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“Tell me honestly, though,” she says. “Am I overdressed? I was going for casual, but I think Bannock’s idea of casual is different from mine.”

I lean forward too, lowering my voice to match hers. “Don’t be self-conscious: you look incredible. And aye, maybe the outfits you stuffed in those designer suitcases are fancier than what’s usual for Bannock, but why not look good, eh?”

She smiles, her face only inches from mine, but then Maisie comes over with our menus, forcing us to relax back into our seats.

“Emily, this is Maisie,” I say. “Her dad, Bryce, owns the pub: you can see him over there, behind the bar. And Maisie, this is Emily. She’s staying at the Bannock Hotel for the next few weeks.”

“Nice to meet you.” Maisie tucks a strand of purple hair behind her ear and studies Emily with a discerning gaze. “Are you two on a date, then?”

Emily shoots me an amused smile. “It’s not exactly a date.”

“Oh, okay. Anyway, what can I get you two to drink?”

Emily says she’ll order a glass of wine once she’s decided what she’s going to eat, but for now, she’d like a sparkling water and a whisky. “I assume you have Glen Garve?”

“Of course.”

I order a lager, and once Maisie leaves, I raise an eyebrow at Emily.

“A whisky, eh? When in Rome?”

“No. Whisky is actually my favourite drink.”

I scoff. “Really?”

“Yeah. As you’ve insinuated a few times, I like the finer things in life, and no one does whisky better than Glen Garve. I’ll need to visit the distillery while I’m up here. It’s just along the road, isn’t it? Anyway . . .” She glances at the menu. “I bet you’ve tried everything here, haven’t you?”

“Aye,” I admit.

“I’m a vegetarian, so that rules out a few things, but otherwise, I’m going to trust you to order my food for me.”

She pushes the menu away from her, smiling. God, she’s gorgeous, her green dress bringing out the green in her eyes. She’s left her hair wild and curly, just pinning some of it up at one side, and she’s painted her lips a peach colour. They look more delicious than ever. Her skin is radiant too, as if today’s activity has left her with a glow.

“All right. Challenge accepted.” I place my menu on top of hers without even glancing at it.

When Maisie comes back with our drinks, I order Emily the mushroom-and-tarragon pâté with oatcakes, followed by the beer-battered halloumi with chips and mushy peas. For myself, I go for the spicy cauliflower wings, followed by the vegetable cottage pie.

“Perfect,” Maisie says. “And Emily, you wanted to order a wine with your food?”

“That’s right. Ally, did you say I’m having halloumi?”

“Aye. I know halloumi comes from Cyprus and so is far from local, but it’s prepared here in Bannock. Besides, your first day in Scotland wouldn’t be complete without eating something that’s been battered and fried.” I wink at her.

She chuckles. “In that case, I’ll go for a white wine, please, Maisie. I’m normally the type to spend ages perusing the wine list, but if it’s okay with you, I’ll go with your recommendation.”

“Of course!” Maisie gives Emily a cheery smile. “I’ll go put your food order in, then I’ll be back with your wine.”

She leaves, and Emily turns her attention back to me, folding her arms. I can’t help but notice this pushes up her breasts. A sliver of lacy black bra appears.

“You went for a meat-free starter and main too,” she observes. “Are you a vegetarian?”

“No.” I try to keep my gaze fixed on her face rather than her breasts. “I just figured if I ordered you something you didn’t like, then we could swap.”

She laughs. “You didn’t need to do that! You should have ordered whatever you wanted.”

“Don’t worry about it. I like all those options anyway.”

I raise my pint, and Emily raises her whisky. We clink our glasses.