Secrets at the Loch (Loch Lannick #5) - Hannah Ellis Page 0,41

loch from the bunkhouse. She always found it calming to be able to look out at the water. When she called the owner of the apartment, the woman said she could come straight over. It was only a few minutes away in the car.

“What a bit of luck!” the woman said when she answered the door. She was tall and thin, with large round glasses and frizzy blonde hair. “I had a couple booked to stay for the week but they cancelled yesterday. They didn’t say why, but the woman didn’t sound too happy on the phone. I think maybe the relationship is no more. My guess is that he cheated but I suppose I’ll never know. Oh, I am sorry.” She stood to the side. “Come on in and I’ll show you around. I’m Daphne. Did you say you’re on your own?”

“Yes.” Lexie forced a smile as she stepped into the hallway and waited for the woman to unlock the door to the left. “It’s just me.”

“What a shame,” Daphne said. “Pretty young thing like you.”

Lexie blinked rapidly. “What?” she asked in a tone that made it clear she was less than impressed by the remark.

“Are you getting over a break-up?” Daphne asked, holding the door open. Apparently she didn’t even realise she’d caused offence.

“No,” Lexie said, taking in the sparse living room. “I’m on my way to visit my grandad. I’ve never really spent any time in Fort William. I usually just pass straight through.”

“Well, there’s plenty to do. More than you’d think for such a small town. We’ve a lot of history to explore in the museum. And, of course, there’s Ben Nevis. You can’t really stay in the shadow of the UK’s highest peak and not be inspired to do some hiking. Are you planning on going up the mountain?”

Lexie stifled a laugh. “No. I won’t be doing any mountain climbing.”

“You don’t need any special equipment or anything. Just follow the path up. It’s challenging, but worth it. You wouldn’t want to go all the way to the summit at this time of year, but even getting to the halfway point is worthwhile.”

Lexie smiled benignly. Hiking up mountains really wasn’t on the agenda. She moved to the bay window and looked out. A small front garden sat between the house and the road. Beyond the road was the rocky shore, which fell away to the calm waters of the loch. A flock of seagulls perched on the dark rocks, squawking regularly. Except they weren’t really seagulls. Lexie thought of Nick as she wondered what kind of gulls they were. These were dappled with grey so they weren’t yellow-legged gulls. She knew that much. “It’s a great view,” she remarked, dragging her thoughts from Nick.

“The kitchen’s through here.” Daphne opened the door off the living room to reveal a small kitchen with just enough space for a table and two chairs. “The bedroom and bathroom are at the back.” She pointed across the living room. “The bed’s made up, and there are towels and extra blankets in the cupboard. I think you’ll find everything you need.”

“Thank you,” Lexie said.

“You have to cater for yourself, of course,” Daphne said. “I don’t do breakfast or anything.”

“Neither do I,” Lexie said with a rueful smile.

Daphne let out an odd little laugh. “I don’t mean I don’t eat breakfast. A nutritious breakfast is so important to good health. I only meant I don’t offer it as a service.”

“I don’t either,” Lexie said, causing Daphne to look completely perplexed. “I’ll only be staying one night, anyway,” she added quickly.

Daphne sighed and dropped her hands to her hips. “I’m afraid the minimum stay is two nights. It states it very clearly on my website.”

“I didn’t see that.” Lexie wished she’d opted to pay more and book into a hotel. But she couldn’t be bothered to start her search again. “I guess I’ll stay two nights then.”

“You’ll need to anyway if you want to have a proper look around the area.”

Lexie was sure she’d seen most of the town on her walk, but she didn’t like to mention that for fear it would keep Daphne talking even longer.

“I live just upstairs,” Daphne said. “So if you need something just give me a knock.”

“That’s convenient,” Lexie said as she walked to the door with Daphne.

“I converted the house ten years ago.” She paused in the hallway. “My husband left me. Went off with my best friend, would you believe? Still feels like yesterday. But I