The Skye Collection, page 19
Caitlin nudged her. ‘Go on, get over there. I can see you’re dying to. I can keep an eye on things here.’
Juliette gave her a quick hug and made her way through the throng to stand just out of sight so as not to distract the performers. She watched in awe as Evin gave short commands to Chewie and the huge ball of fur followed every single one. From giving his paw and rolling over, to dancing like a show pony, the pair of them did an amusing, if a little clumsy and comical, variation of the conga, and all in time with the track ‘Heroes’ by David Bowie. A wonderful choice, she felt. Evin beamed and Chewie’s tongue lolled out as his tail wagged frantically – evidently, he was thoroughly enjoying the game.
Pride surged up inside Juliette as the canine and his human even bowed in synchronicity at the end of their performance. She’d never seen anything like it. She didn’t care who heard or saw, and as applause erupted around the marquee, Juliette whooped and cheered louder than everyone.
Evin spotted her and gave her a double thumbs up as his grin widened.
Someone appeared beside her and she looked up to see Kendric banging his hands together above his head. He whistled and then bent to speak to Juliette. ‘I hear this is all thanks to you. It’s clear you’ve made a massive impression on the lad in the short space of time you’ve been here.’ She turned to smile at him but found his expression quite serious as he continued, ‘It’s nice that he’s taken to you, but I’m worried about what will happen when you leave. Just be careful, eh?’
Tears pricked her eyes as she watched the boy leaving the stage to countless pats on the back and scratches behind Chewie’s ears. If this hadn’t boosted his confidence and popularity, then nothing would. But she totally understood Kendric’s concerns, her own heart would suffer too when it was time to leave the boy behind. She had become very fond of him.
‘Look at that boy’s face,’ Kendric said, and Juliette was about to reply when she realised he wasn’t addressing her. Much to her relief, she saw Reid, pale-faced and unshaven, looking more unkempt than normal, applauding proudly beside his brother. He glanced at her briefly and a ghost of a smile played on his lips before his concentration returned to his son.
Once the talent show was over, all the acts were asked to return to the stage for the announcement of the winner to be made. Caitlin, Grace, Morag and Reid and Kendric were now standing beside Juliette as they anxiously waited for the results.
‘Now, the panel have had a very tricky job, as you can imagine. Choosing a single winner from twelve incredible acts was nigh on impossible,’ Kenneth told the crowd. ‘And we had to have a deciding vote due to a tie between two of the contenders, so I’d like to thank Gregor Edmunds for doing the honours. So, in third place… we have wee Esther Douglas with her angelic performance of “Blooming Heather”.’
The audience applauded and Kenneth handed the young girl a white envelope.
‘In second place… and you must understand how difficult this decision was, folks, with so many talented youngsters here today… anyway, as I was saying, in second place we have Evin MacKinnon and his amazing dog, Chewie!’
Cheers and whistles filled the room as Kenneth handed the ruddy-faced boy a white envelope. Evin searched the crowd with his gaze. When he found his dad, his face brightened and his grin spoke a thousand words without him needing to make a sound. Loud whistles pierced the air from where Reid stood, and Juliette was so happy to see the man radiating admiration and love.
‘And finally, the winner of the Glentorrin talent contest this year, I have to say it was a wonderful performance, considering this is all new to him and I think that’s what gave it the edge. So, our winner is… Euan Dalgetty on his bagpipes!’
Juliette applauded along with everyone else but equally fought the urge to shout, ‘Fix!’
As the contestants left the stage, Juliette watched once again as Evin was surrounded by people congratulating him. He wasn’t in the least bit disappointed to have not come first. And she was delighted to see that Grace had joined him too. Some of the boys from Evin’s school year were fussing over the dog and chatting animatedly about how Evin managed to train him to do such brilliant tricks.
She glanced to the side and caught Reid watching her. She smiled and he nodded at her, as if admitting she’d been right, at least about this one small thing. The shared moment was fleeting, and his attention once again returned to Evin, who, she hoped, could bask in his newfound glory for as long as possible.
The stalls were all packed away, and the cash counted in readiness for the evening’s entertainment. But first it was the turn of the main event of the day.
The Highland games!
Caitlin took the cash to put in her safe at the bakery and, when she returned, she brought a couple of deckchairs, which she unfolded for herself and Juliette; a rug was laid at their feet for Grace, Evin and Chewie. Many people had the same idea, and as Kenneth announced the first event, more people gathered.
Hamish arrived and placed his chair beside her. ‘Now then, Jules, how are you enjoying your stay?’
‘Hamish! Lovely to see you. I’m having a great time. I haven’t seen you in the museum lately.’
‘No, I went to visit my daughter for a few days. And my grandson and his new husband have arrived to stay as part of their honeymoon.’
‘Be sure to bring him to the museum to say hello,’ she said.
He smiled. ‘Don’t you worry, lassie, it’s on my list of priorities.’
Once again, there was no sign of Reid and Juliette couldn’t stop thinking about him. But her attention was pulled back by a nudge from Caitlin.
Huge, muscular, kilted men waved as they marched into the cordoned-off arena to Kenneth’s call of their names, and each audience member cheered for their favourite. The caber toss was up first, and it turned out that the hulking men were able to lob the giant piece of tree trunk a lot further than Juliette ever anticipated. She watched in awe as the hefty poles were tossed into the air, landing metres away, with a vibrating thud. She wondered how on earth someone came up with the idea for the event. Were a bunch of lumberjacks, perhaps, standing around one lunch time trying to keep warm, when one suddenly chimed in, ‘I know, let’s see which one of us can throw a sawn tree trunk the farthest!’? It was bewildering but great fun to watch. The crowd were enraptured, and the volume of cheers rose exponentially as each toss was completed.
In between the caber toss and the hammer throw, there was a musical interlude. A pipe band from a neighbouring village marched into the arena; the spectacle was wonderful and so vibrantly colourful. Tartan kilts and sashes were worn by each band member, along with a little black hat adorned with feathers at one side. The vividly coloured socks matched the smart waistcoats and each band member had a sporran attached to a chain belt around their waist. ‘The little wooden blowpipes are called Chanters,’ Caitlin had told her when she’d asked, and each piper looked a little like a hamster storing food as they blew.
The marching stopped and a lone piper played the opening bars to ‘Amazing Grace’. A lump of emotion lodged itself in Juliette’s throat. It had been Laurie’s favourite hymn, and Judy Collins’ version had been played at his funeral. She closed her eyes briefly as she let the memory swirl around her mind.
‘Hey, are you okay?’ Caitlin asked with a squeeze of her hand.
Juliette opened her eyes and nodded through a fog of tears. ‘I am. I just have such mixed emotions about this song as it reminds me of Laurie.’
Caitlin rubbed her arm. ‘It has the same effect on me, for obvious reasons.’ She nodded towards her daughter, Grace, where she sat and gave a warm smile just as the gathered crowd spontaneously began to sing the hymn. Shivers travelled Juliette’s spine at the sound of myriad people singing a song that was so special to her, even though they were completely unaware. But that was it for her; tears fell unabashedly down her cheeks, although she smiled through them and joined in as best she could. Caitlin gripped her hand and her eyes welled too as she leaned her head on Juliette’s shoulder in a show of support for her new friend.
Once the song was over, the applause and cheers were almost deafening, and Juliette’s spirit was strangely lifted. It was as if Laurie had arranged the whole thing especially for her, to let her know he was still with her. Through this clarity and with the momentary absence of the guilt she’d been carrying, she thought about Reid and silently asked if she should try once again to make amends with the man.
At that moment, a movement caught her peripheral vision and she glanced up at the cordon around the field. She gasped and her heart leapt. There, on the rope before her, sat a little red-breasted robin, a halo of light surrounded him where the summer sun shone down. He seemed to watch her for a split second before fluffing out his chest, fluttering his wings and taking off towards the trees as Juliette covered her mouth with her hand and let more tears freely trickle down her cheeks.
21
The games continued and the atmosphere at the gala buzzed with excitement. After seeing the robin, Juliette had resolved to have a conversation with Reid. Perhaps she could iron out the creases of their friendship? She could only try. She decided she would make an effort to visit him, or perhaps phone if nerves got the better of her.
Expecting some kind of wooden mallet to be launched by each of the burly men, Juliette was shocked to discover that the ‘hammer’ in the hammer throw was, in fact, a kind of metal ball attached to a strip of steel ribbon. It was flung rather like a discus, in that the thrower spun in circles to gather momentum before letting go of the perilous object, which then flew at a surprising velocity through the air and landed with a dull thump on the grass.
Caitlin was like a woman possessed as she whistled for one of the competitors, a rather handsome dark-haired, bearded man with arms almost as thick as the cabers being tossed earlier in the day. Juliette found her reaction hilarious and almost expected her eyes to pop out of her head and her tongue to hit the floor.
‘You’ve got to admit, Jules, there’s nothing sexier than a man in a kilt, except for a huge, muscular, bearded man in a kilt!’
After admiring the athletic prowess of these men, Juliette was coming around to the idea.
With the day’s main events over and the prizes awarded, Juliette and Caitlin made their way, arm in arm, back to the main tent for the evening’s entertainment. Already a dab hand at ceilidh dancing – Juliette guffawed at this description of herself by Caitlin – it took no time to get her on the dance floor as The Toilichte Hens took to the stage, and Kenneth did the honours of calling the steps.
She wasn’t sure who suggested that she tried the Skye single malt, but Juliette knew she was going to regret agreeing to it; the realisation occurring right about the time she was being swung around, in time with the music, by various adept partners. The earthy liquid warmed its way to her stomach, creating a false sense of contentment that she knew would feel rather different come morning. Wine and whisky? Possibly not a wise decision, but she couldn’t help being carried along on the wonderful, positive vibe of the day. Her very first Highland games had been an incredible experience that left Juliette on a high, and not only from the alcohol. It felt good to laugh again.
Once the Toilichte Hens had finished their set to a raucous applause, it was the turn of the DJ, none other than bitchy Leanna’s oblivious husband, Donny.
‘Evening all! So, I was asked to bring my karaoke stuff th’night instead of a straight-up disco, so come and get your name down if you want to sing some’hin’!’ he announced.
‘Jules! Are you going to sing?’ Grace asked as she flopped down beside her mother.
‘Oh yes! You should definitely get up and sing,’ Evin said. ‘I bet you’re a brilliant singer, don’t you, Grace?’ His friend nodded eagerly.
She waved her hand. ‘Oh, good grief, no chance!’ She laughed at the thought. ‘And anyway, why aren’t you kids in bed?’
Grace grinned. ‘Mum lets me stay up until the end when it’s the games.’
‘And if she’s allowed then I don’t see why I’m not. Uncle Kendric says he’ll come and get me when it’s time to go. You have to sing before that.’ Evin tried his best to encourage her.
Juliette shook her head. ‘Absolutely not. I hate karaoke. In fact, I think that might be my cue to leave,’ she informed Caitlin and Morag as the first ‘singer’ took to the stage.
‘Oh, come on, Jules, you can’t leave now, it’s just getting good!’ Morag laughed.
Caitlin raised her glass. ‘I agree. It’ll be a laugh. Just another thirty minutes and, if you’re really hating it, we can head home.’
Feeling everyone’s gaze fixed on her, Juliette rolled her eyes and reluctantly replied, ‘Thirty minutes and that’s it! And don’t think for a second that I’m getting up there.’
Grace and Evin went off to dance and lark around in front of the stage. Archie delivered a passable rendition of ‘Sweet Caroline’, much to the delight of the audience, who were now verging on worse for wear. And the three women giggled as Caitlin made a joke about throwing her knickers at him.
A variety of songs followed; some fairly tuneful, others downright murdered on stage by their performers. Morag and Juliette tried to convince Caitlin to get up to sing, but their appeals fell on deaf and highly reluctant ears.
‘But you were the one who insisted we stay!’ Juliette whined.
‘Aye, but I want to sit here and enjoy the music, not clear the room with my caterwauling!’
Archie finished his second song, ‘Crackling Rose’, and once the applause had died down, everyone in the marquee began to filter out to make their way home.
‘And a good night was had by all,’ Caitlin slurred.
Evin and Grace returned, along with Kendric, and Caitlin fell silent as she unabashedly made eyes at the man. ‘So, you ladies have had a good day, I take it?’ he asked with a grin.
‘It’s been brilliant,’ Juliette replied, trying her best to sound sober.
‘I’m glad to hear it. Anyway, Jules, I was wondering if I might have a chat with you tomorrow, if you’re free? Just a wee idea I’ve had that I want to run past you.’
She frowned. ‘Oh… erm… yeah, sure.’ She wondered what on earth he could be talking about and what idea he could possibly need to run past her, someone he had literally just met.
‘Great, see you tomorrow. Here’s my card, just drop me a text when you’re ready.’ He turned to his nephew. ‘Come on, champ, let’s get you home to bed, eh?’ Evin grumbled but his words became lost in a huge yawn. Kendric turned back to Juliette. ‘I could pick you up and take you for lunch or something?’
She wanted to say that lunch wasn’t necessary. That they could chat at the pub or somewhere else less… date-like. But she didn’t get a chance as he had already turned and left.
Once he had left, Caitlin whispered loudly, ‘Ahhh, he fancies you. I knew it. So obleous. I mean obvelous… urgh, you know what I mean.’ She waved a hand in Juliette’s face.
‘Muuuum!’ Grace moaned, clearly embarrassed.
‘I think you need to get home, Caitlin, you’re oot yer tree.’ Morag laughed. ‘Come on, I’ll walk you both over. Night, Jules.’
‘Night, Morag. Night, Caitlin. Night, Grace.’
She turned and almost walked slap bang into Leanna. Before the woman even spoke, Juliette groaned and rolled her eyes.
‘Not satisfied going after just one brother then, eh? Hedging your bets. Probably not a bad idea for someone like you.’ Leanna said, arms folded across her chest, lips pursed in that sour way she had.
‘Leanna, believe me when I say I’m not after either of the MacKinnon brothers. Regardless of what you and your toilet buddies were talking about. Just drop it, please. Do us both a favour, eh? Go home with your husband and be happy.’
Initially, Leanna’s eyes widened and it was clear she was embarrassed at being caught in her gossiping, but then she huffed and changed her stance from leaning on her left leg to leaning on her right. ‘You’d love that, wouldn’t you? If I was out of the way.’
Juliette sighed deeply, suddenly feeling drained. ‘I don’t know you and I have no clue why you have such a strong opinion of me. You know nothing about my life, about why I’m here. But you seem hell-bent on making me feel unwelcome. And, to be honest, that says a lot more about you than it does about me.’ She felt quite proud of herself for not turning into a shrinking violet during the confrontation. ‘Anyway, I don’t have the energy to argue with you, Leanna. Or the inclination. You’re seeing something that simply isn’t there. But, really, it would be absolutely none of your business, if there was. I’m single, Reid is single. And, to top it off, Kendric is single too. You’re the one making assumptions and pining for a man that’s not your husband. Seriously, take a long hard look in the mirror. See if you like the person looking back. Now, goodnight, I’m going home.’ She turned and headed towards Lifeboat Cottage.
‘Home? Home?’ Leanna almost shrieked. ‘It’s not your home though, is it? It’s my home. It’s Reid’s home. You’re only here for the summer. And I’ll still be here long after you’ve gone. So will Reid!’ she shouted.
Juliette couldn’t be bothered to respond and so continued to walk without looking back. She’d never met anyone so vindictive and unpleasant. Poor Donny. What had he done in a previous life to deserve such a woman as a wife?
As Juliette reached the inlet, she spotted a rather bedraggled-looking Reid sitting on the bench where they’d had their altercation. With a little trepidation, she made her way towards him and sat down warily. ‘Reid? Are you okay?’ It was a stupid question, she realised, as soon as the words had fallen from her lips.
He jumped and sat up straight, wiping at his face. He cleared his throat. ‘Oh, hi. I’m… I’m fine.’
In the tiny dots of light from the strings strewn around the inlet, she could see his assertion was far from truthful. ‘Look, I know I’m probably the last person you want to speak to after… well, you know… but… I’d really like to help, if I can. I’m a good listener.’ She shrugged.
