Happy Hour (A Romantic Comedy)

Chapter 16

But I've no time to dwell on these feelings as I have work to focus on.

This week I've taken a few days off from the gift shop duties and we're Skye-bound. So on Sunday morning I wake up feeling energised and ready to get on the road, keen to try and put a certain dude out of my mind for a couple of days. 

The Isle of Skye is roughly five hours drive from Glasgow so we're not going to drive all the way up there in one go . . . The idea of it is just exhausting, frankly. We've booked a cheap room in the Travelodge in Fort William for tonight, and will continue the trip north tomorrow morning. 

We're loading up the car with everything we need; Paige's numerous wardrobe changes, our laptops, my camera and other equipment, and I'm updating Paige on last night. Despite not particularly wanting to get myself dragged down in thinking about my reignited crush, I need to get it all out there so I can drive away with a clear head.

"Hmmm," is all Paige says when I've finished spiling my guts.

I stare at her, a broken woman from unburdening my feelings. "What?' I snap.

"He still likes you," she smiles.

"You think?" I ask doubtfully. I mean, yep there was definitely what felt like a bit of sexual tension there at the start when we were a bit unsure of each other at the start but after we cleared the air it felt like that had vanished. On his side anyway. 

Paige nods. "I'm sure of it. He liked you then and he likes you now."

Like I've said before, Paige has the optimistic outlook of a young me. An extremely unrealistic outlook, I might add.

I shake my head. "Nah. Anyway, I want to just get him out of my head for a few days.  I need to get over this crush again ASAP."

Paige just grins mysteriously. 

I could cheerfully punch her.

Car-loading and story-telling over with, we set off, armed with the trusty road-trip Spotify playlist Paige and I have painstakingly cultivated over the last year or so. We always put it on shuffle so we never know what the hell we're going to get out of the 500 plus songs already on there. It might be early noughties r&b, nineties britpop, nu-metal, a random track from a musical . . . The options are endless.

On this occasion the first track up is Faith No More's "Epic" which is, in both our opinions, an epic choice for a road trip. An open-your-windows-and-belt-out-the-chorus-at-the-top-of-your-lungs type of song. Perfect. Shuffle seems to be favouring the rock type tunes for the first half of our journey and by the time we reach Loch Tulla we have sore throats from screaming along to Metallica, Linkin Park and Guns 'n' Roses, amongst others. It's almost a relief when a Destiny's Child track pops up and we can preserve our voices a bit and let Beyonce take over.

We're actually visiting Glen Coe the following week so we don't pause as we pass through it on the way to Fort William. It's just such an immense view though, mountains looming up at the side of the road. It always takes my breath away.  In my opinion you just can't beat Scotland for the views we have but I may be a tad biased.

When we reach Fort William we keep driving for a couple of miles to take in the shipwreck at Corpach. The view of Ben Nevis (the highest mountain in Scotland and indeed the UK, if you weren't aware) from this spot is absolutely incredible and makes for some stunning photos. Paige of course frocks up for some dramatic poses and we spend the best part of half an hour shooting footage.

"Let's get one of you in a fancy dress," Paige giggles at one point, and I shake my head. I'm always too self conscious to be the one in the shot, let alone dressed up to the nines at the same time!

"Oh come on!" She coaxes but I refuse. It's just not me. 

She lets me away with it but warns "I'll get you posing in a pretty dress by the end of this trip."

Hmmm. We'll see.

We eat at an Indian restaurant in the town that evening (the Bengal paneer starter is one of my favourites) followed by a couple of cheap drinks in the Wetherspoons under the Travelodge and decide to have an early night. Driving long distances always drains me a little although I do love it despite this. 

We're up nice and early the following day as a result and I'm excited about the trip up to Skye. Honestly, the road up to the Skye Bridge is full of absolutely stunning views; if you've never visited, you really must. Lochs and mountains compete for attention, the occasional deer or wild goat pop up at the side of the road. We pause a few times to get some shots, or just inhale some fresh mountain air. Eilean Donan Castle hoves into view not too long before the bridge and of course we need to get some photos of that. It's one of the most photographed sights in Scotland, and for good reason. Once again, it's perfect for Paige to strike a pose in yet another dress.

And before we know it we've crossed the bridge to Skye. I love islands and ferries but Skye is probably my favourite due to how damn accessible it is. One minute you're on the mainland, a quick bridge crossing later and island life awaits.

We head to the pretty town of Portree with only a few random pauses en route, intending to have a quiet afternoon and evening, as we know we have an intense day and a half of travelling and photos again. After eating dinner in the hotel, we retire to our bedroom so we can get some social media stuff done. I type up a blog about the Corpach Wreck and a few other Fort William sights, while Paige edits photos for insta. 

After I've hit publish on my post, I change into my pjs and pour myself a big glass of wine before plonking myself back on my single bed. Paige has given up on Instagram for now and is dropping off in front of the TV, her eyelids fluttering as she murmurs something about posing being exhausting.

I pick up my phone, posting a photo of the Corpach boat on Instagram so I can link it up to my most recent blog post. Once I've done this, I decide, I'll spend a little bit of time browsing the app before I properly relax for the night. 

I can't help but click onto that mysterious anonymous account I've been obsessing over. There's still no new photos, of course. I'm about to click out when I remember the tagged photos again and choose that option.

Pay dirt.

A new photo has appeared, featuring a small blonde toddler… and a handsome guy crouching down to her level to hold her hand as they smile at each other.

I'm pretty sure I recognise that little girl. 

But I definitely recognise Chris.