Page 14 of The Highland Game

Cat

Caught two students making out in a supply cupboard yesterday. Naturally, I yelled, “This is NOT Love Island!” The lad turned bright red and tried to explain they were practising “dialogue” for Romeo and Juliet . . . while his hand was on her arse.

Maisie

LOL! I mean, at least they’re committed to their roles, right?

Cat

True! But can we talk about how the supply cupboard is getting more action than me right now? My last date spent forty-five minutes giving me a TED Talk on his tractor’s hydraulic system.

Cat is a bit of a party animal. Until last year she lived down in Glasgow with Iona, where she enjoyed all that city life has to offer. Now, though, she’s stuck up north in a town that’s even more remote than Bannock. She’s slogging through her probationary year as a secondary school English teacher, and with just a few months left on her contract, I’d bet good money she’s counting down the days until she can escape.

Iona

Can’t say lack of action is an issue for me and Lewis. We’ve been keeping pretty . . . active.

Growing up, I thought of Iona as the Hermione Granger of Bannock, minus the magic wand. Her nose was always buried in a book—when she wasn’t hanging out with her best friend, Lewis McIntyre, of course. It wasn’t until she moved back last year and we grew closer that I discovered her professional exterior as a farm vet hides quite the naughty streak.

Cat

OMG, Iona! We’ve talked about this! HE IS MY BROTHER, WOMAN. As pleased as I am that you and Lewis are happy together, SPARE ME THE DETAILS OF YOUR SEX LIFE!

Cat McIntyre is the baby of the McIntyre clan, the only girl among four siblings. Ally is the eldest brother, Lewis the middle one, and the youngest is . . . Jamie.

Iona

Fine! But if I can’t talk about that, I’ve got zero gossip. I’m about to go check an entire flock of sheep for worms. Glamorous life, eh? What about you, Maisie? Want to spill about your day or are we avoiding that subject?

My thumbs hover over the keyboard. I do have goss I could share—the rather colossal revelation that my mysterious online gaming buddy is none other than Jamie McIntyre, Cat’s brother. But . . . I can’t drop that bombshell quite yet. Infuriating arse though he may be, Jamie should be the first to hear that.

But there’s nothing stopping me from telling the girls about the little run-in I had with him earlier.

Maisie

So, I had the misfortune of chatting with Jamie this morning.

Cat

Ugh, he’s such a pest. If disowning him was an option, I’d have done it years ago. What did he do this time?

Maisie

Before I tell you what he said, I should explain that I dyed my hair last night. Navy blue.

Cat

Shut up! Love it already. Send a photo—NOW!

Rolling my eyes but secretly delighted by her enthusiasm, I snap a quick selfie and fire it off to the group chat.

Iona

Maisie, you look incredible!

Cat

Oh my God, YES! That colour is stunning on you. It’s perfect!