Page 16 of Summer in the Scottish Highlands (The Scottish Highlands #5)

Jake pulled the car to a stop in the car park beside the bike hire hub in Glenmore Forest and smiled when he saw the long row of bikes for hire.

He hadn’t booked anything in advance, hoping there were suitable bikes available for two adults and a child.

Although Natty was very keen to ride a bike, and so was he, he knew there were plenty of walking trails in the forest if it didn’t work out.

They’d woken up to blue skies and sunshine, so Jake didn’t hang around on the internet trying to pre-book.

They were all keen to leave the house and get the most out of the day exploring the forest and loch.

Apparently Glenmore Forest Park was a really good choice for cycling routes, although Nick had mentioned that you could cycle from Aviemore along the Old Logging Way, a six-mile gentle trail that was traffic-free and would take them all the way to Glenmore.

He’d suggested the idea to Faye. He could have organised having hire bikes delivered to the guesthouse.

But although she’d appeared enthusiastic the previous evening about going cycling, she was honest enough to admit that she might find it a struggle cycling six miles to Glenmore before they’d even started riding the forest trails .

‘I’m going to choose a bike!’ said Natty excitedly as she opened the car door.

Faye said, ‘Wait for us, Natty. Remember, you’re in a car park!’

Natty waited by the car for Jake and her mum before walking over to the bike hire.

‘I want this one!’ Natty exclaimed, choosing a bright red mountain bike.

Jake and Faye chose a mountain bike each too. While one of the employees adjusted the height of the seat for Faye, Jake went into the shop to pay. He walked out carrying three helmets and a map of cycle routes in the forest.

‘So, I’ve booked the bikes out for half a day.’

‘But I wanted to spend the whole day here,’ said Natty.

Jake smiled. ‘And we will. There’s plenty of time for some rides in the forest.’ When he’d paid for the bikes and had been given the map, they’d suggested The Lodge Trail, and the lower section of the Ryvoan Trail from the visitor centre, which were easy cycle routes through the forest, suitable for everyone.

‘Then in the afternoon we can have a picnic by the loch.’

Faye said, ‘It was really thoughtful of Gayle to pack us a picnic.’

The picnic basket, along with a picnic blanket and foldaway chairs, was in the boot of the car. ‘Yes, it was so kind of Gayle to make us up some lunch.’ Jake slipped his helmet on. Faye

was just buckling the strap of Natty’s under her chin.

Jake stood by his bike and glanced over at the visitor centre.

He imagined there was more information there about the forest, lochs, and family activities.

Gayle had mentioned there was a café on site, but she had been right when she’d said they’d be lucky to find a table.

With the number of cars in the car park already, he imagined it would be very busy come lunch time.

He turned to Faye. ‘I think Gayle was right when she said the café would be busy for lunch.’

Faye put on her helmet. ‘I prefer a picnic. Didn’t Nick mention there was a beach where we could sit with our lunch?’

‘Yes, across the road from the visitor centre is Loch Morlich beach and the start of the cycling trails.’

Faye had put on her cycle hat but was having trouble adjusting the strap to clip the buckle. ‘What am I doing wrong?’ she asked, sounding frustrated.

Jake looked at her, hoping the cycle ride wasn’t going to turn out to be a bad idea. He and Natty were looking forward to it, but he got the impression Faye was looking forward to getting it over with. He hoped that wasn’t really the case, but the look on her face suggested otherwise.

‘I’m bored. When are we going?’ Natty asked, sitting astride her bike, feet on the floor, moving the bike back and forward underneath her.

‘Natty, will you just give me a minute!’ Faye sounded irritated. ‘Oh, these blasted straps. I can’t seem to …’

Jake stepped in front of her. ‘Here – let me help you with that.’

Faye let go of the straps as Jake first adjusted the helmet on her head. ‘I think you had it too far back. It needs to sit on your head like so.’

‘It keeps wobbling.’

‘Ah, that’s the problem.’ Jake took the hat off her head and made an adjustment. ‘There, it should fit better now.’ He put it on her head. ‘How’s that?’

‘It feels tight.’

‘Yeah, it’s meant to be snug.’ Jake made one more adjustment and put it back on her head. ‘Better? ’

‘Yes, not loose but not too tight either.’

‘Oh, come on!’ Natty exclaimed.

Jake took the straps and did up the small plastic buckle under her chin to secure the hat.

‘I feel like I’m five years old,’ complained Faye as he did so.

Jake smiled. ‘There, we’re all set.’

‘Thank god!’

They both turned to Natty, Jake finding her comment rather funny. Her mother, on the other hand, did not. ‘We’ll have none of that lip, young lady. Otherwise there will be no bike ride.’

‘But all I said was—’

Faye shot her a warning look.

Natty sat down on her saddle and fiddled with the handlebars.

Jake slung his backpack, which contained some water bottles, snacks, and the cycling trail maps, on his back and sat astride his bike, watching Faye gingerly sit on the saddle. ‘You two go ahead,’ he said. ‘I’ll follow.’

Natty had just set off when she stopped abruptly. Jake stopped too. ‘Everything all right?’

‘Can I have my own water and snacks? I want to put them in my backpack.’

Jake glanced back at Faye, waiting for her to catch up.

The bike wobbled as she tried to change gear.

Jake took a deep breath, hoping the bike ride didn’t start with her falling off.

To his relief, she changed gear and caught up with them across the car park.

She braked abruptly. ‘Ooh. Going to take some getting used to.’ She looked from Natty to Jake. ‘Why have we stopped?’

‘Is it okay if Natty has her water in snacks in her backpack?’

‘Of course.’

A moment later, Natty not only had water and a snack bar, but a compass and binoculars as well that Nick had lent Jake the previous evening.

Faye looked at Jake and raised an eyebrow. ‘Looks like someone is prepared for an adventure.’

They reached the road and walked their bikes to the other side, where the cycling trails began.

‘Best we all stick together on the paths,’ Faye said to Natty as they got back on their bikes.

‘Don’t worry, Mummy. We won’t leave you behind.’

Faye mumbled something Jake didn’t quite catch. He imagined when she’d said sticking together, she had been picturing just Natty riding off too far ahead.

As they set off through the pine trees, following the cycling trail, the forest appeared ethereal in the low-lying mist. Jake slipped the route map into the map holder on his handlebars.

He checked the time, as they needed to be back by lunchtime.

The bikes were booked out to other people for the afternoon.

Jake was looking forward to the surprise he had in store for Natty in the afternoon – courtesy of Marty’s recommendation that morning.

The early morning sun started filtering through the tops of the trees as they slowly cycled along the gravel path.

Jake was in the lead, Natty followed, and Faye brought up the rear.

Every now and then, Jake cast a glance behind him, checking he wasn’t cycling too fast. It wasn’t Natty he was worried about leaving behind.

‘It’s just as well we’ve got mountain bikes with thick tyres,’ Faye shouted out. ‘Even so, I think I’m going to have a sore behind by the time we get back.’

Natty laughed out loud, finding the comment very funny. Jake just nodded. He’d forgotten about that issue for someone who hadn’t cycled for years, although Faye had chosen a bike with a large, padded saddle which would hopefully prove comfortable for the duration of the cycle ride.

A moment later, Natty appeared by his side as the path widened. ‘Oh, I thought we’d stay in formation, you know, one behind the other.’ Jake wasn’t sure if they’d meet other cyclists coming from the other direction, but if they did, there would be room to pass without stopping.

‘But the path is wide here, and I want to cycle next to you.’

Jake glanced back at Faye. She didn’t seem to mind; her attention was drawn to the lush forest scenery.

‘Well, all right. But if we see any cyclists up ahead, do you think you could quickly drop back behind me to let them pass?’

‘Yes.’

‘Great.’ Jake smiled at Natty cycling beside him. She said, ‘We could race!’

Jake shook his head, reminding her what she’d said not five minutes ago to Faye: Don’t worry, Mummy. We won’t leave you behind.

Natty frowned. ‘Oh, yes. I forgot.’

Jake lowered his voice. ‘I don’t think Mummy has ridden a bike for years, so I think we will have to keep it slow, so she can keep up.

’ He glanced behind him once more, to find Faye had got into a rhythm.

She was smiling, clearly enjoying herself.

She caught Jake looking her way. ‘This is wonderful. I’m so glad we did this after all. ’

After all. Jake smiled and nodded, relieved she was finally enjoying herself. He had noticed she’d been very quiet on the way to the forest. ‘Me too!’ he shouted back.

‘This is such fun!’ Natty exclaimed. ‘Can we stop for a snack soon?’

Faye heard that. ‘We’ve hardly started. Let’s not stop just yet.’

Jake agreed. ‘I think we’ll come across some nice views, and even a bench along the trail where we can stop for a break.’

‘Sounds great!’ Faye said.

They kept to the well-defined cycle path, and the landscape of scented forest pines continued.

‘Look at the mountain!’ said Natty, taking her hand off the handlebars and pointing.

‘Wow!’ Jake looked up at the majestic views of the Cairngorm Mountain over the treetops. ‘What an amazing backdrop.’

‘What was that?’ Faye called out.

Jake glanced over his shoulder and repeated what he’d just said, raising his voice so she could hear him.

‘This bike ride is just amazing!’ Faye replied.

Jake was beyond pleased that everyone was having an exceptionally good time. He felt confident that the second day of their holiday together was going to turn out just fine, in spite of his initial misgivings about the bike ride idea.