‘Oh yes,’ Pearl enthuses, although she’s not sure what the NC500 is.
‘Making it a work thing gave me the chance,’ Niall adds. ‘And the reviews of this place are great. He’s obviously trying to do something different here, offering home-cooked evening meals in this amazing setting. And that’s great for visitors, isn’t it? It’s not as if this area is overrun with restaurants?—’
‘No, it’s not.’ She pales a little.
‘But I haven’t been able to find much written about it,’ he adds. ‘So I figured it deserved more attention.’
Pearl nods, certain that Michael will be thrilled with the publicity. But will a seasoned travel writer be fooled by hastily bought-in pub food, even if they can find somewhere that’ll provide it? ‘So you’re putting together a kind ofcoolguide to the Highlands?’ she suggests.
Niall nods. ‘I guess that’s about it.’ Then: ‘So what do you do, when you’re not holding the fort up here?’
‘I’m a make-up artist,’ she says as they stroll back towards the house.
‘Really?’
She catches his quick glance and laughs. ‘I know. Hard to believe, isn’t it?’
‘Oh, I didn’t mean?—’
‘No, I get it.’ She smiles. ‘I must admit, this isn’t my usual kind of trip. These past few years it’s been city breaks with friends or beach holidays with my son. So, how long will your Highland trip take?’
‘Three weeks in all,’ he replies.
She looks at him, curiosity piqued now. ‘But you only drove up from Derbyshire this morning?’
‘Yep, that’s right?—’
‘But won’t you be going home for Christmas?’
‘Actually, no?—’
‘So you’ll still be away, will you?’ she goes on. ‘Working on your Scotland guide, even on Christmas Day?—’
‘It’s not really that big of a deal.’ He shrugs. ‘I don’t think so anyway.’
‘Er, no,’ she agrees, realising she has overstepped the mark. Pearl is a naturally curious person. She is aware that any offspring less tolerant than Brandon would take exception to her constant casual quizzing. How did his pub shift go yesterday? Is that new guy working out? Which film did he and Abi see the other night? Sometimes he laughs her off – ‘Enough, Mother!’ – and she catches Abi’s surprised look.How come your mum is so interested in your life?
‘Christmas is overrated,’ Pearl adds now. A meaningless comment, and does she mean it really?
‘Well, I think I’ll head in and do some work,’ Niall says, a little abruptly, already making for the front door.
Pearl watches him go. Maybe it’s not the done thing to quiz guests about their Christmas plans? She can’t imagine Michael doing that. And now a gleaming white SUV is approaching slowly down the drive. The Sampsons are here, and there arestillno firm plans for dinner. Pearl quickly hoists a smile, and Lena and Shelley emerge from the cottage, passing Niall, who’s paused at the door. Stan bounds out towards the vehicle.
The passenger door opens and a wiry woman with cropped burgundy hair and tiny rectangular spectacles steps out. ‘This is Shore Cottage?’ she asks.
‘Yes,’ Pearl replies. ‘You’re at the right place. You must be Mrs Sampson?—’
‘Frida,’ she says brusquely. ‘Bit of a disaster here.’ Her voice is sharp, with a hint of an accent that Pearl can’t place. But she is clearly used to commanding attention. ‘Are you in charge?’
‘Sort of,’ Pearl starts. ‘I mean, we all are. Michael’s had to go away but we’re all here to look after you. I’m Pearl, and this is Lena and—’ She glances back at her friends, but Frida has already cut her off.
‘Could we possibly have buckets of warm soapy water and some rags?’
‘Rags?’ Shelley repeats.
‘Yes,rags.Theo’s been sick. We need to do an urgent clean-up job?—’
‘Oh, how awful! Of course,’ Pearl says.
