‘I never got around to arranging one,’ he said. ‘Maybe I’ll just buy a tent.’

‘In December?’

He might have told her that three months spent living rough in the frozen Hindu Kush of northern Afghanistan while hunting terrorist insurgents had been a far more punishing experience than anything the Scottish Highlands could offer. Winter warfare training above the Arctic Circle in Norway with the Royal Marines’ Mountain Leader Training Cadre hadn’t been exactly a walk in the park, either. He just said, ‘I’ve had worse.’

‘Bad news is there’s no camping supplies shop in Kinlochardaich. In fact there’s hardly anything much at all in Kinlochardaich. No hotel, not even a guesthouse.’

‘Looks like I’ll have to kip in the car, then.’

‘But I do happen to know that old Mrs Gunn’s empty cottage is still up for rent.’

‘Mrs Gunn?’

‘The village’s most senior resident. She seemed ancient even when I was a kid. Must be a million years old now, but still as sharp as a razor. She’ll be happy to let you have it for a few days. You might have to pay her for a week up front, though. She’s like that.’

Ben suspected that Grace Kirk was only helping him so that she could keep an eye on him, being the canny police officer she clearly was. But he was happy to play along for now. And sleeping in the car didn’t appeal much. Maybe he was getting old and too used to the soft life. Besides which, he could easily give Grace the slip anytime he wanted to. He replied, ‘Not a problem. How do I get there?’

‘Why don’t I drive you over there now and introduce you?’

‘My rental car’s over at Ewan’s place.’

‘It’s only the other end of the village. You can easily walk back and collect your car afterwards.’

They went outside into the snow and she led him to an old Land Rover that was parked a little way down the street. She noticed him smiling at it. ‘What did you expect me to drive, a little pink Fiat with eyelashes on the headlights?’

‘I like it.’

‘Boonzie liked it, too.’

They clambered inside. The doors slammed with a clang. Grace fired up the engine and lights, and flipped on the wipers to clear the snow from the windscreen. A feeble stream of cold air blew from the heater vents. Grace crunched the stick into gear and pulled out into the empty street.

As they drove through the village Ben asked, ‘So do you and your husband live here in Kinlochardaich?’

She looked at him with a blank expression.

Ben said, ‘Sorry, I thought … maybe I should say “partner”, but I hate that word. I saw you sitting together when I came into the pub.’

‘Lewis?’ She laughed. ‘Och, no. We’re not an item.’

‘My mistake.’