Chapter Five---Past Events and New affairs of the heart
Graeme's car made way up the dusty lane in the middle of the night. As the car came to a halt at the stone castle's front landing, Lizzie smiled and reached out for the door latch, "Thank-you for babysitting me."
Graeme let out a chuckle, "Well, good night, Lizzie."
Lizzie opened the car door about to climb out when she turned her head, "I mean it, thank-you, you just did one of the best things anyone's ever done for me, night."
Lizzie zipped out of the car shut the door, waved to Graeme as she shuffled towards the house and Graeme sat in his car and waved back. Graeme spoke up to himself, "Why didn't I tell her? 'Cause she's probably going to be rebounding for a few short filled months, you silly foolish chap."
"Lizzie? You're back early?" Paul met Lizzie in the hall after strolling out of the library with a newspaper.
"You're up late Paul."
"Right," Paul scanned Lizzie up and down, her outfit, her messed up hair, and bodily condition said it all. And as Paul was about question what happened, Lizzie just broke down once again.
"Excuse me..." Lizzie wiped her tear stained face with her hand and Paul just gave her a nice warm smile.
"Hang on, what's wrong?" Paul tipped his head as he led Lizzie into the library for a quiet chat. Lizzie then parked herself on the sofa glumly.
"Graeme gave me a ride back from Edinburgh, my favorite party dress is in shambles, and not to think my relationship with Compton is too." Lizzie frowned as she scoot herself down further on the leather sofa.
Paul sighed and sat down beside her leaned back and added, "It was pretty bad huh?"
"It was dreadful! Don't tell Archie, apparently, Compton started telling people he wanted to marry me. If he did marry me, he'd shuttle Martha off to boarding school," Lizzie whimpered and whispered as Paul sighed, wrapped an arm around her with a few soothing words, "It'll be okay." And then another voice crept into the room, Archie replied with two drink glasses in his hands—offering her one and one to Paul before getting himself another glass, "Actually I know Lizzie. What he do to you?"
Lizzie took one of them and sipped from it.
"Archie, maybe I better leave you two..." Paul began.
"Don't be silly Paul. I might as well explain it to the both of you. I thought you moved out anyway?" Lizzie eyed him carefully with a smile.
"Right, we're still moving things from here and Susan's aunt's farm. Suz and Nye are down at the croft—where I will be soon. Anyway I came up for a nightcap with Archie and now you---I should be off," Paul grinned and gave a laugh too.
"Archie tonight was absolutely terrible. I will never ever again put myself in a position to be used...I went to the art show..." Lizzie gave Archie and Paul the run down of her night and minutes later... "Justine phoned me and I had Graeme pull his car over to the side of the road so I could chat with her and...?"
"Justine?" Archie gave Lizzie this surprise once over while he shook his head.
"What?" Lizzie glanced at him quizzically.
"What's with you becoming friends with my ex-girlfriends?" Archie inquired, while drinking his drink and sitting on the lounge seat across from Lizzie and Paul.
"Okay now, Katrina's my best friend, she's always been and I suggested to you to go after her years ago. Justine...well, she's become a friend through the years, so to speak. Don't look at me this way, Arch."
"What way? Cross eyed? You could have told me you were still in touch with my ex-practical wife at one point!" Archie disapprovingly scowled at his sister.
"Next time I'll ask for your permission when I want to be friends with someone. For now, you lose out! Justine's still a good person Archie. I don't think you know how much she's helped me out down in London." Lizzie smugly replied back and Paul laughed, "Sounds like this is my cue to head home."
Paul grabbed his fleece pull over and tugged it up and over his head. Before saying, "I'll see you both in the morning..."
"No, you don't have to go, Paul." Lizzie insisted but Archie added too, "You really don't have too."
"Actually, if I don't get back Susan will report me as missing...and Nye, he well, should be fast asleep by now. I'll ask who Justine is later, preferably after you two have discussed and debated everything imaginable about her," Paul grinned once more as he snagged his gray cap off of the leather sofa seat. Paul set the cap on his head before strolling out of the house and into the dead of the night.
"Look, Justine's my friend Archie. I didn't have many in London after I became a Mum, stopped doing PR work and giving people massages."
Archie gave Lizzie and empathetic and also guilty look... "What?" Lizzie inquired as she noticed the sad gaze—her brother kept something from her...she knew it.
"I'm really sorry about how awful of a night you have had."
"Me too, that's not what's a matter with you is it?"
"Lizzie, Compton wanted to marry you because I insisted he think about doing it weeks ago."
"What!" Lizzie sat there stunned, "You? Why you?"
"It's not easy to explain."
"I'm all ears...after the night I have had, you better start talking, Archie MacDonald!" Lizzie remarked agitated.
"When Compton was running for the new Highland/Glens counsel, I kinda told him it would be nice if my sister found someone to settle down with. That if he wanted to marry you, he'd have my blessing aside from father's..."
"How can you speak for our dead father?" Lizzie snapped right out, "How can you make this preposterous judgment ---this prearranged marriage concept with out speaking word of it with me!"
"Lizzie, father wanted you..."
"Oh heavens I know what this is about," Lizzie's gaze went straight to the floor.
"Compton wanted land near the school and I wanted more shares in his water bottling plant and he decided that if we were to trade land for shares that I would have to worry about you. He'd take care of you..."
"Oh Archie, why didn't you just come out a say something--?"
"To you---?"
"Yes, me you could have just said something about it? Archie I don't want to marry anyone...unless they can show me they care about Martha and me for now on." Lizzie's eyes darkened as she decided to change the subject but couldn't think of a way to do so.
"What's wrong?" Archie noted Lizzie's distant stare as she kept something from him.
"Nothing, I'm going up to bed. We can battle this out in the morning. It's over with anyway, Compton and I are through!" Lizzie maneuvered out the library leaving Archie to finish not only his drink but Lizzie's too.
Justine started to pack a few of her belongings while Lenny stood in the doorway--hovering about--watching every move that his wife made, at first puzzled, then nervous, before becoming concerned about her leaving at this hour. Justine and Lenny had been together for years now, happily married, and cozy in their own home, and with their children. "The kids are down finally, Justine. Are you sure about this?"
"I have to see Lizzie," Justine's expression was strong-willed, determined, straight-laced, and all work, no play...something Lenny had grown accustomed too because she kept that nose to the grindstone stamina up when dealing with the Flying Fish restaurant's patrons, employees and vendors.
"You didn't tell her over the phone about it? What about Archie, shouldn't he be tending to Lizzie—she is his sister? Can't you just ring him?"
"And tell him what? My business is to be sorted with Lizzie, not my ex-partner. Len, don't worry I'm going up there for one night and coming right back. Lenny, Lizzie was in a miserable state over the phone. I believe she needs to see me in person and hear it from me face to face about him. I'll be back right away anyway..." Justine shuffled a couple shirts into the suitcase and a pair of pants too, before topping of the case with her toiletries bag and closing it shut.
Lenny walked slowly into the room just as Justine's stormy eyes caught his and he embraced her, "I understand completely, you need to do what's right where Lizzie and Martha are a concern, but do you really have to go?"
"Len, I do. I'll be back shortly. Kiss the babies and tell them Mummy loves them."
"I'll do more than that. Safe travels." Lenny grinned and Justine planted her lips to his before making way of out of their bedroom, and saying back, "I will, no need to worry, Lenny, you're lovely and brilliant..." as she headed towards the door.
Lenny laughed, "You've always told me that..."
Justine smiled and replied, "And I meant every syllable of it." Justine placed her suit coat on, straightened out the collar and then added her scarf before toting her luggage out of the flat.
The next day, late afternoon, Lizzie stood at the shop's register, showing Jess a few things about stocking the shelves.
"I wanted to Thank-you," Lizzie admitted to Jess with a warm friendly beam.
"For what?"
"Take over the shop, while I went on..."
"Aye, no problem, from the sounds of it, you needed to get away. I don't know how Molly and you run this place by yourselves," Jess whistled out as she placed a few more of Molly's paintings on the wall while Lizzie kept handing them too her.
"Well, thank-you."
"Look, we're going to be step sisters. This is a big deal for me, as I've never had a sister—let alone siblings. I've had close friends like Claire, but...?"
"I know what you mean." Lizzie winked wisely as she laughed...and then the shop door's bell tolled and the door opened while Lizzie turned her head, to view..."Justine?"
"Hello, bad timing?" Justine's mouth went into a smile and Lizzie stood behind the counter stunned to see her old friend.
"Ah, um, no, but...Jess, can you handle it okay?" Lizzie gazed up to Jess and Jess nodded her head, "Go on, you still have a weekend off, you know..."
Lizzie wandered over to Justine and out of the shop, "What are you doing here?" Lizzie gave Justine a hug and they both exchanged joyous glances, "It's good to see you..."
"And you. It's important Lizzie, why I've come. Can we get some tea somewhere?" Justine mentioned as Lizzie nodded her head towards a cafe across the way. The two women then took a walk and crossed the street. They both ordered tea and then sat down at a table on the sidewalk.
"First of all, you should have told me last night, you wanted to visit Martha and me, I would have been gladly to put you up somewhere."
"I have a place to stay and its no bother really—I don't need to run into you know who. Anyway, that's not why I'm here, How's Martha?"
"She's fine, Justine, like I spoke of her over the phone. Martha loves her school, her classmates, her teachers and she seems to be adjusting to life at the big house. I'm glad you're here, but what was the sudden rush to come up my way? What about Lenny, the children, and the restaurant?" Lizzie pursed her lips and sipped her tea before eyeing Justine mindfully.
"It's serious, Lizzie, that's why I came up," Justine changed the subject and got down to why she was in Glenbogle. Since Justine had told Lizzie she'd never voyage out of London, to Glenbogle again after her split from Archie.
"All right, I take it as that--something wrong with Lenny or the children?"
"It's about George."
Lizzie's face showed of some fear with her stammer, "What—about--him?" Justine reached out and placed a hand on hers. "Ah, Lenny and the children are fine—nothing's happened to them. Just when I called you last night, I became concerned after..."
"--after I told you about my horrendous night on the town?"
"There's a lot to it Lizzie. I needed to tell you it all in person... that's why I'm here," Justine noted as she sipped her tea too. Lizzie gave Justine another look of disapproval since she tainted their lovely talk with the name of her most recent ex, George.
Chapter Six---Inverness Airport
Someday
When my life has passed me by
I'll lay around and wonder why you were always there for me
One way
In the eyes of a passerby
I'll look around for another try
And fade away
Just close your eyes and I'll take you there
This place is warm without a care
We'll take a swim in the deep blue sea
I go to leave as you reach for me
Some say
Better things will come our way
No matter what they try to say you were always there for me
Someway
When the sun begins to shine
I hear a song from another time
And fade away
And fade away
So far, so long, so far
away
So far, so long, so far away (away, away)
Just close your eyes and
I'll take you there
This place is warm without a care
We'll take a swim in the deep blue sea
I go to leave as you reach for me
Someday
When my life has passed me by
I'll lay around and wonder why you were always there for me
One way
In the eyes of a passerby
I'll look around for another try
And fade away
And fade away
And fade away
And fade away
And fade away
And fade away
(someday)
And fade away
Someday-Sugar Ray (1997)
The next day, Justine wandered down from the second floor of rooms at Ghillie's Rest. Justine made way to the bar with her purse over her shoulders as she pulled out her credit card to pay for her night's stay. Gordon smiled at her as Justine smiled back, "How was it?"
"Good actually," Justine didn't complain about the lumpy mattress which was like a sack of King Edwards or the leaky bathroom sink which kept her up all night and instead asked to use the phone—"I need to ring a taxi since I don't have a cell phone reception up here, do you mind?"
Gordon turned the phone in her direction, "Be my guest." Gordon finished running her credit card through the credit card machine and handed it back to her with a pen and a tray so she could sign the slip of paper. Justine placed her John Hancock on the receipts and then her hand reached out for the receiver. Justine pulled out a business card for a taxi just as Archie wandered into Ghillie's as he walked right into the office looking for Paul, when he noticed that Paul wasn't there. Archie made way for the bar to ask Gordon, "Paul's not here yet?"
Justine froze, as she didn't turn around to greet Archie, instead listened for just a moment, and prayed it wasn't him. Gordon continued to talk to Archie.
"Not here yet—called said he was running late—something about taking Nigel to school."
"All right, you tell him to meet me up at the house then, since we have...Justine?" Archie walked up to the bar, "Well look at you, Justine, is that really you?"
Justine placed the receiver down on the cradle and turned to look at Archie as she replied, "Archie, fancy meeting you here."
"You would meet him here since he owns the place, lass," Gordon replied while Archie gave him one of his famous wide-eyed looks before adding, "Paul owns this place and I just help him run it on the side. What are you doing here, Justine?"
"Actually, I have a plane to catch so I'm going to be leaving soon once I ring a taxi," Justine said changing the subject of why she was in Glenbogle.
"No trouble, I can give you a ride to the airport," Archie gestured while Justine became increasingly uncomfortable at the idea of sitting in a truck with Archie for 45 minutes to and hour enroute to Inverness Airport.
"Um, no...I mean..."
"Don't be silly, Justine," Archie offered and encouraged while Justine kept telling him, 'no'.
"Archie, I really don't..."
"You should take the man up on his offer lass. It's less expensive than paying for a taxi," Gordon added his two cents and Justine fixed the strap to her purse over her shoulder before placing a hand on her tote-away luggage.
"That is true, Justine," Archie laughed as he waited for Justine to give in.
"All right," Justine and Archie walked towards the door and out onto the main porch. "You really don't have to do this."
"Justine, it's no bother," Archie said as he offered out a hand to take her luggage and place it in the back of the land rover. Justine climbed into the truck just as Archie did the same. The land rover putted down the track as Archie spoke up, "You could have stayed at the house and told me when you were going to be in the area."
"And deal with Lexie? I don't think so," Justine added smartly, remembering very well six years ago and how much Justine and Lexie didn't get along under the roof of the Glenbogle House. Archie concentrated on the road ahead of them, "How is Lexie?"
"Good, good. She's Lex, fine and dandy..." Archie rambled on and on to Justine while his hands guided the steering wheel while they drove away from Ghillie's Rest.
Jess stood behind the shop counter glancing up at the clock as the minute had hadn't moved a muscle since the last time she checked for the time. The shop hadn't had a customer for over an hour now. Jess sighed as she gazed out the shop window while fixing a display of Molly's latest paintings and antiques. Jess turned when she heard the door chime and turned to face Killwillie.
"Jessica, what a delightful surprise, is Molly about?" Killwillie gave Jess a smile. Jess didn't smile back, "Not for another hour or so."
"Dear girl what's a matter?" Killwillie noted Jess's glum face as she finished with the window display.
"Nothing really, just a wee bit bored," Jess admitted to Killwillie who gave her a laugh, "You're the first visitor to the shop since it's been opened."
"I hoped you'd say that," Killwillie replied as he winked at Jess but her sour facial expression didn't change. "I'm off to talk to Archie later in the day about an idea I have for a barn on my property...I know you went for land management so I thought I'd run it by Golly and Molly...?"
"Oh? Run what?" Jess's face lit up as she was tired of being indoors...she needed fresh air and the woods.
"To have you help me out with my latest project..." Killwillie went on to address his better business idea while Jess tuned in and then moments later Lizzie walked into the shop, "Morning Jess, hello Killwillie."
"How do you do, Lizzie?" Killwillie asked as Lizzie smiled, "Very well thank-you."
Archie and Justine arrived at the airport with about a half of an hour wait for her plane. Justine tried to talk Archie out of hanging out with her at the airport, but he insisted in finding out why Justine was in Glenbogle...
"It's no trouble, Justine. I'll buy you a cup of coffee?" Archie insisted as they wandered to the airport entrance while the electronic door whizzed open to let them inside.
"All right," Justine gave in while she wandered to a seating area which had a few tall tables with yellow table tops and high seats to match. Justine sat her self down as moments later Archie joined her at the table.
"You know, Lizzie mentioned you two hung out while she remained in London," Archie added before sipping his coffee and handing Justine her cup, "Two sugars and one cream."
"Thanks. You remembered?" Justine gave Archie a look of awe.
"Well, we were together for five years, of course I'd remember," Archie smiled and Justine placed a couple stands of her short hair behind her ear.
"Lizzie and Martha lived about two blocks from the restaurant."
"I remember that too."
"Anyway, Lizzie would come by with Martha a lot."
Archie's gaze went to engagement ring and wedding band on her left ring finger, as he changed the subject from Lizzie to Justine's personal life, he knew from Lizzie that..."You married Lenny?"
Justine shifted uncomfortably in her seat as her head nodded, 'yes'.
"I meant nothing wrong by it Justine, I just..."
"You never thought I'd get married after us? Lenny's helped me run the restaurant, you know..." Justine started to become defensive; however, Archie gave a tiny laugh and added, "I remember him helping you out too. Justine, you look terrific. You look happy."
"That's a good thing?" Justine's brows rose, and Archie nodded with a response, "A very good thing."
"I'm amazed at you Archie, been years since we've seen each other and you're---?"
"Civil? I don't hate you Justine for leaving me here in Glenbogle and I understand London's where your friends and family are..." Archie watched Justine pull out a wallet with a photograph as she set down the photo in front of Archie.
"Who are---?"
"Those are my children, Archie, my twins—Ned and Nancy. Actually, Lizzie helped me out a lot when I was pregnant with them...they will be three next month." Justine opened herself up to Archie.
Archie pulled out his wallet and a photograph, of Jayne and Wayne, "My twins, Jayne and Wayne. Lex's is expecting again."
"You don't waste too much time, do you?" Justine gave a laugh, a pleasant one as they both studied their photographs of each others sets of twins.
"Not really, the twins will turn two next month and Lex said she wanted one more...it's not another set of twins though."
"Archie, I came up here to see Lizzie..." Justine's tone of voice grew deeply concerned.
"Oh?"
Justine began to explain why she was in Glenbogle as Archie tuned in, both exchanged serious looks before they heard a boarding call for Justine's plane. Archie walked Justine to the gate waiting area...
"Well, this is it?" Archie said as Justine answered, "it is..."
"Thank-you for---?"
"Someone had to explain it to you, I'm just sorry Lizzie hasn't said anything to you about George and all."
"No worry, you better go or you'll be late," Archie and Justine stared at each other while Justine spoke out, "Bye Archie. If you come down to London, you should still stop in at the restaurant."
"Bye Justine and I will, one day, maybe." Archie and Justine waved to each other one last time while she disappeared down the boarding hall.
"Guess who I ran into at Ghillie's Rest? Guess who I drove to the airport and had a chat about you, Lizzie!" Archie's voice raised a few octaves as he stood before Lizzie in the small office of Molly's shop. Lizzie sat on a chair while glancing up at Archie, who kept exasperatingly placing his hands over his face and muttering on and on...
"I know you're upset, Archie, I can't believe Justine went ahead and told you about all of it."
"Lizzie, I'm relieved Justine told me about this George creep! Why didn't you say something when you first came home?" Archie started to pace the office and give Lizzie the third degree...
"I didn't want this to happen, Arch! You prancing back and forth, giving me your judgments and sticking your nose in..."
"I'm your brother! I have to make sure..."
"What to keep an eye on me?"
"Lizzie..." Archie whined as Lizzie stood up from the chair and walked back out on the shop's main room floor.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Nothing to tell, Archie, there's nothing to tell."