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Chapter 21
Jenn had always loved Halloween. From trick-or-treating as a kid to drunken fancy-dress nights out with Vivi and co., it was one of her favourite nights of the year. But Hellisay? Hellisay did it better than anywhere she’d ever known.
Like Beltane, Halloween—Oidhche Shamhna, the eve of Samhain—was when na sìthichean were said to be especially active, and the boundary between this world and the Otherworld was easily crossed. On Hellisay, Halloween was a huge deal, celebrated with creative, slightly chaotic devotion.
The more outdoorsy islanders tackled the Carlin Stones Circuit, a walking route that started and ended at Nicneven’s Distillery. The prehistoric standing stones were steeped in witch-and-hag folklore. Some claimed they’d spilled from Beira’s basket when she shaped the three mountains. Others swore that, with the right ritual, you could summon all manner of spirits, good or bad. Completing the circuit earned you a whisky or pumpkin mocktail back at the distillery. The truly brave carried on to the Banshee Cave or Bòcan’s Cave—though Jenn wouldn’t recommend going late, unless your idea of fun involved tipsy teenagers leaping from the shadows shrieking like the undead.
Saints Bay, on the other hand, offered something for absolutely everyone. The school was a riot of fun with apple-dooking, ghost stories, and enough sugar to power a small town. The community hall hosted a Scottish Folklore Day, with tales of kelpies, selkies, witches, and fairies galore—and everyone could decide for themselves how much was true. Cathy Ann’s Beira’s Bazaar went all out for Halloween: enormous cobwebs and bats outside, spooky skeletons and pumpkins inside, and discounted tarot readings booked back-to-back. Two enormous cauldrons steamed away by the counter—one for the adults, one for the children. Try not to mix them up!
Jenn had helped the airport join in too—gingerbread skeletons, spider cookies, ghost cupcakes, and a giant pumpkin cake. Mairead had made everyone adorable headbands. On Halloween morning, Enrique and one of the old rogues, Billy, came off the plane wearing capes and superhero T-shirts under their uniforms. Superman and Batman, naturally.
Jenn loved seeing the island lean into the fun. It was like everyone—young, old, spooky, or sceptic—was in on the magic. All the festivities took place on the Saturday closest to Halloween, so at her Thursday evening yoga class, Jenn came armed with freshly made spiced pumpkin cupcakes and a big dispenser of homemade pumpkin-spiced chai latte. She figured there was no better way to get everyone in the mood—and confirm all the plans—than sugar and spice.
“You’re all welcome to come to mine to get ready,” Cathy Ann said, mouth full of cake.
“Are you sure?” Lizzie asked, lips covered in frosting.
“Ach, no bother. We’ll just get a takeaway before heading up to the hall. Most folk don’t go until about nine.”
The dance was legendary—costumes taken seriously, drinking and dancing even more so. There was only one performer suitable for an event like this: The Gambler. When he took a break, a mishmash of lads from Hellisay FC and their supporters—collectively known as ‘The Hellisay Boys’—took turns playing ceilidh tunes. As long as someone had a drum, another could manage the pipes or fiddle, and someone else could wrangle an accordion—they seemed to make it work. After the dance, a slew of after-parties usually followed. If the weather was good, bonfires would be lit on the beach, and the partying would continue into the wee hours.
“I’m so jealous!” Abigail groaned. She was stuck babysitting and on the early shift on Sunday.
“I was looking forward to you meeting Vivi.” Jenn pouted.
Jenn was beyond excited. Vivi was flying up tomorrow—Friday—and staying until Tuesday. They hadn’t seen each other in over six months, although they messaged or called pretty much every single day.
“I’ll pop round Monday for a proper blether,” Abigail promised.
Jenn turned to Cathy Ann. “Okay if I bring Vivi to yours on Saturday?”
“Goddess, of course! I can’t wait to meet her.”
“Cairistìona and I will come for pre-drinks,” MT said excitedly.
Màiri grinned. “I remember last year—Robert lasted two drinks before he was snoring on Dol’s shoulder!”
“How’s Dol?” Jenn asked.
“Good. Missing home, though—it’s been one of the longest stints yet.”
“But we get both Dol and Donnie back for a month over Christmas and New Year,” Cairistìona added.
“And Ruairidh too—though he’s actually around this weekend,” Màiri added casually. “He and Ally are coming to the dance together after they finish up in the pub.”
Jenn’s pulse did an odd little skip. Not that it mattered. She’d be far too busy with Vivi, the girls, and a hundred other things to even notice him. Probably.
“Well, between now and Christmas, there’s plenty to celebrate,” Lizzie said with a grin, raising her cup of pumpkin chai latte.
“Indeed—yaaaay!” Everyone cheered, clinking their cups together.
Chapter 22
Seeing Vivi arrive on Hellisay was like watching a minor celebrity step onto the red carpet. Most people emerged from the tiny plane braced for the worst—bundled in waterproof jackets, fleece-lined trousers, and walking boots. Not Vivi. She wasn’t high-maintenance, but she was effortlessly sophisticated. Must be the French genes.
She stepped down from the plane in designer jeans, a green silk blouse under a cream knit jumper, and a camel-coloured cashmere coat that looked as if it had never known rain. Pristine ankle boots somehow impervious to the wet sand. Glossy brown hair hanging sleek and perfect, like she’d just stepped out of a salon. One hand clutched an oversized tan leather bag; her perfectly manicured fingers curled around her phone in the other. Dallas even offered her his hand as she stepped off the plane and onto the sand. Jenn didn’t think he’d ever offered anyone a hand before—certainly not with that awed look on his face.
Jenn had no idea how Vivi managed it. Maybe there was some kind of training school for this sort of thing. She didn’t even sink into the sand. It was as if she instinctively knew where the solid patches were, like some kind of fashion-forward forest nymph. It was exactly like that scene with Legolas walking on snow. Exactly.
