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“Oh, wow, ok. How are you finding it?”
“I love it. Both David and I love the outdoors—always have. He actually works over at Beira’s Break,” Lizzie explained, referring to the surfing and watersports school over at Beiradale.
The door opened again and Mairead appeared.
“Hey Mairead. Come in!” Jenn called.
“Oh wow, this is looking all very… erm… magical,” Mairead said, looking around the room. “Hey Jenn. And good to see you too, Lizzie!”
“Hey Mairead,” Lizzie said. “It really looks fabulous. I just hope I don’t embarrass myself!”
“If anyone is embarrassing themselves it’s me!” Cathy Ann declared, coming into the room, looking as glamorous as ever, even for yoga.
“No one is embarrassing themselves here tonight, ladies,” Jenn said reassuringly. “Hey Cathy Ann, how are you? Do you ladies all know each other?”
“Vaguely,” Cathy Ann said. “Mairead and Lizzie, yes?”
“Yes, hello!” they both replied.
Abigail arrived next, followed by a small crowd of women chatting and laughing as they came through the door. Jenn recognised some of them from the café, but only by face.
After a round of intros—some of which Jenn promptly forgot—she learned the newcomers included Màiri and Cairistìona, sisters of Captain No-Nonsense, Ruairidh. Màiri was a primary school teacher; Cairistìona was one of the GPs and, apparently, married to the other one. There was also MT (short for Marie Theresa), a nurse married to the island’s MSP and best friends with Cairistìona. Jenn tried not to gape when she realised MT was also the Clan Chief’s daughter.
More women poured in—one of ‘The Bakers’, a few who’d definitely waxed lyrical about her cinnamon buns, and friends, neighbours, cousins twice removed—until Jenn counted a small army of them. Wow. Thirteen women. A full coven. She smiled to herself and laid out a few extra mats.
Jenn was incredibly pleased with how the class had gone. Everyone seemed to relax quickly, and any initial nervousness or embarrassment had melted away within minutes. By the end, they were all full of compliments and laughter.
“Wow, that was much tougher than I expected,” said Màiri, wiping her forehead with a towel.
“Goddess, yes! And you actually get a bit of a workout,” Cathy Ann agreed. She turned to Jenn. “You’re a right bendy one, you are. You could be one of those magician’s assistants!”
Jenn laughed. “Ach, it’s just practice. I’ll have some of you like that in no time.”
“Ooh, if you ever get me holding a headstand for more than two seconds, I’ll buy everyone a round of bubbles!” Lizzie said, grinning.
“We’ll hold you to that!” Cathy Ann declared.
“Seriously though—thank you for coming, ladies,” Jenn said, beaming. “I’m really glad you enjoyed it. Don’t worry about the mats—I’ll sort them.”
“Already looking forward to next week!” Cairistìona called as they filtered out of the studio.
After tidying up, Jenn wandered through the gym on her way to the exit.
“Jenn!” someone called.
She looked around to see Màiri waving. Sitting next to her on a weights bench was none other than Captain No-Nonsense himself, Ruairidh.
Wow. Just… wow. He was a sight for sore eyes—and sore thighs.
Clearly, he’d been working out. A fine sheen of sweat clung to his body, and a close-fitting black vest top was doing wicked things to her imagination. His hair was slightly damp and mussed, his face flushed. Jenn wasn’t usually into the overly athletic type—that was Vivi’s domain—but she was starting to seriously reconsider her preferences…
“Màiri!” she said, smiling, trying not to stare too obviously at her brother.
“Jenn, do you know my brother, Ruairidh?” Màiri asked, tone all faux innocence.
“We’ve met briefly,” Ruairidh replied, his voice low, eyes catching hers with that same unreadable intensity. God, his eyes were lethal up close. Nope. Not going there.
“Really?” Màiri raised a brow. “You didn’t say.”
