THE TIME BEFORE THE FUTURE: PARTS 14 & 15 PART 14 Down in the village about half an hour later one of the villagers answered a fairly late knock on her front door & was surprised at whom she found on her doorstep. Quick to gather her wits however, she soon ushered her visitor inside & put the kettle on. Unusually, the regular visitor remained almost silent as the tea was poured & soon a worried Liz could see that she was going to have to start the conversation: "Duncan, what on earth is the matter? What's wrong?" "That's just it Auntie Liz,..." he sighed despairingly "...there's nothing wrong at all. Everything's perfect, just as it should be." By now 'Auntie Liz' was thoroughly confused. "I think you'd better just take your time & start at the beginning." She said, setting down her teacup & sitting back to listen carefully. PART 15 Perched as she was on Archie's lap, Lexie didn't really feel like being serious but this had to be said: "Archie, you do realise that you're father's going to be furious about this, all of this, don't you?" Lexie asked a little fearfully. "Yes Lex, I realise, believe me I do. And I'm not looking forward to the fireworks when he finds out! But then my father's been furious at pretty much everything I've ever done since Jamie died, at first, anyway. He'll come round, he always does. And if not, well, that's his problem." "But Archie!" "But nothing Lex; I've all but tip-toed around him for the past couple of years & it's time it stopped. Mother forgave me years ago & you are all the proof I need that I've finally forgiven myself. It's time my father realised that I have a right to a life of my own. Whether he ever forgives me or not, I can't stay in sack-cloth & ashes forever. Jamie wouldn't have wanted that." Lexie couldn't say anything so she settled for a kiss instead. When the tale was told Liz let out a long breath. She had always known this conversation would be around the corner. "Well Duncan, you've known ever since Archie came back this would happen. Lexie told you how she felt right off; you know she did." "Aye, but there's knowing & knowing, you know?!" Duncan sighed. Liz's heart went out to him. She could see that now wasn't the time to mention his crush on Stella & that her nephew would be hurting pretty badly for a while no matter what she said. "Tell me something Duncan. Would you work for Archie even if he wasn't Laird?" Liz asked. "Course, why?" Duncan asked, confused. "And Lexie told me at the Ball about the dress. You're already doing the right thing not saying anything to anyone Duncan. I'm proud of you." "Thanks." Duncan tried his very best to smile & knowing Auntie Liz was right, he allowed himself to be comforted a little by the prospect of home- made shortbread. TO BE CONTINUTED...