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Again, I giggle. Growing up, it was just me and my dad at meals, so I’m used to things being quieter and calmer. A large riotous family lunch is outside my comfort zone, but I’m enjoying the banter—even if I do feel bad for Lewis.

“Sorry, Elspeth!” Jamie says, not looking sorry at all.

“Aye, and I’m sorry too,” Lewis says. When everyone turns to him in confusion, he adds, “For hitting Jamie, I mean.”

“But you didn’t—” Elspeth starts.

Before she can finish, Lewis thumps Jamie, hard.

“Ow!” Jamie rubs his arm. “Elspeth, aren’t you going to tell him off for that?”

She shrugs. “He’s already said sorry. Now, Iona, if you don’t want to talk about Richard, can I at least ask how your job is going? Are you still happy to be doing farm work rather than small animals?”

Iona nods and chats for a while about her role as a vet.

“Is a move back home on the cards?” Elspeth probes. “After all, if there’s one thing we have plenty of in the Highlands, it’s animals!”

Iona pushes her glasses up her nose. “I’m happy in Glasgow for now, Maw.”

Maybe to save Iona from her mother, David addresses Cat. “Do you have a special person in your life?”

“Hmm. A boyfriend, no, but I have been dating a lot.” She wiggles her eyebrows.

Lewis and Jamie both groan.

“I don’t want to hear this!” Jamie complains.

“Aye, that’s my cue to clear the dishes.” Lewis stands. “Everyone’s finished their haggis, aye? Good.” He starts gathering our plates.

“Cat, you be sure you’re staying safe, all right?” Ally says.

“Staying safe?” Cat repeats. “Oh God, you’re not going to have this conversation with me now, are you? I’m twenty-two, and we’re at a family dinner!”

“I meant safe in every sense of the word,” Ally insists. “You know, not just in using protection, but in being careful about who you invite back to the flat.”

“Bloody hell!” Jamie stands too. “Lewis, I’ll help you clear the table. This is too painful even for me.”

Cat rolls her eyes then says to me, “Do you see why I was so keen to move to Glasgow? Sometimes, I feel lucky to have three older brothers, but at other times . . . well, they can be horrifically overbearing, especially this one.” She nods at Ally.

I don’t want to get involved, so I just give her a small smile back. An only child, I wouldn’t know what it’s like to have “overbearing” older brothers, but it seems to me like it’d be nice to have siblings looking out for you.

“What is it you do down in Glasgow?” I ask, attempting to move the conversation to safer territory.

“She’s a professional party animal,” Jamie comments as he collects her plate.

Cat scoffs. “No, I’m a student. I’m in my final year of a degree in English and Scottish Literature. Although . . . well, aye, I do think it’s important to let my hair down every now and again.” She grins.

“Her finals are coming up,” Iona points out. “When I was preparing for my finals, I was a mess. I basically lived in the library for a month. Cat, though, is much more relaxed. I mean, for a start, she’s here.”

Cat raises her hands, palms faced upwards as if in surrender. “What can I say? I thought a change of scene would do me good. Besides, I’ve got my books with me.”

Under the table, Ally’s leg jigs up and down nervously. “It’s important you do well, Cat. Your rent and living expenses all add up. I understand you didn’t want to have a part-time job in your final year, but we can’t have you resitting the year, all right?”

With a gesture of her hand, Cat waves away Ally’s concern, as though she doesn’t have time to worry about such petty things. “I’m sure I’ll be fine. Although . . . on that point, I’ve actually applied to do a postgraduate in teaching.”

“What?” Ally’s voice cuts through the previously relaxed and jovial atmosphere. “I thought these were your last few weeks as a student! You’ve been at uni for four years now. Aren’t you supposed to get a job after you graduate and, you know, start earning your own money?”

Cat laughs. “Relax! It’s only a year-long course. Besides, this is how I get a job. I mean, what would I do with a literature degree?”