Part Fourteen"I knew this was a bad idea.  Can anyone see a space?  Anywhere?"Archie tapped on the dashboard as the wipers slowly slid across the windscreen in front of him.  They had been motionless for the last five minutes trying to get into the supermarket car park.  It was a very wet Sunday morning and Archie, Lexie and Duncan were obviously not alone in thinking that the only thing to do on such a morning was to head straight  for the shops.  Unfortunately the owners of the supermarket had paid little heed to the needs of shoppers on wet Sundays and the car park was obviously  not up to the job.  All around them steam rising from the wet vehicles merged with the steam from their owners heads as the frustration levels rose. "Look this is no good at all," Archie suddenly declared, "I think we're going to have to come back tomorrow." "We can't do that Arch.  We've got nothing left in the house to eat.  We used everything for the promotion.  I thought there would be some of it left  but the food went down so well that I'm afraid the cupboard is bare."  Lexie  paused to think for a bit. "Right!  Why don't you leave me here and I'll go round and get everything  and then you and Duncan can head off to the town and see if you can find  somewhere to buy those tools that we need for the garden." "Or .."  Duncan was clearly anxious to help, "I could come with you and help carry everything." Lexie considered this proposition and remembered the last time she had been  in a supermarket with Duncan.  He had managed to knock over one of those  giant promotion pyramids.  Cans had rolled in all directions and she could still picture Duncan, as he crawled around in his kilt on all fours, trying to chase them.  She knew that on this occasion he really wanted to help but  she wasn't very familiar with the layout of this store yet and would need to concentrate. "That's really nice of you to offer Dunc.  But I think you might be more  useful to Archie.  You know so much more about gardening than he does.  That's right isn't it Arch?"  She gave Archie a very meaningful look and  added  "You're going to need some advice aren't you?" "I am?" questioned Archie, raising his eyebrows.  Then the penny began to drop.  "Ooh yes, I am.  Duncan we need to get some tools for that vegetable  garden, but, you know me, not exactly the green fingered type. So you'll  have to tell me what I need to get.  Give me the expert's eye as it were." Duncan looked very serious at the proposition that he might be an expert at  anything."Oh, right then.  I'm sorry Lexie but, you know how it is.  Can't let old  Archie down now, can I?" "That's alright Dunc.  Guess I'll have to manage without you then."  Lexie  turned to retrieve her bag and shopping list.  "I'll just jump out now.  Look the traffic is beginning to move so you'll be able to get going.  I'll  give you a ring when I've got everything."  With that she deftly leapt out  of the car and dashed towards the supermarket entrance, dodging the huge rain puddles that dotted the ground. Archie and Duncan manoeuvred out of the car park and headed into town. "I'm glad I've got this opportunity to talk to you Dunc."  Archie kept his eyes on the road while Duncan leaned forward between the front seats.  "I thought I ought to let you in on a little secret I'm hiding from Lex." "Archie, now, you don't have to tell me things if they're secret." "No, I need to Duncan.  It's about next Tuesday." "Tuesday.  What's happening on Tuesday?"  Duncan looked puzzled. "Well, it's something I've had planned for a while now – long before you came.  I'm afraid you won't have the pleasure of our company because I am taking Lexie out for a meal." "Ah, that's nice Archie.  She'll like that.  Is that the secret?" "No, not exactly Duncan.  You see she'll just be thinking we're going out for a meal but what she doesn't know is that I've booked us a room into the hotel so we won't have to drive back afterwards.  We can just relax and enjoy ourselves.  It's about time we really treated ourselves to a good time.  Lexie's been working really hard to get the house and the business up and running and I want to let her know how much she's appreciated." "Oh Arch.  I think she knows that already, but I think that's a great idea." "Well I'm sorry to leave you on your own.  We'll be back in the morning.  I was just hoping that I could rely on you to lock the chickens up for us on that day." "Course I will.  No problem."  Duncan sat back in his seat and pondered a little."Arch, you wouldn't mind if I had a guest round that night would you?  Just or dinner you understand.  Nothing else." "Course not Duncan."  Archie laughed.  "Who'd you have in mind?  As if I can't guess." Duncan squirmed a little and looked embarrassed.  "Well, she might not come of course.  But I think she has that night off." "You just go ahead Duncan and have a good time.  And if you want any advise about what to give her to eat you only have to ask." "You mean I can't give her pot noodles?" said Duncan with a wink.                                                                   Meanwhile, Lexie had been busy finding her way round the crowded supermarket. "Whose bright idea was this?" she muttered to herself as her eyes scanned the shopping list in her hand for the umpteenth time looking to see what was still needed. "Right, they've sold out of fresh coriander and basil so we'll have to make do with the dried stuff." She pushed the heavy trolley down one aisle after another scouring the shelves unsuccessfully. "It's Mrs Macdonald isn't it?"  The voice came from behind her. Lexie turned and saw a girl standing there with outstretched hand.  It was Lucy, the girl from the pub, that Duncan had taken a shine to. "Hello, it's Lucy isn't it?  And for goodness sake, none of that Mrs Macdonald.  Just call me Lexie."  The girl smiled shyly and they shook hands.  Lexie recognised her, of course, from the visits to the pub, although most of what she knew had been passed on in snippets from what Duncan had told her.  She was a sweet, pretty girl, not very tall and with long honey blonde hair. "Lucy, I wonder if you can help me.  I don't know my way round in here yet.  You don't happen to know where they keep the dried herbs, do you?" "Well, it's over near the flour I think.  Look, shall I show you?" "Oh, yes please," replied Lexie, grateful for the assistance, and allowing herself to be led to an area of the shop that she hadn't properly explored yet.  "I really couldn't have picked a worse time to come shopping could I?  Is it always like this?" "No, its not usually this bad," Lucy looked around her, "Guess it's the weather." They found the herbs and Lexie thanked Lucy for her help, expecting her to leave.  However Lucy hesitated. "Mrs Mac  …   sorry .. Lexie.  Can I ask you something?"  Lucy looked embarrassed as she searched for the right words.. "Yes of course, Lucy, what's up?  Fire away."  Lexie said, smiling reassuringly. The girl still looked awkward.  "Well, it's just that you've know Duncan for a long time, right?" "Oh yes, we go back a long way."  Lexie was beginning to guess what might be coming. "Well, I just wondered if you knew what he was going to be doing.  I know he has to go back to the big house in Scotland soon but he says he'll be back to visit and he wants to see me again and .. well .. I've got very fond of him in the last few weeks and I just wondered if you thought he really meant  it.  It's the sort of thing men are always saying and I was wondering if I ought to believe him or not." "Well Lucy, all I can say is that Duncan is one of the most loyal and honest people I know and if he says he is going to do something then I would believe him." Lucy smiled,  "Yes, he's really kind as well isn't he?  He always wants to look after me and check up that I'm OK."  She paused and Lexie gave her what she thought was an encouraging smile.  Lucy must have been well into her twenties and yet she seemed younger. "So," Lucy continued, "does he have many friends up in Scotland?" "You mean 'special' friends?" enquired Lexie with a meaningful look. "Yes, I suppose that's what I mean." "Well as far as I know there's no one special at the moment – apart from you of course."  (Lucy blushed slightly.)  "He's had a few girlfriends and there was one a little while ago that we thought might be going somewhere but I think that's all over now.  He never talks about her.  Besides, Duncan has always been a one woman guy.  He'd never do the dirty on you … ever." "That's kind of what I thought," Lucy responded thoughtfully before she was almost knocked over by an angry looking woman who pushed past her while heading in the direction of the bread counter. "You alright?"  Lexie asked. Lucy nodded. The interruption afforded Lexie the opportunity to do a little enquiring of her own. "So do you come from round here then Lucy?  Have you worked in the pub long?" "Oh I've lived here all my life.  I still live with my mum ..  in that pink house at the end of the village.  Do you know the one?"  Lexie nodded.  "Actually I thought I might have to move away last year, because I couldn't get a job anywhere round here.  Then Dan gave me some work in the pub.  Do you know that he's my mum's cousin?  I don't think they were ever very close families but when Dan took over the tenancy last year he just couldn't seem to keep any of his bar staff.  They just kept on leaving him in the lurch.  Then Mum suggested that he give me a try, which was really good of him because I'd never worked in a bar before.  He gave me a chance and I've been there ever since, must be about nine months now." "That was good of him to take you on like that.  What's he like to work for then?" Lexie enquired.  She hoped she didn't sound too nosey but she was itching to find out whether anyone else shared her opinions on Dan. "Oh, not bad I suppose.  I have to be grateful don't I?  He can be a bit odd sometimes, especially with some of the customers.  I know he's rubbed a few people up the wrong way but he's always treated me right.  Mind you he knows he'd have my mum on his back straight away if he didn't.  Have you met my mum?  I think everyone in the village is a bit scared of her but they shouldn't be.  Her names Margaret, Margaret Mason," she added with a small smile. Lexie might have inquired further but at that minute her mobile rang. "Lex, we're back in the car park.  Didn't have to go far before we found this garden centre and we managed to get everything there.  How's it going?  Are you nearly finished yet?" As Lexie sorted out the rendezvous with Archie, Lucy mouthed the word 'Mum' to her and pointed in another direction.  Lexie waved her away with a smile.                                                                   A little later Archie and Duncan were helping Lexie to bundle all the groceries into the back of the car. "I saw your girlfriend in there," Lexie terased, nudging Duncan with her elbow. "My girlfriend?  But I don't have a ….  Oh, you mean Lucy.  Well she's not really my girlfriend .. yet."  Duncan looked uncomfortable. "Well she seems quite keen on you." "Does she?"  Duncan brightened noticeably.  "What did she say?" "Now that would be telling." Lexie giggled as she climbed into the car.                                                             "Looking forward to getting back then Dunc?"  Archie commented, as he indicated and turned out of the car park. Duncan appeared not to hear as he continued to stare out at the passing countryside. "Duncan?" "Oh, yeah … yeah."  Duncan responded. "You don't sound very convincing Dunc," Lexie giggled. "Oh no, it'll be great to get back.  It's just all a bit different now.  I'm sure it will be OK once I get there." "Come on Dunc."  Archie realised his friend had something on his mind.  "What is it?  The estate, the job?" Lexie joined in.  " Jess?  Golly?  Come on we know there's something not right.  Tell Lexie and Archie." Duncan squirmed a little in his seat.  This was clearly the opportune moment to tell Archie and Lexie about his misgivings.  Now the situation had arisen, he wasn't quite so sure he wanted to share. "Well you know I love Glenbogle …  a lot ….   but ….   to tell the truth …   I'm not sure I fit in there any more." "Why.  What's changed?"  Archie asked. "Well, emm ..  I hope this isn't going to sound bad but …."  his voice trailed off. "Go on," said Archie and Lexie together. "It's just that I don't think I fit in to Paul's way of doing things.  He's got all these new ideas and none of them seem to fit in with what I want to do.  All he seems interested in is promoting the outdoor pursuits side of things.  I know he's doing a good job but it's not just that.  It's Jess as well.  This job share thing isn't really working.  We never seem to agree about anything." "So is that why you two have split up then?" asked Lexie. "Partly.  And now Jess keeps coming up with new ideas that Paul thinks are wonderful.  He just thinks of me as 'Good old Dunc' happy to go along with what everybody else wants.  I don't even get a chance to have my say or put forward any views of my own.   We all seem to be living such separate lives now.  Do you remember when we all used to sit down at dinner together or when I could always come and find you in the kitchen Lex, when I needed a chat? …   Glenbogle's just not like that any more."  Duncan gave a sad smile and turned to look out of the window and hide the moistness in his eyes. Lexie and Archie glanced across at each other remembering their previous conversation.  Asking Duncan to work for them might not be as far fetched as they had first imagined.