6 Old Friends
Molly sat down at the dining table already occupied by Archie, Lexie, and Lizzie and Paul. "Two calls just came in. One was from Kilwillie. The other was from that nice Mr Fleming from Lascelle's Bank."
"Flem," Lexie said. "We havena heard from him in years."
"Ever since he got that promotion and they gave our account to Stella," Archie said.
"I didn't like Stella," Lexie commented.
"Stella didn't succumb to your charms," Archie joked. "But she helped us get on an even footing."
"She succumbed to yers," Lexie said hotly.
"Yes, I don't know what she ever saw in me," Archie said looking puzzled. "What did Flem want?"
"He wants to stay with us for a few days or a few weeks. He wasn't sure." said Molly. "He needs to unwind. He'll be on the morning train the day after tomorrow."
"What about Kilwillie?" said Lizzie.
"He's going away" Molly said.
"Where?" Paul asked.
"Anywhere and everywhere," she said. "Now that he's sent Archie and Lexie on a world tour, he's decided he wants to go on one too."
"What about his business and his estate?" Archie asked.
"He has that all worked out. Flora will be temporarily in charge."
"Flora! Silly little Flora?" Lizzie exclaimed.
"She's no' so little any more," Lexie remarked.
"She wasn't then either. Always wider than she was tall."
"Flora is Kilwillie's daughter," Archie explained to Paul. "We knew each other as children."
"I invited them here for luncheon day after tomorrow," Molly said. "I hope that's all right, Lexie."
"It's fine, Molly. "
"He's leaving in three days, so there wasn't much time."
---------
Golly and Andrew were sitting outside Andrew's house drinking beer, a justified reward for having just finished painting Andrew's house. The phone rang and Andrew went inside to answer it. Golly sipped and watched the sun setting over the mountains. The view was just as inspiring as when he owned this house. That was before he sold it to Andrew to help Archie pay off the death duties on the estate.
The phone was near the open window and Golly could hear most of Andrew's side of the call.
"Miguel, it's been a long time," Andrew was saying. "Really, well you know I'm retired now... Really. That sounds too good to be true. Are you sure it's for real?.. If what you're saying is true, I'd be foolish to turn it down. All right. I'll meet your courier at the station the day after tomorrow. Right, we'll be in touch."
Andrew returned to his seat next to Golly, picked up his beer, and watched the remaining rays of summer light. "That was an old friend," he said. "I haven't heard from him in a long time."
"Hmm." Golly grunted. "I best be goin' now."
"Thanks for your help."
--------
The next day found Lexie planning for the following one.
"So the Kilwillies and Flem will be here for luncheon tomorrow", she said. "That will make 8 of us. I'll need to pull Ewan in for luncheon duty. Lizzie, can I count on ye fer helping me with breakfast and luncheon fer as long as Flem is stayin' here? He's a payin' guest so we have to pull out all the stops."
"I'd be glad to," Lizzie said. She had now completed her modelling for Andrew and was looking for things to fill her time."
Lexie drove Ewan crazy for the rest of the day, having him clean the guest room, make the bed, plump the pillows, put out a vase of fresh flowers, put out a box of tissues, and put a chocolate on the pillow.
As Lexie became more insistent that just one more thing be done, Ewan would become more stubborn. The dynamic appeared to be heading towards a shouting match when Ewan said, "You realize don' ye that the toilet down from his room isna working."
"Ewan, why didna ye tell me that sooner? Can you fix it?"
"I'm not a bloomin' plumber," he protested.
"Let me take a look," Lizzie offered. "We had things like this happen all the time on the ashram...Come with me, Ewan. You're going to do the actual work."
Twenty minutes later, Lizzie and Ewan emerged from the loo. They both looked more proud than disgusted and reported that the loo was working fine. "I'm gonna take a bath," Ewan said jauntily, "and then enjoy an evenin' off."
Lexie looked surprised. Ewan was still expected to make their evening meal. "I hope you don't mind, Lexie, I gave him the night off," Lizzie said. "I'll make dinner tonight. You can help if you like."
Lexie, eager to assure that some meat appeared on the table, or at least nothing too weird, was quick to agree. The team worked well. Lexie took charge of roasting the chicken and potatoes, Lizzie prepared the curried lentil dish, and they both agreed that a tin of butter biscuits and fruit would do nicely for dessert.
All considered, dinner was a success. The meat eaters where happy with their menu, Lizzie was happy with her dish, and Archie and Paul ate some of everything.
"You see, being a vegan is not so bad," Lizzie told her brothers. "There are lots of scrummy dishes one can eat.
"How did Flem sound," Lexie asked Molly. "Does needin' to unwind mean he is stressed?"
"It was hard to say, but he said something about 'getting away from it all.' and 'returning to the only place where he was ever truly happy.'"
"Hmm." pondered Archie. "I hope he doesn't have unrealistic expectations about what we can offer him. A lot has changed here in the last three years."
--------
The big day arrived with Duncan leaving shortly after breakfast to pick up Lancelot Fleming at the Glenbogle train station. Duncan scanned the few disembarking passengers to find the long lost Fleming. Would his thinning blond hair be even thinner? Would he be wearing his business suit or sweats? Duncan had picked him up in both. Duncan, on the other hand, looked exactly the same as before: same kilt, same every-which-way-hair, and same perplexed face.
At the same time, Andrew was at the other end of the platform scanning unfamiliar faces. He found one in dark glasses and a courier bag. He and Andrew exchanged a few words and the man handed Andrew a package from his bag. They shook hands and the man got back on the train. Andrew quickly got on his motorcycle and drove away.
Duncan didn't notice any of this. He was too busy greeting Fleming. But Golly, wearing dark glasses and peering over the top of a newspaper on a bench, saw it all.
This time Flem wore jeans and a jersey and a rucksack on his back. "Duncan" he called out to his old nemesis turned friend. (They had both, for a while, vied for Lexie's hand.) "Good to see you," he said clapping Duncan on the back."
"Can I carry anythin' fer ye," Duncan asked. "Is this all ye brought?"
"It's all I brought, Duncan, and I can carry it myself. I've become one of the common man now. I have to sing for my supper, or at least play for it.
"The car's over here," Duncan pointed out.
"Oh, the same old Land Rover," Flem said fondly. "Some things you can count on not to change. Does it still run?"
"Most days," Duncan said, as he held th door open for Flem.
As they drove off they didn't seem to notice that Andrew was riding his motorcycle a few cars ahead of them or that, Golly was driving off in his, a few cars behind. They drove the 10 minutes or so before they were over the bridge and inside the gates and Glenbogle House, the loch, and the mountains were in view.
"Let me out," Flem said. "I'll walk from here."
"Want to keep yer rucksack in the car?"
"No, it's part of the experience." Flem said as he hopped out.
Duncan drove ahead and Flem hiked along with spring in his step. All of a sudden he could contain himself no longer. He twirled around, arms outstretched, head tilted heavenward and belted out: The hills are alive with the sound of music... He finally collapsed to the ground and lay on the grass, letting the sun warm his face.
Duncan parked and went inside.
"Where's Flem?" Archie asked.
"Outside, havin' a religious experience, or a seizure. I'm not sure which."
Archie ran outside to find Flem jogging towards the loch. "I'll be just a minute, Archie." He knelt by the water's edge, cupped his hands, and scooped some water on his head. "I'm saved," he shouted, arms rising skyward. "Glory Hallelujah!"
"Hi Flem," Archie said hoping he wasn't intruding on something personal or too weird.
"It's good to see you, Archie," Flem said pumping his friend's hand vigorously. This place is just as beautiful as I remembered it. It's like a tonic. Flem's blue eyes were filled with wonder and awe.
"Are you ready to go in," Archie asked tentatively. "The others are eager to see you."
"And I am eager to see them," Flem said.
--------
Inside the parlour, Flem was seated with Archie, Lexie, Molly, Lizzie, and Paul.
"So the family has grown, since I was here last," he said referring to Lizzie and Paul whom he hadn't met before. "And continuing to grow, " he said eyeing Lexie whose growing belly and maternity clothes were proclaiming her as quite unmistakably pregnant.
"Are you here on a hiking holiday," Molly asked?
"Not exactly," Flem said. "I quit my job at the bank. It was that or have a nervous breakdown. I promised myself that I would get out of the rat race forever."
"Really, what are you going to do now," asked Paul who had himself, recently made a sudden career change.
"In the short term I've decided to sell my condo and get cheaper digs. Between that and my savings, I can live as I like for awhile. But eventually I'm going to have to get a job. So I came here to get in touch with things and figure out what I want to do with the rest of my life."
"That's a brave move," commented Lexie.
"It doesn't feel brave. It feels liberating."
"Then it's an enlightened move." Lizzie said.
"Once I made the decision to quit I knew I had to come here cleanse myself of the whole money grubbing, power grabbing, status seeking mess. I've already anointed myself with water from the loch, so I feel like I've completed the first leg of my journey.
"So that was your little ritual out there," said Archie. "Maybe we should start marketing loch water as a panacea for life's cares and worries."
"Archie, I think yer missin' his point," Lexie said.
"Just kidding."
"It wouldn't work," Flem continued. "It needs to be done at the loch in view of the mountains, while breathing the fresh Highland air."
"We're glad you came to us," Molly said.
"I used to have this terrible pain in my neck when I was working. It was from always looking around to see if someone was going to stab me in the back. Now it's gone, completely gone, except for this little tender spot in my upper back."
"Let me see that," Lizzie said She walked over to the back of Flem's chair. "Lean forward," she instructed. "Can you show me where it is?" He pointed but couldn't reach. "Is it over here?"
"A little more up," he said.
"Here?"
"Yes, ooh, are you a masseuse?
"No I'm an yoga instructor. I can feel that your muscle is very tight. You know yoga can often be just as good as massage for problems like this. Would you like to try it?"
"Right now?"
"No, I'd say about 2:00 this afternoon would be a good time."
"Yes, that should work for me too. Let me check. He pulled out his appointment book and found the date. "The rest of the day's all free!" he said beaming.
"Let me show ye to yer room," Lexie said to Flem. She led him up the stairs.
"I must tell you I was not surprised when I got that announcement of your marriage to Archie," Flem said. "I knew you had your heart set on him. My only question was how could he resist you so long?
"Ye'd have to ask him that," she said with a smile. They arrived at his room. "Ye've been here before, so ye know the trick with the hot and cold water in the bath. Luncheon is at 12:30. We'll be joined by some friends, Lord Kilwillie and his daughter Flora."
"Yes, Kilwillie is one of our biggest clients."
"Uh, Flem?"
"What?
"One of whose biggest clients?"
"Oh yeah," he laughed. "One of the bank's biggest clients."
"Sounds to me like you need a wee bit more loch water," Lexie said knocking on his head.
--------
The MacDonalds were waiting in the great hall to greet their guests. "Kilwillie's always on time, Archie remarked, as a distant whirring sound came closer and louder. The sound approached the ear splitting stage and Archie went outside to investigate. A helicopter was hovering over the front lawn and Duncan was shooing away tourists to stand back. When all was safe, the helicopter landed.
Paul, who had followed him out shouted, "It's a JetRanger. Cute."
The engine settled down and the blades came to a halt. Out of the craft came Kilwillie and Flora, both in helmet and goggles.
"Are you the pilot?" Paul asked Flora.
"Yes," Flora said with a giggle. "I just got my license."
"Isn't she wonderful," Kilwillie beamed.
"Ooh Archie." Flora, a very large woman, threw her arms around her childhood friend. "Congratulations on your marriage." Molly, Lexie and Lizzie had come out by now, and Lexie stood beside Archie, his arm around her. "Lexie, you're a very lucky woman," Flora said.
"Aye, I am," Lexie agreed.
"Lizzie," Flora squealed. "I haven't seen you in donkey's years." She threw her fat arms around Lizzie, who appeared to be struggling to breathe.
"It's nice to see you again, Flora," Lizzie said when she got out from under. "How have you been?"
"Splendid," Flora said. "Things couldn't be better."
"Let's go in," Molly said. We want to introduce you to our other guest.
--------
Around the dining table Kilwillie was saying, "I couldn't be leaving the business in better hands. Flora has been working along with me at Kilwillie Enterprises all the way from her home in Edinburgh. We communicate by means of this computer thingummy."
"E-mail, Daddy."
"Right ho," Kilwillie said. "Now she'll be taking up residence in Kilwillie Manor so she can manage the estate as well."
"So we'll be neighbours again," Flora said to Archie. "It will be just like old times."
"It will never be like old times," Archie said solemnly.
"Of course not," Flora said, rebuked. "I'm sorry."
"Besides," Archie said trying to lighten up the mood, "we are now the ages our parents were when we were kids. So it's our job to do all the fuddy duddy old things they used to do."
"Like have us," Flora giggled.
"Which is just what Archie and I are doin' now," Lexie said. "Producin' the next generation."
"So, I noticed. Congratulations."
"So how are things at the bank, Flem?" Kilwillie asked.
"I wouldn't know," Flem answered. "I don't work there any more."
"So what are you doing now?"
"Right now I am enjoying the last morsels of this extraordinary fresh caught salmon. This afternoon I have a yoga lesson with Lizzie. Aside from that I think I'm going to practice piano, maybe do a little fishing with Golly."
"That's the right idea," said Kilwillie. You enjoy your stay at Glenbogle. As for me, I have 6 month open ended plane ticket to go anywhere in the world. I promised Flora a postcard from every port, although we will be in touch over the business."
"Daddy has to work even when he's on holiday," Flora giggled.
"I expect you to do all the work and I to make some high level executive decisions now and then," Kilwillie corrected good naturedly. "Actually what I really want to do while I spend all that time on airplanes is something completely different. I'd like to write a screenplay."
"Have you ever done anything like that before?" Paul asked.
"Never," Kilwillie said. "But there's always a first time."
"What will it be aboot?" Lexie asked.
"I'm not sure," Kilwillie admitted, but I'd like it to be a good old fashioned murder mystery. They're so much fun."
"If it's anything like most of your other ventures, you should do quite well," said Archie. "Who knows, maybe you'll even win an Oscar."
"Why thank you, Archie. But we mustn't put the cart before the horse. I have to write it first," Kilwillie said. "This was a splendid meal, Lexie. Everything was top-notch."
"Thank yew. I'll let Ewan know."
"Now if Hector were here," Kilwillie continued tentatively, "This would be just where he would want to...Oh no point in bringing up old times."
"Offer you a dram? I'm afraid I can't do that right now," Archie said uncomfortably.
"Oh go ahead," Lizzie said. "I don't want to spoil Kilwillie's last day. You go to the study and do whatever you want. I'll go out for a walk." Lizzie left quickly before anyone could inquire or protest.
"I'll come with you," Flora offered. She followed Lizzie out.
"Well then, gentlemen," Archie said. "Follow me."
--------
Lizzie and Flora were walking around the estate.
"It was fun here when we were kids together. Flora gushed."
"I thought we rather bullied you, Lizzie said.
"You did, somewhat," Flora admitted. "You'd make up these strange games, and make me be the part that nobody else wanted, then you'd all run away, and I wouldn't find you again for some time."
"And that was fun?"
"It was more fun than being with my governess. You were lucky to have brothers to play with."
"Ha, I didn't think so at the time," Lizzie said.
"What have you been doing these last years. I hear you've been travelling."
"I lived in India after Martha was born. We'd probably still be there except that her father wanted her to spend some time with him. I dropped her off with him in Nice and then meandered through France until I finally found myself here."
"It sounds exciting," Flora cooed.
"I can see how it might, but actually, I've been kind of messed up... How about you, Flora. Tell me about yourself."
"Well, I've been working with Daddy since I finished university. I didn't think I was going to like business, but Daddy says Kilwillie Enterprises will be all mine some day," she chortled. "So I stuck with it, and I found I'm rather good at it."
"See, there are some advantages to not having brothers."
"I know what you mean," Flora said tapping the side of her nose, in a gesture she learned from her father. "Also, I go to my Scottish Country Dance Club. But I haven't been there much since I found a boyfriend."
"A boyfriend, Flora," Lizzie gulped. "That's fabulous. What's he like?"
"I'm not going to tell you his name," Flora said slyly. "But I'm trying to get him to come visit here. You'll get to meet him."
"Is it someone I know?" Lizzie asked.
"Maybe."
"Or know about? Is he famous?"
"You'll see."
"Oh, Flora. You have moved on from the days when we could push you around."
--------
The Kilwillies, the MacDonalds, and Flem were all gathered outside the front entrance to say goodbye. It was one of those protracted good byes where saying, "I must be going" is actually a prelude to another conversation.
"I have one annoying little problem I'm going to have to deal with in a hurry," Flora was saying to Lizzie and Molly. "Our groom just left without giving notice. I'm going to have to walk and feed the horses myself until I can find someone to replace him."
"I can do it," Lizzie said. "How many do you have?"
"Just the two. Braveheart and Misty," Flora said. "It should just be for a week or two until I find someone else. And I'll pay you of course."
"Actually, I'd like to do it for the next few months. As long as I'm here. And you don't need to pay me as long as you let me ride."
"That would be splendid," Flora said. "I'll pay you and you can ride. Molly, you can ride too."
"Flora, you're very kind."
"Lizzie, there's just one stipulation I'd like to make before we seal our deal," Flora said. "I want you to ride with me some times."
"I'd be glad to, Flora."
"Flora, it's time to go," Kilwillie called.
This time hugs and goodbyes and wishes of bon voyage went all around. Kilwillie said he expected to be back around the beginning of the new year. Flora blew kisses. Kilwillie doffed his hat. They got back into the helicopter. With a clatter and a whirr they were off.
When the noise died down Molly turned to Archie and Lexie and told them Lizzie's good news. "She and I get use of the horses for her working a few hours a day," she explained.
"The funny thing is, it's just like old times," Lizzie added. "I used to go over to Flora's house to ride her pony in exchange for playing with her."
"And now you have to shovel manure for the same privilege." Archie observed.
"I didn't know how lucky I was, "Lizzie said wryly before returning to the house.
--------
Lizzie cleared away the furniture in the parlour to make a comfortable space for her yoga class of one. When Flem found her he was dressed in a pair of loose shorts, a t-shirt and socks. "It's best to take your socks off," Lizzie said. "We'll start with some floor postures, or asanas." She turned on a tape of soothing female voices chanting in a foreign tongue. Can you sit on your heels comfortably?
"Uh, not really," Flem said.
"Try it with this pillow under you."
"Ah, that feels good."
They started off with breathing exercises and then did mostly upper body work. They ended with the corpse pose and ten minutes of meditation. Flem sat up.
"How does your back feel?" Lizzie asked.
"Better," he said. He could even touch the spot that was bothering him. He stood up and stretched his arms upward. "I never knew I could feel this way," Flem glowed. "I feel light, I feel happy, I feel free as a bird!"
Lizzie thought he might burst into song.
"Thank you so much, Lizzie. May we do this again?"
"Anytime," she said. "How about tomorrow, same time?"
"That would be splendid. And now, perhaps I can give you a little something in exchange for what you've done for me."
Flem sat down at the piano and stretched out his fingers. He placed them on the piano and began to play the jazz tune Sweet Georgia Brown. He played light and fast and his newly stretched shoulders bounced up and down in time to the rhythm. Each time he repeated the melody he altered it a little, so that by the time he was through, it was nearly unrecognisable, yet, it all fit together.
Lizzie found her self tapping her foot and nodding her head. She saw Ewan in the door way and pulled him in to dance. He in his apron, she still barefoot from yoga, did a kind of made up swing dance. They laughed and clapped when Flem was done and he stood up and took a bow.
"That was great," Ewan said.
"I didn't know you had such talent," said Lizzie.
Flem basked in the praise.
"Oh I just remembered," Ewan said, horrified. "There's a phone call for ye, Mr. Fleming. That's why I came in here."
Flem raced out to the great hall to pick up the phone.
"Hello," he said. "Yes... What?.. Oh, no... That can't be... Me?...You must be kidding... You're not kidding... I can leave on a train tomorrow morning. I'll be in tomorrow night. Yes, I understand... Right. Goodbye."
Flem turned around to see that Lizzie was there. He was ashen faced.
"I just knew it was bad news," she said. "Is there anything I can do to help?"
"I'm afraid not. I have to leave tomorrow. The bank was raided today by Scotland Yard. Two senior people have been arrested so far. I have to return to give a deposition and for all I know, I'll be arrested too."
"But you didn't do anything wrong, did you?" Lizzie asked hopefully.
"No, I don't think so, but you have to understand that I was a vice president at the bank. When there's trouble in a place like that, blame is like heat. It rises."
--------
Finished with the Wildlife Centre for the day, Golly headed toward the direction of Andrew's House. He stopped on top a nearby hill and took out his binoculars. He saw Andrew's motorcycle and car outside. He could even see Andrew at work at his easel inside. The light would be good for another few hours. Andrew wasn't likely going anywhere for a while.
Who was Andrew? Golly wondered. Does anyone know where he's from? Where he lived most of his life? How he made his money? Why he choose to stop in this remote part of Scotland? What kind of business was he involved in now, with this Miguel and this courier? It could be perfectly innocent, but Golly's sixth sense told him it wasn't.
--------
Dinner at Glenbogle House was subdued with Flem's bad news on everyone's minds. "I've quite enjoyed my stay here, short as it is," Flem said. "I'll come back as soon as I can, although I don't know if that means days, weeks, months, or years."
"Oh surely not years," Molly said.
"Maybe not," Flem said sadly. "But, you never can tell."
"If anything calls for a toast, I think this does," said Archie. Does everyone have their beverage of choice?"
"I don't have my beverage of choice," Flem said. "How am I supposed to drown my sorrows in non-alcoholic sparkling cider?"
"We're just toasting right now," Archie said. "Any drowning of sorrows has to take place later among consenting adults in private."
"Oh right," Flem said, wondering what this was about.
"It's because of me," Lizzie said. "I can't drink. I can't be around people who are drinking or who are drunk. You might as well know right now, I'm an alcoholic."
"Oh, I am sorry, said Flem. "I didn't know. I don't need to drink. It's just something one feels is expected of one at times. Not necessary at all, really."
Lizzie smiled appreciatively.
"So if everyone will raise their glasses, I propose a toast, to our dear friend, Fleming, we wish a easy time with the bank investigators, and a speedy return to Glenbogle. Slainte."
"Slainte," everyone responded.
--------
Still spying on Andrew, Golly was wondering whether to give up for the night when dark clouds started rolling in. In minutes it looked like twilight, although the sun wasn't due to set for two hours. Golly looked through his binoculars and could see Andrew stopping his work.
"Awright, laddie," Golly muttered to himself. "What are ye goin' to do next?"
Andrew went to the fridge and got himself a beverage. He sat down in front of the TV and watched, Golly couldn't see what.
The storm clouds were gathering and Golly realized he was about to get wet. He had a rain poncho in his backpack that would provide minimal protection. Again he thought about leaving and trying again another time. But just then, Golly saw Andrew come out of his house, get into his car, and drive away.
Golly jogged over to Andrew's house, took out his old spare key, and put it in the lock. It still worked. He walked into the house and found the easel still set up.
On the easel was a very old sketch of a very old man, from some long ago era. He was wearing a shabby coat and had long white hair and sideburns. He appeared to have no teeth. Next to it was a work in progress of the same sketch. Charcoal and brown and white crayons that had been used to produce the work were on the easel ledge.
"So Andrew, are ye a copier or a forger? That is the question." He took a camera from his backpack and snapped a few pictures.
A crack of lightening split open the sky. Golly startled and then resisted the urge to close Andrew's windows, like any good neighbour would do. He left everything as he found it, locked up behind him, put on his rain poncho, and made the dash for home.
--------
After dinner Archie pulled Flem aside. "I can find you a wee dram if you want to come into the study," he offered.
"No thanks, Archie. "I think out of respect for Lizzie I'll skip it tonight. Besides, I'll have plenty of opportunities to drown my sorrows, if I need to, back in the city."
The family went into the parlour and Flem started playing piano. That lightened everyone's mood.
"What was that?" Paul asked.
"Jailhouse Blues." Flem answered.
"You have to think more positively," Lizzie said. "Play something positive."
"Okay," Flem said. "How's Ain't Misbehavin' ?"
"That's more like it."
-------
Next morning, Golly greeted Jess coming out of her croft.
"Did ye ever take any art courses at university?" he asked her.
"No, closest thing was photography. Why?"
"Nothin' important. I may want to talk to someone who knows somethin' about art, that's all. Here's yer camera back. Lemme know when ye get the pictures developed."
"Dad this is a digital camera, you don't get the pictures developed. You just plug the memory card into the computer and the photos appear on the screen."
"Fer cryin' oot loud, Jessica, if ye wasna my own daughter I'd think ye was pullin' my leg. Can we look at the thing noo?"
"Come on in."
-------
Flem was in the great hall, packed and ready to go. The entire family was present to see him off. There were hugs and handshakes and good luck wishes and thank yous all around. "I'll drive you to the station," Archie offered.
"No, let me," said Lizzie. "You have other things to do. I can do it."
"Okay," Archie said, and he handed Lizzie the keys. "Keep us posted," Archie said, giving Flem a handshake and one armed hug.
"As long as you don't see my name in the newspapers, it's probably good news, but I'll let you know."
He picked up his rucksack and left with Lizzie.
--------
Golly and Jess were at her computer looking at the pictures of Andrew's work.
"What is this, Dad? Where is this?"
"This is confidential, just between yew and me, okay, lass?"
--------
Lizzie and Flem were at the station.
"I'll be thinking of you," Lizzie said. "I'll be focussing my energy, trying to send good vibrations your way."
Flem flashed a bittersweet smile. "It's helpful to know you and your family are out there supporting me. It's good to have friends."
They could hear the train coming.
"Goodbye Lizzie. I'll be back as soon as I can."
"Goodbye Lance," she said.
"You called me Lance," Flem said. "Nobody's ever called me that."
"I know you don't like Lancelot," Lizzie said. "But I think Lance suits you. It's strong, it's manly. It seems more personal than using your family name. What do you think?"
"I like it when you say it."
By now the train was in the station. Lizzie and Flem gave each other a quick hug and Flem began to board the train.
"Lance," she called out. He turned around.
"Remember your breathing."
"I will," he said, "You remember your sparkling cider," and he disappeared into the compartment.
Lizzie watched until the train was out of view.