Clare shrugged. ‘Do you want to know or not?’

‘Go on, then.’

‘Like I said, there’s been a shooting.’ She paused to let this sink in. ‘Some big house outside St Andrews. So obviously I have to go back.’

‘Hold on,’ the DCI said. ‘You’re not the only DI in Fife. Dundee can send someone, for that matter. And anyway, neither of us is fit to drive.’

‘Dammit.’ She hadn’t thought of that. There had been champagne when they’d arrived at the hotel – she’d had two glasses of that. Then the wine with their meal. She recalled the DCI topping her glass up a few times. ‘How much have you had?’

He shook his head. ‘Too much. There’s no way either of us can drive back.’

‘Taxi?’

‘Clare! It’s the best part of seventy miles.’

‘But a shooting, Al.’

‘Listen, you have a good team back there. They know what to do and we’ll head back in the morning. If it makes you feel better, give Chris a call back and remind him of the Standard Operating Procedures.’

She let her shoulders droop. ‘Yeah, I suppose. He knows all that, anyway.’

‘Well then. Look, Clare, we have a lovely room right here in the hotel. We can enjoy the rest of the reception, have a dance tonight and start fresh in the morning.’ He reached across and took her hand. ‘Okay?’

She made an effort to smile. ‘Doesn’t look like I’ve much option.’ She glanced back towards the function room door. ‘Suppose we have to go back in.’

He smiled. ‘Not really. Let’s just say we’re too polite to interrupt the speeches again. We’ll stay out here and have a drink instead.’

‘We could hide in our room for a bit.’

He laughed. ‘That might be pushing it.’

She nodded. ‘Suppose you’re right.’

He squeezed her hand. ‘So, what do you want from the bar?’

Chapter 2

Clare moved her seat back towards the wall as Tom and Gillian sank down beside them. The band had struck up a waltz and the more enthusiastic ceilidh dancers were drifting back to their tables for a rest.

‘I’m so sorry about my phone,’ Clare said, but Gillian waved this away.

‘Tom says you’re never off duty,’ she said, taking his hand. ‘I think that’s why he married a teacher – for the holidays!’

‘I’m sure they’re well-earned,’ DCI Gibson said.

‘I’ll say,’ Gillian beamed.

‘I hope it wasn’t anything important,’ Tom said.

Clare forced a smile. ‘Nothing that can’t wait until morning.’

‘We’re staying here tonight,’ Tom said. ‘Maybe we could all meet for breakfast?’

‘Oh, I think we’d better make an early start,’ Clare said quickly. She smiled at the pair. ‘You know how it is.’

The band announced an Eightsome Reel and Gillian rose.