Kidnapped in Dunvegan

4

After a nice long shower and having rushed past the door of the adjacent room that was still open, I changed into a pair of faded jeans and a plain white t-shirt the following morning. I didn't see any reason why I should wear elegant business clothing. I may have been in what was without doubt an extremely elegant house – if you ignored the sex parties – but this house would be my home for the time being and I preferred to wear comfortable clothing at home. I didn't put much effort into my hair either. I just tied it together by braiding it. Who did I actually want to impress here? A host who arranged masked balls to provide his friends with bed bunnies?

I followed the smell of coffee into the kitchen, which was downstairs right next to the front door. Shocked and embarrassed, I remained standing in the doorway. I felt ashamed and started to feel breathless when I saw the two blonde women sitting at the large dining table, which was at the center of the modern white kitchen. The blonde girls looked at me in bewilderment when I didn't say hello or approach them. They didn't know what I had seen. If they had known, then they would most definitely be just as embarrassed as I was.

"Ms Sand, please take a seat," requested the housekeeper. She looked at me fleetingly and gave me a motherly smile, but somehow I got the feeling that her friendliness was just superficial. When she turned away, I noticed how she had a frown on her face and pressed her lips firmly together. I pulled one of the six chairs from the table and sat opposite the two women. They gave me a brief look and then returned to their excited chatter.

I was able to infer from their conservation that they wanted to extend their stay in Dunvegan by a few days before ending their round trip on the Isle of Skype and travelling on to Glasgow.

"You haven't fallen in love with him, have you?", said the woman with short hair and she gave her friend a serious look. She shook her head, but the uncertain look clearly showed that she wasn't convinced of it herself.

I rolled my eyes in thought. This is exactly why I would never engage in this type of sexual liaison. I was far too scared that I might develop feelings for somebody and that it would not be reciprocated. I wouldn't want to do that to myself again. Even after more than six years, I was still fighting against the feeling of humiliation and the deep empty hole that was left inside me from Aidan's betrayal. This was the man who I gave everything to both physically and emotionally and who was supposed to be there for me and not to hurt me in such a way that made me unable to trust another man years later.

"Are you sure, Kathrin? Because if you do still have feelings for him, it might be best for us to leave immediately," interjected the short-haired lady.

The housekeeper mumbled and put a plate with poached eggs in front of each of us and poured coffee from a glass jug into our cups. I made out as if I was ignoring the conversation, but I was eagerly awaiting the response from Kathrin.

"I'm sure, Mel," she drawled and emphasized the name of her friend which acted as a warning. She gave me a speculative glance and I pretended as if there was nothing more important in front of me than my breakfast.

I chewed the delicious food and gave the housekeeper an appreciative nod. "Very good," I praised the eggs and poured milk into my coffee. I would have preferred tea, after all I was British, but maybe coffee was the drink of choice in Scotland. So I took the cup and had a sip.

"Ok fine, another two days," replied Mel and gave me another look. "Are you also on holiday here?", she now wanted to know from me.

"No, I'm here on business."

Both women lifted their eyebrows in amazement. "On business?"

"Yes, I shall be restoring the paintings," I said proudly.