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“That’s your third sausage roll,” she said “Are you nervous?”

“No, I love hu myself in public,” Lake said drolly

“I figured as much You do it a lot”

He gave her a look that had very little effect on her

“There she is,” Lake said, and felt his stomach lurch

Stupid He’d done far scarier things than this in his life

“How’s she looking?” Betty said She wasn’t tall enough to reach thein the door

Breathtaking, he thought

“Good,” he said

He saw Dougal pushing his way through the crowd, dressed in his usual assort tartan waistcoat and luminous shirt This one was silver Lake briefly wondered if the man made his own clothes

“Wasn’t that fantastic?” he shouted over the sound systeether to farewell the old year and see in the new It’s been an interesting year in Invertary, and it’s right that we’re here together”

There was a slightly tipsy roar of approval

“Now, before you’re all too far gone to pay attention,” Dougal told the room, “we have a few bits of business to attend to”

There was a loud groan Dougal blithely ignored everyone’s complaint

“After the fashion shoere a wee bit distracted” He looked down at Kirsty just as soht It snapped on above Dougal “We’re all awful sorry about the fire, lass,” he said There were shouts of agreement, while Kirsty nodded her thanks She folded her arms and narrowed her eyes For a moment Lake wondered if she was on to him