“Great! That gives us just under four hours,” Patrick replied excitedly, as he grabbed the two sticks off the chair and began preparing himself for a move to his feet. “How would you like to see around the factory?”

Katie broke her silence. “Wait a minute, Patrick.”

“What’s wrong?” Patrick asked, a questioning scowl on his face.

“Do you really think you should?”

“Of course I should!” he retorted, pushing himself with a great deal of effort to his feet. “There’s nothing wrong with me!”

“How will you get to Fort William? I can’t take you. I’ve got to pick up Max.”

“That’s no problem. Dan can drive the Merc and I’ll get Pete Jackson to bring me back.”

Katie shrugged her shoulders. “Well, if you’re sure. Just don’t overdo it.”

Patrick gave her a sweet, innocent smile. “I shall be a model of tranquility and calm.”

“Oh yeah? That’ll be the day!” Katie laughed.

Even though Dan had reversed the car out of the barn and parked close to the back door, it was still a full ten minutes before Patrick managed to heave himself into the passenger seat. Despite having to negotiate the lethal flagstones in the courtyard, he dismissed any offer of help, and there was nothing that Katie or Dan could do other than to stand watching in fearful trepidation as he laboriously wobbled his way around the car, the rubber tips on his walking sticks losing their grip on more than one occasion. Once he was settled in the car with his sticks tucked in around his feet, Katie leaned in and gave him a kiss on his cheek before closing the door.

Dan walked round and met her at the rear of the car. “Thanks for the hospitality, Katie,” he said, “and probably the best idea would be to draw a thick black line through our meeting this morning.”

“Agreed,” replied Katie, “but nevertheless, it’s been a pleasure to meet you, and I have to say, selfishly speaking, that I am delighted that you made the trip. You’ve been a real tonic for Patrick. He doesn’t get to meet many kindred spirits up here, and I haven’t seen him so stimulated for ages.”

“He’s a great man—and a survivor, too.”

“I sincerely hope so.” She surprised Dan by reaching up and giving him a kiss on his cheek. “You must give Patrick your telephone number in London. He’d love to speak to you every now and again.”

“Of course. I’d like that too.”

“What are you lot doing?” Patrick’s muffled voice boomed in the car.

Katie smiled. “You’d better go. Have a good trip back to London.”

“I will,” Dan replied, walking to the driver’s door and opening it, “and I’ll remember your tip about giving the backhander to the steward.”

“You do that.”

“And please say goodbye to Sooty for me.”