I sat down, pleased to be a part of it.
‘We’ve downloaded all the photographs from his camera…’
‘Transferred,’ said Louis, ‘not downloaded. That really would have taken you over your internet allowance.’
I felt bad; perhaps Zoe didn’t know much about computers.
‘Well, whatever he’s done,’ she said, ‘we’re looking at the pictures, narrowing down a selection.’
Louis started the slideshow and it became clear he’d spent yesterday afternoon retracing our steps from the entire week. Photographs of the river, the Highland cows, the loch on the hill, the garden, the back drive, the front drive…
‘These are simply wonderful,’ said Zoe, pulling a strand of hair from her ponytail and twiddling it between her fingers.
‘Thanks.’
‘You went miles yesterday,’ I said, but he didn’t react.
Interior pictures of the house were now crossing the screen. ‘I like these a lot,’ said Zoe. ‘However, although we’re happy to share what’s personal to us with residents, I don’t want the inside of the house splashed about online. Would you agree?’
‘Yes, I think I do.’
Louis nodded.
‘That reminds me, Susie, do you think we should include the Highland cows or will they put people off?’
‘No, definitely include them. It’s a real coup to have them here.’
‘Oh look. It is pretty, isn’t it?’ said Zoe, admiring a photograph of Ewen’s cottage. ‘Whoever thought to put in ground-level windows certainly had an eye for aesthetics.’ Louis zoomed in.
‘But, once again,’ said Zoe, ‘I don’t think we should include this.’
‘No,’ agreed Louis. ‘Susie, what are you looking at?’
‘There.’ I pointed at the photograph; the front wheel of Ewen’s van was reflected in one of the cottage windows. ‘I think there’s blood on his wheel arch.’
‘Really?’ said Zoe.
‘In the reflection, see?’
‘Zoom in more please, Louis.’
‘I’m afraid that’s not possible.’
She took it verbatim and I wasn’t going to go against him, although I thought it a bit odd that he wouldn’t.
‘I bet my brother-in-law killed the roe deer,’ said Zoe, jumping to the same conclusion as me.
‘He did,’ said Louis.
She looked shocked.
‘I’m only joking. I have no idea who ran into it.’
I stared at Louis; how did he know a deer had been run over? He wasn’t around when Zoe had told me.
‘Haggis,’ yelped Zoe; he’d appeared on the screen. ‘We have to include that. Louis, I think you should start putting our choices into a designated folder.’ She touched Louis’ hand which was in control of the mouse.
‘Susie?’ Zoe sounded concerned. ‘Are you okay?’
‘Oh yes, I was just thinking about something. I’m fine, thanks.’
‘Maybe you’d like a cup of tea?’
‘I’m happy to wait until later unless you’d like me to get you one?’
‘Louis?’ said Zoe.
‘Yes please.’
‘Make that two and do get one for yourself, Susie.’
I entered the kitchen and Mhàiri pulled her hands out of the sink.
‘Susie,’ she said, wiping off the soap suds. ‘I wondered how long it would take yous to come and tell me about last night.’ Her eyes were very big and very round.
‘It was good fun.’
‘Aye. Ne doot. But how about the lady’s jewels?’
Oh crumbs. What am I going to say now?
‘She wasn’t wearing anything special.’
Mhàiri’s face fell. Thinking on my feet and trying to put her off the scent altogether, I said, ‘Jane told me she’s going to a black-tie do in London straight after here so maybe that’s what they’re for.’
Eeeek. I’ve just told a complete lie to protect a thief. I really am going to have to go to confession next week.
‘So yous never saw them?’
‘No. But I can imagine them.’
‘Oh good,’ Mhàiri smiled. ‘Thanks to me?’
‘Yes, thanks to you.’
‘Whit is it yous want, Susie?’
‘I came to make three cups of tea.’
‘I’ll do it for yous, I just had the kettle on the boil. Yous get a wee jug of milk and a tray ready.’
When tea was made I whisked up the tray and managed to spill milk everywhere.
‘Dinne cry,’ she joked, but little did she know she wasn’t far from the truth.
I picked up a cloth and Mhàiri refilled the jug.
‘Yous’ll be needing your bed after this week.’
‘I certainly will,’ I said and left the kitchen.
As soon as they saw me Louis and Zoe immediately stopped talking.
‘Tea,’ I announced and handed them both a cup.
‘Thanks, Susie,’ said Zoe and then, catching me looking at a photograph of ravens on the screen, she forced Louis’ hand and he flicked up the next photo.
‘There are a lot of those birds round here,’ I said.
Zoe looked at Louis who looked at me.
‘What’s going on?’
Louis waited for Zoe to answer, but she didn’t.
‘We,’ he said, enjoying the intimacy of the remark, ‘reckon someone’s let a bunch loose.’
‘Alec Ronaldsay,’ shot off my tongue.
‘You know him?’ There was accusation in Zoe’s voice.
Louis looked terribly guilty.
‘No, I just know he lives nearby.’
‘And that he breeds ravens?’
‘Yes, exactly. I was putting two and two together.’
‘Weren’t we all.’ She let out a sigh.
‘Do you think it’s a terrible mistake?’
‘He could jolly well come and apologise if so.’
‘I can’t imagine why else they’d be swarming,’ said Louis.
‘Heaven knows,’ said Zoe. ‘I don’t like to think about it.’
End of conversation.
‘Susie, will you flick through the folder of photos we’ve chosen and tell us if you think anything’s missing?’
‘Of course.’
Zoe and I swapped seats and Louis, the rascal, slipped his hand under the table and onto my thigh.
‘Your photographs are good,’ I smiled.
‘I know.’
‘Any missing?’ said Zoe.
‘You could have a couple more to sum up Scotland.’
‘Such as?’ Louis sounded a little touchy.
‘Oh, I don’t know, the ceilidh?’
‘But then everyone might expect it,’ said Zoe, ‘…and it’s inside the house.’
‘I know what,’ I looked at Louis, ‘your photograph of heather.’
‘Heather?’ said Zoe.
‘Yes.’ I was excited. ‘I saw it the other night.’
Louis reddened and Zoe shot him a look. For some reason he wasn’t taking me up on my suggestion. I honestly think he was embarrassed.
‘Come on,’ I elbowed him in the side, ‘you could use it as the background for the whole site.’
‘I’m not sure about that.’ Zoe’s voice was firm.
‘Me neither,’ said Louis.
Their reaction was nonsense. A background of heather is a great idea. Zoe
