Page 44 of Closer than Ever

“Maybe the women were treated like queens. Wouldn’t that have been nice?”

“Unlikely.”

“You’ve got to admit, though, living in a castle must have been better than living in a croft or something.”

“Maybe. I just find it so suffocating, and we are only here for a couple of hours. Imagine spending your whole life here.”

“I don’t think you would have enjoyed the fourteenth century much.”

Hayley laughed. “Yeah, you’re probably right.”

“I thought you couldn’t wait to see this place.”

“Oh, I’m finding it absolutely fascinating. All I’ve seen for the last god knows how many years are skyscrapers, high-rises and neon lighting. I’ve never seen such a beautiful structure, and in this amazing landscape it’s perfect. I just like to apply some critical thinking to what it is I’m being presented with. I’m like this all the time. I don’t just take things at face value, I guess.”

“You used to talk like this back in the day, now that I think about it. It’s a good way to be. You come out with such random things. I love that about you.”

Hayley found Anna’s eyes and held them.

Anna felt like she was being cross-examined. She shifted her weight onto her other foot. “What?”

“Nothing.” Hayley shook her head. “Sorry.” Hayley wandered away towards the information point by the opposite corner.

Anna followed, completely glued to her. The urge to cling to her was so strong. There was just something about her that turned Anna into a pining teenager. She had no control over it, really. She stood beside her free-thinking friend as Hayley studied the information about how the castle defended itself from its many attacks. They drifted back inside again. It was even darker inside the main building after having been outside.

Hayley came to a stop beside a stuffed stag’s head and shook her head. “Poor animal.”

“I know. It’s barbaric.”

They exited towards the visitor centre and did some shopping in the gift shop. Anna followed Hayley around like a loyal puppy, not particularly interested in the items for sale, enjoying how engrossed Hayley was in everything.

“Look here,” Hayley said, holding up a fridge magnet featuring the castle. “To remind us of this day. It can go on our little powerhouse fridge in the van.”

“If you want.”

“And how about this calendar? We can hang it up beside the table and put in stuff about the trip. Visualise the plans.”

“Now you’re talking.”

Hayley carefully selected a bunch of postcards of the castle and a pretty notebook and paid at the counter. Anna hung back, unable to take her eyes off her.

“They make it seem very exciting in here,” Hayley said, carrying her gift bag as they exited the gift shop. “But I think the view of the castle as you drive up to it is the best bit. Far more dramatic.”

“I don’t know. I liked coming in. It’s like stepping back into the past.”

“True.”

“Want to get lunch in the café?”

“Now that is a brilliant idea.”

***

Anna had always liked driving. It gave her focus and control. The campervan was proving to be an excellent acquisition and was handling the miles they were spinning through well. For such a large vehicle, it was easy to handle. They’d been driving through rugged scenery and all sorts of roads both narrow and winding and long and straight. Anna had taken to doing most of the driving while Hayley navigated. It was working well.

After a morning touring along the very top of the country, known as the North Coast 500, they stopped at a café on a peninsula with an outdoor seating area featuring spectacular views out to sea. The café was packed full. It was a key pit stop on the route. They took their coffees and cakes outside but there were no seats.

Anna frowned. “Should we go back to the van?”

---