to have a think.
What the hell was he doing? This was really stupid – perhaps Tess was right, he needed help. But in the meantime…
He gave a big sigh, started the engine and turned back towards Manchester.
This, he knew, was going to be a big test of his negotiations skills. But it was worth a go.
Chapter Sixteen
Saturday Evening
‘We’re lost aren’t we?’
‘Might be.’
‘Lost even though you have a Sat Nav?’
‘An old, cheap one with only four digits for the postcode.’
‘So?’
‘Well four digits in Manchester gets you within half a street, which is usually near enough. Here four digits out here covers about 30 square miles!’
‘Ah.’
“Out here” was the west coast of Scotland. Somewhere near Oban. Somewhere near the Oban Diver’s camp site.
Hopefully.
‘So what now?’
The SatNav had brought them south of Oban, off the main road, through a small village and a long way along a progressively narrower single track road that, according to Dan’s road atlas, ended in a tiny village set on a peninsular.
They were still a good five miles short of there. The SatNav had confidently announced that they were approaching and then was at their destination. In fact they were at an entrance to a track that the road atlas showed led to an isolated loch.
‘So, back to Oban and start again?’
‘Back to Oban and start again,’ agreed Dan.
The light was fading as Dan finally abandoned technology and followed his instincts. One lucky guess in the centre of town as they passed the busy harbour that was dominated by the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry terminal and there, amazingly, was a signpost to the campsite.
The road took them south out of the town via a rather ugly industrial estate. Suddenly the town was left behind them and the scenery opened up. They were on another narrow hilly road, complete with passing places. Less than a mile out of town and they could have been 50 miles away from civilisation, the road having swung around the side of a hill so that the town itself was invisible. A further mile and they came to a fork in the road; the right was signed to the diving school, the left to the camp site.
The site itself was small but neat, the site reception being a little chalet sitting next to a log timber toilet block. A stream bisected the site; on either side of the stream were hard standings for caravans and motor homes with water and power hook ups. Tents of various sizes, shapes and colours were on the broad grassy borders by the entrance with some more on a ridge that the site road looped up to.
Dan left the car and went to book in.
‘Well lad, tha can go up t’ridge or else there’s a nice area by entrance,’ said the jovial bearded man on reception who Dan thought could have a winter career in grottos, ‘it’s up t’you. We aint busy.’
‘Thanks, I’ll have a drive round and have a look,’ said Dan, ‘You’re not local are you?’
‘Nay lad, Yorkshire born and bred. Anyway, hope you have a good night.’
‘Cheers, thanks.’
Dan came out of the chalet and had a look around. There were quite a few other tents by the entrance; he would prefer to be away from other people if possible. The ridge would probably be the better bet then. In any case, there should be a great view down across the water, ideal for sunsets.
He got back in the car and smiled at his companion.
‘Onwards and upwards,’ he said, pointing at the ridge, ‘Let’s try up there.’
The lane up was not tarmacked and was steep and the Skoda’s wheels scrabbled for grip like a puppy scrambling up a sand dune but it was worth it when they reached the top. There was a flat area at the top and the view down the sea loch was, indeed, stunning. There was only one other tent there, pitched on one side of the parking area. Dan went to the opposite side.
The sun was setting, bathing the hills in gold. The air was startlingly clear; light grey, wispy clouds were fringed with red and orange as the sky turned eggshell shades.
‘I should have been ready with my camera,’ said Dan, ‘It’s important to take advantage when you can on the west coast. It can easily rain for a week.’
‘Well it was worth the drive already just to see that. I’m glad you persuaded me to come.’
He smiled. ‘My pleasure, Tess.’
The negotiations had been easier than he expected.
He had just apologised really,