Niall raised his gaze to her. ‘Loch Lachnashin? You’re camping there? On your own?’
‘Yes. Mum’s ashes are scattered there.’
‘I know.’
Of course he knew. He’d been with her there to visit. So was he concerned that she was facing a difficult memory alone or because she would be alone in general? Or both?
For a moment or two no one said anything, Carli and Niall’s interchange hanging heavy in the air. Then he spoke, again, concern a low undertone in his voice.
‘There’s no campsite at Loch Lachnashin, Cass.’
‘There are some facilities.’ Carli had done her homework. ‘But it’s an unstaffed site.’
‘That you’re going to alone?’
‘Yes, it means a lot to me.’
‘Of course.’ Niall stared at her, and she drilled her gaze back into his. Sure he was aware how much losing her mum had hurt but he didn’t get to come in and tell her what to do with the memories.
Eventually Niall looked back down at his food and Eilidh filled the space left by the awkward silence.
‘After the camping, where are you going, Carls?’
‘I’m heading over to the east coast to St Andrews, and some little coastal villages in the East Neuk of Fife, back to Edinburgh for the train ride and then home to Melbourne.’
‘You can stay at mine when you’re in Edinburgh,’ saidEilidh. ‘Don’t dare get a hotel in the city. It’s way too expensive. We’re only half an hour on the train and Cal and Bea are along the road.’
‘Sounds great, thank you.’
‘You shouldn’t camp on your own,’ Niall cut in, like he’d been stewing on this point the whole time and couldn’t hold back.
‘She’ll be fine, Noo Noo. It’s Loch Lachnashin, not Glasgow.’
‘Aye, it might be, but it only takes one fuckwad to be passing by. Cass…’ Niall looked at her with such sincerity that she might do whatever he was about to ask her. ‘Can you please not camp there? Get a hotel. I’ll pay for it, if money’s a problem.’
‘Niall…’
‘I’m serious. Go to the loch during the day – I get how important it is to you – but at night can you please get a hotel and sleep with a locked door?’
Carli was lost for words. Niall’s vociferousness had stunned his siblings into silence and the atmosphere in the room was loaded. It would be easy to say she’d be fine and not to worry, but she understood that his concern came from a genuine place, and although it was unlikely anything bad would happen, it was also impossible to say that it wouldn’t.
‘I’ll happily pay,’ said Niall. ‘Please.’
‘Carli has her heart set on camping by a loch.’ Cara tried to lighten the mood. ‘The true Scottish experience to remember her mum by.’
‘Aye, I get that, but there’s also a lot of true Scottish weirdos out there. I don’t want that to be part of her experience, too. I’m not trying to control your holiday, Cass, I promise.’
Carli considered what Niall was saying. While shewasn’t especially worried about the weirdos he talked about, she saw the genuine concern in his eyes. The spark had been replaced by a dark pleading. But it didn’t sit well with her to take his money.
‘I’m not suggesting I join you in the hotel, by the way,’ he added. ‘All I want is for you to be safe.’
‘I understand—’ Carli began.
‘I’ve got it!’ Cara clicked her fingers excitedly. ‘Why don’t you go camping together? In separate tents. Niall, you camp your tent in front of Carli’s so nobody can get in, and he’ll make sure you’re safe after dark.’
Sean splutter laughed at this, then apologised. ‘Sorry… I’ve a tent in the loft you can borrow, bro.’
‘She doesn’t want that,’ Niall cut in. ‘She wants to travel on her own. Hence, I’m happy to pay for a hotel.’
