‘I wonder . . .’ The earl let the words hang in the air. His rank meant the men could not turn away when he spoke; sure enough, they all turned back. ‘Will there be anyone left on the island who can act as our guide?’

‘I’m afraid the men will all be gone a few days now, sir,’ Archie MacQueen said, touching his cap apologetically.

‘Ah, that is a pity,’ the earl nodded. ‘To have come such a long way to see your famous birdlife. Sir John said it was worth making the trip especially.’

There was a silence. Everyone knew from the casual mention of ‘Sir John’ that this was an elegant warning: it would not be in their best interests to disappoint their landlord, or his close friends.

‘If it’s birds y’like, there’s no one knows more about the birds here than Effie. She saw the fork-tailed petrels up by Mullach Sgar just the other week, did ye no’, lass?’ Mad Annie piped up from her position at the spinning wheel. ‘And she’s a good climber too, equal to many of the men.’

Angus McKinnon immediately bristled. As did Effie. Hadn’t she, only last night, proved she was better?

‘Well, we certainly saw a display of her speed and courage last night,’ the young lord said, one hand pushed casually into his trouser pocket as he leant against the wall. ‘I wouldn’t hesitate to place my trust in Miss Gillies. Would you, Father?’

The earl considered for a moment, watching Effie from behind his spectacles. For the first time, she wondered what he saw, how she appeared to outsiders – a girl dressed as a boy, showing off on a rope, arguing with the men . . .

‘After what we saw yesterday, no. What do you say, young lady? Will you be our guide for the next few days? We’d pay, of course – say, two shillings for your time?’

‘Two . . .?’ Effie looked at her father with disbelief. She only earnt a pound for looking after the bull for a whole year! It would mean abandoning any hope of getting over to Boreray, but . . .

She nodded back to the gentlemen. ‘For two shillings, I’d be happy to guide you, sir.’

‘That’s agreed, then,’ Uncle Hamish said, effectively dismissing the meeting again with his pronouncement. The men quickly disbanded, but Effie stayed where she was as the earl and his son walked over. Poppit pressed herself against her legs as she petted her head.

‘Well, we are now in your hands, young lady,’ the earl said. ‘Can you lead us to the fork-tailed petrels?’

‘Aye, sir. Or to the Fairy House. Whenever you’re ready.’

‘I’m not sure this is entirely regular, Your Lordship,’ the factor said, stepping in.

‘Why not?’ the earl asked briskly. ‘She’s proved she’s equal to the men in her abilities. And she has personally sighted one of the very birds I’ve come here to spot.’