Part Six

Archie and Lexie finally left the antique shop having negotiated the purchase of not only the bed and the dresser but also a beautiful old oak dining table and a set of matching chairs that Lexie had discovered in another room. The dealer was, of course, delighted with such generous custom and readily agreed to an early delivery in just two day's time.

On their way home they called in at the estate agent to warn him that they would soon be moving out of the cottage, then dashed over the road to the post office to grab some change of address cards before it closed.

"Now at last we can tell everybody where we are," said Archie, "I'm fed up with opening all that redirected mail from Glenbogle. I'm sure half of it never arrives at all."

They were about to get back in the car when they saw Dan, the landlord of the village pub, hurrying across the road towards them.

"Hi, there. Shopping a success I hope?" he enquired when he reached their side of the road.

"Well, let's say that the antique shop won't be going out of business this week" replied Archie winking at Lexie. "Now all we've got to do is finish decorating the bedroom before the bed arrives."

"Well I'm so glad I caught you before you left, because I was hoping to persuade you to pop into the pub this evening. We're having a quiz night tonight and lots of the villagers will be coming in. It'd be a great chance for you to meet some of the locals," he added, as if to reinforce the argument.

Archie gave Lexie a quizzical look. He knew she had been itching to get back and make a start on the decorating but also knew that she was keen for them to make friends with more of the local people. They had hardly spoken to any of them since their arrival and, after all, it might be a good way to promoting their business.

Lexie didn't pause for very long. "Hmmm, decorating or quiz?" She spread her hands in front of her as if weighing up the pros and cons. "Well, we have bought the paint and the furniture today and that was pretty tiring."

Archie was quick to pick up on her thoughts. "Right then, pub quiz it is. What time does it kick off then?"

Having established that they still had time to get back and change, they dropped off the painting materials at the house before dashing back to the cottage. Lexie began to leaf through her wardrobe but it wasn't long before Archie sensed that she wasn't happy. "Anything wrong Lex?"

"No, it's OK. Well I think it is."

Sensing that she was preoccupied Archie wandered off for a shower and returned a few minutes later dressed in a casual shirt and fresh jeans that he'd found in the airing cupboard, only to find that Lexie did not appear to have achieved anything in his absence. She was wandering round the bedroom with a rather frantic air of annoyance and virtually the entire contents of her wardrobe spread out on the bed.

"What on earth happened here? Did I miss the bomb going off?" Archie commented dryly as he picked up a couple of skirts to reveal a corner of the bed that he could perch on. "Ready to go then?" he asked naively.

"Does it look like it?" Lexie threw him an exasperated look. "I'm still trying to decide what to wear."

Archie shrugged. "Well it doesn't really matter does it? It's only a night at the local pub."

Lexie glared. "You have no idea, do you, Archie Macdonald, how important this evening is. This is our first chance to make an impression and it has to be the right one."

Archie tried in vain to hide his amused expression. This only infuriated Lexie further. She stood in front of him, hands on hips. "This is not funny Arch. I need your advice. I can't decide. Trousers or skirt? Smart or casual?" She held up some examples.

He perused the garments presented for his judgement and felt like the man at Christmas who was given two ties but could only wear one. He realised that his future happiness might rest on his next statement. Cautiously he responded.

"Why not wear that blue dress you bought last week."

Lexie pulled it out of the pile and held it in front of her to look in the mirror. She winced "You don't think it looks too dressy then?"

"Well why not just go as you are?" he offered.

Lexie picked up a nearby pile of clothes and chucked them in Archie's direction. "What! In my dressing gown! That would certainly make an impression – but maybe not the right one." She smiled weakly and flopped on the bed.

"Well I think you look fantastic in whatever you wear." He pulled her over to give her a reassuring squeeze and planted a kiss on the top of her head. "Now pick out what you're going to wear and get in the shower."

Lexie, realising that time was running out, pulled out a red floaty off the shoulder top to wear with her new black trousers and then rushed into the shower. When she returned the room had been miraculously restored to its former glory and Archie was nowhere to be seen. She slipped on her shoes, grabbed her bag and rushed down the stairs, thinking she was late. Only to find Archie reclining on an armchair with the phone to his ear. She looked over at him and tapped her wrist to warn him that time was ticking on. He pointed at the phone and mouthed the word 'Duncan' back to her.

Five minutes later the phone call was over and they left the cottage to walk to the pub.

"So," commented Lexie as she slipped her arm through Archie's, "Have we got a lodger coming then? You did warn him that he'd have to rough it a bit didn't you?"

"Yes, of course I did. He nearly bit my hand off actually. Can't wait. I sense there might be problems there between him and Jess. Needs a break away from it all, I expect." Archie mused.

"Aaah, it's a shame with those two. We'll have to see if we can find out what's going on." Lexie's mind travelled back to Glenbogle. It was strange, not knowing instantly how things were shaping up there. She made a mental note to get all the gossip from Duncan. Though, if she was honest, most of it would probably have gone straight over his head.

"He says he needs to square things with Paul first but he doesn't think it will be a problem. If it's OK then I think he should be here by the end of the week." Archie continued.

As they reached the pub and stood at the entrance, they paused.

"Now you won't leave me alone with a load of farmers discussing milk prices, will you?" Lexie demanded.

Archie gave her one of his quizzical, slightly mocking, affectionate looks.

"Not unless you leave me with the local plumber discussing drains.

"Right then, deal?" Lexie questioned.

"Deal." said Archie.

They shook hands, turned, took a deep breath and entered the pub.