‘Lucky inheritance,’ said Izzy, pricked by his unexpectedly snide comment. ‘It’s mine, actually.’
‘Jim,’ Jeanette remonstrated, her eyes widening as if trying to remind him of something.
‘Sorry, that was rude. Didn’t mean it.’ He gave an apologetic smile that was more aimed at his wife than Izzy but she could see that he genuinely meant it.
‘That’s all right,’ she said. ‘I am very lucky and I don’t take it for granted. If it’s any consolation, I wasn’t born with a silver spoon in my mouth and lived in Glasgow for most of my life in a two-bedroom flat with my mum.’
‘What part of Glasgow?’ asked Jim, quickly sending a worried look towards Jeanette.
Izzy frowned, wondering which bank the two of them had robbed, although it was difficult to believe either of them had been up to no good with their round, innocent, wholesome faces.
‘I grew up in Langside,’ said Izzy, knowing it was now one of the nicer areas of Glasgow but it hadn’t always been. When her mother had been widowed so young, the two-bedroom flat was all she could afford after the insurance money paid out. Luckily Izzy’s dad had worked for a small local firm who paid out a death benefit.
Both of the campers visibly relaxed.
‘How long have you lived here?’ asked Jim.
‘Just a couple of months, although I’ve been away for most of that time and only came back yesterday. We’re planning to turn it into a hotel.’
‘Oh.’ They both straightened.
‘Have you got any jobs going?’ asked Jim.
Izzy shook her head. ‘Not at the moment. I might have inherited a castle but I didn’t inherit any money. I can’t afford staff yet.’
‘Right.’
Jim’s mouth pursed and tightened in disappointment.
‘Here you go.’ Jeanette pushed an enamel mug of tea into Izzy’s hand. ‘You’ll have to share with me,’ she said to her husband. ‘We’ve only got a mug each.’
Izzy warmed her hands on the mug, starting to feel chilly. It must be freezing sleeping out here. ‘There’s plenty of firewood up at the castle if you need any logs for a fire. It’s all stacked in the courtyard. And there’s loads of kindling in the woods. Help yourselves.’
Jim beamed at her. ‘That would be brilliant, cheers.’
‘No problem.’ Izzy smiled, wondering if she ought to offer them a bed for the night but they were clearly keeping secrets and she couldn’t take in every waif and stray that crossed her lands.
She stayed and chatted for a few minutes until she’d finished her tea and then left them to walk around the western side of the loch, wondering who they were hiding from. There was definitely a mystery there but they weren’t doing any harm and no doubt they’d be gone in a day or so.
Chapter Five
‘What do you think? Isn’t it gorgeous?’ crowed Xanthe, throwing open the huge door to the morning room as outside the daylight faded.
The two coats of soft primrose paint contrasted beautifully against the white plasterwork ceiling and the golden woodwork now shone with a gentle lustre.
‘Can you turn the lights on? I want to take some pictures for Insta.’ As always, Xanthe had already moved on to the next thing.
‘Yes, then I need to go and sort dinner out.’
‘We could eat in here,’ trilled Xanthe, pointing to a small, round dining table in the corner.
Izzy looked at the beautifully laid Instagram-ready table. It did look gorgeous and in that moment, she could hardly believe that she lived here. ‘I think it’s a bit grand for mushroom risotto and salad.’
‘You have no soul, Isabel.’ Her mother tossed her head and sighed, looking positively tragic.
Izzy went over to her and gave her a quick peck on the cheek. ‘Nope, but I do know my mother is a decorating genius. And besides, I wouldn’t want to spoil this lovely set-up. Why don’t you take some pictures and I’ll start cooking? Dinner’s at seven.’
‘Excellent. I’m quite peckish and I think we should open a bottle of Prosecco to celebrate.’
