Collision

  Ben looked at her.

  “Oh… Yes of course,” said Elle. What other response could she give without giving the game away?

  Stuart showed them into the study and left them there.

  “Ben what do we do now?” said Elle.

  “Get changed,” said Ben. He turned his back to her and started to slip out of his leathers.

  Elle turned her back to him and started to climb out of her leathers. She immediately regretted her choice of underwear for the day: a thong and an almost see-through lace bra. But Ben seeing her in her underwear was the least of her worries now. “I mean, about the cabin?”

  “I don’t know. It was your idea for me to tell them you were my girlfriend. I’m sure we can work something out. I’ll sleep on the floor or something.”

  They finished dressing and returned to the lounge. Stuart offered them a drink. “Would you like a wee dram of malt to warm you up before dinner,” said Stuart.

  It was pointless saying ’no’. Stuart was already pouring the whisky, so they both nodded ‘yes’.

  “I love your cottage, Olga,” said Elle. “How old is it?”

  “It was a hunting lodge my dear, and it dates back to the days of Robert the Bruce. We like it: no neighbours and just the Loch a few hundred metres away. I’ve always liked solitude and privacy, and this gives us that in abundance. There are some wonderful trails to walk around the Loch. If you have time, you should take Ben for a hike around the Loch.”

  “What you mean like Loch Ness?” said Elle.

  “Sort off, but without Nessie of course. And this Loch is a lot smaller; tiny by comparison. But that means we don’t get many tourists.”

  A young woman with platted blonde hair came down the stairs and into the room.

  “Hi, I’m Kirsty, please to meet you,” she said, as she kissed Elle on the cheek. “And you, Uncle Ben,” said Kirsty as she kissed Ben on the cheek.

  “Uncle?” said Elle.

  “Oh just a private joke,” said Kirsty. “We’ve known each other since I was nine. He’s practically part of family; isn’t he dad?”

  “That’s right,” said Stuart.

  “Kirsty is just seventeen years old,” said Olga to Elle. “She’s going to Art College next year. Art — would you believe it? Two parents are scientists and she wants to paint.”

  “There’s nothing wrong with that; if it’s your passion,” said Elle.

  “It is,” said Kirsty. “Would you like to see my work later?”

  “I’d love to,” said Elle.

  “And Kirsty has an unusual pastime,” said Ben, smiling at Kirsty as if everyone knew but Elle.

  Stuart returned and handed each of them a glass with a generous measure of whisky.

  “Unusual pastime?” said Elle to Kirsty.

  “Cheers, everyone,” said Stuart, interrupting them.

  “Cheers,” Elle and Ben repeated

  “We can talk about that later if you want,” whispered Kirsty into Elle’s ear.

  And so the night went on with small talk, drinking and eating. After dinner, Elle was taken off to see Kirsty’s paintings, and Ben and Stuart headed for the study to finish off the malt.

  Elle followed Kirsty up the stairs to the converted loft that was Kirsty’s studio. As Elle entered the studio, she could almost taste the smell of paint and turpentine in the room. She looked up and noticed the large skylight in the roof: a doorway to the stars in the night sky. They seemed so close and so friendly. Kirsty switched on the light, and Elle could see it was a large studio covering the whole of the roof space of the house. As they walked into the centre of the room, their footsteps echoed on the uncarpeted floor. The room was equipped with two easels and various palettes of paint, two cameras on tripods, three large camera lights and a long free-standing mirror. Various canvases were positioned leaning against the walls of the room.

  “This is my studio,” said Kirsty. “I love to paint here; and these are all my paintings.”

  Elle walked down the side of the wall looking at the paintings.

  Kirsty saw her looking at one, in particular, and picked it up to show her. “This I painted down by the cabin on the banks of the Loch.”

  Elle looked at it. It was a beautiful scene showing the view across the Loch on a brilliant summer’s day.

  “Oh my, it’s beautiful,” said Elle. “You’re really talented. I love this scene. You say it’s nearby?”

  “Don’t worry you’ll see it from the cabin. But you won’t see it in its true beauty until the morning.”

  “What’s the cabin?” said Elle.

  “Oh it’s a log cabin converted from an old boat house. It’s got everything you’ll need down there. You’ll absolutely love it,” said Kirsty. “It’s so quiet down there; so close to nature.”

  “I’m looking forward to it,” said Elle. Elle’s mind was beginning to whirl with questions that she wanted to ask about the cabin. But how could she raise them without giving the game away that she was not Ben’s girlfriend.

  “What’s this?” said Elle, pointing to a painting on the easel, half covered by a cloth. “Is this what you’re currently working on?” Elle removed the cloth. It was beautiful nude of a young woman standing waist deep in the water of the Loch.

  “Oh,” said Kirsty. “That’s not finished yet.”

  Elle looked at it again. “It’s you isn’t it. It’s a self-portrait.”

  “Yes, you’re right,” she said, looking nervously at her hands.

  “But it’s beautiful, Kirsty; you don’t need to hide it. It’s really beautiful.”

  “Thanks. I was concerned you would think I was a bit weird. I have to study the nude form in my art class, and I didn’t have a model.”

  “So how did you do it?”

  “Oh, the background I painted down at the Loch. Then I used a mirror over there and some photos I took of myself to finish off the painting,” she said. “It’s not brilliant, but it was the best I could do in the circumstances.”

  “You’re joking. It’s fantastic. But why the Loch? It’s not as though anyone would go swimming down there, would they?”

  Kirsty was quiet for a moment.

  “Actually I do, most mornings in summer months, weather permitting.”

  “But not like that?” said Elle, expecting her to say ‘no’. But from Kirsty’s silence, and the smile on her face, it was clear that she did.

  “Oh,” said Elle. “Is there something I’ve missed here?”

  “You wanted to know about my unusual pastime; well, I suppose it’s time I told you. I like to skinny dip and sun bathe au naturel.”

  “Oh,” said Elle. “You mean you’re a nudist?”

  “Naturist, please. I’m not some kind of exhibitionist. I just like to be closer to nature.”

  “Undressed?”

  “It’s the natural way.”

  “Aren’t you afraid you’ll be seen down there?”

  “No. We don’t have any neighbours, and mum and dad don’t mind what I wear when there’s no one else around. You’re shocked?”

  Elle paused to think. “No; I just don’t understand it.”

  “To understand you need to try it.”

  “I wish I could. But I couldn’t do that.”

  “Why?”

  “I don’t like being seen undressed. At my girl’s school, we had communal showers. Whenever we had sports, I would feel sick about using them.”

  “Why?”

  “I was the flat-chested beanpole with braces that the other girls made fun of.”

  “But you’re all grown up now and you’re not exactly unattractive.”

  “Thanks… but I still feel awkward about it… Don’t your parents have any concerns about you being a naturist?”

  “My mum’s always been relaxed about nudity. My dad doesn’t mind what I do, provided it’s in a safe environment. You know: with family and friends.”

  “So this is what you and Ben were talking about earlier.”

&
nbsp; “Ben knows I’m a naturist, and he doesn’t seem to mind what I wear.”

  “I bet he doesn’t. I don’t think any man would.”

  Kirsty frowned at her. “It’s not about sex or about how you look. It’s about being yourself and letting your body breathe the way it was designed to operate. You wouldn’t take a shower in a bikini would you? So why would you want to swim in one? And if the weather’s too hot and you’re sweaty, why would you not want your body to breathe naturally the way it was designed to work?”

  “I can see a kind of logic there,” said Elle.

  Elle stared at the picture.

  “What’s it like?” said Elle.

  “You have to try it to understand how it feels. It feels like freedom; you feel part of nature rather than simply observing it from the outside. It’s so peaceful so relaxing.”

  Kirsty’s eyes seem to light up with enthusiasm as she described her pastime.

  “You make it sound like fun,” said Elle.

  “Would you like to try it?” said Kirsty.

  “I’m not sure,” said Elle.

  “It’s just dad and Ben are away fishing tomorrow, and we will be all on our own.”

  Elle didn’t want to disappoint her. She seemed so enthusiastic.

  “It would be just you and me; just girls together,” said Kirsty.

  Elle didn’t know how to respond.

  “I’m sorry I shouldn’t pressurise you,” said Kirsty

  “Let me think about it,” said Elle.

  “Perhaps we could just go hiking instead? I could show you the mountain trails around here.”

  “That sounds great,” said Elle, relieved that she found a way to escape. “I would love that.”

  “Good then I’ll come and get you tomorrow after breakfast… It’s late now. We had better see what Ben and dad are up to,” said Kirsty.

  Stuart poured Ben out a generous glass of malt whisky and poured himself one too.

  “She’s a lovely lady, Ben. How long have you been together?”

  “Not so long.”

  “You’re smitten by her, I can tell.”

  “I like her a lot.”

  “Tonight you could hardly take your eyes off her.”

  Ben took a deep breath. It was hard keeping up the pretence with his old friend.

  “But, it’s not really reciprocated.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Elle’s a friend; a very good friend. But we’re not a couple as such. I wanted to bring her here to help her. She’s a complete workaholic, and I thought, if I get her away for a few days, perhaps she would relax and chill out. I hope you don’t mind.”

  “Mind? Of course, I don’t mind. Any friend of yours is welcome here.”

  Stuart poured them another glass of malt.

  “Please don’t tell her you know.”

  “No of course not. But what about sleeping arrangements? You’ll be down in the cabin together.”

  Ben paused to think. “As long as I can find a blanket in the cabin, I’m sure it will be all right.”

  “You never know; romance might grow. The mountain air here can be a powerful aphrodisiac.”

  Ben shook his head. ”I don’t think so.”

  “Oh well… so how are you getting on at the university?”

  “Not going well at all. I had this blazing row with the university Treasurer over the funding of my research. I can’t see myself staying there much longer. I’m beginning to think that the pays a lot better in the City. You know they pay a fortune for risk managers with Physics PhDs.”

  “But you’re an academic, not a city banker.”

  “I’ve got an interview with an investment bank on Monday. They are keen to rebuild their credit risk models after the credit crunch and want physicists.”

  “So you’re serious about this. Have you thought about Scotland? I could always make some enquiries for you at the university up here.”

  “I’m not so sure that moving to Scotland would solve it; it’s the academic world that I seem to be having problems with. But it was nice of you to make the offer.”

  “Don’t be too quick to make up your mind. What if, I take you and Elle to the university on Sunday and show you around? You could get a feel for the place.”

  “Could we use the visit to discuss a physics paper that Elle and I have been working on? I would really appreciate your input, and I’m sure Elle would too.”

  “Why not; we’ll do that.”

  Time went quickly, and it was not long before the grandfather clock in the study was chiming twelve. A few moments later Kirsty brought Elle back to the study.

  “Ben, you should see Kirsty’s paintings; they are amazing. She’s a brilliant artist.”

  “But not tonight,” said Stuart. “It’s late and we should be going to our beds. Olga has already turned in. Kirsty, can you take Elle and Ben down to the cabin? It can be a bit tricky at night.”

  “Okay dad.”

  They said goodnight to Stuart, and Kirsty took them into the kitchen and gave them both a torch. She picked up a gas lamp and lit it. She opened a door in the kitchen and took them down a short staircase into the cellar. In the cellar was the door to the sauna room, two shower units without curtains and a bench with wall hooks.

  “That’s a Finnish sauna,” said Kirsty. “Sunday is our family sauna day. So you’ll have a chance to use it, if you want.”

  “Oh, I’ve never had a sauna before,” said Elle.

  “You’ll love it,” said Kirsty.

  Kirsty opened the cellar door. It led to a narrow meandering pathway that wove its way through the trees and down a hillside towards the Loch below. It was only when they were almost down to the Loch that they caught sight of the cabin in the moonlight. The cabin was surrounded by trees and impossible to see from the house, but even at night it had a magnificent view of the Loch.

  As they approached the cabin, Elle could see that it was a log cabin built on stilts that stretched out over the water’s edge and with a small jetty. The woods around the Loch made the cabin secluded. There was a peaceful quietness about the place interrupted only by the occasional noise of a ripple over the water’s surface, or an odd hooting owl. Kirsty opened the door for them and switched on the lights.

  The first thing Elle noticed was the beautiful fresh scent of roses. She looked around the cabin. It had a spacious open plan room with a small separate bathroom. Along one wall was a king size double bed. There was also room for a wardrobe, settee, desk and chair. Some fresh roses adorned the bedside tables and rose petals had been scattered across the bed. It was as if it had been prepared for their honeymoon.

  “I hope you like it,” said Kirsty smiling. So it was Kirsty that had adorned the room.

  Elle glanced at Ben to see if he had noticed the double bed. Elle waited until Kirsty had bid them good night and disappeared up the path back to the house.

  “Ben, the double bed?” said Elle.

  “Well I told him you were my girlfriend.”

  “It’s my fault then?”

  “No… It’s nobody’s fault. But what do you want to do?”

  Elle let out a sigh. “Everyone will probably be in bed now; we shouldn’t disturb them.”

  “I agree.”

  “Then, we’ll have to make the best of it… Promise me one thing. You won’t go all creepy on me?”

  “Don’t worry; I just want a good night’s sleep. You can have the bed; I’ll take the settee cushions and the floor. I just need to find a blanket.” He tossed the seat cushions from the settee onto the floor.

  Ben opened the wardrobe looking for a blanket. “Bingo. There’s a camp bed in here and a blanket. This might work.”

  Elle watched as Ben pulled the bed out of the wardrobe and put it together. “Is that thing really safe?” said Elle.

  “I’m sure it will be fine.”

  “Then I’m going to get ready for bed,” said Elle, heading for the bathroom. When she returned she was washed and
dressed and in her nightshirt. Ben finished making up the camp bed. She climbed into bed and turned her back to him. She heard him undressing and getting ready for bed. Then she heard the light switch go off; the room turned into darkness. She said goodnight to him, and he responded.

  She closed her eyes and tried to sleep. But she could not help but listen to the sounds of the night and Ben’s moving about on the camp bed.

  “Are you going to fidget all night, Ben?”

  “Sorry. The bed’s a bit too short; I can’t get comfortable,” he said.

  Two minutes later there was a crashing noise. Ben put the lights on and Elle blinked until she could see what had happened. On the floor were the mangled remains of the camp bed, and Ben was standing rubbing his back.

  “Did you hurt yourself?” she said.

  “Mainly my dignity,” he replied. “But the camp bed’s wrecked. I guess it’s going to have to be the floor and the settee cushions, then.”

  He started to get down onto his knees and winced from the pain. He was obviously more hurt than he would admit. She thought for a moment: she could not be so cruel as to expect him to sleep on the floor. She let out another sigh. “Ben, this is really silly. This is a large bed, and I am sure if you stick to one side of the bed and I stick to the other we can share the bed for one night.” She patted the bed, “Come on, I won’t bite you; and we both need a good night’s sleep.”

  “Okay, I’ll sort out something in the morning,” he said.

  Ben climbed into the bed next to her; they said ‘goodnight’ again to each other and turned away from each other.

  Elle closed her eyes again. The first time she met Ben she had wanted to throttle him. He was arrogant, self-opinionated and so annoying. The man who had come with her to Scotland was very different: he was caring, helpful and a genuine friend. And now he was sharing her bed: something she would never have thought would happen when she first met him.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  “General, it’s Daniels.”

  “Yes Daniels.”

  “Just to bring you up to speed; there’s an organisation called Infinity Technology that might be involved in all this. My team has been checking it out. It’s owned by a charitable organisation controlled by Jason Brannan, the reclusive billionaire. He has laboratories in the UK at Cambridge and Connecticut in the US. He’s been working on a high-altitude aircraft similar to Aurora and boasts that it will even outperform it. I managed to meet him and asked to visit his laboratories in the UK. He was extremely defensive. I think he has got something to hide.”