RIP

At around half past three on Saturday afternoon, my parents were involved in a head-on collision on the A9 south of Inverness. Both were killed instantly, as were three of their four dogs in the back of the pick-up they were driving. Tragically two people in the other vehicle were also killed in what the Scottish newspapers are calling a horrific accident.

The first I knew of it was at three o'clock on Sunday morning, when the police came knocking on my door. Thanks to BT, that was the only way I could be contacted. Some crime writer I'd make - when the nice lady constable asked me to sit down, all I could think was 'what have I done?' I didn't click at all that this was one of those visits.

We're at the farm now, the horse doctor and I. My sister and two brothers have made it from various far-flung destinations. It's weird, but I keep expecting my parents to arrive any minute now, just like they always have done when I've been here looking after the place when they go off on one of their jaunts.

It's going to take a long time to sink in.