Flora’s cheeks flushed a deep pink. ‘Sssh. You didn’t see that,’ she said quickly, rearranging the shawl so that the brooch was hidden in the folds.

‘Of course I didn’t,’ Effie murmured, watching her friend with a mix of jealousy, intrigue and concern. ‘I’ve missed you too. I don’t know why you had to volunteer to spend the summer over the other side – especially when you know you’re leaving.’

‘Mhairi needs me.’

‘I need you! Mhairi’s got sisters who could have gone with her.’

‘But they’re too wee. You could have come too, you know,’ Flora suggested.

‘You know I’ve got Da and the bull to look after.’

Flora shrugged. She was used to being fought over. ‘What did Mathieson want, anyway?’

‘Oh.’ Her shoulders slumped. ‘He came to tell me I’m no longer needed as a guide for the visitors now the men are back. He’s going to do it now.’

‘Of course he is. He’s such a hideous snob,’ Flora muttered, her eyes narrowed upon the haze beginning to blur the horizon. ‘There’s another storm coming.’

But Effie didn’t hear; she was distracted. They were walking by the back of the factor’s house now. The dyke curved in at this far end of the village, herding them closer to its curtilage, and Effie glanced at the back bedroom windows as they passed but they stared back like dark eyes, revealing nothing. Flora looked back at her, catching Effie’s inquisitive stare at the impassive building. ‘. . . It’ll mean the visitors will have to haul anchor if they want to get ahead of it.’

This time the words registered and Effie stiffened before she could stop herself. Flora must have felt it; their arms were looped together tightly. ‘Why didn’t you mention the young visitor’s fine-looking?’ Flora winked, squeezing her arm tighter and giving her a crafty grin.

‘Who told you that?’

‘Lorna.’

Effie rolled her eyes. Who else?

‘Well? Is he fine-looking?’

‘He’s fine enough,’ she said lightly, but she couldn’t keep the light shining from her eyes. Flora gave a squeal of delight.

‘Have you taken a fancy to him?’ she gasped.

‘Flora, he’s a laird!’

‘A lass can look, can’t she?’ Flora laughed. ‘Ooh, I never thought I’d see the like! Finally the seal around Effie Gillies’s heart is broken! Wait till my brothers hear!’

‘They’ll hear nothing of the sort,’ Effie said quickly. ‘Don’t start putting talk about. You know what Father’s like.’

‘I don’t know what you’re so worried about. A girl’s perfectly safe flirting with a man she knows can never marry her, especially the son of an earl. It’s the men who can marry you that you should be wary of.’

‘You, maybe. They’re hardly lining up for me.’