Fergus, Earl of Muchton, Auchen Laggan Tosh
Looking at the problem from a broader angle, although we do not want these wind farms in the Highlands, we have come to the conclusion that, dire though the consequence of them coming is, for farms like ours to survive they are always going to be subsidy driven. Landowners with no private income do have to diversify and develop alternative practices to attract the subsidies on offer at the time. We cannot fight against opportunity for payment that would change landowners’ lives principally because they would spoil the view. I object (as you would) to being told what I can and cannot do on my own land. So, I suppose what I am saying is that the real argument is with the government for getting it so terribly wrong and not with the people, who quite reasonably take advantage of what could be the biggest input of cash into their pockets for a generation. My wife and I would not want you to think we had no respect for the beauty of our surroundings and were motivated purely by greed.
Beep, beep, beep. My alarm is going off, it’s time to get ready for the night ahead. I pulled on my clothes, feeling a little bit guilty about looking up the Muchtons, especially while I’m still under their roof. But I know myself only too well: when I’m on to the scent of anything vaguely interesting, there’s very little that will stop me prying. My biggest problem now is that I must not let anything slip. I wouldn’t like anyone to know quite how nosey I am by nature.
Bang on six o’clock the gong sounded for high tea and, all done up, I headed downstairs.
‘You go first, Susie,’ said Fergus.
There were two huge dishes of Auchen Laggan Tosh lamb lasagne steaming on the hotplate. Mhàiri, standing proudly at its side, pulling off her oven gloves, said, ‘Once yous have, Susie, would yous mind giving me a wee hand with the other things?’
‘Not at all.’
I put down my full plate and skipped through the swing door into the kitchen.
‘Only the one course the night. Baps to fill youse up and a wee salad for your greens. Will yous carry the butter and the wee salad, I’ll take these baps and we’ll come back for the others.’
We placed them on the table and as soon as we were back in the kitchen Mhàiri planted herself in front of me. ‘I was right, Susie,’ she said, her eyes wide with excitement, ‘that lady Jane’s been here afore.’
‘How do you know?’
‘When I went to clean youse bathrooms this morning, I found her in your corridor.’
‘What did she say?’
‘She said this big hoose with a children’s corridor reminded her of growing up.’
‘Not that she’s been here before?’
‘No but I bet you she has. How’d she ken the wains’ rooms were down there and why was she looking at them?’
‘You might be right,’ I said to sweeten her. Mhàiri thinks she’s right and I don’t want to dampen her excitement even if I’m yet to agree Jane has been here before.
‘I am correct, pet.’ She winked at me and handed over the final bowls. ‘Thanks fer your help.’
‘That’s okay.’
I re-entered the dining room and everyone was now seated around the table. The variety of clothing was very amusing. Jane, Felicity and Rupert looked as if they were out for Sunday lunch, pastel colours and high collars, a cardigan over the shoulders in case it gets cold. Giles had on a striped shirt with one too many buttons done up. Minty looked pretty in a thin person’s floaty number, Lianne had an all hugging no hiding halter-neck-top-mini-skirt combo going on, Louis was in his usual pale jeans and a white t-shirt under a dark blue shirt, Fergus hadn’t changed and Shane was in a grey tracksuit, my goodness it looked comfortable. Zoe wasn’t coming out. She felt queasy.
‘You look great,’ said Louis, rubbing shoulders with me as I sat down beside him.
‘Thanks. Do you know if Ewen’s coming?’
‘Dressing up for him, are you?’
‘No,’ I grimaced.
‘I don’t think he is. Didn’t go down too well this afternoon. Just us lot. Funny crowd to be going out with but it is a drawing session I suppose. Would you like some wine?’
‘Yes please.’
He filled my glass and held his up for a toast. ‘Here’s to the night ahead.’
I smiled and turned to Zoe on my other side.
‘Rather nice for you all to get out tonight,’ she said. ‘I can’t imagine anything spectacular but I’m sure you’ll have an amusing time. Fergus is excited, he’s even asked Donald to be the driver. I’d so love to be coming but the early stages of pregnancy aren’t agreeing with me.’
Ever since I’d seen Zoe down the corridor, coming out of the locked wing late last night, I’ve been trying to work out what was going on. If she heard something in the night you’d think she would have woken Fergus, sent him out to see what’s up. Not gone to check up on their most precious possessions alone. I’d certainly use a man as my protector if I had one in my bed.
It’s not as if she’s looking pale now and she’s eating along with the rest of us, so maybe she has a plan for when we’re out?
‘Poor you,’ I said. ‘But we’ll tell you all about it tomorrow.’
‘Yes,’ said Louis, leaning over me, ‘you can get some rest while we’re out.’
Zoe nodded and told him he could probably do without another late night.
‘Another?’ said Louis, looking confused.
‘You and Ewen were
