Page 20 of Summer in the Scottish Highlands (The Scottish Highlands #5)

Together they followed Natty, still looking for fairies doing their washing in the loch, as they enjoyed the views and each other’s company.

Natty glanced back at her mum and Jake and beamed. She put the binoculars away in the little canvas shoulder bag and took out her new mobile phone.

Jake and Faye paused mid-stride, realising she was taking a photo of the two of them. Jake put an arm around Faye’s shoulder, feeling Faye’s arm around his waist. This was just what he’d hoped for – a walk around the Green Loch, hand in hand.

Natty finished taking photos, of them and of the loch, and got out her binoculars again. She was just turning full-circle as she looked through them when she suddenly stopped, aiming her binoculars at the pine tree forest behind them.

She ran over to them, and put her fingers to her lips to warn Jake and Faye to remain silent. She whispered, ‘There’s a red squirrel!’

They crept silently up to the trees where she pointed to a red squirrel hanging upside down from a bird feeder.

She got out her mobile phone very quietly, slowly aimed her camera and then clicked.

The squirrel, startled by the sound, flew up the tree, jumping from branch to branch.

It stopped momentarily, looking down on Faye, Jake and Natty, and then disappeared.

‘Why don’t we see red squirrels in London?’ Natty asked, looking up at Faye.

‘I’m afraid I don’t really know, sweetheart. I imagine Grandad would know the answer to that question. You know he’s always loved wildlife and the countryside.’

Jake knew that Faye’s dad, Patrick, was Irish, although she hadn’t talked about him much, because they’d been estranged up until recently.

When Jake had first met him, during his search for Natty, Patrick’s strong Irish accent had been unmistakable.

‘Did he grow up in rural Ireland?’ Jake asked conversationally.

‘Yeah – in Dingle, County Kerry. It’s a small town, but quite rural. You know, I thought he might return there when he retired from the police. I often wonder why he didn’t.’

Jake grinned. ‘Oh, I know why.’ His eyes shifted to Natty. He didn’t mean to make Faye feel guilty over stopping Patrick seeing his grandchild, but the look on her face said she did anyway.

Jake turned to Natty. ‘Unfortunately, it’s very rare to spot a red squirrel in London, Natty,’ he said, noticing Faye had gone quiet.

He imagined she was thinking about her father.

‘I believe the numbers started declining around the 1920s and now they are close to extinction in the UK – that’s why we mainly see grey squirrels in the parks or sometimes in our gardens if there are trees around. ’

‘What does extinction mean?’ Natty asked.

Faye looked at Jake and smiled a knowing smile when he didn’t reply.

Jake caught her smile and imagined just what she was thinking – you did volunteer to answer the first question, and you should know my daughter by now.

‘Well, you know dinosaurs …’

They returned along the loch, heading back to where they’d left the picnic blanket and basket.

A couple were shouting at their dog, who had run over to the blanket and was sniffing around the basket.

Fortunately, they’d shut the basket and fastened it with the leather clasp so that not even a clever dog could get inside.

The couple picked up their small dog and told him off, even though it was perfectly understandable. The food in Gayle’s picnic hamper smelled delicious.

The three of them sat down on the picnic blanket. Jake had an idea. He assumed they’d sit for a while longer and eat some of the cakes and scones. ‘After we’ve finished lunch,’ he said, ‘why don’t we revisit the visitor centre on the way back to the car?’

Faye said, ‘That’s a good idea. I’d like to look at the gift shop.’

‘Me too,’ said Natty.

Jake looked at Natty. ‘What about picking up a pocket-book on Scottish wildlife?’ He was sure he’d seen one in the shop.

‘Jake, can you buy me a book about the fairies? Maybe they’ll have pictures of them in case I don’t get to see one.’

‘Of course. I’ll buy you anything you want.

’ The moment he said that, he realised his gaffe.

He looked sheepishly at Faye. Either she hadn’t heard him, being too busy organising the scones and cakes on the plates, or she had chosen to ignore it.

Either way, Jake silently cursed himself for saying it without thinking.

He’d got into trouble with her before when she’d discovered he’d been buying Natty anything she wanted.

He’d been spoiling her rotten – and he had the money to do so.

Faye couldn’t compete with that. But he suspected that wasn’t really the problem.

Jake was being irresponsible. You didn’t give a child anything they wanted even if you could afford it. There had to be boundaries.

Jake quickly backtracked. ‘What I meant, Natty, was that I’ll buy you any book that takes your fancy.’ That wasn’t what he’d meant, obviously, but it would take time to get out of the habit of giving her what she wanted without a second thought.

He caught Faye looking his way and nodding approvingly. He guessed she had been listening after all.

In no time at all, they picnic hamper was almost empty. Jake looked inside and found the last pork pie. He held it up. ‘Anyone want this?’

Faye and Natty shook their heads. As Jake ate the last of the picnic, Faye packed up the plates and the plastic cups.

Natty had had some juice. Gayle had packed a couple of bottles of something fizzy and non-alcoholic for them both.

They were soon making their way back to the visitor centre, and not long after that they were back in the car, with Natty enjoying more than just a book from the gift shop.

Of course, Jake had asked Faye’s permission before buying her anything else.

She’d wanted a small cuddly red squirrel.

He’d also bought her a notepad and some colouring pencils.

She’d checked the set had a green pencil.

As Jake backed out of the parking space, he glanced over his shoulder and saw Natty drawing something in green.

It was the green loch. ‘Are you going to draw a fairy doing their washing in the loch?’ Jake asked.

‘Yes.’

Jake exchanged a smile with Faye before they set off.

Faye said, ‘It’s been a wonderful day, Jake.’

‘Oh, the day isn’t over yet,’ he replied with a grin.

She looked quizzically at Jake as he turned out of the car park on to the forest road, but not in the direction of Aviemore. ‘Where are we going?’

‘You’ll see.’

As they drove through Glenmore village, Jake said, ‘Everyone look out for a parking bay along this road with a sign saying—’

‘Look, over there!’ Natty exclaimed pointing at the brown sign up ahead that said Reindeer Centre . ‘Are we going to see some reindeers? I just love reindeers. But it’s not Christmas. Will it be open?’

‘Oh, yes.’ Jake pulled over and parked behind a line of cars in a small parking bay on the opposite side of the road. He rummaged in his jacket pocket and handed Faye the leaflet about the reindeer herd. He gave one to Natty too.

Jake switched off the car engine. ‘So, there’s the reindeer centre and shop up there.

’ Jake pointed to a grassy bank on the other side of the road.

A short tarmac drive led up to the reindeer centre with a gift shop housed in a wooden cabin.

‘There are reindeers we can see here in pens. But I thought it would be even more special to see them up there.’ He turned in his seat and pointed in the direction of the mountain ahead.

‘But first I need to collect the tickets. I’ll be back in a minute. ’

Faye put the leaflet down. ‘Aren’t we coming too?’

‘We can look in the gift shop afterwards,’ said Jake. ‘Once I’ve got the tickets I’ll come back to the car as it’s a short drive further along the road where we meet our guide in a small car park. They take small groups up into the mountain.’

‘We’re climbing a mountain to see the reindeers?’ Natty asked.

Jake caught Faye looking worried. ‘No, not exactly. We’ll be going up on the mountain to see them, but the route is suitable for everyone. So don’t worry, we won’t be doing any mountain climbing, if that’s what you’re thinking.’

‘Oh.’ Natty sounded disappointed. Her mum, on the other hand, said, ‘Oh, thank god,’ breathing a sigh of relief. She turned to Jake. She held up the leaflet. ‘When did you manage to arrange this?’

When I was in the tourist information office before we got the steam train yesterday.

’ Jake replied. He’d gone online the previous night to book the tickets.

Spaces were limited, so he’d been lucky to get some.

‘I packed our coats in the car this morning, and Gayle had some hats, gloves and scarves which are in a bag in the boot. We may need them because although it’s summer, I imagine there’s going to be quite a wind when we get to the reindeer. ’

Faye said, ‘I did wonder why you insisted on bringing our coats on such a beautiful day.’

Jake hadn’t wanted to let on what he had planned for the afternoon when they’d set off that morning for the loch. He’d wanted to keep the afternoon treat of seeing the reindeer as a surprise.

‘Right, let’s go.’ Jake started the engine, and within five minutes they were parked in a car park at the side of the road. Several cars were already there, with people milling around, chatting and waiting for the tour to start.

Natty and Faye were already out of the car, getting their coats on. He could see the guides. There were two – a young man and a woman. They were carrying small sacks, which Jake imagined was the food they would be given to feed the reindeer.

Jake sat in the car, lost in thought. He hadn’t realised where the reindeer centre was until he’d booked the tickets.

It was on the road to the Cairngorm Mountain ski resort.

Where they were parked now was but a short distance.

If they’d continued along that road, it would have ended at a huge car park below the ski resort.

He hadn’t driven along this road since Christmas Day.

Unfortunately, that day – when he’d discovered that Eleanor, dressed in her skiing outfit, had decided to join them for their Christmas Day ski after saying she wouldn’t – came straight back to mind. How could it not?

‘Jake?’ Faye peered into the car through the open door. She’d obviously been about to shut the car door when she’d noticed Jake still seated in the car. ‘Everything all right?’

‘Oh, yeah. Sure.’ At least they weren’t going anywhere near the ski resort. The gentle mountain walk was on the other side of the road, leading off in the other direction.

They joined the rest of the group, and after introductions from the guides, and some safety information, they set off on the thirty-minute walk to find the reindeer. Natty joined a group of other excited children doing the tour, and Jake could hear her telling them all about the fairy loch.

‘I hope it’s not too far,’ Faye spoke quietly. ‘Only that bike saddle has really made my bum rather sore.’

Jake noticed she was whispering so that no one else heard. It was something he hadn’t thought of – how they’d get on doing a hike after a morning of riding bikes.

‘Don’t get me wrong – I’m so pleased you managed to book tickets. This is quite something, isn’t it? Going to see reindeer in the wild.’

They followed the line of people making their way along a well-trodden track. The guide had brought food for the reindeer, which they would share out when they reached the herd. The track rose gently, crossing a long wooden footbridge, and soon they came to a gate and a plateau on the mountainside.

Natty spotted the reindeer on the brow of a hill. The reindeer slowly came down, making their way towards the group, who stood in a circle, awaiting their arrival. There were more reindeer than Jake had anticipated.

‘They must know there’s food for them.’

Jake agreed. ‘They know the drill,’ he quipped, speaking loudly against the wind.

Faye put her hat on and wrapped her scarf around her. ‘So glad you brought these, it’s so chilly up here.’

Jake nodded.

‘They’re beautiful, and so docile,’ Faye said, watching the herd approaching.

Natty sidled up to Jake and held his hand. ‘They’re very big, and some of them have got huge antlers,’ Natty said, looking up at Jake with a slightly worried look on her face.

Standing in a semi-circle, the guides handed out bags of feed.

Oohs and ahhs could be heard as the children held out tentative hands with food.

Natty got out her mobile phone to take photos. Faye took photos of Natty and Jake feeding the reindeer.

Soon her confidence returned, and she mingled with the other children, asking the guide questions.

Faye stood transfixed. ‘The scenery is amazing, Jake,’ she said, turning around to take in the views. ‘I love the snow-capped mountain backdrop – don’t you?’

Jake glanced up at the mountain behind them and frowned.

‘What a lovely finish to the day,’ continued Faye, staring at Natty, who was feeding a young reindeer.

She turned to him. ‘You deserve a break from cooking this evening.’

Jake sighed. ‘Well, unless Gayle is cooking stew, it would have to be takeaway, and I think Gayle might be a bit offended and disappointed if we don’t join her for dinner.

Besides, I’ve already promised Gayle we’ll try out a recipe in her mother’s old cookery book together this evening.

It’s the least I can do after that amazing picnic she prepared for us. ’

‘That’s true – not to mention these hats, scarves and gloves she found for this trip.’

Natty ran over to them. ‘I’ve run out of reindeer food.’

Jake noticed the guides walking back towards the gate. It was time to leave.

‘It’s been such fun, hasn’t it?’ said Faye, taking Natty’s hand as they walked ahead, following the guide.

Jake stood for a moment, looking up at the snow-capped mountain.

‘Jake – you coming?’

He turned in their direction. Faye and Natty had let the rest of the tour group pass to wait for him. He strode over to join them.

‘What’s the matter?’

‘Unfinished business,’ he mumbled. He tried to lighten the mood. ‘Come on, we’d better get back before Gayle takes it upon herself to cook dinner – then we really will be in trouble.’