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young fellow.’ She fought down laughter. ‘He’s quite cut up at missing you tonight – he’s attending a meeting of the Municipal Officials’ Guild in Winton – and I’m to give you his best regrets.’ She went on before he could speak. ‘He’s fixed up a rare jaunt for us tomorrow. We’re to sail round the Kyles of Bute, stop for lunch at Gairsay, then back home.’
    He stared at her with a blank frown.
    â€˜But I can’t possibly come down again tomorrow.’
    â€˜No need to,’ she said calmly. ‘ Father says you’re to stay over with us. You can sleep with our Willie.’
    Still he frowned at her; then, gradually, his brow cleared. Never had he met such simple, open-hearted people. He had no out-patients at the Infirmary tomorrow, and surely would not lose much by missing just one day’s work. Besides, Sunday in Winton was an unspeakable day which he had always loathed.
    â€˜You’ll come?’ she queried.
    â€˜With pleasure. And now I must mend the bike.’
    â€˜It’s in the left luggage. Dougal put it there out of the way.’
    For the next hour he worked, fitting the new belt, which had to be cut and riveted. She came in occasionally to watch, not saying anything, just watching companionably. When he had finished he wheeled out the machine and started it up.
    â€˜How about a spin?’
    She looked at him doubtfully, a hand on her ear against the frantic blast of the exhaust.
    â€˜It’s quite safe,’ he reassured her. ‘You just sit on the carrier and hold tight.’
    â€˜I can’t get away till the four-thirty comes in. But afterwards, maybe you could take me home. I could ring up Father from the booking office and spare him coming out.’
    â€˜That’s settled then,’ he said gaily.
    An unusual mood of lightheartedness took possession of him. Whether due to his escape from work, or the fresh green country-side, he felt lifted up, as though breathing a rarer, brighter air. Until she should be free, and to test the machine, he took a fast run over the hill to Tulliehewan. When he returned, she was all ready to leave. Since Darkie must stay behind she had set out a saucer of milk for his supper.
    â€˜So this is where I get on,’ she said, perching side-saddle on the carrier.
    â€˜You can’t sit like that. You’ll fall off. You must sit astride.’
    She hesitated, then swung one leg across, modestly, yet so inexpertly that before he averted his eyes a sweet prospect was momentarily revealed to him. Blushing, she said:
    â€˜I’m not quite up to it yet.’
    â€˜You’re doing famously.’
    Quickly he got into the saddle and set off. At first he went slowly, carefully avoiding the bumps, then, as he felt her gain confidence, he opened the throttle. They tore along, over the moors, the wind whistling past their ears. Her arms were clasped round his waist, her head, turned sideways, was pressed against his, shoulder.
    â€˜Are you all right?’ he shouted.
    â€˜Fine,’ she called back.
    â€˜Enjoying it?’
    â€˜It’s … it’s glorious. I’ve never gone so fast in all my life.’
    They were doing at least thirty miles an hour.
    When he pulled up at the shop in Ardfillan her cheeks were glowing, her hair blown and burnished by the breeze.
    â€˜What a treat.’ She laughed into his eyes, swaying a trifle unsteadily, still drunk with speed. ‘ Come on up. I must run and tidy. I’m sure I’m a perfect sight.’
    His welcome by the baker was cordial, and by Willie even more enthusiastic than before. The aunt, however, seemed to accept him with fresh reservations, her eye speculative, at times tending coldly towards suspicion – though he softened her later by listening attentively to her symptoms and suggesting a cordial that might help her shortness of breath. The meal she set before them was macaroni