Read Online Winter's End by Clarissa Cartharn - Free Book Online

activity vehicle was a boat trailer on which sat a beautiful white boat.
    “ Lady Loch ”
whispered Jai in an awe filled tone. He ran his hands along the sleek, clean
sides.
    “So are you coming or
what?” said a voice as the back door flung open revealing Ethel.
    The children
hurriedly sat into the far two rear seats, while Emma joined Ethel at the back.
    “Nancy,” said Emma,
surprised on seeing the housekeeper in the front passenger seat. “You’re coming
along as well.”
    “Couldn’t pass over
the opportunity, Mrs. Winston,” she answered, her face radiantly joyful.
    Emma laughed. “I’m
glad.”
    Half an hour through
Ford Road and then a set of series of right turns later, they stood at the Loch Coruisk jetty, looking over the waters at the Black Cuillins in the distance. Warmth of the oncoming spring had
caused a large number of people to flock to the Elgol lakeside. Trailers that served as booking offices for boat trips fringed the
tar sealed banks of the loch.
    It didn’t take long
for Theodore to launch the boat from the trailer into the water. With everyone
on board, he revved up the engine and fired the boat through the lake, leaving
behind thin streams of water at its stern.
    The triangular peaks
of the rugged mountains dominated the horizon. As they neared the mountains, seals
and their pups basked in the warmth of the morning on the small seaweed strewn
rock mounds that peeked over the water.
    Theodore slowed the boat
into the bay, pulling close to the steep, wooden jetty. It was a rugged set of
steps that rose against the short cliff of rock, greatly complementing the
coarse and craggy landscape.
    “It looks…almost
primitive,” said Emma in an awe-filled whisper. “Like someone has turned the
clock back in time.”
    “I wish someone
could,” sighed Ethel. She watched the younger woman closely. Her auburn hair
was clasped back in a clip and her almond eyes glimmered with innocence as it
roamed the statuesque mountains.
    “Aren’t you coming Mrs.
Kinnaird?” said Jai breaking into her thoughts.
    “No,” she said. “I’m
too old to climb those stairs. Now run along and don’t forget to take your
mother with you.”
    “Will you be alright,
Ethel?” Emma asked.
    “Of course, I will.
Besides Nancy will be here with me. And she can manage this boat as good as
Theodore. Isn’t that right, Nancy?”
    Nancy emerged from
the tiny, front cabin carrying a glass of juice for Ethel. “We will be fine, Miss.
I’ve been here several times, so don’t you worry your pretty little head about
us. And I also do need to stay to manoeuvre the boat away from the jetty to
allow others access to it.”
    Emma gave a small,
assuring squeeze of Ethel’s hand and bounded out of the boat and up the stairs
after her children.
    The top landing of
the stairs expanded into dark rocks that swept the hillside. Following Theodore
along the banks of the loch, the water narrowed into streams and waterfalls
into the River Scavaig , flowing over rocky slabs,
marking its end in the sea.
    Emma dipped her hands
into the chilly, crystal water while Jai and Hannah leapt onto the rocks strewn
in its flowing pathway.
    “Hey Hannah,” said Jai.
“Do you want to see some magic?”
    He pulled out his
compass and covered the front with his fingers so Hannah couldn’t see it.
Looking intensely at his right palm that held the compass, he waved his left
fingers over them.
    “ Aamanagoubishida !”
he commanded and opened his palm, revealing the compass to Hannah. Its hands
were amazingly dancing, unable to locate their bearing.
    “Why… how?” Hannah
whispered in astonishment.
    But Jai pulled the
compass away from her, laughing. She ran after him, begging to see it again.
    Theodore called the
girl over to him.
    “You see,” he
explained. “the volcanic rock in the Cuillins has
some sort of magnetism that gives compasses their baffling qualities. I don’t
know why that is but it is. It’s no magic. It's