there. I wouldn’t recommend looking at it. It’s in a similar state to the kitchen.”
“I’ll pass,” she said.
“The new bathroom should arrive about the same time as the kitchen.”
“How long do you think it’s going to take you to get everything done?”
“Probably about twenty years,” he said jokily before his features turned serious. “I’m hoping six months, but I suspect that’s optimistic.”
“You sleep at the back?” she asked as they took steps towards the final door.
“It’s got the best view.”
Lexie was surprised when he opened the door to the light and airy room. There was no peeling wallpaper. A vague smell of paint hung in the air and the walls were bright white. The decor was minimal with a desk against the wall opposite the bed. A bedside table nestled beside the bed with a reading lamp.
“That’s nice,” Lexie said, not sure whether it was appropriate to venture further into his bedroom.
“The view from that window is what sold the house to me.”
She took that as an invitation to go in. “It’s very familiar,” she said, standing in the large bay window.
“Oh, yeah.” Nick chuckled. “You have the same view from your bedroom.”
Lexie gazed out at the darkening skies over the loch. “If you’re up early, there’s an otter that likes to play on the rocks in the mornings.”
“I’ve seen it a few times,” Nick said, his eyes lighting up. “The birdlife is amazing too.”
“Lots of gulls,” she said with a teasing lilt.
“Yes,” he said cheerily.
“You made this room nice.”
“My plan was to start on the living room and the bedroom. The smell doesn’t reach up here so I tend to spend most of my time upstairs.”
“It’s coming from the kitchen,” she said. “Maybe there’s a dead body under the floor or in the walls.”
Nick’s eyes widened. “Don’t say that. Knowing my luck it’ll end up being true.” He ran the back of his hand across his forehead. “You’ll also give me nightmares.”
“Sorry. It’s probably the plumbing or something.”
“I hope not. So far plumbing is on my short list of things that aren’t broken. Logan’s going to help me rip out the old kitchen units when the skip arrives this week. They’re really grotty. I’m hoping the smell will leave with them.”
“Fingers crossed.” Lexie drained her beer. “I should get going.”
“Are you still working at the activity centre at the weekends or just the pub?”
“Activity centre,” she said as they descended the stairs. “There’s a kids’ adventure session on Sunday afternoon so that should keep me busy. Hopefully there are some tour groups booked in tomorrow.”
“I might get out on a kayak when I get sick of this place.”
She turned her nose up as the smell intensified in the kitchen. “The air is nice and fresh out on the loch,” she said, then wished him goodnight and set off for the comfort of her bed.
Chapter Seven
Lexie was busy cleaning the cabins on Sunday when Nick called out to her. She looked up from sweeping leaves off the patio and shouted hello.
“Escaping the stench?”
“I need a break from the place,” he called back. “I’m going to take a kayak and bob around on the water for a bit. Hopefully it will be a bit of stress relief.”
“Nice day for it.” She glanced at the blue skies. “After an afternoon with a bunch of rowdy kids I’ll probably be in need of stress relief later too.”
The adventure afternoons for eight to twelve-year-olds were always a hit during the summer. In the autumn they ran every second Sunday, then stopped altogether in the winter. Lexie had a bit of a love-hate relationship with the kids’ sessions. Mostly, it depended on the particular group and the mood the kids were in. Sometimes it was good fun and the time went fast, and other times it was a serious test of her patience.
“See you later,” Nick called as he continued on his way. Lexie was slightly envious of him – she wouldn’t mind an aimless paddle around the loch herself.
A couple of hours later she pulled the cleaning cart back to the activity centre, putting the cleaning supplies away before wandering inside the main part of the building. The office door was slightly ajar and she knocked lightly as she pushed it further.
Tim beckoned her in with his phone against his ear. Damian sat perched on the edge of the desk.
“Everything okay?” Lexie asked as Tim moved the phone from his ear and let out a low groan.
“Lisa called in sick,” Damian told her. “And