The sphere at Glenbogle was awful. Molly couldn't stop crying. It wasn't only Jamie that she lost, her other son was also away. Hector hardly talked to someone, only the things which were necessary he said. Lizzie was crying the whole time. And Lexie, she couldn't believe that Archie killed his brother. It could not be true. He would never do that. And then why ? There were so many questions. She wish that it was she who found Archie after the accident. She wouldn't have run away like Lizzie did, she should have talked to him in stead of accusing him. Maybe then he wouldn't have left Glenbogle. Till now no one heard anything of him.

Some weeks after the funeral Molly received a letter from Archie.

Mother,

I 'm arrived at uncle Joseph, I asked him to not call to you caus then you would convince me to come back. And I don't wanna come back. Everyone should pointing at me that's my fault my brother died. So I only ask you to leave me alone.

Uncle Joseph arranged it for me that I can go to school here. Hope everything is allright with you. I love you mum. Don't hate me for what I have done.

Archie.


Molly told Hector where Archie was so that he was reassured. She went to her brother caus she wanted to see her son. Two times a year she did it, also when Archie had finished his school and moved to London. He worked there in a restaurant. He met there a girl with whom he felt in love. After some years they decided both to start a restaurant of their own.

It was some weeks after the opening of the restaurant Archie got a phone call from his mum that Hector was very ill. She begged him to come back. Archie decided to go, even though Justine, his girlfriend wasn't glad with it. Things were going very well and it was very busy at the restaurant, Justine told him to not stay longer at Glenbogle as was necessary.

Archie took the night train to Scotland. The next morning he arrived at Glenbogle station where Duncan was waiting for him.

" Woow, Archie that's a long time ago I've seen you. You became a very handsome young man" Duncan and Archie hugged eachother. " Hello Duncan, and you didn't became older, you seemed to be still the young guy of 8 years ago ! "

Arrived at home Molly was waiting for him. She opened her arms to hug her son.

"Oh Archie, I'm so glad you're back again. Let me have a look at you, you're looking so handsome my son "

"Hello mum, how's dad for the moment ? "

Hector was standing on the stairs.
"What are you doing here ? Who asked you to come back ? "

Archie was surprised to see his dad standing there.
"Father ! I thought you were very ill. Mother called me to come back home immediately ! "

"Well as you see I'm not death yet. And I hope to live a very long time, so bye Archie, go back to were you belong ! " Hector said running of the stairs and out of the house.

Archie looked very sad. He went together with Molly to the library and took a glass of whisky.

"He doesnt'mean what he says, Archie. Please don't go away, I need you here " Molly was holding him at his arm, afraid that he would leave his home again.

Archie nipped at his glass and put it away.
"He's still accusing me for my brothers death, and he's right of course. It was my fault Jamie died. " Archie sank down in a chair, tears coming up in his eyes. " If Jamie wouldn't have said those awful things about Lexie he would have been still alive "

Now Molly was listening to him with asking eyes. She wanted to hug her son, he was looking so desperate. But she let him talk further.

"I only wanted him to shut up. I hit him in his face. At that moment everything was black for my eyes. I woke up when we were both laying in the water. He was bleeding in his face. I didn't know I hit him so hard. I was afraid. I was swimming away from him. Until I realized he didn't follow me. I couldn't find him anywhere. I screamed. Then at once Golly was there. And Duncan."

" Archie, it was an accident. Please don't feel guilty. Golly had seen everything. He was near by the loch when you and Jamie were in the boat. He saw you standing up and that you hit him. Till now we never knew why you did it. Both of you fel out of the boat and Golly saw that Jamie got the boat on his head. Golly saw that he was bleeding. On that moment Golly ran as fast he could to get help and to get you out of the water. He knew it was hopeless on that moment to find Jamie alive, the only thing he wanted was to save you, caus he saw you were struggling to get out of the water. Oh Archie, why couldn't you talk earlier about it to me. You have lived so many years thinking that you were the reason of Jamies death. " She was quiet for some moments. " I shouldn't better have listened to Joseph, he asked me to not talk about the accident when I visited you. Archie try to forget it. I know it isn't easy. For me it also took a long time to accept Jamies death. "

"But if I didn't have that quarrel with him then..." Molly laid her finger on his lips. " If... don't say so Archie, accept it. " Archie looked at her. " I only hoped that I could have talk with him again. He died and I never could tell him that I didn't want him to die, I was angry at that moment, I wanted to hit him but I didn't want him to die " Now Molly couldn't stand it anymore and hugged her son like he was a baby.

"Dad will never forgive me, I'm going back tonight mum "

"No, you're not going back. Stay for some days, or is Justine expecting you back so quickly ? Are you happy with your life in London ? "

"The restaurant is going fine. I like to work with her " Archie took his glass again. Molly looked at him. He didn't say that he was happy and that he loved Justine. She was wondering about it.

Arm in arm they walked back to the hall. At once Lexie came out of the kitchen

"Archie, you're back " she shouted. Archie had to take a firm stand caus she ran into his arms, she jumped almost around him.

"Let me have a look at you Lexie. You're a pretty girl. I suppose boys are fighting for your attention ? Or do you have a boyfriend already ? "

" No, Archie, I think the boy who will steal my heart isn't born yet " she replied. " I'm back to the kitchen to prepare a wonderful dinner for you, see you ! "she said rubbing her nose over his nose.

That evening Archie, Molly and Hector were sitting in the dining room. Lexie came in with a big dish with a salmon on it. She first went to Archie with it, a big smile on her face.

"Hmm, it smells delicious Lexie "he said taking a part of it.

Hector was sitting at the table with a sulky face. "It isn't 'haute cuisine' of course as you expect. Then you have to go to that restaurant of yours " Archie stopped his action and threw his knife and fork down.

"Father if you want me to leave say it directly in my face. I know you hate me. I'm off now "
He was standing up and ran away leaving a startled Molly and Lexie behind.

Molly laid her hand on Hector's arm. "Oh Hector, why you're doing this ? "