Chapter Four…Jack and Jill went up the hill, to fetch a pail of water, Jack fell down, and broke his crown, and Jill came tumbling after—Child's saying J
Susan had a hard time sleeping that Tuesday night, since the night before she spent it with Paul, snuggled in his arms and body warmth. Paul wouldn't talk to her after the article fiasco at the estate. He was still hurt about her possibly taking off on him again and now suspicious of her relation with Henry. Susan hadn't heard from her old boss either and the stunning ring in the black box now sat on her bedside table. Susan peeked at the ring, but didn't try it on. She contemplated mailing it to Henry with a note of 'Sorry, can't marry you,' but she couldn't bring herself to write the note. Susan was restless and flip-flopped, thrashed about, and then bolted upwards in bed after hearing the wind howl and the storming outside. It was very big rain storm as the both the thunder and lightening, clapping and then zapping, brought Nigel to her bedside.
"Mummy, I'm frightened."
"Come join me in bed. I'm scared too." Susan pulled up the covers to let Nigel cozy to her and then covered them up again.
"Mummy, I miss Dad," Nigel spoke up quietly, "I miss Sunday morning breakfast."
"I know you do."
"Do you miss him?"
Susan paused for a moment, trying to think about her answer to Nigel's question carefully, before truth-telling, "I do Nye. I really do."
"Do you love Dad?" Nigel asked innocently.
"Yes, I loved him before you came into the world and when we made you and now…" Susan paused herself again, as her emotions were starting to take over. Her eyes became watery and tears started to flow.
"You crying, Mummy?"
"Yes, Nye," Susan sniffled.
"Why?"
"Just sad Nye, that's all."
"About Dad?"
"A little bit, wee bug." Susan kissed her son's forehead and they both drifted off to the land of nod.
The next morning, Wednesday, things were back to normal at the Glenbogle House, Minnie had her routine of crying for someone to come get her and Paul would arrive at the door of the nursery and snatch her up and away. He'd go down to the kitchen, prepare her bottle, and nuke it in the microwave. Minnie would then grab it and feed herself while sitting on Paul's lap as he eyed the newspaper.
Lexie roamed into the kitchen, gave a huge yawn and prepared breakfast for the twins who were miraculously still sleeping, "Morning."
"Morning Paul," Lexie gave a quick nod of her head, "I see Maeve's awake."
Paul sat there as a tiny smile formed on his face, one that Lexie hadn't seen in days.
"How do you do?" Lexie asked, trying to keep some kind of a conversation up and going with her brother in law.
"I'm just tired."
"Aye, fine, ya should be. Ye've been bruitin' about since Nigel and Susan left a day ago, aren't ya gonna call'em?" Lexie cut to the chase, as she put Paul on the defensive, or tried too.
"None of your concern, Lexie, thanks." Paul dismissed her route of trying to 'discuss' his issues with Susan. Paul wanted to see Nigel, but it was Susan he was trying to avoid. Paul continued to stare blankly at the newspaper, like he was trying to hide behind it.
"Paul, ye're beamin' one moment, and the next not. What's gotten into yer heid? Don't be down about---?" Lexie began to criticize him, as it would draw his attention to her and not the paper.
"Apparently, you weren't listenin'. It's none of your concern." Paul closed himself up only for Lexie to stare at him.
"I'm simply puttin' it as if you miss Nigel, then you should've him 'ere. Look, if ye're havin' issues, which anno ye are, wit Susan, then talk on about it."
"This Henry guy shows up out nowhere. He starts callin' her 'Babe' this and 'Babe' that! And the real gut kicker is she won't explain herself to me 'bout 'im or dis moving business! And then she doesn't even say if she's leaving me or not! I assume she is! London? You heard Molly, right? Molly knew Susan was going to move back to London…" Paul replied dismally, as Minnie gave him a look and continued to suck on her bottle.
"Aye-be, Henry, do ya even know 'bout her boss?" Lexie's eyes sparkled when she was about to put a MacDonald male in his place. Paul was the glutton for punishment in her eyes as she stood firmly, waiting for answer to her question.
"What 'bout 'im?" Paul muttered, still in disbelief that Lexie knew anything about Henry and Susan.
"Oh Paul, don't be daft! Office romance, someone of her past, Paul---Yer her present, she said so herself---she's not goin' off to London, blimey--open yer eyes!" Lexie scoffed with a roll of her eyes.
"To who? Not me." Paul gave Lexie a sideways glance, like she was wrong, which she wasn't…
"To me!" Lexie challenged him and then went on to explain it all. "Susan doesn't have interest in Henry. He followed her up 'ere an' tried proposin' to her and she kept ignorin' 'im because she dun no how to speak to her old boss! An' snip at him to stick it where de sun dun't shine! Mind ya 'ere, he was engaged to someone else not so long ago. An' Mr. Posh and Proper, wasn't what he was cut out to be and Susan figures this!" Lexie rambled on and on, while the look of guilt formed on Paul's facial features.
"Oh."
"Yea, oh, Mr. Smarty Pants, oh! An' for yer information, bucko, she didn't want to crush ya!" Lexie boasted, trying to get through to Paul's thick head.
"She's gotta funny way of showing it…" Paul spoke up, but it was no use, as he felt stupid for not giving Susan the benefit of the doubt.
Lexie lowered her eyes and her voice, "Maybe she dun no how to show it."
"Oh," Paul's face deepened with more guilt.
"Yer not in the wrong for showin' yer emotions 'bout da situation, Paul. Yer in the wrong for allowin' them to destroy a beautiful thing you two 've." Lexie smiled at him.
"What do you propose I do?" Paul eyed her intently for an answer.
"Go chat wit her-tell her you love her, tell her you support whatever decision she makes if she's going to leave or not, which I don't believe she is. And give this little munchkin to me!" Lexie snatched up Maeve and carted her out of the room, leaving Paul sitting there with thoughts about Susan drumming on in his mind.
Come up to meet
you,
Tell you I'm sorry
You don't know how lovely you are
I had to find you
Tell you I need you
Tell you I set you apart
Tell me your secrets
And ask me your questions
Oh let's go back to the start
Paul managed to get out of the truck and to Susan's street hours later. It was still early morning, and the grass in front of Susan's apartment building had a thin layer of frost. He skipped the steps, entered the building and then jaunted up the first flight, then the second flight, then third--before standing before Susan's flat. He knocked on the door firmly, glanced around the hall, until the door opened, "Paul, what are you doing here?"
Running in
circles
Coming up tails
Heads on a silence apart
Nobody said it was easy
It's such a shame for us to part
Nobody said it was easy
No one ever said it would be this hard
Oh take me back to the start
"Susan, got a minute?" As Susan stepped back from the entrance way a let him in, before shutting the door and turning herself to him. She had her reading glasses on her head, as she had been working on another article for Highlander Magazine. Paul could tell she was distant.
"I got a minute, Paul, tea? I put on a kettle and I'm makin' myself a cuppa," Susan walked past him, into the kitchenette and then grabbed to mugs from a mug tree—a polka-dotted mug tree with only five pegs, instead of six that Nigel had made her in school last year as a Christmas present. Paul gave Susan a hard time about the artist of the mug tree two days ago while he fried up eggs—He commented on how dreadful it looked, before she informed him the artist was his son and then his face beamed out, "My son the woodcarver extraordinaire?" Susan gave him a huge laugh and said, "You're just jealous that I got a present from him!"
I was just
guessing
At numbers and figures
Pulling your puzzles apart
Questions of science
Science and progress
Do not speak as loud as my heart
Tell me you love me
Come back and haunt me
Oh and I rush to the start
"Great, sounds good, where's Nigel?" Paul turned his head to every corner of the lounge in hopes to see his son. Paul then walked over to the sofa and sat down.
"Off with Claire and a schoolmate at the cinema. I was supposed to go but the work duty calls, you know how that is," Susan grinned, but then her smile faded, as she realized Paul's face didn't smile back.
Susan gathered both mugs of tea and then sat down in a chair opposite of Paul, "There ya go."
"Thanks."
Running in circles
Chasing our tails
Coming back as we are
Nobody said it was easy
It's such a shame for us to part
Nobody said it was easy
No one ever said it would be so hard
I'm going back to the start &&&
Awkward moment of silence crawled in…Susan just sipped her tea, so did Paul as they didn't speak until, at once…
"You know…"
"Look…"
Paul's lips curved into a small smile, as Susan grinned again, "Go first."
Susan replied, "No, you."
Paul set the tea cup down, and then found himself thinking about what to say to her, and how to phrase that Lexie informed him he was being a dimwitted fool. Lexie also told him to just chalk up the situation and chat with Susan about her true feelings on the subject of 'them.'
"Susan, Lexie told me about Henry and this idea of moving…"
"Right, Henry," Susan found herself starting to get embarrassed, not because of Henry, but because she upset Paul, "I'm sorry for what I said other day in the estate kitchen. It wasn't exactly called for, was it?"
"No, but you've got a point. I got to quit smoking the fags, or they'll kill me. Should probably think twice 'bout going into a military prison again and I do keep to myself when something is on my mind. I'm sorry for jumping to conclusions with you that wasn't called for ether."
"Well, good then, I think," Susan gave a small laugh, before concluding, "Nigel misses you."
"I miss him." Paul replied instantaneously, while he continued to stare at Susan and another small beam formed across his face, "I miss you too."
Susan stopped smiling as her face blushed and then she continued on, "Nigel should move in with you."
Paul's face went blank, "What?"
"Well, I've been thinking, this place isn't exactly for Nigel, is it? Cracked ceilings, bumps on walls, decrepit building--- Paul, it's not much of a home for him, is it?" Susan second guessed herself, a new trait that Paul wasn't used too seeing or hearing.
"Susan, if this is about the other day…I mean…"
"No, yes, yes, no, I overheard everything the other day in the estate study. He didn't exactly want to stay with me anymore. I reckon he needs a father around, something I couldn't provide…I mean…"
"Now look, there's a lot to be said for how you've brought him on. He's great! You're done well, Susan."
"But he needs you." Susan's face fell again, only for Paul to scoot over to her and kneel down on his knees as he took her tea mug from her hands and set it aside on an end table near the chair. He then put his hand on her chin to get her look at him, "An' you."
"Very sweet, but no, he should just move in with you," Susan moved her face upwards and away from Paul's hand.
"I have to discuss this with Archie and Lexie, I mean, they'd be okay, it's my son. I don't want to take him away from you."
"You're not taking, I'm giving," Susan added emotionally.
"Giving?" Paul replied with a dumbfound look, "How's bout sharing? Not just giving?"
"Sharing?" Susan's face fell again, "I'd see him weekends. With the paper…"
"You are plannin' on goin' back to London? You're goin' to up an' leave him here an' go back to London?" Paul stated sternly, not sure he liked where the conversation took its turn as it meant she wouldn't only leave Nigel, but prove his fears true that she'd leave him all over again.
"Paul, why are you here? Is there a reason? Are you trying to tell me something that I don't know? I don't want to leave and go back to London, but work is there. I'm constantly working here to keep us with a roof over our head, the way of life here is nice, but…"
"Susan, we'll work out the money, you and me. I'd help you first before I allow you to go back there."
"Henry…"
"Tell Henry to flip off," Paul fussed, as Susan's eyes grew wide at Paul's reaction, "Sorry, Lexie just said you had a hard time telling him where to fly it, and---?"
"He asked me to marry him, well tried too, about three times. I haven't seen Henry since I walked out of the estate study the other day. And when I went to look for him, he was gone."
"Yer not serious, Suz, about marryin' on to some---?" Paul stopped himself from verbally bashing Susan's old boss, which provoked Susan to state the obvious, her 'feelings' on the matter of marrying off to Henry.
"Paul, I don't want to marry anyone. Yes, there was a time when I hoped Henry and I would marry, but he instead decided to betroth himself to someone else. I told him I was moving on, quitting the paper…that was two months ago. He downshifts too fast, Paul! And you heard Nigel he doesn't exactly like Henry…" Susan rambled on and on again only for Paul to lean in fast and capture her lips with his. The kiss grew slowly like a little bud of a flower on a spring day, as the flower took the time to grow, leaves, a green stem and then with more sun and watering, it bloomed into a beautiful red rose…the moment grew more intense, as Susan finally broke free from Paul for air.
"Suz,"
"Pauly, I'm not going anywhere. I'm sorry I upset you and lead you to believe I was leaving, but I'm far from it." Paul stood up, held out a hand and they found themselves kissing their way into the bedroom once again…as Paul hit the bedroom door shut with his foot.
&&&The Scientist-Coldplay
Chapter Five---To move or not to move? That is the question… J
Lexie found Archie that same morning in 'The Vault' as he was turning pages to old accounting books, searching for receipts and blowing off dust off of file folders. Lexie walked in with a cup of tea and handed it to Archie, "Here."
"Thanks, not a stiff drink of scotch, but it will do," Archie joked, as he accepted the cup.
"Actually, ye made that cupper particularly strong," Lexie gave him a big hint that there was stiff scotch in with the tea, "Still no luck?"
"None what so ever, I can't even find a single damn paper on this lot 110536! I'm going blithering mad," Archie complained before sipping his cup of tea and then grumbling after scolding his tongue, "Oof-ergh!"
"Hot," Lexie warned him after the fact.
"I felt that."
"Oh Arch, something is bound to turn up. Maybe Molly knows."
"Mother has a shop to run. Even with Lizzie at the helm, she still has no time for estate business." Archie gave a quick nod of the head as he was right, as his mother had her own life now.
"This was her home, Arch, an' she helped us at Tax Demand time…" Lexie explained, "Maybe Paul might help, you did talk to Paul about this tether, right?"
Archie stared at his wife guiltily, before Lexie got the huge clue, "Arch, you need to work yerself with 'im."
"I'm workin' on it. Where is he?"
"He's at Susan's…" Lexie gave a huge smile, and got excited, "It's been about three hours, think they've sided their differences, if you know what I mean,"
"…either that or she kicked him out an' he's lolly gaggin' 'bout feeling like the world blew up on him."
"Oh Arch, you're being pessimistic! They lurve each other!"
"Well, they fight like cats and dogs, them two, it's not exactly healthy for Nigel, you know? Mother and Father would bicker on and on and I constantly felt the heat."
"Anno,"
"Maybe, they've come to their senses and are debating how to tend to Nigel…it's too bad he couldn't---?" Lexie's brain gave off a light bulb over her head indicating a strong idea and Archie caught sight of the bright light above his wife and decided to switch it off by use of the pull string…
"Oh no," Archie shook his head…
"You didn't even give me a chance to say it!"
"What is it then?" Archie had his ideas on what Lexie had to tell him…
"Maybe, if Susan and Paul get on, they should both consider moving in…Nigel should be here too. He's a rightful MacDonald, as just as anyone else…"
"Lexie, you're seriously jumping the gun here, aren't you?" Archie stood glancing at his wife, but understanding where her heart was at…
"Arch, it's a possibility. C'mon, it's family, Arch, and almost Christmas Sunday which is in four days, where's your sense of spirit?"
"Endless possibility…"
"We have room…"
"This room is endless! Maybe we should move them in here after we toss most of this old clutter out!" Archie remarked with another exasperated look at the pile of papers. Lexie wrapped a loving arm around her husband and kissed him gently, "We'll find this lot paperwork and sort this all out soon, Arch. It's a complete misunderstanding…Village counsel has their wires crossed and they can't auction off any land that they don't rightfully own themselves…there's got to be some paperwork somewhere…"
"Meanwhile our 24 hours are dwindling away…"Archie grumbled again in irritation and slammed his hand on a pile of papers on a shelf. A golf ball-one of Hector's, which was deeply hidden amongst the mess on the shelf rolled and hit a small book, which then tumbled down to the floor as a land map sailed out from it, "What's this?"
"Looks to me, lot 110536…" Lexie smiled as Archie viewed the map over and blew out another breath.
Susan and Paul had managed to take a snooze together that afternoon. Susan woke from the nap, her eyes searched around the room, remembering Paul was still sleeping beside her. Her face turned to the clock on the bedside table, as her mind logged in, '13:15pm, still early and Nigel won't be home soon…oh crumb, the ring!' Susan sat up slowly, in hopes to not stir Paul, as she climbed out of bed, tossed on a piece of clothing, Paul's navy jumper, which the sleeves were so long that they hung over her hands. Susan snatched the ring off the table, 'I have to get rid of this…I have to hide it, where? Office!' Susan quickened her pace, turned her head and not watching where she was going and tripped herself up on Paul's boots which were in the middle of the doorway. Susan let out a muffled yelp, as she grabbed her right big toe, stood herself up. She then glanced back at the bed, hoping her cry didn't wake Paul up, which it didn't. She then scurried towards the office, kept peeking out of the office because she could see directly into her bedroom, and when the coast was clear, opened her top desk drawer and shoved the black box in…
Susan jumped startled and slammed the drawer shut when she heard, "Hey Lady, nice jumper, do you got a kilt to go with that?"
Paul stood there as a smile spread across his face like on a smiley sunshine wearing sunglasses. Susan let out a nervous laugh, and grinned, before replying, "Sorry, the jumper didn't come with one!"
Paul asked, eyeing her intently and hungrily as the idea of being with her again wasn't far from his mind, "Oh really?"
"Sorry I woke you, I mean…" Susan walked away from the desk, relieved that he didn't see her put the ring from Henry in her desk drawer, and stood in front of Paul at the door.
"Eh, I just woke up and you were gone…I wanted to be sure you weren't heading straight for the hills again," Paul laughed as Susan continued to grin, "What would you do if I told you I was secretly planning to book it?"
Paul got a bright gleam in his eyes, as he still loved being teased by the new and old Susan. He snatched her up and tossed her over his shoulder, "I reckons I got to do this!" Susan let a screech and laughed, as he carried her back to her bedroom and dropped her on the bed, before joining her.
"We thought about Nigel moving in. Don't suppose you'd move too?" Paul blurted out immediately, which completely caught Susan off guard.
"Moving?" Susan lay there with Paul on top of her, still smiling, until it faded…as he waited for Susan to give him an answer…
"Well, I figure if I got to chat it up with Archie and Lexie about Nigel, might as well, put in a strong word for you too. You don't like that. Think we're not ready after being on and off in one week? I know one week isn't exactly very long. Suz-I'm eager for you, for Nigel, and for our family to work. We've got on together before…" Paul went on and on and on until Susan planted a big smooch on his lips to quiet him down. "That was…"
"Ask, okay? I still have to work everyday. Mind you Nigel would have to switch schools again…I…" Paul cut her off in a lip brush, broke free and beamed once again, "I love you."
"Thank you." Susan replied, as they weren't exactly the words that Paul was hoping to hear from her, but they'd do for now anyway.
"Good settled. You move out of here. In with me and no more worries about yours or Nigel's well being." Paul winked.
"And what if Archie and Lexie have a conniption and believe it's a lousy mind bumble. Come on Pauly, I didn't exactly make a good impression with that article…"
"Dun worry about that," Paul smiled once again. "Just think about the time we get to spend together. We got eleven years to make up…"
"Oh you think?" Susan gave him a 'challenging his bold statement' glance, which could lead to a tickle torture, which they were both good at giving...
"Oh yea," Paul and Susan both laughed again…and then tickling each other away…
Paul returned to the estate, as he drove towards the bridge, he wasn't sure of what to make of the mob scene. The villagers of Glenbogle, or some of Archie and Paul's tenants were slicking cow dung (or trying too) across the bridge. There was a good two dozen or so of men with rakes, hoes and pitch forks, who were ready to clobber the Laird of Glenbogle. Archie stood with Lexie before the lot defending himself to Ferguson McBain, a childhood schoolmate of his too and the head of the angry mob. Paul climbed out of the land rover and voyaged over and through the angry crowd.
"What the hll is this about?" Paul asked starving for an answer.
Archie argued on and on with Ferguson as Paul stood there listening in…
"I have no inkling what you're implying Ferguson! Nothing will happen to your homes near that lot, I promise you."
"There's someone already who's purchased the land or about too…" Ferguson complained as 23 others yelled out, "Yeah!"
"This bgger wants to knock down trees and build new homes for other people!" Ferguson held out a letter. "I received this letter yesterday at my door!"
"We as well!" Charlie and Marley Appleby shouted out, who were twins and Archie's schoolmates at one point in time. Paul got his hands on the letter and read it over…
"Paul," Archie looked to his brother for help…
Paul came to his half brother's aide by whistling with his two fingers trying to calm the angry group, "NOW hang on! HEY! HANG ON!"
The men shut right up as Paul started to speak, "No one is cutting anything down or building anything without our approval! Just go back to your homes and we'll talk on with the Forestry commission and also this Mr. 'X'…we'll have a town meeting at a later date, just go on!!! Scatter! I mean it!"
The men grumbled again and again, not pleased with Archie or Paul's approach to the problem at hand about them losing their homes, but they tuned into Paul more so than Archie at that moment.
"Tomorrow morning this mess better be straight Archie MacDonald or else!" Ferguson hollered out as the angry mob followed him away from the bridge and back to their cars, vans and trucks. Paul stared at Archie, "Explain it now…many people don't sound too impressed with this Mr. 'X'—we're partners, remember? We work together, why do I get this impression you've been working on this behind my back?"
"Paul, we've lost some kind of a land grant from the Forestry Commission and Village Counsel for a lot called 110536…supposeofly, its land that is not just Glenbogle's only forest, but land which is nearby to the houses of more than half of our tenants! I've got no clue where the lot was until now!" Archie announced as his half brother listened.
"Well, we'll fix it up..." Paul had other things on his mind to talk to Archie and Lexie about...
"Hey Paul?" Lexie called out to him as he stopped walking towards the land rover.
"Yeah?" Paul cocked a brow at Lexie and then strolled back towards Archie and Lexie once again.
"How's Susan an' Nigel?" Lexie watched Paul perk up with a pure smile at the mentions of their names.
"Very well, I got something to chat with the both of you about, I'll meet with you back at the house…" Paul jaunted towards the land rover again and this time climbed inside and drove off.
"See, what did I tell you?" Lexie shot Archie an 'I knew it and you didn't believe it' glance.
"You told me nothing and we still don't know what happened with them two."
"Arch, he's happy, it's a good sign…" Lexie beamed as she threw her arm around his waist as they walked back towards the Wild Life Centre truck.
"I want Susan and Nigel to move in here…just temporary until we find something for the three of us to live in…" Paul began as he sat in the study with Archie and Lexie. Archie poked at the fire in the fireplace with a poker and then stood up near the mantel casting his eyes downward on the firelight.
"I knew it," Lexie gave a huge grin at Archie of satisfaction for being right about Paul and Susan.
"Knew what?" Molly asked as she walked into the study.
"Mother, good of you to join us," Archie smiled, as Molly gave him a sideways glance and sat down next to Lexie on the old high back sofa seat.
"Oh just a huge hunch that Paul and Susan would decide to come together finally--- You had the same hunch, Molly, over a week ago, so I can't take all of the credit," Lexie grinned, as her mother in law gave her a short look and then turned her attention to Paul.
Paul then explained, "The village school would be good for him. He'd be happier helping out with the Centre and rabbits. It would teach him some responsibility. Now I know you don't like Susan's article, Archie, but it's not her. When you'd actually get to know her, she's not that bad…"
"Paul, stop trying to sell us when we're all ready sold on it!" Lexie shouted out, knowing having another woman around the estate would be nice…she had been missing the female company since Lili passed away, even though she enjoyed Lizzie, Lizzie was always busy with the shop. Archie didn't seem to object to the idea of more house live-ins. Archie rubbed his aching back instead and tried to finish his Scotch.
"You okay?" Paul asked Archie, who in return replied, "Just my back ache…still there, I'm afraid," Archie stood there as asked carefully, "When exactly would they be moving in? Where would we put them?"
"Susan and Paul in my old room since its warmer…" Molly implied as Archie gave his mother a look.
"Molly, you sure about this?" Lexie began, just checking to find out if Molly really wanted it to happen…having Paul and Susan take over her old room. The room that they had set aside for her just incase she wanted to move out of the flat above the shop and back home.
"Of course I am. You can't blockade a room because of old memories. I don't live at the house anymore and once Golly and I get married in the spring, we'll be moving into the cabin together. Lizzie and I have talked about her and Martha moving into the flat above the shop, until I move with Golly…and even then they are in Lizzie's old room for now… so pointless to keep a room here for me…you and Archie have your own room. The twins and Minnie are in Jamie's old room. Hector's old room is still done up for you Lexie, and you could move Nigel in there…it would make sense for Susan and Paul to live here too," Molly made a huge stride to at least acknowledge Paul as Hector's son too, even if she still had problems with Hector's infidelity, "Besides, I did give you those flowers to give Susan, remember? Oh children, out with the old and in with the new…"
"Yes and she liked them…that's very noble of you, Molly, but you haven't aged over a day of twenty…" Paul gave Molly and nod of the head.
"Look, you're not going to get around me that way, but I'll take that as a compliment," Molly winked as Archie listened in closely, but didn't question when the flowers were delivered to Paul via Molly to give to Susan, instead Archie inquired again, before Lexie interrupted him in excitement.
"Settled then so when does our famous reporter move in?" Lexie smiled warmly at Archie…
"Well, soon?" Paul added with a laugh.
"Tomorrow?" Lexie gave a wink as Archie as he blew out a breath since he was no match for his wife and he could tell Lexie was looking forward to the new company,
"Yes, as soon as Susan and Nigel are able to move in," Archie concluded with a smile at Paul.
Meanwhile…about twenty minutes later…
"So givin' it a go?" Lexie begged for details in the kitchen after setting a cup of hot tea in front of Paul as a temping offer…
"Go givin' yes," Paul smiled.
"Did you tell her you loved her?" Lexie pried…
"Lexie, what do you think?" Paul gave a laugh…
"Yes, and she told you she was completely utterly madly in lurve right back?" Lexie winked but Paul's facial features hardened, "What's a matter?"
"She didn't tell me she loved me…"
"What?" Lexie gave Paul a bewildered look, "What did you do to her?"
"I did nothing."
"You did something, normally a woman replies back positively when told by her soulmate, her one true lurver that--?" Paul stopped Lexie from finishing her thought.
"It's Susan, functional Susan…she doesn't exactly wear her heart on her sleeve, instead she thanked me."
"She thanked you?" Lexie's mouth dropped open like she was in shock and slight denial.
"Yes, in appreciation of the simple gesture," Paul replied, but Lexie continued to be baffled.
"Huh, awful, she should've told you…" Lexie shrugged her shoulders.
"Well, she didn't." Paul's worry formed in the back of his mind as he continued to put up a front with Lexie.
"I'm gunna 'ave to 'ave a word wit that lass!" Lexie squabbled as Paul gave her a sigh, "She'll say it Lexie, when she feels it…I can't push."
"Then pull'er then!"
"How do you pull a woman to love you back?" Paul shot a question Lexie's way, one she couldn't answer, "Your silence, precisely speaks its own answer. You don't so leave her be."
In the meantime…
Susan was in the office working away when the phone rang…she assumed it was Paul calling her as he had said he would phone her once he knew the news…maybe he knew the verdict about Nigel and her moving in so soon. Her mind shifted to Nigel and Claire and wondering how their afternoon was…
"Hello, what's the plan?" Susan asked dreamily, but it wasn't Paul at the other end.
"Susan, no plan," a familiar voice spoke as she then realized who it was… "Henry?"
"Look, love, need you to be quick and write an article…Jot this down it's the last one…I said I'd call back days ago…"
"I know. I got the message. I see you got mine."
"Yes, I did. I need you to follow through on this one…" Henry sounded urgent on the phone, more than usual.
Susan wrote everything down on a legal pad, even though she had other things to talk about with Henry, like the ring sitting in her desk drawer. Susan also wanted to know why he up and took off days ago too. She scribbled down the last of the information…
"Thanks and luck." Henry stated firmly with no emotion in his voice.
"Henry?" Susan inquired to his silence…
"Yes?"
"Nevermind, I got the information. I'll work on it and fax it in."
"Okay…I--?" Henry paused, before Susan added, "Thanks."
"Yea, cheerio," Henry then ended the phone call before Susan could say anything else.
"Cheerio," Susan hung up the cradle of the phone, just as the flat front door opened and Claire's and Nigel's voices filled the room. Susan met them out in the kitchen area, "How was the cinema?"
"Mum, awesome, brill! About an Elf who…" Nigel started to chatter on and on about the movie's pointless Christmas plot while Claire then interrupted with a "How've you been?" to her harried sister.
"Been better."
Claire could tell Susan's mood had changed considerably since the late morning as her sister couldn't seem to hide her grin, "Nye, why don't you get yerself a comic and read for a bit while I chat it up with Aunt Claire, aye?"
Susan glanced at Nigel, while he nodded, "Aye, Mum!"
Susan walked into the kitchen, opened the refrigerator door and pulled out a bottle of water, before pouring it into a glass that she had retrieved from the cabinet above the range. Susan walked over to the kitchen table with the glass and set it in front of Claire, who in turn pulled out a bottle of medicine and swallowed a couple pills. Claire then smartly gulped the water down and replied, "Thanks a bunch."
"Paul seems to think the resolution to every problem is if Nigel and I move in with him…"
Claire gave Susan a blank look and then a half smile, "Okay…an' when 'bouts were ye plannin' on telling me?"
"I don't know if we're moving anywhere yet, the whole idea popped up today…Paul came by an'---?"
"You want to know what I think---it's great," Claire smiled warmly as Susan stared at her…
"You think?"
"C'mon me knockin' on wood serious 'ere, sis, it's a grand thing ye've got---thank goodness he got his act together an' came to see ye…"
"Claire-he doesn't know about your health."
"He doesn't 've to know an' doc says 'I'm fit as a fiddle,"
"Claire, sweets, I worry…"
"Dun worry, I'm alive…ever since the surgery. I'm healthy an'---?"
"Claire."
"Suz, don't," Claire paused and replied, "Ye love 'im an' if ye keep smilin' googly-eyed it's gonna crack!"
"He told me he---loved me…but…?"
"Well, doya then?"
"Claire."
"So didya tell 'im?"
"No, I said, 'thank-you,'" Susan started to sink in her seat while Claire shot her a look of confusion, "It's been years since I said anything to Paul about loving him…I mean…"
"Fer cryin' out loud, yer actin' like an olde maid! Ye hopeless, Suz! I can only imagine Paul being charming says, "I love you soooo much smoochy kissy" an' ye told 'im, 'thank-you' like a spinster olde maid would to a grocery delivery lad!"
"It wasn't that bad."
"No?"
"He came here---wanted to chat—one thing just lead on--?"
"Ye did the deed again!" Claire laughed aloud as Susan turned bright red, stumbling on words… "Ye face resembles a pair of red long johns at the mo', sister…"
"I plead the fifth."
"We're in Scotland, not America! That won't work with me sister!"
"Anyway, Paul said he'd phone."
"Well, guessin' ye need to phone 'im, yerself an' tell 'im yer madly, truly, deeply, utterly, devoted to 'im or I could do it?"
Susan shot Claire a look of 'Don't you dare!' "Claire…"
"Oh poo, yer takin' the fun out if it all…I'm the lil' sis, this is my job. I'm s'posed to raz ye on…" Claire added with a pout, before concluding, "Love at first sight deserves a fair square chance."
"Love at first breath?" Susan joked since she had known Paul since actually her very first breath ever…
"Aye," Claire nodded her head and then placed her hand over her sister's,
"Suzy, I'm not gonna melt like the first snow 'ere. Ye canna move an hour away. Aunt Marjorie's been takin' care of me heaps. Ye gave up a lot for me moons ago. Ye now need to live life...ye need to do what's best for Nye and you."
"I guess,"
"I guess?" Claire made a funny face and wrinkled up her nose while imitating her sister's voice and then gave her a look of 'Ye're bein' bubble brained' "Listen up you, he's in love wit ya…go fer it. Ye're in love wit 'im too."
"Says who?" Susan asked her sister swiftly as her brows rose.
"Says me," Claire blinked and smiled… "Ye don't join a family like de Army, Suz, ye create an' grow it."
"Like a potted plant? I have a brown thumb mind you!"
"No! Ye nurture it, ye nummy!" Claire joked back, "Ye're fine with plants!" as Claire's eyes searched around the flat looking at the arrangement of ten or so house plants everywhere, hanging in windows and sitting on stands. "Look at 'em all! I'm natterin' on 'bout love, sis too…If by chance fireworks strike and go off, whizzin' 'bout yer heids then cherish it true, as love."
Claire was certainly right that Susan was indeed in love, even if she didn't tell herself so…Susan sat there with now a goofy smile upon her star struck face, Claire teased Susan some more…"Ye getting' dehydrated, maybe yer the one in need of the fizzy water. Here's a napkin for the drool on yer chin!" Claire tossed napkin from the napkin holder on the table at Susan.
Susan laughed and tossed scrunched up napkin back table at her sister--- "I am not droolin' over Paul!"
"Face it, ye are!" Claire laughed again, "Have ye both got a flat? Why doesn't he move in here?"
"It's a possibility, but he wants us at the house…I'd imagine until Paul and I got things together…"
"Settled all ready?" Claire smiled again…
"Nothing's etched in stone, Claire…"
"I'm sure it is…I can feel it," and Claire could in her heart…
Chapter Six---Swinging in the branches…
That same night, after Paul had talked to Archie and Lexie about Susan and Nigel moving in, Paul showed up at Susan's door once again, as Nigel answered it, "I got it! Dad?" as he wrapped his arms around Paul giving him a hug.
"Hello Nye, your Mum is here still right?" Paul entered the flat as Susan came walking out of her office with her glasses sitting on the top of her head, before pulling them off and closing them up in her hand as she gave Paul a smile.
"You could've phoned, you know," Susan laughed, as she greeted Paul at the door and gave him a kiss.
"Not for what I got to say," He gave a huge nod of the head as Susan cocked a brow at him.
"What?" Nigel glanced from one parent to the other.
"You two move out tomorrow. We'll pack everything up over the week and weekend, and you then can tell the lord you're settling somewhere else."
"Moving? Where? Going where?" Nigel asked quickly, praying it wasn't back to London and voiced his fear, "We're not going to London are we?"
"No wee bug, we're not going to London. Listen to your father," Susan gave Nigel a pat on the head.
"Oh right, no room in the house for you, Nye. You snooze with the rabbits," Paul joked as Nigel's eyes grew wide and he tossed his arms around his father's waist again.
"I'm moving in with you?" Nigel inquired as Paul nodded his head and Nigel shouted aloud, "HALLELUJAH!"
Susan and Paul shared a chuckle together at Nigel's loud, 'AMEN.'
"I believe the angels could hear that one way up in heaven," Susan punned as Nigel laughed too before running straight for his bedroom and in a sing-song voice, "I have to pack! I have to pack! I have toooooo paaaccckkkk!"
"How'd they take to you asking them?" Susan eyed Paul closely.
"No problem. Actually, as absurd as it blurbs, strikingly odd, Molly gave us permission to move into her old bedroom," Paul shrugged.
"Maybe she's trying to get on with you."
"Or she realizes, I'm a permanent fixture."
"Paul, your mother did what she could for you, and it's not like your father was there…maybe, not speaking for Molly, but from my own mind, maybe she is coming around in her own away, even if she doesn't accept being cheated on…I don't blame the poor soul as it's tough…" Susan began as her mind shifted to her problem she still had with Henry.
"You're right, Suz. She's the one who gave me the flowers to give you."
"Oh, so now the truth comes out. And here all this time I thought you believed in bringing a woman flowers at her doorstep," Susan teased once again and Paul rolled his eyes, "Yes, I was given some firm advice when I came here last weekend."
"We should ring that blasted laird and inform him that the Mr. 'X' wants to meet with him on the wood lot," Ferguson grumbled, as Charlie and Marley sat next to him at the bar.
"Me thinks yer onto sumpthin', we could ring on…" Charlie gave a nod of his head as the men snickered to each other before paying for their pints and then making way to the call box in the corner of the pub.
The phone rang at Glenbogle House as Archie answered it, Marley tried not to laugh in to the receiver as Ferguson glared at him, "Mister MacDonald?"
"Yes, speaking?" Archie waited for the answer from the other end of the line…
"Mr. 'X' here, like to meet you down at the wood lot at ten in the morn, you know what this is about,"
"Oh right, the land, right?" Archie muttered, but the voice, which was muffled on the other end.
"See you there." Marley hung up the phone as he and his brother busted out laughing and Ferguson glared at them again. Archie gave the phone an odd look before hanging up the receiver on the cradle, and asking himself "That's settled?"
The next morning, on Thursday, Susan and Nigel started to settle themselves at the Glenbogle House. They still had lots of stuff to move between furniture, a kitchen and its belongings, Susan and Nigel's bedrooms and Susan's office, but only the essentials made it to the house during the first trip. Paul and Susan had packed everything up between the land rover and her car. Once they made it to the house, Paul made a point to help Susan carry some of her 'packed' up office into the study.
"Welcome!" Lexie yelled out as she waved at Paul and Susan, and then Nigel as the trio carrying luggage and boxes approached the main entrance, before hugging them both, "Well, go on, let's get ya settled!"
"Where's Archie?" Paul asked as he set the box he carried into the front hall.
"He's off meetin' wit Mr. 'X' on lot 110536," Lexie stated, as she followed the trio back outside to help out with boxes.
"All ready?" Paul stared at Lexie, not sure if he liked the idea of Archie meeting with the Mr. 'X' alone in the woods after meeting the group of angry villagers from yesterday. Paul had been distracted with helping Susan and Nigel move that he hadn't had time to focus on the land issue.
"What's a matter Paul?" Susan asked after picking up another box and sensing something was up. Paul set two more boxes down and Susan's suitcase, before answering her, "Nothing to worry over, Suzy-Q."
"Okay."
"Now," as Paul shut the land rover's back hutch, "Nigel and I will head back to Inverness and get a few more boxes,"
Nigel gave his father a huge smile, "Yeah!"
"Hop in, on you go," Paul nodded his head to his son and informed him to get back into the land rover.
"Okay, drive back safely," Susan winked as she and Lexie waved Nigel and Paul on.
"Aye, what's first?" Susan laughed, as Lexie replied, "We move ya into yer rooms!"
Archie found the wood lot, lot 110536, was an old growth forest, probably one of Glenbogle's oldest. He found the land trail without much trouble as he climbed out of the Wild Life Centre truck, and walked down the trail, while he carried the map that he had found in The Vault in front of him…
Unbeknownst to Archie, Ferguson McBain, Charlie and Marley Appleby and a few aggravated others, were waiting for him to show, "He's here men…"
Charlie radioed into Marley, who nodded his head towards Ferguson as he stood there. Archie approached him and replied, "Morning Ferguson."
"Archie," Ferguson gave a nod of his head.
"What are you doing here? I told you yesterday that I wasn't going to allow anyone to build anything here or chop down any trees," Archie began as he tried to reason with the men.
"We want it in writin'!" Ferguson shouted aloud as his eyes went to Marley, who was hidden behind a tree.
"Well, I can't put anything in writing Ferguson until I work out my mess with Counsel, you know this. I told you this yesterday, now I'm supposed to be meetin' with Mr. 'X' about the property…" Archie walked closer to Ferguson, as his foot stood in a rope loop which was hidden under leaves and snow. Ferguson's eyes continued to glance in Marley's direction. Charlie stood behind Archie as the men started to corner Archie to stand directly on the rope loop.
"We want it in writin'!"
"I can only give you my word," Archie spoke up sharply before Ferguson gave Marley the 'go ahead' and within seconds Archie hollered out, as he was tripped up by the rope loop (the manmade booby trap) which wrapped around the Laird's feet. Marley and Charlie tightened and knotted the rope around the highest point of the tree so Archie was hanging upside down! The men then climbed down the trunk and high-fived each other, like it was a job well done!
"AAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!! What the bldy hll---??"
"No writin', no word. You hang out for awhile and give it some thought. By the way, we're Mr. 'X', your meeting was wit us," Ferguson bullied as Archie felt the blood rushing to his head and his coat, truck keys, wallet, everything in his pockets fell out, even his pen knife to the old ground.
"Ferguson! I showed up here because I love the land, the people…why the---Ferguson! Charlie! Marley! Men! Gents! Come back!!!!" Archie screamed aloud as the group of men, who were now laughing in hysterics continued to walk down the trail, leaving the poor disgruntled laird to swing in the breeze.
Meanwhile, Lexie and Susan were busily trying to move the boxes into the right rooms. As Susan walked out to the drive to gather another box which Paul had left after unloading the land rover, a limo came barreling down the driveway. Susan stood there as the car stopped in front of her and an electric window went down. A man's face appeared at the window, "Mr. Higgins to see the Laird Archie MacDonald," as Susan glanced at the driver and in a state of shock, "Mortimer? What on earth are you doing here?"
"I was about to ask you the same thing, Sugar plum dumplin'," As a voice with a distinct charm, a Texan drawl spoke up, Susan turned in fear as she looked at her father. Mr. Higgins had climbed out of the car with a brief case in his hand.
"Whaaa---t are you doing here?" Susan backed away from the rental limo and stared at her father. He was a short, burly man with a huge cowboy hat on his head, gold belt buckle (with an oxen head on it) that was holding up his pants, and cowboy boots strapped on his feet---he resembled a real 'Texas Cowboy.'
"I'm here because of business, darlin'." Mr. Higgins didn't smile at his daughter, as he just stared at her, "what, are you, doin' here?"
"I live here," Susan's voice faltered as Mr. Higgins eyes widened and he replied, "Funny, never pictured yah as a Laird's wife."
"I'm not a laird's wife," Susan grumbled.
"I am." Lexie came up behind Susan and to her aide.
"Oh good, well then, you tell you're hubby that Mr. Anthony Higgins, III, requests a meeting with the laird for a business dealin'. He knows where to reach me…"
"Sorry, he's not here at the moment and what kind of business dealin'? How does my husband reach you?" Lexie questioned, as she could tell Susan was nervous.
"Eh, I'll swing by tomorrow." Mr. Higgins climbed back into his limo as it drove off, down the lane.
"Aye Susan? OK?" Lexie's brows lifted, while she collected the last box from Susan's arms.
"I don't like the sound of this," Susan shook her head.
"Sound of what?" Lexie gave Susan a puzzled look.
"That man was my father, what did he want with Archie?"
"I got no clue, but Archie's been dealin' with this lot 110536 business…"
"Susan and Lexie, where's Archie?" as a voice spoke up from behind Lexie and Susan as it was Golly who was carrying his stalkin' rifle and dangling some dead rabbits roped up in his other hand.
"Lot 110536?" Susan asked again, still wanting more information.
"Lot 110536, is an old growth forest not far from the estate, it's owned by Archie," Golly announced, "There's homes that line the forest, some of the homes, Archie rents out to…"
"Tenants?" Susan started to put the puzzle pieces together and she groaned out.
"Wha?" Lexie gave Susan a look, "We lost a land grant for that forest, Golly, Arch, doesn't own it."
Susan starting to think something wasn't right asked, "Where's Archie again?"
"Archie went off to lot 110536 to meeta wit someone who's trying to buy lot 110536...OH NO," Lexie stopped herself again as her eyes filled with fear, as a shiver went up her spine, "Arch should have been back here by now. Think somethin' might've happened to him?"
Archie continued to dangle from the tree as he could feel the cool air surrounding him. He shivered still hanging upside down and hoping, praying, wishing someone from the estate would find him soon.
Susan and Lexie followed the duplicate map from the book that Archie had found up in The Vault…as Susan drove her car, Lexie navigated with the map. They reached the trail, noticed the Wild Life Truck, turned off the car and then scooted out, looking around…
"He's gotta be here somewhere," Lexie worried as she peeked inside the truck. Susan took a peek in the back of the Wild Life Centre truck and snatched Paul's climbing gear in a pack.
"Why do we need that?" Lexie asked, unsure of what Susan was planning on doing with Paul's mountain climbing gear.
"Just in case, we need to climb a tree or something…"
The women walked down the trail yelling out, "Archie! Archie!"
Archie just barely conscious, woke up to his wife's voice, "Lex?" He spoke with a shiver.
"Archie!!! Arch----???" Lexie ran over to her husband hanging upside down, "Oh dear, what are you doing hanging upside down like that?"
"Oh just proving my love for the forest…" He joked, as he shivered some more.
"Ye're lucky they didn't tar and feather ya! This was McBain and Appleby's wasn't it? Oh Arch! Are ya all right?" Lexie muttered and cursed as Susan began to climb the tree after slipping on mountain climbing shoes, which were two sizes to big, strapping on a helmet on her head and then the climbing harness around her waist…Lexie found Archie's penknife and handed it to Susan. "We've got to get him down!"
"I---'m ffffine," Archie stuttered again…as his ankles were starting to ache…he had been hanging for a good fifteen minutes now…
Susan managed to scoot herself up the tree after wrapping the climbing rope around its trunk. She kept hiking her body up and digging her feet into the bark, stepping on branches as her hands got closer to the tied up rope which was attached to the dangling laird. Susan then steadied herself as she tried to cut Archie down, her footing slipped and she lost her grip on knife…before becoming entangled in the climbing rope, tree branches, and found herself dangling from the tree, "Lexie, get Golly or Paul or someone…I am stuck! There's no way I'm gonna get Archie down like this!"
Lexie even though she didn't want to leave Archie or Susan, bolted down the trail and found her self climbing into the Wild Life Truck since she had her keys in her pocket and driving back to the estate.