THE TIME BEFORE THE FUTURE – PART 20 Shaking like a leaf, Archie very careful lifted the box from the ground, fearing that it would fall apart & acutely aware that Jamie had been the last person to touch it. He stood there for a second, looking at it, conflicted. Should he give it to his mother or his father? He looked around desperately for inspiration, but in the end he wasn't surprised where it came from. As if he could understand, little Useless looked up at Archie, left his place between Monty & Rommel & lay down at Molly's feet. Archie let out the breath he had been holding & walked over to Molly. As he did so, he caught Lexie's eyes & instantly wished he hadn't for her eyes were full of unshed tears. Swallowing hard himself, Archie handed the tin to Molly, keeping a hand underneath for fear she would drop it. With some effort Molly prised the lid open but did not lift it yet. Feeling that Molly, Hector & Archie should be the first to see, Lexie took at step back & was eternally grateful to feel Duncan slip his hand into hers. Meanwhile Golly had got a travel blanket from the Land Rover & spread it out on the ground nearby with Kilwillie keeping it in place with 4 flat stones. Only then, when everything was as it should be, did Molly lift the lid. The first thing Archie remembered was just how organised his elder had been. The box was full but very neatly packed. The first thing Molly took out was a small notebook. She handed it straight to Hector, who undid the popper on the front & opened it. "This notebook belongs to James Clarence MacDonald, aged 9..." Hector read with tears streaming down his wrinkled old cheeks. "If anyone find finds this at school please bring it to classroom 4, if it's found at home give it to Golly & he will get it back to me." "He sounds like such a serious wee thing." "Jamie was always the sensible 1 of our trio." It wasn't until Archie answered her that Lexie realised she had voiced the thought aloud. She held Duncan's hand even more tightly fearing that if she followed her instincts & touched Archie they would both have broken down & now was not the time for that; she at least, needed to be strong. Meanwhile, Hector flicked through the pages of the book. Through tear- filled eyes Lexie could just make out childish drawings on them. Molly chose that moment to reach into the box again. "Here Kilwillie, it's long past time you got this back." She said, offering the old family friend something small wrapped in fragile tissue paper. They both clearly knew what was in the little package for Kilwillie turned pale & shook his head vigorously & said in an unsteady voice: "No, Molly, I couldn't possibly!" Hector looked up: "Yes you can Kilwillie; it's yours. Didn't you always tell Jamie it was only a loan until..." his voice faltered. "Until he was old enough to buy 1 of his own." Kilwillie finished in a horse whisper, taking the package & very carefully unwrapping the paper to reveal his old, personalised, Swiss Army knife. By now Hector had laid the book on the blanket making sure it couldn't blow away & returned to Molly's side. Meanwhile Lexie began to shake. Seeing this Golly put a blanket over her shoulders & poured another nip from the flask, silently insisting she drink it, which she did. Fleetingly it crossed Kilwillie's mind to wonder why Lexie should be taking this so personally, but he was too caught up in his memories to spare Hector's housekeeper more than a second's thought. Molly now handed the box to Archie. He was unsure whether to take something from it. His thoughts turned to his sister; it was obvious now that they would each take something & he didn't want Lizzie to feel any more left out than she had to. "Father?" "Yes Archie?" As Hector replied he looked older & more frail than Archie had ever seen him. "We should send for Lizzie. It's time Martha had a room here anyway." "You're right my boy; I'll telephone her as soon as possible." He agreed. "Have her come for the reopening of the dining-room & because I want to see my God-daughter; some things shouldn't be said over the phone." Archie sighed. "As you say." Hector nodded. Here Lexie bit back a sob. She, of course, knew of something else that Lizzie shouldn't find out about down a receiver. Golly saw that despite the circumstances, he had to act. He put a hand on Archie's shoulder & leaned close to whisper: "Archie, son, let's take this inside; the whiskey's running low & the women-folk are headed for shock." As usual Archie realised that Golly was, of course quite right. He turned to Molly: "Mother, this probably shouldn't be exposed to the open air for too long. It'd be best for you to take this back to the house; you to Father, I want Lizzie to know as soon as possible. It's only right; remember though, just ask her down for the re-opening. Golly will drive you home." His tone left no room for argument, so Hector gently laid the small book back in the tin & headed for the Land Rover with his terriers trotting at his heals. Molly laid the lid on the box & followed with the utmost caution. Golly went on ahead to open the doors. Archie turned to his Head Ranger: "Duncan, can you refill the hole? Lord Kilwillie, would you mind finding something to mark the area please?" Duncan already had the shovel in his hand. Kilwillie nodded: "Will a stone do?" "Fine. Then would you mind taking Lexie back to the House please? I'll be a while." With that he walked away down the hill, obviously needing to be alone, shock clearly setting in for him to. Useless stayed close to heal & followed. Hearing her name mentioned Lexie, who until now had been as still as a statue, turned to Kilwillie: "Can you drop me off at the croft? Golly won't mind & I need to make a private phone call." She asked. "Of course my dear, I'll wait for you; but what about Archie, surely one of us should go after him?" he asked concerned. "He'd reject us just now. I know where he'll be & Useless will fetch us if we're needed." A surprised Kilwillie shot a look at Duncan as he handed over the stone he'd found but the Head Ranger's barely perceptible shake of the head stopped any protest. Instead he very gently put his penknife in his top pocket & got out his car keys: "Whatever you think best, of course. Now, let's get you to the croft, shall we?" With that, Duncan was left to clear up (not that he objected in the circumstances), & head back to his room to sort this mess of a day in his mind. TO BE CONTINUTED...