THE TIME BEFORE THE FUTURE – PART 18 By the time Archie reached the Land Rover with the spades in one hand & the tea flask full of whisky in the other, both his parents & Golly were already waiting for him. Preoccupied as he was, Archie did notice that Golly had wisely taken the driver's seat. As ever, Archie's first thought when it came to anything to do with Jamie was his beloved mother's welfare. He kissed her on the cheek as he climbed in beside her. Understanding, she squeezed his hand & tried to smile. Buoyed up by his mother's unfailing support, Archie turned to his father: "So what happened?" he asked as Golly started the engine. Hector did his best to explain in a slightly shaken voice, adding that the dogs had uncovered what appeared to be a large box. On closer inspection Hector had just been able to make out Jamie's name painted on the lid, but hadn't wanted to lift it himself or without the family there. "Do you know anything about the box, son?" Golly asked glancing at the young Laird in the rear view mirror. "Not that I can remember Golly, no." Archie sighed, wishing more than ever now that he'd tried to remember Jamie instead of trying to forget him. Golly set his jaw & drove on until Hector spotted Monty, who, for once had obediently 'stayed', and had them stop. As they all got out of the Land Rover, Archie found his stomach churning & he prayed that he really could handle this. Duncan stormed into the living-room, shattering Lexie's rare few moments of peace. "Lexie! Lexie! Archie needs us down at the Loch, NOW! It's Jamie!" "Duncan, calm down! What's this about Jamie?!" Lexie was understandably startled & confused. Duncan who was bent double with his hands on his knees, lifted his head & tried to suck in oxygen as he explained: "Hector thinks he's found a box of Jamie's things by the Loch. Archie's already down there; he's asking for you. Meet me by the quad-bike as soon as you can; I've to ring Kilwillie." He got a few steps into the hallway & then suddenly skidded to a halt & then turned back: "Oh, & Lex, tuck your chain in; it's showing." Concerned as she was for Archie & the family, Lexie realised exactly what Duncan meant & kissed him on the cheek, squeezing him on the shoulder as she hurried past on her way to find blankets for cold & shock: "Thank you Duncan." She beamed TO BE CONTINUED...