of her heart, she would never quite regret that night, however much pain and guilt it caused.
‘Had he but known it, Howard could have sent you here with a sharp pencil and an artist’s pad instead.’
Cass laughed. ‘Luckily I’d packed those things for myself.’
He pulled into the side of the road and they exchanged seats.
‘What are you going to do for Christmas?’ Ranulph asked. ‘Will you be in the Cotswolds with your family?’
‘No. My mother is spending it in London with my brother. I was invited but really didn’t want to go. I’m spending it with Dad and Eleanor in Scotland. I love it up there anyway and was delighted when they invited me.’
‘Oh?’
Cass nodded. ‘I’m looking forward to seeing it in proper winter.’
‘The winters are long, which can be a problem,’ said Ranulph. ‘And we run out of daylight quite quickly.’
Cass shrugged. ‘We run out of daylight quickly here, too. Think how the night comes down immediately the sun has set.’
‘True. And in summer up there, the nights go on forever. You can see the Northern Lights.’
‘That would be amazing. I’ve always wanted to see them.’
‘I’ve always wanted to see the Emerald Drop – or the Green Flash, whatever they call it,’ said Ranulph.
‘That would also be amazing. But I gather it’s very rare. The conditions have to be exactly right. I’m notsure I believe it’s real,’ said Cass. Just for a second she asked herself if her feelings were real, or if they were just an illusion. She hurried on. ‘But of course it would be amazing to see it.’ She was about to add that it would be a good omen but realised it would take a lot of explaining and lead her to territories where she didn’t want to go.
‘Are we nearly there yet?’ said Ranulph.
Cass shot him a grin. ‘It’s still a little way. We have to get quite a bit higher.’
‘Why did Austin come this way if he was on the way to the airport?’
