Page 21 of Sailing Free at Loch Tunnagan (Loch Tunnagan #1)

Something moved behind her and she turned to see what it was.

A newspaper article was neatly displayed inside a silver frame.

The headline read ‘ Local couple rescue the rescue centre.’ The picture below showed a beaming couple standing outside the Hedgehog Sanctuary.

The man had his arm draped around the woman’s shoulders.

He looked familiar, she looked closer, “Hey, is that Cal?”

Lorna glanced at Olivia. Something wordless passed between them. Jess instantly felt the atmosphere change.

“Yeah, that’s Cal and Lainey,” replied Lorna. “There was a flood here and the buildings sustained considerable damage. We thought we were going to have to close the centre for good but Cal and Lainey donated money that meant we could do repairs and keep the hedgehog sanctuary open.”

Jess looked at the photo again. Cal’s wife was stunning in a classic, timeless way. Her long, dark glossy hair hung in loose waves at her shoulders and she had a wide smile.

“What was Lainey like?” asked Jess quietly.

Once again, a look passed between the two friends. It was almost as if Lorna was seeking permission from Olivia.

“It’s okay,” stated Olivia. “You don’t need to protect me, Lorna. I did like Lainey, despite everything that happened.”

Protect her? What had happened between Lainey and Olivia? Jess suddenly felt like she was intruding on something very private.

“Sorry, I shouldn’t have asked. I don’t want to upset either of you.”

Lorna shook her head to dismiss Jess’ worry, “Lainey was great, she was really passionate about our local wildlife. She helped me and my husband James loads with the hedgehogs.”

Amelie came bounding up at that point and launched herself into Lorna’s arms. Lorna swung her around in a circle then stopped and looked over at Jess and Olivia.

“Do you fancy coming into the house for some cake?”

Before Jess or Olivia had a chance to answer Amelie shouted, “Yes!” and ran off in the direction of the house.

Olivia looked at them and laughed, “I guess we’re coming in for cake.” She strode quickly after Amelie, “Take your shoes off before you go inside and remember to wash your hands!”

“Wow, your kitchen is gorgeous,” exclaimed Jess as she looked around the room.

A large wooden table sat as the centrepiece of the room; above it a row of stylish bulbs hung down from black cast iron chains.

The brass handles on the cabinet doors gleamed in the sunlight that was streaming in through the large conservatory doors.

“It’s like something from the Ideal Home catalogue,'' Jess continued.

Lorna looked around as if trying to view her kitchen through someone else's eyes, “Thanks, James is a joiner so he did most of the work himself. It took ages though because he’s always on jobs so doesn’t actually have much time to do our own house.”

“Speak of the devil,” smiled Olivia as a van pulled into the drive. A tall, slim man dressed in work clothes made his way over to the house. “Alright ladies,” he said with a grin as he entered the kitchen. He gave Lorna a quick kiss on the side of the head then introduced himself to Jess.

“I’m James, nice to meet you.”

“Hi, I’m Jess, sorry for the kitchen invasion, you probably want some peace and quiet after work.”

“Not at all, I just want food. I’m starving,” he absent mindedly ruffled the top of Amelie’s hair while searching through the cupboards for something to eat.

“You always say you’re starving,” said Amelie pointedly. “Why are you always hungry?”

Lorna stifled a laugh, “She has a point, James.”

James turned to Amelie and whispered conspiratorially, “Auntie Lorna only lets me eat when you’re here. So, I have to make the most of it and shove in as much as I can.”

Amelie looked at him and then at Lorna. She shook her head sceptically, “You’re telling a fib.”

James shot her a cheeky grin before taking a huge bite of a ham baguette.” I’m going to get changed out of my work clothes. I’ll see you all in a minute.”

They all sat down at the table while Lorna dished out giant slices of chocolate cake.

“Have you decided what you want to do for your birthday yet?” she asked Olivia.

“I don’t know, I haven’t really thought about it,” replied Olivia.

“When’s your birthday?” enquired Jess.

“It’s a week on Saturday,” said Olivia.

“Edith and June will be back from Iona by then,” remarked Lorna, “why don’t you ask Edith if she can watch Amelie and we could all go for a girl’s night to the pub in Comrie.”

“Would you be up for that Jess?” asked Olivia.

“Yeah, that sounds fun. I’m not too fussed about drinking so I can be the designated driver,” replied Jess.

“Don’t be daft,” said Lorna. “We can get James to run us through.”

“What’re you volunteering me for,” asked James as he stepped back into the room.

Lorna looked at her husband, “Can you be our chauffeur next Saturday? We want to go to the pub for Olivia’s birthday.”

“Yeah, that’s fine,” nodded James.

“Thanks James,” grinned Olivia.

They finished up their cake and headed back down the road. Olivia dropped Jess off at the hotel on the way back to the village.

“How’s Maurice?” asked Cal when she got back to their room.

She flopped down onto the couch next to him, “He’s doing well. I’m going to be sad when he gets released back into the wild though.”

“I’ve got a bit of free time first thing tomorrow morning,” said Cal. “Do you fancy coming up to the workshop and we can make a start on some of the houses Lorna was wanting?”

“Yeah, that sounds great. Dropping the houses off will give me another excuse to go and see Maurice!”

“We could make Maurice a house and place it in the area where we release him.” suggested Cal. “Maybe he’ll hibernate there next winter?”

“That would be amazing!” said Jess excitedly. “I’m going to curl up in bed with my notepad and make some designs for him.”

Cal laughed, “You’re going to bed? It's only 8.30pm.”

“Kayaking and hedgehog husbandry are exhausting,” exclaimed Jess through a yawn.

“Night Cal.”

“Night Jess.”