Though she couldn’t just give in and go home. She’d have to make the best of it.
The next morning, she showered and changed into a sweater and jeans, then peered out of the window to see blue skies scattered with fluffy white clouds—and actual hills. The view from Hayloft Cottage was amazing, hills and heather stretching out as far as the eye could see; but it also made her wonder how Clara was getting on in London. Had Clara, too, had a rough first night—kept awake by the noise of the traffic and the river and the brightness of the street lamps, in the same way that Georgie had been kept awake by their complete opposite?
Ryan was nowhere to be seen when she went downstairs. Neither was his dog. OK. If she left now, she wouldn’t have to put up with his dourness when he came back. She’d drive into the city, check out where the hospital was so she was prepared for her first shift tomorrow, and then grab something to eat, do a bit of sightseeing, and find a supermarket.
She scribbled a note to say she was going out and would be back later. Then she locked the door behind her, climbed into her car, and headed for the city.
She loved her first view of Edinburgh, when she drove down the Royal Mile in the Old Town, with the castle looming over it and the Palace of Holyroodhouse at the bottom, and then through to the New Town with its sweeping Georgian terraces that reminded her a lot of Bath. St Christopher’s Hospital was utterly gorgeous, a Georgian building made from mellow golden stone, with huge sash windows and a big triangular pediment above the front door and columns flattened against the wall either side.
Hopefully her colleagues would turn out to be as lovely as the building.
Once she’d worked out where the staff car park was and was sure she knew where she was going first thing tomorrow, she headed back into the centre of town and parked.
The first thing she was going to do was tick off a couple of things on her tourist wish list.
Edinburgh Castle was a good place to start; according to the internet search she’d done back in London, it would give her amazing views of the city, plus a chance to see the Honours of Scotland—the Scottish Crown Jewels—and the firing of the gun on the roof at lunchtime. She thoroughly enjoyed wandering around the castle. Costumed interpreters and the ‘court musician’ made it even better, and she loved the huge medieval hall, the jewels, the ancient Stone of Destiny and the spectacle of the gun firing.
She took a few photos to send to her brother, her parents and her best friend with the caption:
How amazing is this? Right decision to come to Bonnie Scotland!
A sandwich and a cup of tea revived her, and then she headed to the supermarket.
Did she shop for one or two? She had no idea what kind of arrangement Clara had with Ryan, and she had no idea what Ryan ate. Was he vegetarian? Did he have any allergies?
Maybe she’d cook for him today, as a way of trying to reach some kind of understanding with him. She didn’t need him to be her new best friend; but being on civil terms would make both their lives a lot easier.
She had no idea what his shift pattern was; he’d said something about writing it on the calendar, but she hadn’t thought to check the calendar before she’d left for the city. OK. She’d cook something that she could reheat quickly, if necessary. A chicken and vegetable stew, so she wouldn’t have to bother cooking the vegetables separately, and she’d serve it with microwaveable rice. A jar of pasta sauce and some dried pasta, too, in case he didn’t eat chicken, and anyway it was always useful having some store-cupboard essentials for a quick meal. She paid for her shopping and then drove back to the cottage.
There was no sign of Ryan’s car; when she opened the front door, there was no sign of the dog. She put the shopping away, and then she noticed the note on the table.
At the hospital.
Truffle with Janie.
Back later.
R
Who was Janie? His girlfriend?
Not that it was any of her business.
She glanced at her watch. It was a mile down to the village. Hopefully she could have a quick look round and take some snaps to send home, and be back here before it was dark.
She was about to lock the front door when her phone pinged.
The text was from Clara.
Thanks for the bubbles, chocolate and food order! London’s great. Sorry for not warning you earlier about Truffle. She’s a sweetheart but keep your shoes locked up because SHE CHEWS.
Pretty much what Ryan had said.
Georgie texted back.
I’ll remember.
Hope your welcome dinner was nice. Ry’s not the best cook.
Georgie blinked. Welcome dinner? But then, it wasn’t Clara’s fault that Ryan was difficult. She didn’t want to make her job swap partner feel bad. Though now she was seeing the funny side of the heated-up mango sorbet and burned cheese on toast, it would be nice to have someone to laugh about it with. She was pretty sure that Ryan wouldn’t see the funny side.
It was lovely, she lied. It’s very pretty out here.
And you’re getting on OK with Ryan?
Oh, she really couldn’t tell the truth about that one.
Just fine.
Time for some deflection.
Good luck with your first shift tomorrow.
You, too.
So Clara had asked Ryan to make her a welcome dinner? Even though he hadn’t, Georgie thought that
