She looked up at a knock on the window across from her and saw Aila waving, moments before she entered the store and sat down at the table. ‘So? Was I right? The best ice cream in the world?’

‘I have to say, that was a big call to make and I was sceptical,’ Elle admitted, spooning the creamy dessert into her mouth. ‘However, upon reflection, I think I have to agree with you.’

‘Told you.’ Aila grinned, before leaving her seat to order a coffee and her own ice cream and returning to the table. ‘I’m glad I bumped into you, actually, I was coming to see you later. I’m picking you up tonight.’

‘To go where?’ Elle asked, lifting an eyebrow.

‘Out,’ Aila answered firmly. ‘It’s time you experienced the nightlife in Portsoy.’

Elle smiled at her cousin’s dry expression. She could well imagine if Aila were to visit her in Jessup’s Creek, a night out on the town would probably be very similar. There were limited places to go—the pub and the other pub and the Ex-Services club, or maybe the Chinese restaurant.

‘Can’t wait,’ Elle said, and she meant it. She really hadn’t gone anywhere at night since she’d arrived in Scotland, and with Aila in charge, she knew it would be a night to remember.

Elle pulled on her going-out jeans—they had embroidered pockets and had cost almost a fortnight’s wages—and teamed them with her blue faux-snakeskin ankle boots and a mustard-coloured high-neck fitted jumper.

The band was loud and the crowd was surprisingly large for a small pub. Elle followed Aila through the old tavern towards a table of four other people, who looked up expectantly as Aila waved hello.

‘Elle, this is Joe, Sabrina, Andrew and Steven.’

A chorus of hellos followed as Elle’s eyes swept across the faces before her. The three men all had an outdoorsy look about them—possibly farmers, she thought absently, noticing their hands looked tough and cracked and not at all like they belonged in an office. They were dressed in jeans and long-sleeved shirts—not that different to how the men back home dressed when they went out to the pub. The only thing missing was an Akubra hat.

Sabrina had long, straight, shiny black hair and eyelashes so luscious they had to be fake. She was dressed in tight black pants and a loose green jumper that was saved from looking casual by the gold jewellery she wore, adding a very chic touch to the outfit. For a moment, Elle felt a little plain and tried not to squirm. She’d always admired women who could apply make-up with artist-like skill, but even with the help of multiple YouTube tutorials, Elle could never manage to pull off the Kardashian style, no matter how hard she tried.