‘Really? That’d be great.’ Anna nodded. ‘You’d be helping me out massively. My schedule is unbelievable, especially with the party coming up.’
‘No problem at all.’ Deb picked up her phone as the screen flashed. It was Kyle.
Can we talk about last night? I want to check you’re okay.
She frowned and put the phone down.
‘All right?’ Anna caught her expression.
‘Oh, it’s nothing. Just a personal thing.’ Deb looked out of the window, distractedly.
‘I’m here if you need an ear,’ Anna said, kindly. ‘You look a bit upset, if you don’t mind me saying.’
‘Hmm. I’m okay,’ Deb replied, a little shyly. ‘Just had a bad date.’
‘Ach. Been there,’ Anna tutted. ‘There’s not much local choice, though. If he’s single, I’ve probably dated him.’
‘Oh, lord.’ Deb laughed, without meaning to. ‘Actually, you might know him. Kyle Abernethy. He’s involved in building some houses up on Gyle Head.’
‘Kyle Abernethy?’ Anna did a double take.
‘Yes. Why?’ Deb frowned at Anna’s expression.
‘Oh. Well, it’s really not my business, of course. I know that Hal’s had a few run-ins with him recently,’ Anna said. ‘Not that that has anything to do with your love life.’
‘Run-ins in what way?’ Deb asked, cautiously. She was keen to know what other people’s opinion of Kyle was.
‘Well, the land that Kyle bought? Hal sold it on the understanding that it’d be developed to build cottages in keeping with the ones already on Queen’s Point. They had a disagreement because Kyle’s building what looks like executive flats up there. They’ll ruin the traditional look of the village. And won’t be affordable fer most.’ Anna raised an eyebrow. ‘And when I say adisagreement, I mean that there were raised voices. On both sides.’
‘Oh!’ Deb was taken aback. Kyle hadn’t mentioned anything about this to her. As far as Deb was aware, the issue with the building site was that it was threatening local wildlife, not that Kyle was cramming pricey flats onto the land. Mina and Sheila might have been more right than they knew, when they were complaining about the development bringing more commuters to the village.
Deb frowned. She was well aware of the problem of a lack of affordable housing all across the country, at a time whenpeople’s finances were stretched further than ever. And she didn’t like the idea that Kyle was lying or in some way not being truthful about what he was doing. He’d spun her a tale about him being a caring builder, but if that wasn’t true, then how could she trust him about anything else?
‘Hmm. Gyle Head’s stayed rural all this time because Hal was picky about who he sold it to. I don’t have any strong feelings about Kyle, don’t get me wrong. But I know that Hal’s not happy with what he’s doing up there, and the locals aren’t either,’ Anna sighed. ‘But… I guess, all I’d say is, be careful. He’s a funny one. And people aren’t too fond of him around here.’
‘Funny, how?’
‘Got a temper, I’d say. Okay to me, but as I say, him and Hal went at it. I thought he could’ve been more professional.’
‘Okay. Noted, I guess.’ Deb wasn’t sure how she felt about what Anna had said. Of course, she was entitled to her opinion. But it introduced a sliver of doubt about Kyle into Deb’s mind.
But, whoever Kyle was at work didn’t necessarily reflect who he was in his personal life. And, to be fair to him, he’d texted her to check she was all right after the night before.
Briefly, Deb sent a reply to Kyle:All fine, thanks. Sorry if I overreacted.
He replied immediately:Glad to hear it.
‘Sorry. I didn’t mean to pry.’ Anna gave her an awkward smile. ‘I’m sure it’s nothing.’
‘No, that’s okay,’ Deb repeated. ‘Thanks for letting me know.’
It was a little awkward, but it wasn’t as bad as Anna saying that she had dated Kyle. That would have been worse.
Hal and Zelda had been gone a week or so already, and though he had been in sporadic email contact, she did very much get the impression that Hal was, as Anna said, not a details person. She’d sent a number of detailed emails so far, asking for signoff on a few different decisions, and asking forthe contact details of the company that had supplied the waiting staff for past parties. The only reply she’d had was FANTASTIC – THANKS, ALL LOOKS GOOD in block capitals.
Clearly, Hal was not a natural multitasker – at least, when he wasn’t physically present at the castle.Out of sight, out of mind, maybe.
However, as she talked to Anna, a reply from Hal appeared in her inbox.
