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Cat

But you do realise THAT GIF is inappropriate. Right?

Jamie

*thinking-face emoji*

Cat

Anyway, I’ll try to pop home soon. BTW, I may live far away, but even I’ve heard about the duet in the Pheasant. What’s going on, Lewis? I thought you and Iona barely talked anymore.

Jamie

Aye, it’s been a REALLY long lovers’ tiff.

Lewis

*middle-finger emoji* We were never “lovers”. I’m so tired of saying that.

Jamie posts yet another Office GIF, this time of Ryan holding up a sign. It says, Kelly, I know you are with someone but I love you. I will wait forever.

Jamie

That’s you, Lewis. Just replace “Kelly” with “Iona”.

I put down my phone, grab a wooden spoon, and chase Jamie around the kitchen, intent on smacking his arse with it. Grinning, he dodges and evades me, proving that, even though rugby matches may now be behind him, he can still move quickly when he wants to.

Ally sighs and grumbles that it’s too early in the morning for such shenanigans, but we both ignore him.

“Like I said,” Jamie calls over his shoulder, racing around the kitchen island with me hot on his heels, “that show covers the entirety of the human experience—even your bloody weird relationship with Iona!”

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

IONA

Richard’s fingers drum on the steering wheel as we drive through lush green hills blanketed with swathes of purple heather. He’s taking me to the activity he’s organised for us, whatever it is—apparently, secrecy is part of the fun. Soon a series of wind turbines come into view, looming large against the blue sky, and I suspect where we may be headed.

“I don’t mean to sound rude, but . . . are we going to where you work? Is that your big surprise?”

He glances my way and winks. “I want you to trust me. Okay?”

“Aye. I can do that.” That’s the least I owe him.

We park near another car, and I recognise the man who’s standing outside it waiting for us: Joe Campbell, Richard’s colleague and a former schoolmate of mine. Stocky and broad-shouldered, he has a shock of sandy hair and an easy-going smile.

“Hello, Joe! Long time no see.” As I get out, I take in the harness he’s already wearing—and the other two that sit atop his car, alongside three helmets. “Er, so . . . what is it we’re doing here?”

Joe chuckles and turns to Richard, leaving it to him to explain.

“We’re going to go up one of these marvels.” Richard nods towards the nearest turbine, whose blades—unlike those of the others—aren’t moving.

I crane my neck back and take in its full height. Wow! From a distance these things look big, but up close they’re bloody colossal. We’re really going to go all the way up there? At least I can’t accuse Richard of coming up with something boring. Remembering his request that I trust him, I don’t immediately veto the idea, tempting though that is.

“How tall is it?” I try to sound calm, but my tone betrays the fluttering in my stomach.

“Including the blades, a hundred and forty metres,” Joe says. “But the tower itself is only ninety metres.”

“Only?” I gulp.