Chapter Seven---The engagements...
At Glenbogle's dress shop, just as a gent passed by, he stopped for a moment, and swiftly turned his body towards the dress shop window to spot, Molly standing tall as Miss Pocket fiddled with the hem of Molly's new dress. After seeing Molly, he chuckled to himself and entered the shop. The gent continued to chuckle, until he spotted Killwillie.
"Simply splendid, Molly, dear," Killwillie beamed, as Molly grinned warmly into the full length mirror, "It is exquisite, Killwillie."
"Very much so," answered the gent, and not Killwillie to Molly. Molly gazed up into the mirror past her reflection and then turned to face…the smiling gent...
"Andrew?"
"Yes, Molly?" Andrew grinned as Molly smiled and stepped off the dress platform and ran over to hug him.
"What are you doing here!" Molly laughed as Andrew smiled and released Molly from the embrace.
"I came back to Glenbogle for a visit actually. Are you getting married?" Andrew glanced at Killwillie and then to Molly. Andrew remembered very well the day that Killwillie proclaimed his undying love for Molly after being hit by a wolf tranquillizer dart years ago, courtesy of Duncan.
"Oh no, not---no, Golly and I are," Molly chirped excitedly as Andrew's face lit up and then he apologized for assuming it was Molly getting married to Killwillie, "Silly me, of course you wouldn't have your beau see you in your dress before your wedding day."
Molly laughed and Killwillie faked a smile and then scowled at Andrew while he wasn't looking. Killwillie didn't like the idea of Molly marrying Golly, well, he couldn't adjust to it after doing all he could to win her heart. Molly's heart was still with Golly no matter what Killwillie confessed to her.
"How long are you here for?"
"About a week or so, I came to visit my son since he said he had some great news to tell me that he was getting married."
"Oh? Lizzie's getting married! Isn't that wild? The family is so pleased to see her settle down," Molly smiled again because she was thrilled to see Andrew. Molly also knew Miss Pocket had some alterations to do to her dress, last minute ones so she scurried away to the changing room and said, "Excuse me, I need to change, be back in a jiffy!"
Andrew crossed his hands over and didn't say much to Killwillie, who in return stood with his hands, crossed holding his tweed hat. Finally Andrew broke the silence, "Molly, she's happy. Golly's a lucky man."
Killwillie rolled his eyes and then replied, "Terribly content and happy. He is lucky."
Golly roamed right into the estate office with his gun slung on his shoulder while Sean sat at the table behind the desk working on figures and also maps with GPS coordinates as Golly set his rifle in front of Sean's face.
"I'm going to guess you're not Jess," Sean replied as Golly tipped his head and zeroed in on him.
"No, but according to Jess, she's upset with you."
"Ah, what about exactly?" Sean could only imagine what it was about after his most recent disagreement with her about what to wear to Golly and Molly's wedding.
"You wearing the checkers an' stripes—the heritage of plaid---mine and my daughters," Golly added as Sean sunk down in his seat while Golly took his gun off of him.
Lizzie pulled Molly's car over to the side of the road just minutes after leaving David's parents croft. She opened her purse and pulled out her cell phone. Lizzie sighed, inhaled and exhaled before finally finding David's cell phone number with in the call list from the other day when he called her at the shop and pressing the send button.
David decided to help his mother bring in the tea as his cell phone went off. David juggled the tea cups and the plates and then set them down on the patio table. David picked up his cell phone and answered it---after checking to see who it was, "Hello Liz?"
"David."
"You rang me."
"That I did, actually, you want to see Martha tomorrow? It would be grand."
David smiled at Lizzie's request, "You sure?"
"Very, consider it a brill change of heart, tomorrow, and I'll ring you with the times, bye David," Lizzie ended her call, folded up her cell phone receiver and in the rear view mirror, grinned back at Martha, who had miraculously fallen asleep in the car.
Lizzie found Molly in the garden later that afternoon as she had decided to return her car keys. It took a lot for Lizzie to allow not only Martha but herself to 'seek' out David. Molly was busy directing Golly and Duncan on where she wanted the garden high arched 'gated' trellis to stand.
"To the left, just a hair, no to the right---it should be facing the roses!" Molly replied as Golly and Duncan tilted and tipped the freshly painted white structure and then with a struggle, heave and ho both men set down right where Molly wanted it. Molly's face expressed every inch of her excitement as she clasped her dainty hands in front of her and then turned to greet Lizzie.
"Oh Lizzie, look how stunning it is!" Molly cried out as Golly had slanted smile planted on his face and Duncan nodded his head in approval. Both men ran off to deal with Molly's floral arrangements, her 'green carpet' for the aisle, and eventually plan out where the chairs would be set up.
"Lovely, I came to return your car keys, Mummy," Lizzie distantly spoke and held out her hand with the keys to Molly. Molly distinctly hooked her left arm to Lizzie's as she gathered the keys with her right hand, and smiled warmly while Lizzie's face clouded up with her recent, resurfacing, and problematic love emotions. "Lizzie, what's a matter? How's David?"
"I'm all right, Mum. Just having a long day, rather tired, hoping to squeeze a nap in before Graeme arrives to have dinner at the house, if that's okay?" Lizzie tried to push her thoughts out of her mind.
"Why is it that I ask you a question and you give me one in return?" Molly caught on to Lizzie's uneasy feelings about David.
"I don't quite know what you're getting at Mum."
"You saw David, right?"
"Yes, I saw him. Martha saw him. It was the right thing to do, just don't let Archie hear word of it."
"Oh no, Lizzie, the secret's safe with me, sweetheart."
Lizzie then broke down, not in tears, but just with a lot to dump off her mind and her mother seemed like the best listening candidate, "I'm having a hard time distinguishing if David came back for Martha as he so says or for me."
"Well, sounds like you have a slight problem? Need a solution?" Molly added sweetly and right on the mark.
Lizzie began to walk with her mother down the garden path, as Molly listened in, "I like Graeme, Mother, he's sweet, he's caring, he's kind, and he adores Martha...seems to fit really well with the family..."
"Lizzie, instead of describing him like he's the family pet, you might want to consider what he's up against..."
"How do you mean?"
"David's always been apart of the family, even as a young lost wee lad, granted he's still a bit lost, but he's trying to find his way with a rather huge burden on his shoulders and no map to follow. He seems more like he wants to solve any problems he's created in his past...well, seems to me anyway. Archie and he don't get on well since his last visit, but I can sense he's trying to make some sort of mends."
"You think David's coming back is to redeem him self? You find that relevant in my decision whether to forgive him or not?"
"Oh no, I'm not playing monkey in the middle with anything thing to do with you and David."
"Then what are you playing at, Mummy?"
"Lizzie, follow your heart, if Graeme's not right for you, then it would be best to let him go..." Just as Molly spoke right up about Graeme, they then heard, "Should my ears be burning?" It was he, and Graeme waltzed right up to Lizzie with a bouquet of vivid and colorful Gerber Daisies and planted an immediate 'hello' smooch on her cheek.
"How thoughtful and no, just wondering when you'd get here..." Lizzie winked more than willingly while she turned to face her mother after Graeme wrapped an arm around her as Molly shied away, gave Lizzie one last warm look, nodded to Graeme with a beam, "I'll let you two talk. I have a crew to direct for my wedding if it's to happen this coming weekend!"
Chapter Eight--- "The Glenbogle Grand Prix"
The next day, Lexie searched the house up and down, down and up for her husband. There were plenty of places to hide in the big house, and Lexie assumed she knew of every nook and cranny---however, when she checked every nook and cranny, Archie was still among the missing until she heard...
VRRRRRRRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMM!
"What is that?" Lexie immediately became perplexed as she exchanged glances with Claire. Lexie tried to look out the window and saw nothing, and then shutting it.
"I dun no, go see, I'll keep an eye on our lunch buddies," Claire nodded her head while the twins ate their peanut butter and jam sandwiches while sitting on booster seats, on the old high back velvet chairs at the old dinning room table. Lexie wandered out of the dinning room, and into the kitchen. Lexie eventually made way to the back door to hear...
VRRRR! ROOOMM! VRRRROOOOOOOOOMMM!
One...take
control of me?
You're messing with the enemy
Said its 2, it's another trick
Messin with my mind, I wake up
Chase down an empty street
Blindly snap the broken beats
Said it's gone with the dirty trick
It's taken all these days to find ya
I tell you I want you
I tell you I need you
Friends, take control of me
Stalking cross' the gallery
All these pills got to operate
The colour quits and all invade us
There it goes again
Take me to the edge again
All I got is a dirty trick
I'm chasin down all walls to save ya
I tell you I want you
I'll tell you I need you
I... the blood ain't on my face
Just wanted you near me
I tell you I want you
I'll tell you I need you
The blood ain't on my hands
Just wanted you near me
Kasabian's Clubfoot (2005)
Lexie, clutching her rounded front side, trying to hold it steady while she quickened pace...stopped short when she caught sight of, "Archie!"
Archie wearing a helmet, at the wheel of a pricey-looking Go-Kart took off from the house. Lexie yelled out again, "Archie!"
"No worry, Lex, he'll be back," Paul grinned as Sean stood beside him and sure enough, zipping down and around the bend again came Archie 'putting the pedal to the metal' in the Go-Kart. Archie hit the foot break and came to a halt just inches from crowd. There was a smile plastered to Archie's face as he popped off the helmet and said proudly, "Lexie!"
"Dun't Lexie me! What are ya doin' in that hunk of obscene macho ness? Arch, you wanna live to see yer next birthday!"
"Now, Lex,"
"Yanno, years ago, you para-glided over the house and crashed into the bushes on the other side, I assumed you would have taken my hint...when I distinctively said, to pick up another sport! This isn't it!" Lexie tried to fold her arms just above her big belly. Lexie continued to frown as Archie handed the helmet over to Paul. Paul started to explain, "Lexie, actually, don't be upset with Archie. It was my idea to get the Go-Kart races for the Activity Centre, since there are school children coming to camp for the summer."
"I don't care who's idea it is, can't you take up something not so dangerous! And children, yes, camping, kayaking, even football...but Go-Karts? Are you trying to get us sued Paul?"
Archie started to mimic Lexie from behind to Sean while she rambled on to Paul, "So take up a nicer sport...like...like...golf! Ya did it before, Arch!"
Sean, who tried to keep a straight face, let out a laugh, as Lexie turned her body and her eyes narrowed in on Sean and then on Archie while she noticed him mocking her, "You..."
"Now, Lex, the children who are of a certain weight and height can only ride the Go-Karts and they have a speed limit too."
"Great I can picture the headline, 'Wee hellions on wheels mow down the Laird because he wouldn't let them become speed demons'!" Lexie muttered and cursed as Archie laughed again, "Look, with the incoming Glenbogle Petting Zoo, Trout Farm and the Sheep Show on the horizon...why not make this place fun by adding Go-Karts to the mix? What's so wrong with it?"
"Clean out the dust from your ears, Arch! There are tons of things wrong with it!" Lexie blurted out as Sean added, "Actually Lexie, there's not much wrong with it as long as you're careful and have the right safety precautions in place it can be a lot of fun."
"For you maybe," Jess called out while Sean laughed and listened to Jess's reasons for siding with Lexie, "I agree with Lexie, they are loud, kids can hurt themselves on them and...?"
"Exactly, Jess has the right idea there!" Lexie and Jess stood side by side.
"Three against two, Lex, and the karts stay!" Archie trumpeted while Lexie replied back, "No fair! I demand a revote---the Laird shouldn't be allowed to vote!"
"Fine...all in favor of the Go-Karts say aye!" Archie asked smartly.
Paul and Sean announced, "Aye!" as Archie said "aye" too, even though he wasn't allowed.
"Ah-ha! It's a tie!" Lexie chirped out.
Lexie and Jess noticed Lizzie riding on Molly's bike as she came to a stop in front of the group, "Everything all right?"
"Lizzie, you're the deciding factor, should these pieces of scrap metal be allowed or not?" Lexie dragged Lizzie right into the vote. Lizzie glanced at Archie, who looked at her expecting her to side with him.
Lizzie sighed, "I can't side..."
"How do you mean?" Archie's hopes for Lizzie's cooperation came crashing down with his reply.
"Look, I can't make a decision based on a machine I've never had the chance to drive before. I haven't tested out any safety features with a Go-Kart either. I know they require helmets, safety belts..." Lizzie rattled on and on and Archie's mouth went into a huge smile as an idea popped into his head...
"Lizzie's got it! We need some sort of a 'try-out' or a race!"
Lizzie blinked as Lexie rolled her eyes and sighed, just as Paul and Sean nodded their heads. Lizzie turned when she noticed Graeme finally catching up with her on his bike. Graeme grasped the hand break and the bike came to a stop.
"Graeme, can we enlist your help?" Archie asked excitedly while Lexie shook her head. Lexie decided to retreat back to the house to help Claire out with the twins.
"Sure, what for?" Graeme unclasped the bike helmet from his head and listened into Archie and Paul's plan.
"We need everyone to work together placing out hay bales over at the Activity Centre so we can create a race strip," Paul replied as Archie nodded his head and said, "It shouldn't take too long and then we can have a good old fashioned race!"
"Race?" Graeme inquired, as Lizzie glanced at him and then pushed Molly's bike towards the back of the house.
"Go-Kart Race...decided that we need a trial period with the Go-Karts, easiest way to use them is to race them," Archie explained.
"It's also a dangerous way," Jess commented as Sean rolled his eyes and laughed, "Jess, I believe Archie's still taking that into account."
"Of course I am and you're going to help build it, Jess," Archie noted, "Right Paul?"
"Right," Paul smiled as Jess stood there blank faced and stared at Sean. Sean smiled back at her before wandering towards the estate office, "I have work to do Jess."
"I'm still working with Duncan on the Sheep Show Amphitheater. Killwillie's barn's pretty much done and renovated inside for the trout next week," Jess commented as Duncan, Claire and Jess had spent over a month ago banging and hammering nails preparing Killwillie's old barn for a fish farm---'Save The Brown Trout' project which Killwillie and Archie, plus Paul partnered up on for fifth year anniversary of Hector's death.
"Well, the Go-Karts won't be far from the sheep show or the petting zoo once we get that up and running, Golly's working on the fences with Duncan right now. Anyway, chop chop, Jess. Let's get working..."
Jess shook her head, and followed Archie and Paul over to the blue pickup truck.
"Graeme, you coming?" Archie asked as he noticed that Graeme wasn't following them.
"I'm going to have a word with your sister for a second or so...I'll be down shortly and help," Graeme replied as he moved his bike towards the back of the house after Archie waved him on with his answer, "All right then, see you down there!"
"Lizzie..." Graeme replied, knowing she was still ignoring him.
"Lizzie..." Graeme tapped her shoulder before placing hands on her and trying to get her to turn around and look at him.
"Graeme, David is Martha's father. I should be allowed to bring her to him for a visit without conversing to you about it. There's no reason for you to get so uppity with me," Lizzie replied after staring up at him.
"Look you should have told me yesterday that you went to David's with Martha. I would have gone with the both of you. I wouldn't have let you do it alone," Graeme spoke swiftly while Lizzie answered, "I didn't need you there, Graeme. I'm a big girl and I can handle it all on my own."
"Keeping me out in left field isn't handling things, Lizzie. If I am to be your husband, you can't tune me out," Graeme grumbled and muttered, while Lizzie gave him a ghastly look.
"I would have told you. I'm sorry, but really it's my problem, my prerogative, and it does not matter if I tune you out or in. I do as I like and how I see fit!" Lizzie wandered into the house leaving Graeme standing there. Graeme began to fume, "You're being pigheaded, Elizabeth MacDonald!"
"I thought you liked pigheaded!" Lizzie exclaimed back with an eye roll and stormed towards the house.
Graeme decided it was time to have a man to man chat with David. Graeme placed the bike helmet back on his head and then took off on the bike down the dusty track towards Killwillie's Castle where Lizzie and he had stopped on their last biking break.
David sat at the desk in Killwillie's study just as he heard Flora holler out, "You can't go in there..."
Graeme waltzed right in just as David looked up from the laptop, "Yes? May I help you?" David tipped his head, slightly confused at the man standing before him, until he put two and two together, "You're Graeme...that's right, Lizzie's fiancé? Nice to meet you and what brings you my way?"
"You can do a lot for me, David, stay away from Lizzie and Martha. I've heard a lot about you from everyone in between and I strongly encourage you to take what I say at face value," Graeme replied, while glaring at David. Flora appeared at the doorway and David nudged her away, trying to let her know he was okay.
David stood up from the desk, glanced at Graeme and scratched his head, "Does Lizzie know you're here?"
"What does it matter if Lizzie knows I'm here or not? She went to see you yesterday and you chatted with her on her cell phone...I saw the number and asked her."
"What did Lizzie tell you?"
"That she went to see you,"
"Exactly, Lizzie called me on her way back to the house and asked when I would be able to see Martha again-due to another change of heart...Graeme, I'm sure you mean well and all, how well do you know our Lizzie?" David said roundabout, as he knew how to flip the tables on Graeme. Graeme continued to glare at David full of envy and soon anger.
"How do you mean?" Graeme grumbled, as he noted that David was a slippery one to deal with.
"If you know her, you know she's not one for plotting behind someone's back. I assume you're going behind hers being here now," David challenged as Graeme eyed him closely.
"Look, I came because..."
"You care about Lizzie, I know. However, I am Martha's father. If Lizzie wants me to see her, I will see her. Telling me to stay away from my daughter, does that sound right to you? No, it does not."
"Yes, it does, since you're not wanted here," Graeme retorted with a scowl.
"Who told you that Lizzie? Archie? Lexie? Perhaps?" David remarked smugly, assuming Graeme must have got his facts from Archie and not Lizzie about him.
"Look, many don't want you here. Maybe you should consider packing your bags and leaving?" Graeme warned as David shook his head, laughed and sighed, "Lizzie, oh Lizzie, picked a live one, didn't she?"
"I'm not joking, you should go."
"First off Glenbogle is my home and I've got no intentions of leaving it."
"I think you should or you're going to notice that it's not big enough for the both of us---Lizzie and I---and you," Graeme's mind flashed an idea and then he spoke it clearly, "The estate's having a Go-Kart Race...you race, you lose, you go. I lose, I go. Obviously, you're one who doesn't understand that I mean business when it comes to caring for Lizzie and Martha. If you cared about them, you'd leave town anyway."
David let out a sly laugh, "Go-Kart Race? Archie finally allowed a bit of fun in his schedule?"
"Take it or leave it."
"I'd take it. However, Archie doesn't want me setting foot on the property ever again. It looks like I won't be leaving..." David's mouth turned into a wiry lop-sided smile and suddenly taunting Graeme was much more fun than working.
"Leave Archie to me," Graeme replied smartly as David cast his eyes upon him surprised.
"I see so you have some magnificent power over the Laird as well. You really want me out of here, don't you?"
"Aye,"
"When? When's the race?" David sat himself down on his high back leather seat.
"I'll phone you with details since I know your number. I'll see myself out," Graeme muttered once again as he stormed out of Killwillie's Castle, just as Flora breezed into the study.
"I'm really sorry. I told him to stay..."
"No trouble, Flora. It looks like my Go-Kart racing skills might come handy finally," David smiled at her trying to reassure her he was still okay.
"I'll be your cheering squad," Flora added with a chuckle. David chuckled back, "I'll need it, Flora, and I'll need it."
A day passed, Archie and Paul had a crew finishing up the Go-Kart track near the Activity Centre. Each bale of hay created barriers on each side in case someone went off the track during the race and there were also black and white racing flags sticking up out of the hay bales too to mark each kilometer of the track. The start line had a huge platform over looking the track with a sign in bold black letters, "Glenbogle Grand Prix" and then there was the finish line, marked by yellow tape. The first heat included Archie, Paul, Duncan and Golly as they sat in Go-Karts side by side with helmets on their heads. Molly had the start gun, Claire had Jayne sitting on her lap and Lexie sat in a chair next to Jess, who had Wayne in her lap and sat next to Sean on the platform. Lizzie, Graeme and Martha looked on next to Susan and Nigel.
"We race around the track three times and then aim for the finish line," Archie announced with a huge smile. Paul nodded his head in agreement and with a shout, "Right on! The last one to cross is a rotten egg!"
The Go-Karts started up, just as Molly counted down... "3...2...1...GO!" Off went the gun as the Go-Karts zipped off too. Vrrrooooooommmm...buzzzzz...Golly was first to take the lead, next Paul, Duncan and Archie brought up the rear. Anything could change...Jess and Molly cheered on, "Golly! Go Golly!"
Nigel yelled out, "Go Dad!" Just as Paul over Golly's lead...Duncan's Go-Kart started to putt along as Archie was about to pass Duncan. Duncan's Go-Kart only made one lap as it made a stop, final stop, in the pit which was way off to the side on the track. Duncan's Go-Kart broke down...
"Duncan!" Archie stopped his Go-Kart and pulled it over to the side, "What's a matter?"
"No go...not working—out of gas! Don't look at me, boss! Keep going!" Duncan urged Archie to get back in the race, just as Golly and Paul zoomed past them both. Golly and Paul were on their second lap, nearing their third... Archie was still on his first.
Archie hit the gas pedal as his Go-Kart picked up speed...lap two...he finished lap two, just as Golly and Paul were neck and neck towards the finish line. Susan bellowed out, "Go Golly! You can beat him!"
Nigel looked up at his mother and scolded Susan, "Mum, you're supposed to cheer on Dad than Seanair!"
Susan laughed, "Whoops, pardon me...Go---?"
"DAD!" Nigel screamed as Susan laughed again. Golly hit the gas some more as he propelled himself ahead of Paul and over the finish line, first.
Golly beamed brightly at winning the first heat while Archie drove up to him, climbed out of the Go-Kart and congratulated him. Molly smiled too with delight as Golly waved at her. Paul shook Golly's hand before Golly put an arm around him, "Nice work Laddy."
"Thanks," Paul answered Golly.
The second heat consisted of Sean, Jess—even though she claimed she wouldn't drive one of the Go-Karts since she didn't like them—but Claire urged her to try it out by betting her that she could beat her in a race.
"Nu-nuh!" Jess replied as Claire laughed, "Ah-huh!"
Ewan rolled his eyes as he climbed into a Go-Kart with a helmet on his head, "I'm going to beat both of you ladies!"
Jess and Claire exchanged glances and replied together, "No way! You're on!" Jess hopped into one Go-Kart and Claire sat her self down in the other. Sean laughed at the whole exchanged between his girlfriend and the others.
"What are you laughing at?" Jess remarked to Sean.
"You and how you're going to eat my dust!" Sean joked as Paul called the starting line this time. Sean, Jess, Claire and Ewan were side by side as Molly covered her ears with one of Golly's hunting head sets and put the gun up into the air and counted backwards... "3...2...1...GO!"
And they were all off...zipping, running ahead of each other, Jess was first, followed by Ewan, tailed by Claire and Sean at the rear. Lizzie hollered out, "Go JESS!"
Molly yelled out next, "Win it for the sistas!"
Ewan then took over the lead, as his Go-Kart gained enough momentum to get ahead of Jess. Lexie then started to cheer on Jess, "JESS! You can get him! Keep going!"
Claire wasn't far behind Jess as she put the pedal to the metal and sent her and the Go-Kart flying forward, Claire over took Jess and then she nipped at Ewan's heels. Claire continued to tail Ewan...lap one was complete...Sean continued to stay dead last...until he passed Jess, passed Claire...and instead of passing Ewan...his Go-Kart took a leisurely 'off roading' ride towards the nearest field after driving between one of the hay bales that had been intentionally moved before this heat—and still continuing to run on and on and on.
"Where's he going?" Archie replied all confused, and Lexie gave him a look of bafflement too. And then about five minutes later, Sean drove the Go Kart around the starting line platform and entered the track from the side where Archie and Paul had brought the Go-Karts in ahead of Jess, Ewan and Claire. Sean was in the lead...
Jess growled when she saw what Sean had done...he deliberately went off the track just to take the lead. Jess continued to tail her boyfriend as close as she could...they were on the homeward stretch...lap three and neck and neck for the finish line.
Lexie and Lizzie laughed when they noticed what Sean had done and Archie couldn't stop laughing either. Sean zoomed past Jess at the finish. Jess climbed out of the Go-Kart just as Sean hopped out of his...
"You should be disqualified!" Jess shouted while Sean kept laughing...
"Oh Jess, it's just a race, besides you don't like Go-Karts remember? I moved the bale of hay because I assumed you would be ahead of us all—once we proved you do in fact like Go-Karts. Ewan and Claire knew it too." Sean smiled brightly.
"The jokes on you Jess---we planned this set up," Ewan laughed as Claire laughed as well. Jess narrowed her eyes in.
"You all tricked me into winning the race to prove that I don't have a fear for these things of metal!" Jess scowled and then her facial features softened, with a few laughs of her own.
"You do drive a mean Go-Kart, Jess," Claire added.
"You're still wearing a kilt to Da and Molly's wedding! Flattering me won't be stopping ya!" Jess eyed Sean and Sean shrugged, "Yes, lovey, I'm still wearing tartan and wouldn't miss it for the world." Sean went up to Jess and gave her a huge hug—planted a kiss on her with Golly watching, and actually looking quite pleased.
Archie announced, "One more heat everyone! Who's going to race!"
"I will," A voice called out as Archie knew who it was and didn't turn around...
Lizzie and Martha noticed David and Martha ran straight for him, "Daddy! Mummy, look its Daddy! He's come to race!"
"I know pet, I invited him," Lizzie said to Martha whose eyes went wide and her smile formed big.
Lizzie glanced over to Graeme, waiting for his lecture about inviting David and didn't get one.
Graeme gave Lizzie a look, and nervously stated--since he too had 'invited' David to the race, "I'll be in this race."
Archie nodded his head, and Paul replied to Susan, "This is going to get ugly."
Susan hushed him, "No it won't...Archie should let David and Graeme race."
David had picked up Martha while she gave him an enormous hug, happy to see him, unlike others who weren't, such as Lexie, Archie and Graeme. David set Martha down and headed for a Go-Kart and a helmet. Golly stood beside Molly as she whispered, "I don't like where this is headed Golly."
"It'll be okay, lass. It'll be okay and if any one gets the slightest out of hand, they'll be dealing with Smith and Wesson." Golly nodded to the 'starting' pistol in Molly's hand and concluded, "You just aim it high and they'll know," Golly winked at Molly while she gave him a laugh and looked at the pistol in her hand.
Archie sighed, grumpily when he noticed David wasn't going to back down, "I want a piece of this action. I'll race as well." Archie wandered over to the Go-Kart and picked up a helmet and his eyes locked with David's for a few seconds and then with Graeme.
"I'm racing too," Lizzie stated bluntly as she walked past Lexie, past Golly and Molly, and even ahead of Graeme, before grabbing Archie's helmet from his hands.
"No, Lizzie, this doesn't concern you," Graeme began, but he hadn't even told her about the bet he made with David days ago as Lizzie muttered out, "I'm racing, it's my turn."
Archie replied, "Lizzie, you don't have to do this."
"Why not? I can race...scared of competition Archie?" Lizzie's face went cold, before placing the helmet on her head and climbing into the Go-Kart. Unbeknownst to Lizzie and Archie—Graeme and David still had their bet as to who would be the one to leave Glenbogle. Martha stood beside Molly and she whispered, "Grandmum, I don't you think Mummy should win?"
"Yes dear...we'll see."
"Mother! It's time!" Archie waved his arm up as all of the Go-Karts were side by side. Graeme glanced over to Lizzie one last time. Lizzie didn't back down, or look back... Molly raised her hand in slow motion, with the pistol pointing into the air. Martha covered her ears and the crowd of, Jess and Sean, Claire and Ewan, Golly, Lexie and the twins, plus Susan, Nigel and Paul stood silent as Molly worded out in slo-mo fashion, '3...2...1...GO!'
BANG went the gun!
Off went the Go-Karts, zipping into some kind of order...Graeme ahead of the pack, followed by Archie, David and then closely behind, Lizzie. David wiggled the Go-Kart off while Archie wiggled his Go-Kart on...the two boys were at each others sides fighting to get ahead of each other.
I'm gonna ride you
Gonna ride you out like a witch on a broom
I'm gonna ride you
Gonna ride you out like a witch on a broom
It's the old give and take
And I've been took again
So give me room
David allowed his Go-Kart to fall behind Archie and then back to Archie's side. Flora, who had arrived with David, stood on the platform, cheering David on, "Go David!"
However, Lexie gave Flora a look of discontent and Flora who had been standing, sat down in her chair when she noted Lexie's smugness. Finally David swerved the Go-Kart once again, forcing Archie off the track...Archie tried to get back on...and instead his Go-Kart raced towards a few hay bale barriers and crashed out completely.
"David!" Flora hollered out and then yelled, "Archie!"
Lexie screamed, "Archie! You all right? Archie!" and Paul jumped off the platform...but the race wasn't over. Archie who sat sideways still latched into the Go-Kart as it lay on its side, climbed out of the machine and waved out at them, trying to show Lexie he was okay...Paul managed to get over to Archie and help him up. As Archie limped, Paul helped him back to the platform...
The race wasn't over yet...Lizzie saw what had happened to Archie and continued to ride on David's bumper, who rode on Graeme's. They neared lap two...
I'm gonna watch you
Gonna watch you fall like a tower of cards
I'm gonna watch you
Gonna watch you fall like a tower of cards
Gonna land gonna land gonna land gonna land
No matter how hard
Lizzie decided the race wasn't meant to be fair and with both David and Graeme still in it...it wouldn't be. Lizzie stayed close behind David and Graeme before placing her self right in David's Go-Kart's vortex. The energy of David's Go-Kart, which was zapped immediately from Lizzie's Go-Kart, was enough to propel Lizzie ahead of him.
"Oh my...she did it!" Molly jumped up and down as she grabbed Golly. The rest of the crowd started to cheer on Lizzie.
"LIZZZIE!" Jess and Claire yelled together, jumping up and down. Ewan even bellowed out, "Lizzie! She's in second!"
Archie who sat on Lexie's lawn chair looked up and then forced himself to stand on his bad foot as he looked out to see Lizzie over take David, "Well, well, would you look at that!"
Oh!
Crash
Burn
When will I learn?
Crash
Burn
When will I learn?
Lizzie rode Graeme's tail next during the beginning of lap three. Graeme tried to stay ahead of Lizzie. Lizzie dodged the Go-Kart to the right and then swerved to the left, trying to get around Graeme. Then they both were side by side, until Lizzie's Go-Kart zapped energy from Graeme's Go-Kart's vortex and sped ahead of him. Lizzie was well ahead of Graeme and David when she crossed the finish line.
Crash
Burn
When will I learn?
Crash
Burn
When will I learn?
(The best jazz number by Blues Traveler, ever! 'Crash Burn' ---1995)
Lizzie hopped out of the Go-Kart, yanked off the helmet as Molly, Jess, Claire and Ewan...and others ran over to Lizzie. Lizzie glared at Graeme and then she scowled at David. Archie hopped over to Lizzie even, completely taken back by how his sister won the race.
"Liz, you were amazing?" Archie smiled as Lexie finally waddled up behind him, concerned about his foot.
"I'm not amazing Archie. You're forgetting, I did PR work for Jenson Button years ago and he showed me a thing or two about cars at Silverstone," Lizzie continued to scowl at Graeme and David as a fight began to unfold.
"You see Graeme looks like neither of us are leaving..." David remarked, as Graeme became angry.
"You're leaving all right!" Graeme shoved David over a bale of hay and David stood up and laughed, just before Graeme jumped over the bale, took a swing at David, who ducked.
"Stop FIGHTING!" Lizzie yelled aloud, but neither man listened, Graeme charged and then tackled David to the ground.
Archie yelled out, "ENOUGH!"
Paul tried to intervene, same with Duncan. Martha, who was extremely alarmed by watching Graeme and David smack each other around like baboons, had her eyes shield by Jess, "No need to see this Martha."
"That's my Daddy, he's hurting!" Martha yelled as she wormed away from Jess and jumped off the starting line platform just as Molly did what Golly had suggested earlier and shot off the starting pistol to get everyone's attention.
David and Graeme stopped slugging each other after the loud, BANG! However Martha didn't stop running. She zipped directly to Graeme, "You hurt my Daddy!" Martha kicked Graeme's shin and he grabbed it, "Ouch!" Martha then kicked Graeme's other shin for merry measure. And then Graeme doubled over in pain when Martha then kicked him where it counts.
Lizzie looked at Martha appalled, "Martha! Stop, please...we're going," Lizzie retorted too, "I am ashamed of the both of you."
"Look Graeme wanted me to leave town, if I lost that race..." David explained, while inhaling and exhaling, pointing a finger at Graeme, who guilty nodded.
"Is this true?" Lizzie stared at Graeme.
Graeme nodded, 'yes' still rubbing his aching shin and other body parts...
Lizzie boiled over with her own anger, "I can't believe you both...leave me alone! The both of you leave us the heck alone! Come-along Martha..."
Martha hung her head and didn't protest. Lizzie then toted Martha hand in hand away from the crowd. Martha looked back to get a last glance of David and then Graeme.
