Page 23 of The High Island

Flicking on the kitchen light, he set about filling the kettle, only to change his mind and decide to have a dram instead.

Heading for the sitting room, he reminded himself that while the small inset window facing towards Scapa Flow might allow the moonlight to enter, there was no way he could see further than the walled garden and the stone sheds beyond.

He was going to have to sit in the car to have any chance of viewing what was happening on the Hoy hills.

He’d just poured the dram, but hadn’t yet raised the glass to his lips, when his mobile lit up. Checking the screen, he saw that the call was from Magnus. If he was in residence at Seaview, which stood a stone’s throw from the jetty at Houton, he would have a good view of what was happening on Hoy.

‘Magnus,’ he answered. ‘I was just thinking about you.’

‘With regard to what’s happening over the water?’ Magnus’s rich, smooth tone was always calm, regardless of the circumstances.

Erling explained how he’d spotted it on his way home and called it in.

‘The fire team were already on their way to Lyrawa Bay by then,’ he said. ‘What does it look like to you now?’ he added.

‘Still worrying,’ Magnus said. ‘Although there’s no habitation in the surrounding area. So no threat to people or property. You can come down here and watch from the upper floor if you like,’ he said. ‘Better than being outside at Langwell.’

‘I was contemplating going back to sitting in the car,’ Erling admitted. ‘But Seaview is a better alternative.’

‘See you shortly, then,’ Magnus said.

Back in the car and heading for Houton, it was pretty obvious to him now that the fire was still travelling. He wondered if there were enough fire fighters on Hoy to cope.

At that point, he reminded himself that he wasn’t responsible, and that he had to trust the fire service to deal with the situation as they saw fit. If he was required in any way, someone would call him.

Parked now at Seaview, he exited the car, and for the first time could smell the smoke on the air. The front door being open, he headed inside and shouted to Magnus to warn him of his arrival.

‘Come on up,’ came the reply. ‘There’s a good view from the front room.’

Seaview’s walls were as thick as those at Langwell. Built in the last century by two fishermen, its foundations were below the high-water mark, because there the land was free. At its rear were the sheds for smoking fish and an ample jetty and small harbour where Magnus kept his boat.

Magnus was standing at the window, binoculars at the ready. ‘Come take a look,’ he offered.

‘I brought my own,’ Erling told him, waving his binoculars and making for the window.

It was just as he’d suspected on his way here. The fire had swept upwards, as though intent on cresting the hill. His thoughts went to Betty Corrigall’s much-visited grave. Not content with having her dug up twice already, it appeared fate had now decided to burn her out.

On a more positive note, it did look as though the fire had departed the area close to the derelict croft house. At that moment his mobile rang and he answered.

‘DIFlett?’ a voice said. ‘It’s Willie Halcro here from Longhope Fire Brigade.’

‘Willie, just watching from Houton. What’s the situation there now?’

‘The fire has been moving up the hill, but we’ll have it anchoredshortly,’ he said. ‘Thought you should know we believe it was begun by the firing of the digger left here on the site of the Mowat croft.’

‘Someone set the digger alight?’ Erling said in astonishment.

‘Yes. Definitely arson. A team will be back tomorrow morning to investigate.’

‘Thanks, Willie. I’ll be over first thing. You sure you don’t need more men tonight?’

‘We’re fine here, thanks. The wind was the problem, but it’s dropping now.’

‘Good,’ Erling said, relieved.

Ringing off, he caught Magnus’s eye. ‘The wind’s dropping. They think they’ve got it under control.’

‘Also, the rain’s arrived,’ Magnus said, indicating the drops now pattering the window. ‘Let’s hope it’s heading for Hoy.’