Page 39 of Summer in the Scottish Highlands (The Scottish Highlands #5)

‘How old are these tents?’

‘You know I think they pre-date the Second World War.’

Faye thought so too. ‘They’re in incredibly good condition.’

‘While I was scouting around, I found my dad’s old oil lamps, which I thought would add to the atmosphere.

Then again, I didn’t think they’d be very safe, so Nick lent me a couple of proper modern tenting lamps.

My dad was a bit of a collector. You’ll find all sorts of weird and wonderful paraphernalia in boxes in the loft of The Lake House. ’

‘I’d like to see some more of your father’s old things.’

‘I’ll give you the grand tour, then we can finish in the loft. There’s a proper flight of stairs up there, so it’s easy getting access.’

Faye stared at him. Did he just invite me over for a tour of The Lake House? she thought.

‘I’d like that very much,’ said Faye.

‘Good. Because I’d very much like to show you the house. Ah, here comes dinner!’ Jake exclaimed.

Faye followed his gaze. Five people were crossing the lawn, one behind the other, carrying an assortment of plates and dishes. An excitable Old English Sheepdog brought up the rear, sniffing the air. Tufts of her fur, which were tied with multicoloured ribbon, stood on end.

Evie and Natty arrived first, each carrying a dinner plate.

Faye picked up her serviette. So did Jake. The girls put a dinner plate down in front of each of them.

Olive bounded over. Faye stared at the ribbons.

‘Doesn’t she look pretty?’ said Natty.

Faye reserved judgement. She felt sorry for Olive, although she was such a good sport. ‘Will you just make sure to take the ribbons out before bedtime? Otherwise Olive might not be comfortable during the night.’

‘We will,’ replied Natty. She pointed. ‘That’s our tent. Gayle said we could come back out when you’ve finished your romantic dinner.’ She puckered her lips.

‘All right, you,’ said Faye. ‘Off you go and play.’

Gayle appeared next, putting a casserole dish with a lid on down on the table. Nick and Marty followed with roast potatoes and roast vegetables, and quickly retreated, taking Olive with them.

Faye heard Nick remark, ‘You know, I wouldn’t mind spending a night or two in one of those tents.’

‘Yeah, looks fun, doesn’t it?’ Marty replied. ‘I’d like to as well. Not sure what Dee would make of it. It would be quite a novelty, wouldn’t it? Bit like a little film set.’

‘Yes, like something out of a movie.’

‘An old movie.’

Their voices grew faint as they approached the back door to the house.

Faye stared at the spread on the table as Jake lifted the lid on the casserole dish. ‘It’s minty lamb.’

‘It smells delicious. Did you do all this too? ’

‘Yes, all prepared. I just needed to give Gayle some directions as to how to cook the lamb. She’s been keeping an eye on the meal while me, Marty and Nick put up the tents.’

As Jake dished up the meal, Faye said, ‘This is so great.’

‘I’m so relieved to hear it.’ He added some lamb to her plate. ‘To be honest, I really didn’t know what you’d make of all this. It’s not really what you do on a first date – or any date, for that matter.’

‘And that’s what makes it really special.’ Faye knew she was going to remember this night, with Jake, under canvas in Gayle’s back garden, for the rest of her life. ‘It’s going to be a date to remember,’ said Faye.

‘For all the right reasons, I hope,’ quipped Jake.

Faye grinned, ‘For all the right reasons.’ The icing on the cake was that Natty was going to share in their little adventure too. She shared her thoughts.

Jake grinned. ‘Those were my sentiments exactly.’ He glanced at the tents. ‘You know I originally set these up so there was one for you and Natty, and one for myself. But, um, now she’s got a friend for a sleepover, looks like you and me will have to share instead. Hope that’s okay.’

Faye did a double-take. Was he seriously asking her that question after everything they’d both said?

Ever the gentleman , she thought. She glanced at the tent.

The first thing she was going to do was push those camp beds together, once Natty and Evie were fast asleep and she’d closed the flaps on the tents.

‘Faye?’

Faye lifted her glass. ‘To our first night together.’

It was Jake’s turn to do a double-take. The expression on his face made Faye burst out laughing. ‘You look a little worried.’ Faye had an idea what it was about. She’d been on numerous dates, had flings, and sex. Jake, on the other hand …

‘Eleanor was my first and only …’ he trailed off. ‘What if …?’

Faye stared at him. There were lots of what if scenarios she could think of right now that must be going through his mind.

What if he wasn’t ready? What if he was a disappointment?

What if their night together was a disaster?

It hadn’t occurred to her that Jake wasn’t ready to jump into bed with her tonight, whereas looking across the table at Jake, that was all she wanted to do.

Well, that and eat dinner. She was famished.

Jake looked at her sheepishly. ‘Can we …?’

‘Take things slowly?’ Faye guessed that was what he was going to say. She glanced at the tent and thought that she’d move the beds just a little closer instead.

He nodded.

She looked at the tents, and their little camp table, and the fairy lights, and all the effort he’d put into their date.

Most guys would have had one thing on their mind – getting her into bed.

But Jake wasn’t most guys. He was Jake. The love of her life.

And they had their whole lives ahead of them to take things slowly and enjoy each moment.

‘I get it – you know.’

He looked at her quizzically.

‘When you said your childhood here was … slow.’ She looked about them. ‘I want that … this. For time to slow down and live in the moment. These sorts of moments, like your parents used to do – make the most out of the simple things in life.’

Jake grinned at her. ‘You do, you finally understand.’

Faye nodded. ‘This is so perfect, Jake. I couldn’t have asked for more on our first date.’

Across the small wobbly table, they held hands for a moment before raising their glasses. Faye said, ‘You know, this could catch on.’

Jake creased his brow. ‘What could catch on?’

‘Well, you know, people enjoy staying in unusual places, like yurts, and such like.’

‘Yeah, seems to be all the rage now. But I don’t see—’

‘I bet some people would really enjoy this, having an old-fashioned camping experience but safely in the back of Gayle’s back garden right here at Lark Lodge.’

‘You’re thinking I should leave them here?’

‘The children would have a whale of a time.’

Jake smiled. He’d loved wild camping with his dad.

It had been a simpler time, when you could do as you pleased.

You still could in Scotland; it was one of the things he loved about the place, compared to England where people might find themselves fined for doing something like that. ‘I’ll ask Gayle in the morning.’

Faye smiled. ‘I would. I bet she’ll think it’s a brilliant idea.’

‘It did take us a hell of a long time, putting them up. Be a shame to take them down.’

‘Wouldn’t it just?’

‘Gayle would be able to accommodate more guests.’

‘She would.’

They smiled and toasted their future and the new accommodation at Gayle’s guesthouse.

They’d barely finished their meal when Natty and Evie appeared, along with Olive. An apologetic Gayle followed in their wake. ‘So sorry, but I couldn’t keep them in the house any longer.’

Natty and Evie darted into their tent, followed by Olive. Faye could see Natty and Evie each sitting on a camp bed, unpacking their bags as though they were moving in for a long stay rather than just a night.

Faye and Jake said in unison, ‘It’s fine, Gayle, honestly.’ They exchanged a smile.

‘Well, if you’re sure.’

They both nodded. ‘I’ll take those plates while I’m here.’

Jake jumped up. ‘Let me help.’

‘I wouldn’t hear of it. Sit back down.’

Faye caught Jake’s expression – he looked like a small child who’d been told off. He sat back down.

Gayle looked at him, satisfied. ‘Good. Now I’m going to leave the back door unlocked if any of you need to use the facilities during the night. Or the girls want a midnight snack. I expect those two are going to be awake until late tonight.’

They all turned to look at Evie and Natty, who were bouncing up and down on the springy camp beds. They picked up pillows and started to have a pillow fight, their hysterical laughter making the adults smile.

Faye said, ‘Thank you, Gayle, for letting us camp out in your garden.’

‘Not at all. I think it’s a great idea. The tents look like something out of a film set. I’ll be sorry to see them go when you dismantle them tomorrow, Jake.’

‘Who said anything about dismantling them?’

Faye and Jake exchanged a smile.

‘You’re camping in the garden more than one night?’

‘I suppose we could.’

Natty ran out of the tent. ‘Oh, can we? Please!’ She’d overheard them.

Faye said, ‘Maybe. Depends how late we get home from the snow disco tomorrow evening, and how wet we are.’

‘Snow disco?’

‘Yes, Annie got us tickets. It sounds like such fun.’

‘It is fun,’ said Gayle. ‘I haven’t actually been, but I’ve heard they are quite the event, and tickets sell out fast.’

‘I think Annie managed to bag us the last two. Sorry, Jake. It will just be Natty and me going.’

‘That is not a problem.’

‘Bet you’re glad you got out of it.’

‘Not at all. I just think it’s nice for you to spend some time with Natty, just the two of you. I know how busy you are at home with work. I want you to be able to spend some time with Natty this holiday too, not just me.’

Jake had just reminded Faye why she loved him so. She stared at him across the table.

‘Ahem. Well, I’ll take these dishes in,’ said Gayle. She turned on her heel, about to return to the house. ‘I’m glad you’re not taking the tents down tomorrow, by the way.’

‘Actually,’ said Jake, ‘we were wondering how you’d feel if we didn’t take the tents down at all …’