Chapter 14
M knocks on the door of Charmian's room, "can I come in?"
"Yes mum."
Judi is getting ready to go to town and M sits on the edge of the bed.
"It has come to my attention that Sam spoke to you last night. Tanner told me he was released."
"Yes...I had sent him a text telling him I want a divorce...once your people got through with him he got his mobile back and then called. Needless to say he was angry...in fact he chastised me for texting him that...can you imagine...he had the nerve to be angry with me."
"Well with men...they often feel that offence is an appropriate defence. What did he say?"
"He eventually told me about the other woman because he knew I would be suspicious as to why it took him so long to answer my text. Sam wants us to talk. I said be out of the house by Sunday when I get home. He tried to get me to come home early but I said no."
"Good girl. I am proud of the way you are handling this...I know it is not easy. Has your relationship been dying for the last year?"
"Yes...it seems like everything has gone to hell since dad died."
"I know...sometimes life dumps everything on you at once to prove a point."
"What point?"
"That you are stronger than you appear and that you can live through anything."
"I would like to believe that but what I am going through is nothing compared to you mum. You are incredibly strong and even when floundering...in that time Bond was missing, you still were able to work and battle through getting stronger every day."
"Only because of the people around me. Tanner and Moneypenny kept me going and Marshall. Don't you, or your brother ever chastise your uncle for his feelings for me. Sometimes we cannot help who we develop a crush on. Like you for instance."
"What? What about me?"
"Your brother seems to think you have a crush on James. Is that true?"
Judi finishes putting on her necklace and picks up a cardigan unable to meet her mother's eyes as a flush rises on her face.
"So you do. It has also come to my attention that the world around us thinks that you are Bond's future wife."
"Nothing gets past you does it mum?"
"Not much my dear because when it does...things get blown up and destroyed."
"He is very handsome and yes...I admit I am horribly jealous. I asked him to find me a nice man...he more or less alluded to the fact that he doesn't meet many of those."
"No he doesn't. I cannot shout out publically that James and I are together so it is alright with me if you want to pretend you are a couple. If James falls for you Judi...I will sanction the relationship. It will hurt but I want the two of you to be happy and you could give him a family to raise and I would love to see that for Bond."
"Mum! I would never try to steal him away from you! We may look similar but you and I are very different...being the sum of our experiences you are the one he loves...I cannot become you no matter how hard I tried."
"I know dear...but should anything happen to me…"
"No! Stop it! I do not want to hear anymore of this. I will not become his replacement if you should die...that is just...well it is too bloody weird mum."
"Like what happened between your uncle and me? You and Ryan think he was Nigel's replacement don't you?"
"It crossed our minds."
"Well he wasn't. Marshall comforted me and it just happened. Sometimes it is not an all encompassing passion that drives us as we get older. Sometimes it is just empathy and comfort that pulls us to someone...this is how I manage to explain my affair with Marshall to myself.
"I understand mum but don't ever tell Bond...promise me."
"Alright...relax. Just keep the conversation with outsiders neutral if they assume you are his lover in public...do not object and say...no he is with my mum. If problems do arise...James and I will deal with it."
"Are you sure about Sam Jude? Do you love him enough to forgive him?"
"No...I guess I have been moving out of love for him over the years...he became very disinterested in me after the children. He admitted on more than one occasion that he felt like his life was over...he was tied down. I felt the same disinterest in him but I was obsessed with staying with the kids...I didn't want to be apart from them because...sorry...you know mum."
"Yes...I understand. Now go have fun in town."
"You need anything mum?"
"I am going to look at the linen closet now to see if we do indeed need to buy extra sheets."
They walk out of the room to the closet across the hall. There are two extra sets for the other rooms.
"Mum just do the laundry. Come on lets go strip your bed and gather all the laundry. Do you not do your own laundry?"
Judi looks at her mother in confusion.
"What...don't look at me like that. I have a service."
"Really...I think you did it when I was young."
"I find the new machines confusing."
Judi laughs at her as they enter the master bedroom and gather a pile of laundry.
"Ew...James' work out clothes stink."
"Yes I will find a basket." M opens the closet and finds a wicker basket to fill and the two of them head down to the kitchen.
Bond and Ryan come in after checking the workers in the shed.
"Everything alright?"
"Yes Bond but apparently my mother can control her troops around the globe but cannot operate a simple laundry machine."
"Judi...don't tease her...she could have you whacked. Here mum come and let us show you how this works. I guess we can consider this your first senior moment."
M swats Ryan with the back of her hand.
"You better watch your mouth young man."
The two give her a quick tutorial and start a load as Bond kisses M on the cheek.
"Come on then Judi. Ryan...remember the gun cabinet and keep her inside. Do not let any of the workers in the main house just check on them once and a while. We will pick up Maggie while in town. Kincade may be by later...I want him here when I am gone as back up. He will oversee the workers and stay the night...in the den on a cot."
"I've got this James. I won't let any other men near my mother...don't worry. I will make sure Mr. Kincade is downstairs asleep before I go to bed...god I sound like the father of a teenage girl."
"I see you two have been making paranoid plans about me behind my back. You will be the father of a teen age girl in a few short years Ryan."
"Yes well...I know what kind of trouble you can get yourself into when left unsupervised." Bond smirks and he wraps her in his arms for a hug.
"Come on daughter...let's do the town. I have some jewels to lavish on your mother if she will allow me."
The three of them look at M expectantly. "What...don't make me answer that here and now James." M says in exasperation.
"Why are you going to say no...here in front of the children, Olivia."
"Bond! M only...remember and no I am not saying no I am considering if marriage is the right thing for me at this stage of my life."
"You better think fast because by the end of the week you are my legal beneficiary and your two children after...so therefore you three will own Skyfall and pass it along to your children after. Judi you might not want to tell your husband about that."
"Good god no...I won't. I am shocked James...this is unexpected. You do not have any living relatives?"
"No not even cousins of my father or mother, at least none that I have left. Enough talking about this stuff...since the woman of my dreams is so hesitant to say yes...I will take your daughter away now."
"Yes well you watch out for her as much as you do me or else I will fire you."
"Yes ma'am!"
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Olivia knocks on Charmian Bond's room. "Can I come in."
She hears a shout. "It's open dear."
Olivia pushes in and closes the door, bringing her bag in with her.
Charmian stands and moves towards her all ready for bed. Charmian looks a lot like her brothers once she has her hair down. Until now Olivia has only seen it piled up on her head in a bun.
There are a few streaks of grey in her dark hair. She is a tall woman with a thin straight frame but there is something solid almost unmovable about her.
"Thanks for letting me sleep here...I don't mean to be a bother."
"Oh you are no bother dolly but I need to get something out of the way before we go to sleep."
Olivia looks perplexed as Charmian strides over to her and grabs her pulling her into a passionate kiss.
Olivia's eyes go wide as she stiffens in her embrace. No woman or girl has ever kissed her like that!
Charmian pulls away with an amused smirk on her face.
"I didn't think they told you. Monique practically squirms in discomfort at the mere mention of my affliction. I just wanted to let you know and understand that I am very attracted to you...as the rest of the Bond men and Kincade are. Don't panic my dear...it is for you to decide if you wish to experiment with something new. I know that you are attracted to men...and that you are fighting with everything that you have to stop from caving to James. My baby brother is so very dangerous and women flock to him like ants to sugar."
"I...I don't know what to say?"
"You have never been kissed by a woman before have you?"
"No."
"Was it bad?"
"No."
"Good...I'm glad you enjoyed it. I can introduce you to more...if and when you are ready. It is entirely different having sex with a woman. I think you will like it, but if you feel no attraction to me at all I will understand."
"I don't know what to say...I like you but I am..."
"Don't worry yourself my dear. I will not make any move to intrude on your space unless you wish me to. Come to bed my dear and believe me you are much safer in here than you would be with James, Kincade or even Andrew. The blood runs hot in these Scotsmen my dear and a beautiful woman is like a meal to a starving man."
"But Andrew and Kincade?"
"My dear just because they are married or attached would not stop them enjoying the sight of you. If left alone for long...like Kincade, it is not unusual for them to go back to their old ways."
"But Monique?"
"What about her? Yes she is a stunning woman but if she was gone for any length of time...back home...she sends for me just to come up and watch him...she's done it before."
"Really?"
"The three of them practically went through the female population of this area 18 years ago...my father made sure that they knew how to protect themselves but then...there was Katrina."
"Yes...I have heard some of the rumours. James says it was definitely not his."
"I know it may have been another boy from town...a handsome young man of insufficient means if you know what I mean."
"Yes...how very old world."
"Katrina is a beautiful but wilful girl with reddish hair. The twins had their father's dark hair but Katrina was and likely still is a very beautiful woman."
"What about you...James said you fled just as they were in their early teens."
"Father found me a husband so I told him...shouted at the two of them that I liked women and would never sleep with any man."
"What did they say?"
Olivia and Charm sat up against the headboard. Olivia was learning so much more than she ever expected and she had questions. Charmian must have deduced as much so she volunteered the answers.
"What do you expect...they were furious. My mother blamed my father for making me a tomboy with all the shooting and horses and my father told me it was a phase or a lie to stop the marriage he arranged for me."
"That is when you left."
"Yes I told them that if they sent me to university for three years that it might straighten me out." Charmian laughs hysterically.
"I really just did it to find like minded individuals and a large university is just the place to do that. As it was the boys were off to boarding school soon because of the chaos they were causing in the area...which they continued every summer break or vacation time they came home."
"Did you come home for the summers?"
"The first summer yes and to avoid them selling me off to the highest bidder I stayed out with Kincade as much as possible. Katrina began to hate me at that point. Kincade has always been like a younger brother to me and with such a gap in age it really was an unbelievable relationship. But as far as father and mother were concerned, it had the gossips wagging their tongues in a far better direction than the alternative."
"Quite a double standard...I hate that about male female relationships."
"I agree...but you are no virgin my dear...you and your intended...Nigel is it?"
"Yes and yes...we are together."
"And James? How do you feel about my baby brother really?"
"I like him more than I thought I would."
"Is that as shock to you or is it more shocking that you are starting to want him as much as he wants you?"
Olivia looks at her shocked. "What?"
"James is a wonderful man when you get to know him and you are the first girl since Tracy that has made him smile this much. Andrew is desperate to have you fall in love with James and leave your future professor."
"Really?"
"Oh yes...he and Monique just love you...almost as much as wee Jamie."
Olivia laughs. "I like your brother...and yes far more than I thought but Nigel...he and I...well we just fit. I don't know if that makes any sense but we do and I love him."
"I didn't mean to shock you dolly. I see that you are confused by our attitudes towards fidelity...you see there are some that can love a person dearly but if circumstances present themselves...they will cheat to fill the temporary void. I sense that you are like Odysseus' Penelope and you feel that you must remain faithful to Nigel, even when he may not be faithful to you."
Charmian grasps one of Olivia's hands resting on the bed covers.
"Now before you object...let me explain. You are young and you think that there is no injustice greater than betrayal. However, what happens if that person...Nigel loves you more than anything and wants to spend his life with you? How do you react to betrayal...do you toss it all away or do you recognize the reasoning and work it out."
"How so?"
Charmain pauses to find the words to properly express her opinions on fidelity.
"Most men and women do not intentionally go out to hurt the ones they love...they just get caught in a moment. It is about these moments...how can I explain? One must judge and react accordingly to the circumstances involved. Before you object, I understand that no one should put up with it if it becomes a constant...that would be paramount to abuse if they knew you realized and continued to constantly cheat."
"So mistakes are just that...and one should just confront them and work it out?"
"If you have Nigel...a man you more or less pushed to go without you to France...let's say he is drunk and pops into this ex-girlfriend's bed, does that change his feelings for you? No not on your life, it isn't just about the sex...it is far deeper with the two of you right?"
"Yes."
"Now even after years of marriage should either of you stray...does that mean you love each other less? It could...if you have been growing apart but if you haven't and everything is good and then James comes to you at work and the two of you have a fling...a one off in the afternoon...do you want Nigel to leave you?"
"No not at all. How does this explains James?"
"Well as you know, some of the women...it is his job...but it means nothing to him, those women."
"Because of Tracy."
"Yes and now there is you."
"Me?"
"Yes...he is offering you as much as he can give you and I see the way he looks at you...he wants you badly but he knows that if you cave to his desire...it will lead to nothing but his own pain."
"His pain?"
"Yes...he knows that he will never have your heart...it is good actually. Now he can see it from the other side...see what he has possibly done to women in his past carelessness. Women have fallen in love with him, I have no doubt."
"Likely but why would he want me to begin with...as he has already said I am boring and predictable in my choices and I am not as glamorous as any of the other woman...Monique is so beautiful that it practically hurts my eyes."
"Yes she certainly is...Andrew snatched her up as soon as he saw her...love at first sight. Monique is different and exactly suited to Andrew...complete opposites...she is gentle to his gruff...as you can imagine. As for you...you are truly beautiful in every aspect of the word.
"I don't believe…"
"You're wrong. You scream intelligence and your lovely blue eyes scan like a cats...you have an impressive figure even if you are a tad short. There is something about you, love that just captivates and you are undoubtedly the smartest woman in this house and never...promise me...you will never hide that intelligence because it won't be accepted by men."
"I don't Nigel loves that about me."
"And you him, for his acceptance of it."
"Yes."
"I still wish you and James could find a way...it seems that the fates have a different thread woven and planned for you and James Bond, Olivia."
Charmian brings her hand to her mouth and kisses it.
"Don't fret my dear. We will not keep you captive here at Skyfall but we are just wishful people and after all the pain...well we want James to have someone like you...beautiful, smart, stable and good with children."
"He has never brought anyone else home?"
"Only Tracy but she practically grew up here so she doesn't count. Andrew and I have both met up with him and some women in London over the years but they were obviously nothing but flighty idiots that were impressed by the car and his features but there was nothing of substance...I called him a week later every time we met and he had already rid himself of the bimbo's shortly after."
"What about you? Any women in your life?"
"No not anymore. I lived with one for 3 years but she found a man and decided to live her life as a mother and wife. She occasionally comes to visit me...when she finds her husband is leaving her unfulfilled. I told her to stop using me and ended it last month."
"That must be hard for you?"
"You see...I like you because you are inquisitive. It is but I will find someone new."
Charmian winks at her and wiggles her eyebrows. Olivia laughs and shakes her head.
"I am sorry but I do not feel that way towards you and for me my feelings are always involved."
"Don't be sorry dolly. I knew it was a long shot and we can remain friends."
"Oh most definitely. So I will get to meet all the MacKenzie's tomorrow."
"Yes and you will be under the microscope so to speak. Old Callum is gruff but just talk to him about shooting and sport and he will love you. Let's get some sleep. I don't want to deal with my brother should I keep you up all night...he will get jealous. I promise to stay to my side of the bed."
Olivia laughs with her as Charmian turns off the lamp and Olivia closes her eyes.
Trying to sleep with so many thoughts and questions floating in her head. Where is Nigel and what is he doing? Eventually, Olivia falls to sleep.
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Bond drives into town giving Judi and him time to chat.
"So your husband is out."
"Yes he is."
"Do you want me to take care of him for you?"
"What?"
"I will keep it between us...your mother will guess and so will Ryan but it will look like an accident."
"No...thank you James. The children love him...so even if I wanted him gone, I just couldn't do that to them."
"If he ever physically hurts you Judi...I am your first call...you got that?"
"Yes...I understand but I don't think it will come to that...at least I hope not."
"What brought you two together?"
"Mutual friends and I wanted someone stable, with a good job and who wanted children and wanted to enjoy time raising them."
"Your mother did all she could."
"I know but at the time...well it was awful."
"At least you had parents."
"Yes...you were orphaned young. Who raised you after?"
"My father's sister, Charmian."
"I suppose you went to boarding schools?"
"Yes...got kicked out of one too."
"Really. I went to a school in London...mum must have wanted to have us close by just in case. I really expected to be sent away as a teen...I was surprised when I wasn't"
"For safety reasons it was likely better for you to be close to MI6 should anything happen."
"I think she will say yes to you eventually James."
"I should hope so...things have been conspiring against us at every turn."
"Will it kill you if she says no?"
"No...I will be fine as long as she doesn't end the relationship."
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Ryan follows his mother through the main level of the house with a pad of paper.
"The den, the gun room will be the operations centre. We will keep the entrance, living and dining rooms as they are. I think that this will be enough room. If not we will create a modern addition to the back of the house."
"What about a safe room mum? Is that something that would be necessary?"
M quirks her eyebrow up at her son impressed that he is adding logical additions to her plan.
"Yes and I have the perfect place in mind."
Ryan follows her into the living room as she stands beside the fireplace and pushes the button. The secret door is revealed.
"A priest's hole...the tunnel will be reinforced and extended to the kirk so that there is an escape route."
"That is handy. If we are done...I will go check on the shed."
"I will start on some leftovers for us to eat."
"What about when your Q branch is here?"
"I am their boss not their mother...I will refrain from making them all tea and biscuits."
"You wouldn't want them to get soft eh?"
M swats his arm as he leaves through the door. "Maggie will be here soon enough, now go get to work."
M takes the notes from Ryan as he leaves thorough the back. M pauses and begins to go over them in the dinning room when a knock comes to the door. M checks her watch...Q branch must be early.
M opens the door to see a van with a satellite company logo on the side and Q himself.
"Q? I was not expecting you personally."
"I thought I should take a look and I will be catching a flight back on the transport that is coming with Tanner. He was delayed and will be dropped off when they pick up Bond."
"Come in...I was just making some notes with my son."
Ryan comes in through the front door with a questioning look at the young man speaking to his mother.
"Ryan this is Q."
Ryan shakes Q's hand as does Kincade who comes through the door after seeing the van arrive.
"Good to meet you Q. I just arrived with some extra supplies for the kitchen. I let James know already."
They move around the house as M starts showing Q around. Ryan take the notes he made as Kincade goes to the kitchen to make some tea. The 4 technicians that Q brought are outside the house making notes of their own.
Another knock sounds at the door and M answers expecting members of Q branch but is shocked to see the face of Callum MacKenzie with a bouquet of flowers.
"My you are a lovely sight to be answering the door my dear. I come bearing gifts and an invitation to come for a drive with me."
M can hear the others entering the room so she steps outside and smiles at Callum while she mostly closes the door. She can still hear people talking and moving about in the house behind her.
"I apologize for the confusion in the house. There are workers all over the house. I am shocked and thank you for the flowers but I think I will have to decline your invitation."
"Well can I assist in any way? I know the best positioning for the satellite dish having done this myself. I have never heard of that company though...who did James go through?"
"I'm not sure. James is in town with Judi."
M can sense that he is far too inquisitive and she needs to get him to leave. There is only one way she can think to make sure that he does.
"On second thought...I will come with you for a drive. You wait in the car and I will put these into some water and get my bag."
M smiles sweetly at the man and he nods in agreement. M turns and walks back into the house. Kincade and Ryan are standing on the other side with their arms crossed across their chests.
"Well I can't very well have him hanging about here with all this going on now can I?"
"Mum...how am I going to explain this to James?"
"Make something up and over see this chaotic mess...we did the walk through together. Have Q hide the truck around back for when I return and make the men vanish until I can get rid of him."
Ryan leaves her with Kincade to go give instructions to Q.
"Lass...do you want me to get rid of him?"
"No...I will handle this Mr. Kincade. There is no reason to start up any old feuds."
"All right dolly...I know there is much more going on here than meets the eye still...you and I still need to have a talk about all this. Watch out for Callum...he is a tricky one...you could be married to him by the end of the day if your not careful lass."
M laughs for a second. "You just keep James and the others busy I will not be gone long. I have my mobile so don't worry. I can take care of myself."
"I am more concerned for our hides when the lad finds out you went out without escort...I could come along?"
"He wants to stay here and help with the work...that is impossible...I have to get him away and this is the only way to do that without raising suspicion."
"Ok lass. Your son and I will hide the mess...be back soon."
"I will...I hope."
To be continued...