Glenbogle.com -- Part 1 – By: SnowWhite
Lizzie looked across at her bestfriend; it was good having Katrina so close to her in London- especially since she was Godmother to her daughter Martha.
But she did hate it when she came back from visiting her brother and sister-in-law because of the fact that Katrina was his ex-girlfriend and the mention of him often brought up conflicting emotions within her.
At least this time Katrina had waited till she'd put Martha to sleep before asking her about her trip.
" So" she started " How's Molly?"
" Mother's fine" Lizzie answered
Molly and Katrina were good friends but it was no secret to either of them who Katrina was really dying to hear about
" And Golly?"
" Archie's doing fine" Lizzie commented, she had never been one to muck around " Tea?"
Katrina stared at her " I didn't ask about Archie" she exclaimed, " I asked about Golly."
" Yeah, but Arch is who you really wanted to know about. Tea?"
Katrina knew that arguing with Lizzie was pointless. She had always been able to read her like a book, and knew very well when she was lying.
" Yes please." She sighed
Lizzie finished making the tea and then sat down on the lounge next to Katrina. She handed her her cup and then proceeded to stare at her expectantly
Katrina took a sip and the looked up and exclaimed "What!"
" Are you gonna ask me?"
" I don't know what you're talking about"
Lizzie waited in silence, until Katrina finally turned to her and asked
" Are they happy?"
Lizzie's gaze softened. Katrina read her face and knew that she had mixed loyalties. Archie was her brother and his wife Lexie was her friend and sister-in-law.
" What do you want me to say?" Lizzie replied softly
Katrina shook her head in frustration; her golden curls framing her face like a mane
" I don't know. I honestly don't. I mean, one part of me is wanting him to just be relaxing in marital bliss…"
" And the other part?"
" Wishes that he has realised that he still loves me and…."
" And what about Lexie?"
" Lexie and I used to be good friends. I don't want to see her hurt, it's just, well- Archie was always mine, you know."
" I know Katrina." Lizzie replied delicately " But things change."
Katrina nodded.
" I've got something for you." Lizzie commented suddenly
Katrina looked up as her friend put down her tea and reached over to her handbag to pull out an envelope
" What is it?" She asked curiously
" I don't know."
" Well who gave it to you?"
" Archie"
"Oh" Katrina murmured, turning the envelope over in her hands
" Look, I hate to do this to you. But I have to get off to bed- it's been a long journey and I have work tomorrow. You're welcome to stay of course."
Katrina looked up, in a daze " No it's right, I'll go home. I've got to be up for school tomorrow too."
Lizzie nodded. "Ring me if you need to. I hope the letter helps instead of hinders."
Katrina nodded slowly, gathering up her jacket and walking to the door
" Martha and I'll be round at six tomorrow for dinner still yeah?"
" Huh, yeah…yeah bye"
Part 2
Katrina sat at her own dining table and stared at the unopened envelope in front of her.
Part of her wanted to open it, and the other part didn't. She knew deep down that whatever was inside was a confirmation of one of the two things she had been telling Lizzie earlier.
Eventually she relented and pouring herself a glass of wine took the letter and herself to bed.
She'd finished the wine by the time she had the courage to open the envelope, but finally it was done.
Inside were a letter and a photograph. She stared at the photo first. It was of Archie and Lexie; Lexie looked so much older then when she'd known her. She'd noticed that last time she'd seen her as well. The hair and the clothes made her look so much more grown up and mature then when she'd had long browny- blonde hair and worn skirts, singlet tops and thongs.
Archie looked the same as always- gorgeous. Intense, his eyes seemed to search her soul. But she knew that they weren't. His emotion was all for Lexie. The pretty girl whose dark hair was brushing up against his cheek, who's red dress he was pressed up against.
'She looks beautiful' Katrina thought to herself. 'They really do look like a married couple.'
Then she remembered the letter. She had no idea what to expect but unfolded it all the same.
Katrina.
It started with that one simple word. Her name.
I hope that you don't think it presumptuous of me to enclose the photo of me & Lex. I don't know what made me include it, I guess I just want to share my happiness. You were a good friend for so long and I still miss that.
I hope that you're well, and that your life is going well. Lizzie mentions you whenever she comes up, but I haven't heard from you directly since you came back to apply for the teaching position.
Lexie knows that I'm writing this, and no matter what happened last time you came up we want you to know that it would be nice to see you again. (I actually talked it over with her this time, a skill that I am slowly learning.)
Plus, -Lizzie probably hasn't mentioned it yet- but we've volunteered to have Martha's 4th Birthday at Glenbogle and as you're her Godmother It would be good if you could come.
Mother and Golly are dying to see you.
I hope that things can be okay between us. I know that you said that you didn't want to see Lexie and me together but I had hoped that after a bit of time, and because I know how close you are to Martha, we would be able to put the past aside and just have a good time.
Our relationship isn't, and can never be the same as it was. But we can't cling to the past.
I love Lexie with all of my heart and more. The photo I have given you was taken on our honeymoon and is one of my favourites.
There is one more thing as well, I asked Lizzie not to say anything until you'd had a chance to read this, but Lexie and I have another piece of exciting news.
Katrina knew what it was before she read it
Lexie has found out that she's expecting a baby. She is now 3 months pregnant, and at the time of the party she will be 6 months. I've never been so excited in my life Katrina, or so scared. Do you think I'll be a good father? I've wanted a baby since we got married but Lex wanted to wait.
You're welcome to bring a partner or friend to the party, if you come you'll probably arrive with the birthday girl and my big sister anyway.
Hope to see you soon.
Archie & Lexie MacDonald
Katrina refolded the letter and placed the photo on top of it. Then resting her head back against the bed wondered what she was going to do, and what exactly she was feeling. She would talk to Lizzie tomorrow and find out as many details about the trip as she could before she even thought about replying to Archie's letter.
Part 3
The cursor on the computer screen flashed at her expectantly. Taunting her, blinking continually as she tried to think. Lizzie sat on the lounge watching.
" It's Archie, not the President of the United States" she teased " Just write something."
Katrina turned to face her " Archie and I never knew what to say to each other remember. That's why it took us so long to get together- it was Lexie who ended up getting him to tell me."
" Ironic"
" Very. She loved him but set him up with me instead."
" But that's what she's like, you know that." Lizzie commented "She'd do anything for Archie, as long it makes him happy."
" Great" Katrina turned back to face the blinking cursor again " One more thing to make Lexie more perfect."
Lizzie almost choked on her coffee as she let out a laugh
" You've totally forgotten what she's like haven't you. This is Lexie we're talking about!"
" I really don't feel like I know her anymore."
" Because she's Archie's wife?"
" Look at her" Katrina remarked thrusting the photograph at Lizzie
" Katrina you guys used to talk easily before. It was you two who helped deliver Martha. It's only that you feel threatened by her now."
" I don't feel threatened by her." Katrina shot back
" You used to be a lot like her. Energetic, passionate, feisty- but you guys have grown up more, become a bit more subdued."
" I never thought that I'd hear the words 'Lexie' and 'subdued' in the same sentence" Katrina laughed
" That's more like it" Lizzie smiled "Now, you are coming to Martha's party aren't you? Are you going to invite Sean?"
" Hold on one minute would you!"
Lizzie smiled coyly. Katrina was one of her oldest friends; they had all gone to school together, Archie, her and Katrina- until Archie and her were sent off to boarding school.
" Why did you let them host the party anyway? Why couldn't it be in London like usual?"
" Um, because Martha's Grandmother, Aunty and Uncle all live at Glenbogle. Not to mention that she was born there and so where you and I- "
" Okay, Okay!" Katrina stopped her half way " It was a stupid question."
" So?" Lizzie pleaded
" Alright! I guess I'll come."
" And Sean?"
" Don't push it. I'll think about it." Katrina muttered turning back to the computer " So, what do I write?"
Lizzie put on a voice and started rehearsing a mock letter
" Archie.
Of course I'll come to Martha's Birthday, I love that girl more then anything. It's good to hear that you are happy and that Lexie is well. I think that you will be an excellent father- too bad the kid's not mine."
" Lizzie!"
" Okay you can cut that part. I was just checking that you were listening" Lizzie answered coyly before continuing " Now where was I? I think that you'll be an excellent father. I would love to see Molly and Golly soon too; it's been so long! I didn't mind you sending the photo, it is a lovely shot- you both look very happy .I will be arriving with your big sister and the birthday girl, but I will also be bringing my extremely handsome and Lizzie approved boyfriend Sean. See you there.
Katrina.
P.S Martha says to tell Lexie that she would like a little baby girl cousin, not a boy because they have cooties."
Katrina glanced at her friend and replied " I'll get the wine. Then you can dictate and I'll type the abridged version."
Half a bottle of wine later Katrina and Lizzie had written the reply letter and were sitting back talking about Glenbogle when suddenly Katrina ran back to the computer exclaiming
" I wonder if!"
She logged on to the net and typed 'www.Glenbogle.com.'
Lizzie wondered over slightly unsteadily and stared at the screen
" We have a website?" she asked
" I only just remembered! I wonder if it's still the same?"
" We have a website?" Lizzie repeated pulling a chair closer to sit next to Katrina
" I helped Archie set it up about four years ago when he was trying to get Glenbogle back on its feet. He had cameras placed all around showing everything that was going on outside and the views and history etcetera, etcetera…"
" But?"
" But your father felt that he was missing all of the real drama of the house- so without Archie knowing he moved all of the camera to rooms inside. And subsequently that was how Hector, Molly, Duncan, Golly, Lexie, Me and my class of school kids ended up watching him and Justine break up live via the Internet…."
" Bloody hell! Did he ever find out?"
" I don't think so" Katrina murmured, still concentrating on what she was doing. All of a sudden she let out a triumphant yelp as the dining room of Glenbogle house appeared on the screen.
" What time is it?" Katrina asked quickly
" Eightish I think" Lizzie replied trying to read her watch
They looked at each other and remarked knowingly "Suppertime"
Right on time they heard a distant piping that announced the family. Lizzie reached over to the volume and turned it up.
" This is really weird" she announced " I was just there the other night."
" Could have saved you the trip" Katrina smiled " I used to chastise Archie so much about this traditional and pompous procession just to eat a meal. It's so out dated"
" I think it's sweet." Lizzie smiled, then added, "When I don't have to be a part of it."
Golly emerged playing the bagpipes and then Archie and Lexie followed with arms locked. He pulled out Lexie's chair, waited for her to sit down and then pushed it back in before taking his seat at the head of the table. Duncan escorted Molly in and did the same prior to the food arriving....