Part 8

Justine hardly had the time to have a talk with Archie. Everyone needed him during the whole day. If it wasn't Duncan who called him, then it was Hector. If it wasn't Katrina who claimed him, then it was his housekeeper Lexie who must ask him something.

At last they found a moment to sit down on the hill on the opposite of the house. They had a wonderful look from that place over the house, the gardens and the loch.

"Archie, when are we going back to London ? " Katrina asked him.

" Sorry Katrina, " he replied, " I can't leave for the moment, they need me here. My father isn't as young enough anymore to run this estate on his own. I think it's my duty to take things over from him " Archie was looking before him deep in thoughts.

Justine sighed, she rubbed with her hands over her face.

" But Archie, and the restaurant then. You promised me to give it a famous name. That's the reason we started it ....together. We can't leave Lenny alone for a long time, he has the management now. He can't do everything, and the kitchen and the serving...."

" Archie !" it was Golly who was standing before them " sorry Justine but I need to speak Archie for a moment "

" Sorry Justine " Archie gave her a light kiss on her cheek, " we talk about it later, see you " He left her alone and went away with Golly. Justine didn't know what to do. And she didn't get the chance again to talk to him. Neither during dinner or later, caus everytime they weren't alone.

Only that night she knew he was the only one for her, when she was laying in his arms.

The other morning Archie was already away for a long time when she woke up. After she took a shower and dressed herself, she went downstairs to the dining room. She couldn't find a breakfast so she went to the kitchen. There she found Lexie very busy with cleaning vegetables.

"Morning Lexie " Justine said to her " Lexie where can I find my breakfast ? "

Lexie looked at her, then at the clock.

"Breakfast ? " she said with an asking voice. " Sorry your ladyship , but in this hotel breakfast is only served between 8 and 10 am. I'm afraid you have to wait till lunchtime now " Lexie threw something in a tub and wanted to leave the kitchen.

" But can't you make something for me then " Justine tried again. Lexie looked again at her with a typical look on her face.

"I make something for you ? Are you kidding ? You run a restaurant so I think you can prepare your own breakfast. Milk and butter are in the fridge and in that cupboard you can find toast and marmelade. " With a movement of her head in the direction of a cupboard she left the kitchen leaving an angry Justine alone.

Some hours later Justine was walking over the estate. She found Archie, Duncan and Golly together, they were working at a cottage. That cottage must been done up for Katrina who wanted to rent it. Golly was sitting on the roof replacing some tiles, Duncan was making a lot of noise inside while he was singing a Scottish hymne. And Archie was repairing a window.

When Archie saw Justine he put his tools away and walked to her.

"Hi Justine, how are you. I didn't want to wake you this morning, you were still sleeping " he gave her a kiss.

" Hi Archie " she kissed him back and hugged him. " Busy as I can see "

" Yeah, the cottage must be done before the first of next month, so Katrina can move into it "

" Archie, it seems you have more time always for others than for me " Justine started.

" Sorry Justine, I know we have to talk, but as you see I hardly can find the time for it. "
Justine was getting nervous and angry of his behaviour that he never had the time for her.

" Well is that Katrina more important than I am ? And all the others ? How she's gonna pay the rent for it, with her body perhaps ? "

Archie was surprised of her reaction and answered very angry to her.

" Justine, what's wrong ? What do you think of me ? Don't you trust me anymore ? " Now Archie was thinking back at the moment in the kitchen with Lexie. His face was getting red of his thoughts. Justine saw the change in his face and had her own thoughts of it.

"Archie MacDonald I give you the time till tomorrow evening. If you're not back in London then, then I'm gonna sell your part of the restaurant to Lenny. He has more heart for it as you have !" Justine was almost out of breath of angryness. But she wasn't the only one. Archie pointed to her.

"No one is taking decisions for me. I can do it myself. Go back to London then, but without me. I stay here, and I don't know if I come back when you behave yourself like you do now ! "

With those words he turned around and went back to his work. He took the hammer and was so angry that he hit through the window in stead of beside it. He threw the hammer down and ran away from his work.

Justine knew that it was wrong what she had done. She knew that she lost him. Irresolute she wrapped her arms around herself.

" Archie please come back !" she shouted " I love you " she continued with a low voice and tears in her eyes. But Archie didn't return. Justine decided to get her luggage and went away from Glenbogle. No one saw that she was leaving.

Some weeks later Archie was showing the renovated cottage to Katrina.

"Oh it's marvellous what you have done Archie ! " Katrina was delighted about it all. She was turning around and had a look at everything.

"I didn't it all alone " Archie told her, " The honour is also for Duncan and Golly "

Katrina took a flower out of a vase and smelled at it. She looked seductive at Archie.

"I know Archie, but you were in charge of it and you have done a lot for me " She put the flower down and walked to Archie to wrap her arms around him.

" Archie do you remember the time we were kids and play here, together with Lizzie ? "

Archie also hugged her.

" Yes I do Katrina, we played and pretended that we were mother and father and Lizzie was the baby "

" And I sometimes gave you a kiss, Lizzie loved to see us together. But you also enjoyed it when I kissed you "

" It's a long time ago Katrina, we're no kids anymore " he laughed.

She looked him in his wonderful brown eyes.

" Archie ? can't we continue that friendship ? I still like you ? "

Archie hesitated with his answer.

"Sorry Katrina but .. it's just over with Justine. I don't wanna start a new relation for the moment. I hope you can understand it " Katrina thought at herself ' he didn't say no. There's still hope '.

They were still standing very close together when they heard Lexie shouting for Archie.

" Overhere Lexie " Archie answered not taking his arms away from Katrina.

When Lexie came into the cottage she forgot for some moments the reason why she needed him, seeing them standing so close together.

"What's wrong Lexie ? You look so upset ! " Archie said now walking to her. Now Lexie found herself back and stopped gazing at them.

" Sorry Arch, but it's your father he had an accident "

"What ? What happened ?"

" He was cleaning a gun and didn't know it was still loaded, he wasn't aware of it, till he took the handle over " Archie didn't wait any longer and ran back to the house, been followed by the two women.

There was no hope for Hector. Some hours later he deceased.