Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered by Kerry Barrett Page B

but really we could manage without his help, but Suky was already climbing out of our car and into the passenger seat of the Range Rover.
    I let the bonnet close with a crash, and climbed in too. It was an enormous car with shiny leather seats. Maybe the rumours were true and Brent really was a millionaire.
    I didn’t have long to wait to find out. As we headed towards Inverness, Suky quizzed our driver about what he was doing in Claddach.
    ‘I just needed a break, I guess,’ he told her. ‘My mom’s family were all from Scotland and I wanted to come see it.’
    ‘Do you like it?’ Suky asked.
    ‘I love it.’ From the back seat, I sighed. Of course he loved it. He loved everything. ‘It’s nothing like I’d expected, but I love it. I’m actually thinking about getting a place here so I can come back whenever I want.’
    ‘Goodness,’ said Suky. ‘Your work must be flexible?’
    I smiled to myself. Good old Suky, fishing for information.
    ‘I work for myself,’ Brent said. ‘Which way from here?’
    Suky directed him towards the hospital, but wouldn’t be put off from finding out more.
    ‘What line of work are you in?’
    Brent smiled at her. ‘A bit of this, bit of that,’ he said. ‘I did have my own company but I sold it and that gave me the freedom to pursue some other interests.’
    ‘It’s the next entrance,’ Suky said. Brent pulled the car into the hospital grounds. ‘What other interests?’
    Brent drove neatly into a parking space and turned off the engine before he answered.
    ‘Politics, mainly,’ he said. ‘I act as a consultant on some aspects of policy.’
    Despite myself I was impressed. My knowledge of American politics came, I had to admit, mostly from one seminar at university and The West Wing , but I found itfascinating. I resolved to talk to Brent about his job another time.
    I jumped down from the Range Rover’s high back door and helped Suky out. Then I turned to face Brent.
    ‘Thank you,’ I said.
    ‘No problem.’ He kissed Suky on the cheek and she flushed like a schoolgirl. ‘Good luck with everything. What time shall I come get you?’
    ‘Oh we can get a taxi,’ I said. But Brent wouldn’t hear of it.
    ‘It’s no trouble,’ he said. ‘I’m going to wander round Inverness and I’ll get you later. Give me your phone.’
    Meekly, I handed it over. He rang his phone from mine, then cancelled the call.
    ‘Now you have my number,’ he said. ‘Call me when you’re through.’
    He got back into his car and turned the key.
    ‘See you later,’ he called through the window. And he drove away.
    Suky linked her arm through mine.
    ‘He’s a nice chap,’ she said as we walked into the hospital.
    ‘He seems to be,’ I said, still not convinced.
    ‘Oh Esme, you never like anyone at first,’ Suky said with a smile. She was right. I was naturally very suspicious of everyone’s motives and didn’t trust anyone when I first met them. ‘You should lighten up a bit.’
    I didn’t feel very much like lightening up as we walked into the oncology unit. It seemed so wrong that Suky was going there.
    Suky had gone quiet too, gazing out of the window at the gloomy views of dreich Inverness. I took her hand, squeezing it gently. She squeezed back.
    ‘Who’s your man, then?’ she said.
    Surprised, I let go of her hand.
    ‘Which man?’ I said casually. I hadn’t told any of my family about Dom – I knew they’d disapprove when they found out he was married and, to be quite honest, I was a little bit ashamed of myself already.
    Suky laughed.
    ‘The man you text all the time,’ she said. ‘The one who makes your face light up when he calls.’
    I’d been rumbled. Blushing, I tried to change the subject, but Suky wouldn’t give up.
    ‘Come on, Esme,’ she wheedled. ‘Tell your old auntie some gossip!’
    ‘Oh look!’ I sang, as a nurse came towards us. ‘They’re expecting you!’
    Suky gave me a sharp look.
    ‘I’m not giving up,’ she said, greeting