Tomorrow would be the real start of the adventure. She and Gran had a car and a map, and with only a few exceptions, no timetable. She couldn’t wait to get started.

NINE

Nine

Elle came to a stop in front of the compact two-door Fiat and double-checked the number the guy had given her. Sending a doubtful glance at her suitcase, she trudged back to the office.

‘Excuse me,’ she started, waiting for the bored attendant to glance up from his computer screen. ‘I think I have the wrong number. I was supposed to get a Ford Focus, a four-door car,’ she added pointedly.

‘Or similar,’ he told her.

‘Excuse me?’

‘When you booked your car, it says on the contract, or similar. We don’t know what vehicles we’ll have on hand when you get here.’

‘But it’s tiny.’

‘You booked a small vehicle.’

‘Yes. But not that small.’

The young guy gave a weary sigh and hit a few keys on his computer. ‘I can get you a Focus, but it won’t be here until tomorrow.’

She sighed. ‘No, don’t worry about it. I guess I’ll have to make do.’ Dragging her suitcase back to the car, she walked to the rear of the vehicle and opened the boot. After a few moments of consideration, she wrestled her luggage into the back and winced as she leaned her body weight against it, praying it had shut without breaking anything.

She placed her backpack on the passenger seat before settling into the driver’s side, familiarising herself with the instruments before starting the car.

Seatbelt? Gran reminded her.

‘I have,’ Elle said, glancing down at her chest.

I’d feel safer if I had one on, not that I doubt your driving abilities, darling, but we are in a different country.

Elle glanced at the backpack before leaning across to secure the belt across it.

‘Right,’ she said, studying the car’s navigation system. ‘Let’s set this baby.’

Oh, I can’t wait to see my plot of land, Gran enthused. Which is now your plot of land, she corrected.

As much as Elle loved the joy her title gift had given Gran, she was now having serious regrets about the purchase. The gift allowed the purchaser to use the title of Lady or Laird with an official certificate and registered plot of land, which could be legally passed down to family members. With a catch in her throat, Elle remembered the day in the solicitor’s office where he announced it was now hers.

Lady Elspeth of Glencoe, Gran said. That has a lovely ring to it.

‘Okay, Lady Iona, keep your shirt on. You do remember that we’re only talking one square foot of land here, don’t you?’ Elle warned.

It’s not the size of the land one owns, Gran replied pompously.

‘Okay,’ Elle said, with a resigned air. ‘Let’s go and find this plot.’