Thinking of this exchange now, Christopher was inclined to think she had been right on the last score, anyway. He also thought, uncomfortably, that after accusing Nicola of falling into the arms of the first man who came her way when he was behind bars, he had been far from averse to the company of both Marnie and Louisa, the first two women – other than prison officers – who had come his way for a long time. Despite these disturbing reflections, his mood of optimism persisted and he decided that if there were no objections from his probation officer, he would stay on at Glendrochatt for the second week.

As he walked across the garden to the Old Steading, he could see a light still on in one of the upper windows – Marnie’s. He wondered how she would react if he tapped at her door, offered an apology and asked if she felt like taking a moonlight walk round the garden. He could ask her about the vanished castle that Isobel said she was looking for, which sounded intriguing, but even as it occurred to him, the light went out and he thrust the thought aside. It was a stupid idea anyway. It was far too late and she’d probably think he had lecherous intentions. As she clearly took offence extremely easily he didn’t want to get off on the wrong foot a second time.

He didn’t know that when she’d turned her light out, Marnie had looked out of her window and seen him walking across the courtyard, illuminated by the security lights. She thought of calling out to him but was afraid he might misinterpret it as an invitation to something more, so she stayed silent while foolishly hoping he might look up and see her. She watched as he let himself in at the door.