Excerpt: The Bernera Claimant

'So, what's the plan for tomorrow, young Laird?'Josh reached for one of the pints that the younger man had just placed on the table and slid along the bench to make room for Cat as she sat down with her glass of red wine.

'Let him him get sat down before you start grilling him, and he might want to wait until Edgar gets here, save him saying it all twice!'

'It's all right Cat, I've already been to see Edgar, he's going to get the boat ready and we take it out in the morning and head south a bit until we're in more open water and then he's going to say a few words and I'll do the actual scattering. He is a minister after all, so it sort of seems right even if he didn't know my Dad well. I don't think I'd want anyone else doing it anyway. Neither of them were exactly great Christians and I don't think they believed in anything much, other than the value of money.'

'Hey, steady on... if they 'weren't great Christians' does that mean you are? You never let on that one...' Josh stopped talking as Cat dug him firmly in the ribs. 'What? He raised the subject, that makes it fair game!'

'That doesn't mean he wants to start talking about what he does and doesn't believe in the middle of the pub they day before he scatters his parents ashes, have some sensitivity will you?'

Justin laughed, 'Cat, it's Josh, he doesn't do sensitivity. You should know that better than anyone.'

Cat sighed, 'I know, but I can live in hope, can't I?'

Putting and arm round her and pulling her into a hug Josh kissed her on the head 'sorry love, not much chance of me changing now. Too set in my ways, old married fart that I am.'

'Yeah' smiled Cat, 'but if I'd known you were going to take is as an excuse for indulging all your worst personality traits I might not have said 'yes'. And anyway, you're getting ahead of yourself, we're not married yet... so watch your step.'