‘Oh, darling, that’s nothing,’ I said. ‘I did warn you about the Lipscott Delight, but you were determined to show me Dorset…’
‘Mr Osborne,’ said Mamma-dearest as we reached her. ‘I have a great deal of making up to do, for what a sourpuss I was last time. Do sit beside me and let me begin. And do, of course, let me introduce you to our dear sweet precious Sabba-tinkle-tina. I had no idea you two hadn’t met.’
I made sure that my chair faced Alec’s and sat down to enjoy the show.
Facts and Fictions
The building that houses St Columba’s is on the spot where the Portpatrick Hotel can be found, glowering down on the village. As far as I know there has never been a girls’ school there and certainly St Columba’s, the institution, is entirely fictitious.
The Crown in the novel shares a name and location with The Crown in Portpatrick, but nothing else.
I’m not absolutely sure that the tide between Port Kale and Port Mora ever goes out far enough to allow someone to walk safely along the beach between them, and so would advise even Dandy’s most ardent fan not to try.
About the Author
Catriona McPherson was educated at Edinburgh University, and spent a few years as a university lecturer before writing her first Dandy Gilver novel (shortlisted for the Ellis Peters Historical Dagger). Catriona now writes full-time and lives on a farm in Galloway.
