CHAPTER 29

 

George swerved into the passing place on the single-track road, but only just in time. The driver of the car coming towards him revved his engine, accelerating past the lay-by on his left.

‘Idiot!’ George shouted, knowing full well the other driver could not hear him. ‘Time you learned the rules of the road around here.’ As the other car whizzed past, he leaned on his horn, doubtless to no effect. The islanders, accustomed to single-track roads, could drive fast, but they knew how to judge distances between passing places. Tourists, on the other hand, ran the risk of causing accidents if they broke the speed limit.

Although George recognised the car – it was rented from a local garage – he had no idea who the driver was. Perhaps it’s as well, he thought, pulling out into the road again. He might be tempted to tell the man what he thought of his driving.

George’s intention was to drive straight home to his cottage near the head of Loch Scridain, but on a whim, he turned off in Bunessan, and headed towards Lochside. His conversation with Anna had been rather stressful. Aware of how much the outcome of his visit to Benview meant to both Anna and Janet, he had felt the weight of responsibility lie heavy on his shoulders. What if Anna had refused to meet her birth mother? Would he have been to blame?

Giving himself a shake, he decided not to give in to what might have happened. Anna had agreed. That was all that mattered.

Glancing at his watch, he reckoned that Elsa and Charlie would be around the guest-house, perhaps not too busy and able to chat for half an hour. He felt in need of a conversation in which he had no responsibility, where the outcome was of no consequence to anyone.

 

Elsa and Charlie were sitting in their living room, enjoying a glass of wine.

‘Come away in, George,’ Elsa said, indicating the private part of the building. ‘Would you like a glass of wine? We’re having a half-hour break before we start again.’

‘No thanks, Elsa,’ he said, giving her a hug. ‘I’m driving.’

‘Your usual soda water, then? I don’t know how you can drink that on its own.’

‘Oh, it’s an acquired taste, Elsa,’ he said, smiling as he sat down on the sofa beside Charlie.

‘Have you seen young Anna at all?’ Elsa asked. ‘Do you know if her ankle is all right now?’

‘It’s fine now. I saw her earlier today. She’s been touring the island with Finn.’

‘I hope Finn’s behaving himself,’ Elsa said, frowning a little.

‘Oh, stop fussing, woman,’ Charlie admonished, handing his drink to George. ‘These women fret far too much, always worrying about things that’ll never happen. If Finn fancies the young woman, why shouldn’t he try to find out how she feels about him?’

‘I was remembering Kirsty,’ Elsa said. ‘When she was here, he took a shine to her. And she was a married woman.’

‘But he didn’t know that, did he? She wasn’t wearing her wedding ring at the time. When she didn’t respond, he backed off.’

‘Anna isn’t married, is she?’ Elsa asked.

‘I’ve no idea,’ George replied.

‘She doesn’t wear a ring, anyway,’ Elsa said.

‘Oh, for goodness sake, Elsa, why don’t you mind your own business and keep your nose out of other people’s?’ Charlie heaved a weary sigh, indicating that he was aware it was pointless to intervene, because his wife would ignore what he said anyway.

‘We have to look out for our friends,’ she said. ‘Especially our young folk.’

‘So, Finn is now one of us, is he?’ Charlie asked Elsa, feigning innocence.

‘Well, he’s never away from the island. And I’m very fond of him; he’s always willing to lend a hand, and he’s fun to have around. Okay, so he has an eye for the girls, but you must admit they have an eye for him. And who wouldn’t?’

George suspected that Finn was a little like the son Elsa had never had, but she would deny any suggestion that was the case.

‘He’s coming over to help me to move some furniture tomorrow, so I’ll have a word with him,’ George said. ‘I’ll make sure he’s not being a nuisance to Anna.’ Unseen by Charlie, he winked at Elsa. It was so easy to tease Elsa’s husband, who had his own ideas about everything in life.

‘For pity’s sake, leave the man in peace,’ Charlie said, rising to the bait – as George had known he would.

 

Half an hour and a relaxing chat later, George was on his way again. Now he had to make up his mind. Should he go straight home to his cottage near the head of Loch Scridain? Or should he call in on Janet now?