PART 11
There was an air of expectancy in the kitchen, Duncan was preparing supper
and Archie and Lexie poured over wallpaper sample books and paint charts.
They were trying to make the final decision over the sitting room, dining
room, family bathroom, and the three remaining bedrooms. So far they had
decided on a pale blue for the bathroom, and had decided to keep the three
bedrooms fairly neutral for the time being and liven them up with the
curtains and bed linen. It was the downstairs that was proving tricky.
"mmmm I'm not sure Lex, perhaps the lilac would be better for the dining
room as it would compliment the wood of the table and chairs, I'm just not
convinced about the mint green"
"I think you are right Arch, that lilac is restful yet interesting I think
it would make a great backdrop for dinner parties" Lexie agreed
Archie smiled at her "backdrop for dinner parties eh?" he teased her, just
then there was a loud clatter from the aga, Duncan quickly turned around
and said
"nothing to worry about just a slight hiccough in the supper preparation"
Archie raised his eyebrows at him "you sure Dunc?" as he got up to walk
over to the aga. Lexie put out her hand to stop him, she gave him a look
which said leave Duncan be, and he sat down again.
"well something smells wonderful" said Lexie smiling at Duncan "mm who'd
like a drink?" she asked as she wandered over to the fridge.
She poured herself a glass of wine and got out a bottle of beer each for
Archie and Duncan. As she sat back down again Archie said "now what about
the junk room?" He was referring to a small room just off the hallway next
to the kitchen. Lexie had in one of her wistful moments envisioned it as a
playroom, but somehow she felt nervous about airing this idea to Archie,
but after her conversation with Jill, she knew it was something she and
Archie had to talk about. Just as she was about to make the suggestion to
Archie, Duncan appeared at her side, waving a plate under her nose
"compliments of the chef" he said placing a plate of slightly burnt
sausages, mashed potato and baked beans in front of her.
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"Well at least it wasn't pot noodle" Archie commented later as he and Lexie
got ready to go out
"no very true" laughed Lexie "and lets face it we're all used to burnt
offerings! I remember your Dad and his penchant for my burnt toast. Oh look
at the time I must dash or I'll be late for the meeting, enjoy the quiz"
Lexie said as she gave Archie a quick kiss goodbye
"you too have fun at the meeting" he called as she dashed downstairs.
Matt bumped into Archie and Duncan as they arrived at the pub
"so how are the old brain cells tonight then?" Matt asked them as they
entered the pub
"great fully functional" said Duncan, who was hoping Lucy would be working
that night. He was a little disappointed as he entered the pub to see she
wasn't behind the bar.
They found a table and Archie went off to get the drinks
"Evening Archie how are you?"
"Fine thanks Dan, and yourself"
"Not bad, no Lexie this evening?" he asked
"No she and Jill have gone to the meeting about the May Fayre, three pints
please Dan"
"oh what a pity, always a pleasure where Lexie is concerned" he said
winking at Archie
Archie completely stunned by what Dan had said, decided to ignore him and
walked back to the table with the drinks.
Lexie met Jill as arranged by the village green and they arrived at the
village hall just as the meeting was about to start, "so is that Margaret
Mason village busybody then" Lexie asked Jill referring to the woman
standing at the front of the hall about to start the meeting.
"Yes" replied Jill in a whisper "she's alright really, but she's bound to
home in on you being as you're new!"
"great" Lexie whispered back
"Good evening everyone and welcome, thank you very much for coming to this
meeting. I think we all know each other apart from" Margaret Mason said
looking questioningly at Lexie.
"This is Lexie Macdonald, she and her husband Archie have just moved into
the old Farm at the south end of the village" Jill explained
"Thank you Jill and welcome Lexie" said Margaret
"Hello" said Lexie, she then turned to Jill "good grief its like being
back at school very scary!"
As the meeting drew to a close, Margaret ran through what everyone had
agreed to do
"....................and Jill Langley will organise the school children to
do Maypole dancing, also she and Lexie Macdonald will run the cake stall
and Matt Langley and Archie Macdonald will organise the pig roast, barbecue
and beer tent......................."
As Margaret continued Jill turned to Lexie "I wonder what they boys will
say when they hear what we have roped them in for!"
"mmm I'm sure they'll moan at first, but secretly will be delighted" Lexie
laughed
".............So thank you very much everyone and don't forget the
competition classes for baking and flower arranging" Margaret concluded
Jill urged Lexie to make a quick exit to the pub before they got cornered
by Margaret, and Lexie was subjected to the Spanish inquisition.
The pub was still pretty busy after the quiz, Lexie and Jill soon spotted
the boys at a table in the corner.
"so did you win?" asked Lexie, as she and Jill looked for somewhere to sit,
options were limited, Jill found a stool and Lexie ended up sideways on
Archie's lap, with her arm round his neck to keep her balance.
"no we didn't" replied Matt smirking "so how was the meeting?"
Jill and Lexie exchanged a look and grinned at each other
"what?" asked Archie and Matt together
"well" began Lexie "they are going to have a spit roast and barbecue at the
end of the day and well we kind of volunteered you three to roast the spit
and do your barbecue thing"
"what me too" asked Duncan incredulously
"yes you too wee man if you're still here" replied Lexie
"you know you've always wanted to be some kind of medieval squire at a pig
roast" Jill said to Matt smiling, mmm he responded
"hang on a minute what's this medieval bit" Archie asked looking slightly
concerned
Lexie turned to face Archie "well darling we suggested it would be fun if
you dressed up" she said coquettishly running her fingers through his hair
"ooo go on you'll love it and if you do I might dress up too as a serving
wench!" Archie began to smile as she kissed him fleetingly
Matt began to laugh "honestly you two, like a couple of newlyweds!" "they
always been like this?" he asked Duncan
"yeah pretty much "affirmed Duncan "even before they were together you
never knew quite what was going on and of course there was that time...."
"Duncan!" Archie and Lexie said together before he could continue unsure
exactly what he was about to divulge.
Dan had been watching their table with interest after Jill and Lexie
arrived, he came over to them
"everything alright here" he asked his gaze landing on Lexie
"ooo just the man I wanted" she said
"oh yes?!" he responded suggestively, Archie moved a little uncomfortably
and Jill and Matt became aware of something in the air
"well Jill and I have just been at the meeting about the organisation of
the May Fayre and we need a beer tent, any chance you could help sort out
the beer kegs?" Lexie asked
"anything for you darling" he replied lasciviously
Lexie smiled at him "well Matt, Archie and Duncan are responsible for the
spit roast and barbecue so I suggest you boys sort it out together"
"no problem" Dan responded his enthusiasm waning a little
One up for me thought Lexie she could read Dan, her suspicions from
Saturday confirmed. She'd experienced this before, she knew what was going
through his mind, yes she could handle it but she was a little tired of men
and their unwanted advances and suggestive comments, she had perhaps
naively assumed it would stop once she married Archie, it brought back
memories of when she was much younger. There was though something else
about Dan that made her feel particularly uneasy, she just couldn't work
out what it was exactly. She suddenly became aware that as she had been
lost in thought her grip around Archie's neck had tightened and he was
looking at her expectantly, she smiled and hugged him whispering she loved
him in his ear and asking to go home.
Archie had sensed too what was happening with Dan, his suspicions had been
aroused earlier and he had begun to wonder on Saturday, he could also feel
the affect it was having on Lexie, she didn't let it show but he knew from
the way her arm tightened around his neck and the hug she had given him.
His mind went back to the day a few years ago, when she had first told him
about her mother's boyfriend and moving out of home as a consequence - they
had talked about it several times since - but he wished he could make the
memories and the feelings go away for her. He'd watch Dan carefully that
was a certainty, he could see things possibly becoming tricky as he had
offered them use of the pub's function room next weekend for the marketing
event for the business, but no matter what, Lexie came first.
Around them Matt, Jill and Duncan were engaged in a lively debate about
exactly what the medieval fancy dress would be, Archie took hold of Lexie's
hand "come along sweetheart"
"we're off he said to the others, you coming Dunc or staying for another
pint?"
"think I'll stay, guess I'll see you tomorrow ready with my paintbrush,
night"
Archie and Lexie said goodnight to Jill and Matt and left the pub, Duncan
went to the bar to get another round.
Jill looked at Matt "I'm beginning to think those rumours that circulated
the village about Dan last year are true, I thought they were just gossip
but.................."
"mmmm" agreed Matt "I know what you mean, I had always wondered about him
nothing I could put my finger on though. I think Lexie handled it well, but
all the same not pleasant for her."
