THE TIME BEFORE THE FUTURE – PART 24 Molly had been waiting when Kilwillie & Lexie had returned to the House & had insisted on running Lexie a bath, someone to fuss over made things just a little easier. Lexie had willingly accepted, but was now trying not to make it obvious that she was pacing the hallway watching for Archie. Molly herself was in her studio, watching out of her window, also anxious for her son's return. Despite her emotions up on the hill, she was now sure of it. Greeting Archie should be Lexie's job, not hers. There was one thing she could do however. Her mind made up, she hurried along the hall to Duncan's room. His door was closed but Molly knew this had to be done: "Duncan? Duncan, dear; are you awake?" "Aye Molly, just coming." Duncan sounded a little flustered, & Molly could hear the sound of things hurried being cleared up; then he appeared at the door: "Molly, are you alright? What can I do?" "This is going to sound very odd, but I need you to go to the cellar, find a big bottle of the best Laggamore Whiskey, suggest Hector takes it to the Castle for fear of upsetting me, then make sure that my darling husband & Kilwillie make good use of it. All right?" "Whatever you say Molly, that shouldn't be a problem, but why?" Duncan was understandably puzzled. "Because Duncan, unless I'm very much mistaken, Lexie's downstairs waiting for Archie & well, there are some times when no-one should be alone." She watched as realisation dawned on Duncan's face. "Oh right, you mean..." his words faded out. "Maybe, Duncan, maybe." Molly's cheeks turned the colour of her tea-roses & she turned away. "I'll do up a toddy tray (Archie will probably need one), so when you're done, they'll be coffee ready in the kitchen & see if I can find us a night-time snack." "Ok." Duncan hurried downstairs, his heart full of mixed emotions. Golly drained the last of the hip-flask into Badger's tea having carefully made sure he didn't give the old butler more than he could handle. Golly needed to make sure that Badger got his facts right or even better said nothing at all. Golly hadn't mentioned his worries about rumours; he'd stuck to telling Badger the facts, some things were just understood in these circumstances. Badger listened carefully, commenting only that: "M'Lord will be touched." When told about the penknife. The last of the 'tea' mellowed Badger a good deal & soon he was sharing his own memories of the MacDonald children & Lord Kilwillie's daughter, Flora. Whether it was meant to or not Badger's story mellowed Golly's heart towards the man. The way Badger's eyes misted over when he mentioned 'Miss Flora' showed how lonely he must be under the cover of all that formality & convinced Golly to stay with him until they heard what could only be Kilwillie's return. When that happened he slipped out silently the same way he'd come in. TO BE CONTINUED...