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. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------ "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."