‘You’ll be glad of a bath, girl. We both will.’

Donna nodded.

‘What do you think of Scotland then?’

Donna enjoyed Alan’s discomfort. He wanted to talk now, did he? She shrugged nonchalantly.

‘It’s all right from what I’ve seen of it.’

The woman bustled in with a small trolley laden down with sandwiches, cakes, buns, tea and a large bottle of Grant’s whisky.

‘What a sight for sore eyes, Mrs . . .’

‘Mrs MacIntyre. But you can call me Emma. When you’ve had your fill I’ll show you to your rooms. It’s twenty-two pounds a head, payable in advance, and that includes a full Scottish breakfast.’

She laughed as she spoke. ‘That’s eggs and bacon, by the way - with porridge to start.’

Donna looked at the tantalising array of food and smiled wanly. ‘This looks absolutely lovely.’

Emma nodded as if acknowledging a great truth.

‘I do all my own baking. That fruit cake was fresh made this morning, as was the bread and bannock. The sandwiches are beef - Aberdeen Angus of course! I also made you a few ham and tomato. I like to see my guests eat well. Now if you need anything else, I’ll be through in the bar. It’s open till two-thirty in the morning if you fancy a bit of company. My husband will be glad to meet you both.’

Donna smiled at the woman. ‘Thanks, we might take you up on that. What do we owe you for all this?’

‘We’ll sort that out later. Eat up now.’

When Emma had left the room, Alan grinned.

‘Bit of all right this, ain’t it?’ He picked up a thick boiled ham sandwich. ‘Me mum used to boil her own bacon. Beats that shop-bought crap into a cocked hat.’

He poured out two large measures of whisky.

‘Get your laughing gear around that, Donna. It’ll help you sleep.’

She took the whisky and sipped it, while Alan, a sandwich stuck in his mouth, poured them both hot tea.

‘I feel so tired, I don’t think I’ll need anything to help me sleep.’

‘You’re not nervous then?’ His voice was low.

‘No, I’m not, actually, and I don’t want to go into all that again, if you don’t mind. I think you made yourself clear earlier on today.’

Alan swallowed the last of the sandwich.

‘You didn’t do too bad yourself. You certainly put me in me place.’

Donna picked up a beef sandwich. ‘Well, at least some good came out of it then.’ She bit into the smooth creaminess of real butter and thick beef. ‘This is lovely!’

They ate in greedy silence for a while.

‘I never meant to hurt you today, Donna. It’s just, I’m worried about you, that’s all.’

She sipped her tea. ‘Well, don’t be. I can take care of myself.’