‘No Morag?’ Ally asked as she approached Murdo.
‘Och, she’s no’ a great one for walkin’,’ Murdo said, ‘but she’ll be at the castle later and, hopefully, to see one of our lads as the winner!’ He produced a couple of plastic water bottles. ‘Thought I’d better have these spare in case they need it by the time they get here!’
At this point, Greg took his leave, with much waving, and set off for his walk along the flag-decked path.
‘See you at the barbecue!’ they yelled.
As Ally studied the distant figures on the far side of the loch, she reckoned it must be a good four or five miles to circle round, and then there was as far again to get to the castle.
Ross had had the good sense to bring his binoculars and was using them to try to decipher who was who among the runners. ‘I can make out Micky and Bobby, and Ivan… and Forby and that could be Forby’s younger brother…’ He screwed his face up. ‘And a few others whose names I don’t know. Oh, and I think that’s Tom, the heart-throb ghillie.’
‘Oh,he’sreal cute,’ Julie said as she and Janey collapsed into giggles.
‘How do you know him?’ Ally asked.
‘Oh, it was when we went up to see Mom’s Uncle Angus,’ Janey replied.
Patti sniffed. ‘Well,’ she said, turning up the collar of her jacket, ‘I hope they bloody well hurry up because it’s getting cold.’ She was making it clear that she was here on sufferance.
Finlay McKinnon had had the foresight to bring along a flask of whisky, which he imbibed at regular intervals. Murdo had a can of beer and politely offered a mouthful to Ally, who thanked him but refused. She was beginning to wish they’d brought a Thermos of something hot to drink because it was turning decidedly chilly.
‘I think I might go back anyway,’ Patti said. ‘Come on, girls – there’s not much to see!’
‘No, we want to stay!’ Julie protested. ‘We want to see these guys running past here!’
‘Well, you can see them at the castle,’ Patti snapped.
‘Can’twestay?’ begged Janey.
‘Not on your own,’ Patti said firmly.
‘But we’ve been here before, with the dog,’ Julie protested.
At this point, Ross, ever the gentleman, said, ‘I’ll stay and keep an eye on the girls if you ladies want to go back. I’ll bring them back to the malthouse, and then we can all go up to the castle together.’ He looked through his binoculars again. ‘They’re on the east bank now, hidden by the trees, and my guess is that the runners will be here in less than half an hour.’
Ally, now feeling very chilly, decided that she too would go back.
‘It’s very kind of your Ross to stay with the girls,’ Patti said as they set off. ‘Thing is, it’s getting to the stage where they’ve become real interested in boys, and I can see I’m going to have problems.’
‘Ross will keep an eye on them,’ Ally assured her.
As they arrived back, she decided she’d put on a warm jacket before they headed for the castle. The evenings were cooling rapidly.
When they got back to the malthouse, they found a note from Wendy on the table in the hallway.
I’ve treated my foot, but it’s still sore, even in comfortable trainers, so I’m setting off early to the castle as I really want to be there when Greg arrives, and I don’t want to hold you all back with my hobbling!
Shortly afterwards, Ross returned with the two girls, had time for a quick hot drink, and then they all set off for the castle.
The girls raced ahead, followed by Ally and Ross, with Patti a few steps behind.
‘Barbecue food is so fattening,’ Patti grumbled. ‘How many fry-ups can you consume in one day, for God’s sake!’
Ally didn’t reply, knowing full well that Patti normally breakfasted on just coffee and toast, or cereal. For what seemed like the fiftieth time, she reminded herself that this woman had just lost her husband and was entitled to be a bit erratic. But how erratic wastooerratic? And just how quickly could she solve this mystery and get this family off her hands?
THIRTEEN
The sun had not long set and the castle was floodlit against a red-streaked sky, as it usually was on such occasions, giving it a magical Disney-like appearance. The field which abutted the castle gardens was also floodlit, with two large gas-fed barbecues already glowing alongside a mountain of mini-steaks, sausages and burgers. Standing beside the barbecue, also glowing in the heat, was the cook, Mrs Jamieson, ably abetted by the housekeeper, Mrs Fraser, both in large, striped aprons. Neither of them looked particularly thrilled to be there. The earl, however, looked extremely cheerful in his kilt and polo-necked sweater, dashing about here and there and welcoming visitors. There was already quite a crowd of the runners’ families and friends, including Morag and Murdo, of course, along with Finlay and Aisla McKinnon, and about twenty others, most of whom Ally knew by sight. Excitement was in the air as everyone waited for the first runner to appear.
