‘Niall,’ said his mum. ‘Your dad’s right. If we had more time together we’d jump at it. You have to take the chance you’ve been given. Go and love that girl the way she deserves to be loved. And let her love you back.’
Chapter 31
Carli
Carli’s back hurt. Not as much pain as she’d anticipated, considering the Fibro, but enough to stop her from being able to flop onto the bed. She would have to be careful how she slept tonight.
There was a knock at her cabin door. Carli pulled herself up from the position she’d just got into and opened the door. And the effort was well and truly worth it, because there, dressed in a kilt, white shirt and waistcoat, was Niall. The smile on his face was enough to melt hearts from a thousand paces. He’d clearly used it to get himself onto this train without a ticket.
‘Turndown service, m’lass?’
‘Niall? What the…?’
‘You’re not going to turn down the turndown service, are you?’ He leaned against the doorframe. ‘It comes with free pillow treats. And I can fold your towel into a haggis.’
Carli laughed. ‘Well, it would be rude to turn that down, wouldn’t it?’
‘Totally. Can I come in?’
Carli moved aside to let Niall into the cabin. As hebrushed past her, he ran his hand down her arm. ‘I love those PJs.’
‘Thank you. I like your kilt. How on earth did you get onto the train?’
‘Och, maybe I ken someone who kens someone, and they let me on for a bit. I’m not allowed to stay the night, though, which is a shame as this place is incredible. Have you had a good trip?’
‘Yes, it’s been amazing.’ Carli sat down and winced.
He noticed. ‘You in pain?’
‘A little. The sight of you in that kilt is helping to ease it a bit though.’
‘Well, there’s a treat for you inside it.’ Niall winked. ‘Would you like to see?’
‘What, no first or second base? Where’s the flirting? Where’s the foreplay? Come on, Butler. You reckon you can flash the goods and that’s it?’
‘Aye, I do. Come on, stand up.’
‘Now you’re bossing me around at bedtime?’
‘Aye.’ Niall walked over to the bed, so his kilt was in line with Carli’s face. ‘Take a squizz.’
Carli narrowed her gaze. Something was going on here and she wondered if there might be more under Niall’s kilt than the usual. Not that the usual wasn’t enough. She grasped the hem and lifted.
‘Not under it, cheeky. In the sporran!’
‘Ah, you tricked me, you wee rogue.’ Carli dropped the fabric and unfastened the leather purse that sat on the front of Niall’s kilt. Inside there was a piece of paper.
‘What’s this?’
‘Read it.’
Carli read. ‘I’m not sure what this is. It looks like a receipt for something. Dept of immigration?’
‘Aye. I’ve applied for my Aussie citizenship.’
She whipped her gaze from the paper to him. ‘You have?’
‘Yep.’
