Chapter 15
Bond and Judi spend time walking around town before James' meeting at the bank. They buy some extra linens for the bed causing Judi to blush as to the reason why.
"Is it to much to ask not to be a party to my mother's rather adventurous love life?"
"I just asked if you thought the blue or red silk would be better."
"James please...stick to what the rest of the average world has with cotton...and since you are buying how about an excessively high thread count."
"How do you feel about the entire town staring at us?"
"I think they are staring at you...if they are looking at me at all, it is to say how did that drab middle-aged woman land that handsome bloke."
"You are adorably sexy Judi...just like your mother."
"No more comparisons please...you know she wants me to 'look after you', should anything happen to her."
"What?"
"Well you were making paranoid plans for her safety with Kincade and Ryan...she thought she would make some of her own. I will not hold you to that James...that is even stranger than Marshall and mum sleeping together. How did you handle that one by the way?"
"Part of the reason I was angry and stayed in Turkey was that she ordered me shot...I thought she didn't really care. I knew given my recuperation time missing...that she would sleep with your uncle. They were dating before I seduced her away...so turnabout if fair play as far as I am concerned. Marshall is a decent man...he loves your mother and has for a very long time."
"So weird...talking about all this with you...everything is weird since that night you were beaten and bloodied laying on her sofa when we got back from dinner...watching her twist her mouth around the word boyfriend...was the most surreal thing I have ever witnessed."
"Come future daughter...I need to retrieve your mother a ring. Which ever one she choses the other I will save for you."
"What?"
"Well I can imagine us married once we get over our shared grief at your mother's passing."
"Stop teasing Bond...you cannot find love in a person just because she reminds you of the one you lost. That is why mum with Marshall was just so wrong...she told me it was because of his kindness and support not any overwhelming passion on her part."
"I know...that relationship was doomed to be one sided. Poor Marshall. I did ask him for her hand and he agreed...more than willing to fill in if I should disappear again."
"Ow...stop talking about my mother and uncle like that...it is too much like Hamlet with an entirely different realm of insanity going on in the background."
James laughs, "Tanner has a crush on your mother...as does the man who is currently filling in for her at work. Kincade...he is interested as is Callum MacKenzie. The problem with working in a male dominated field and her being so...so...very...all encompassingly...frustratingly...belligerently...brilliant all the time. "
"That is a lot of adjectives that I would never consider using for my mother."
"That and like you, your mother has no idea how attractive she is to the opposite sex. M is all those things and more...different for each of us who admire her, but you have to be happy about having a real relationship with her now."
"Yes...we are. It is taking time to get use to everything but it will be good. I am optimistic for the future."
"Good. So am I for once in my life."
The two of them head to the bank before collecting Maggie and driving back to Skyfall.
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On the drive back with Maggie, Judi feels her mobile vibrate and looks at it, frowning.
"What is it?" Bond asks.
Judi looks at him with her eyes wide as she motions her head to the back seat where Maggie sits.
"Oh nothing really. Mum has just gone out for a drive with Callum MacKenzie."
Bond grips the steering wheel as he says through clenched teeth. "How very nice that he made time to come over for a visit...again."
Maggie begins to add her own to the equation. "Oh that Callum is a handsome gentleman, where is Mr. Kincade in all this...I couldn't help but notice that he seem smitten with your mother dear."
Bond frowns. "Kincade is at the house overseeing the reconstruction of the shed."
"That man is always working. Well if he doesn't watch it Callum will steal her out from under him...I have know those two since I was a girl...I was friends with Annie...Kincade's wife since we were in school."
Judi places a hand over her mouth to stop from blurting out in laughter.
"My mum has the most incredible array of lovers Maggie...really you have no idea."
"She is an attractive woman. How old is your mother dear?"
"65."
"My goodness...I would have guessed 10 years younger than that my dear. Lucky for you that eh Mr. Bond."
"How so?"
"Your lass here...she will age just as slowly as her ma."
"Ah...thank you Maggie that is so sweet of you to say."
Bond is angry...after all the lectures to Ryan...why in hell is M out with Callum?
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Callum drives M through the countryside pointing out places of personal and historical significance.
"You do remind me of that lass that James Bond brought to my wedding. Kincade told me the day after he met you that you were just as beautiful and very similar in appearance."
"No I have been called M so long I could not possibly remember another name." M says hoping that it will stop this line of questioning. M decides to seize control of the conversation to steer it away from her life.
"So your grandson is graduating?"
"Yes another lawyer in the family."
"So the family tradition continues."
"Yes it does. Do you have any family traditions that have been passed down?"
M smirks imagining her grandchildren learning to defuse international incidents or even bombs for that matter.
"My husband was a professor, my son a lawyer and my daughter a teacher. So I think teaching must be in the blood."
"You taught?"
"I have taught many things over my lifetime yes." Many agents, many lessons in aggressive negotiations, all over the globe.
"May I ask a personal question?"
"I suppose...but I reserve the right to not answer based on the grounds it may incriminate me."
Callum laughs. "How long have you been a widow?"
"Almost a year and a half now...and you?"
"Three years...breast cancer took Jane from us."
"Shame."
"Yes and it is lonely here without her."
"Your sister is returning now...it will not be as lonely and both your girls...they live with you?"
"Yes but I think you know to what I am referring." Callum slyly gives M a look and a wink.
M blushes and looks out the window. "Yes...I understand."
"Kincade fancies you?" It is not really a question as much as a statement of fact.
"It has recently come to my attention that he does...yes." Christ she should just tell him...but that will lead to far to many other questions.
"By that I take it that you do not feel that same interest?"
"He is a lovely man...but no. I do not." Kincade is sweat and if she tells anyone the truth of the matter on this trip it will be him.
"I understand. You are a city woman at heart."
"Yes well there is that, I cannot picture Kincade in London...ever."
Callum laughs. "No you are right there. I visit the offices in London every month. I would consider it an honour to be able to call on you for a friendly drink or dinner when I do."
M smiles considering a diplomatic way of dealing with this but cannot. "That would be nice."
"You and Kincade should come for dinner this week...we can also meet for lunch tomorrow while the young ones are out and I am picking up Kartina. The evening after tomorrow I would love to host the two of you for dinner and cards. It will be fun."
M attempts to be as diplomatic as possible. "I will have to see about the children's plans, but that does sound diverting."
Callum pulls up to the old manor home and stops the car.
"Here is the old sod...would you care for a walk in the woods for a while?"
M glances at her phone...James will have returned...they will not be able to say goodbye and the helicopter will be here with Tanner soon.
"Yes that sounds lovely."
M sends a quick text of; goodbye and come back safe Bond.
"Can you get a signal? Often it is intermittent in the hills but the countryside does sooth the soul."
"Yes...It does I am texting Judi who was in town when I left. I will refrain from telling them that I am walking in the woods with a charming man."
"You flatter me Em...I would be delighted to make others jealous at this age. Knowing Kincade as I do...he will be, and I certainly do not mind you teasing the man. I can imagine you driving men to distraction."
"Now who is the flatterer Mr. MacKenzie?"
"You must call me Callum, Em...I insist."
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"Dolly, this is Callum and his lovely bride to be Jane." Andrew introduces them as they enter and Kincade takes their jackets and bags to stow away.
Olivia stands beside Charmian and James shaking the guest's hands as they enter.
Olivia feels James' arm snake around her waist as Mr. MacKenzie enters with a somewhat gruff expression on his face.
"So, James you finally came back?"
"Yes sir...I could hardly miss this wedding now could I."
"No...no practically a brother to Callum you were...and who is this little English rose?"
Callum Sr. takes Olivia's hand to his lips and kisses her hand with a glint in his eye.
"This is my friend Olivia but we have been calling her Dolly since she arrived and Andrew named her thusly."
"Perfectly fitting Andrew...she is just that. So James your brother marries a foreigner and you take up with the English. It is as plane as the nose on your face why, even if it irks my old Scottish bones and our heritage."
Charmian feels that is her cue to lead the old man away and from less insulting topics of conversation.
"Mr. MacKenzie but how you don't age. Come and view some of the improvements Andrew has added to the house."
Charmian leads the man away with a wink at her two brothers.
"I told you Dolly...Charmian could sooth relations with anyone."
"I can see that...she should be in the diplomatic core perhaps."
Andrew laughs. "No...she would eventually snap and start banging heads, believe us she can only take so much and then that temper flares and someone will get it."
"It was more often Andrew than me...he is far meaner."
Monique brings over Katrina and introduces her to Olivia. Katrina is tall and elegant looking just like Monique but reddish hair and pale skin to Monique's tanned complexion and lovely blonde hair. Katrina is a real beauty with warm brown eyes and a nice figure.
"Oh yes Andrew is much meaner than James...I can attest to that after growing up with them."
Andrew frowns. "Katrina don't scare the little doll. We took a vote and we want this one to stick around. No need to pull the scare card to get rid of this one."
"You are implying that I have done this before Andy...you know I have not or you wouldn't have the lovely Swiss bride you do."
Olivia deduces that there is a lot being implied but not said. As Katrina speaks she stands beside Andrew and trails her arm up and down his arm.
This does not go unnoticed by anyone.
Kincade clears his throat as Katrina turns to him with a stunning smile as she take the drink Kincade offers her.
Olivia is fascinated watching this gathering...trying to deduce who the father of Katrina's child is...it is like watching a soap opera in real time.
Katrina smiles and speaks with Kincade but her eyes are constantly on Andrew and oft time a glare towards Monique.
"She hates Monique doesn't she?" Olivia whispers to James who has barely left her side.
"Yes...but most women do."
"I can understand that. She makes me feel like a clumsy teen in comparison."
"Well we really should save poor Kincade and go speak with them."
"I find it ironic that you of all men have the least to fear from that woman…"
"I was the younger brother...and Andrew was always her focus as school children. Once they were older...in their teens she became interested in Kincade. I have always thought she was being a bitch and trying to make Andrew jealous."
"Did Andrew sleep with her?"
"Yes...I think they were each other's first."
"So she likely felt they were meant to be."
"Yes but they were very young and it never usually works out that our first becomes the one."
"What about you and Tracy?"
"Well...as I said...our first never works out. Nigel? He isn't your..."
"No...there was a teenage romance."
"I was hoping he was your first."
"Why?"
"More ammunition to get you to consider a new experience."
"Your sister already asked me."
"WHAT! Damn her...I knew she would...did you?"
Olivia begins to laugh at his flustered face. "No...I am a one man woman I am afraid."
"I really have to meet this Nigel."
"I would really rather you didn't." Olivia says suddenly nervous about the prospect of having her intended face to face with a killer 00 agent.
"Are you going to tell Nigel about all this?"
"Yes I am."
"The uncensored version?"
"What do you mean by that?"
"Everything...how I slept with you and tried to get you naked...Charmian?"
"Yes...I think I will tell him everything."
"Good."
"I am surprised you think that."
"Well I am hoping he dumps you into my arms in an irrational rage over your trip with a relative stranger to Scotland."
"It will not happen...if he comes back to me then we will be together regardless of the separation. We agreed to it."
They move to the fireplace to speak with Katrina and Kincade.
"Katrina so how are you finding the south?"
"Well enough James and you...I see have done well for yourself. I am glad actually...I know her death hit us all so hard. James did tell you that he was married to our little sister?"
Callum and Jane had joined them by the fire while Charm, Andrew and Monique showed Callum Sr. around the house.
"Katrina...please." Callum looked at his older sister in a pleading way.
"Yes Katrina...dolly and I are not dating and she was told about Tracy."
"Not dating? Well then what is it they call it now a days then?"
"Friendship I should think." Olivia added and James smiled at her as did Kincade.
Kincade adds. "The little lass is engaged to another but he is off in France."
"I would think an engagement would involve a ring Kincade and her finger is naked...unless you recently removed it for some reason darling?"
"The engagement is happening next month...upon his graduation."
"Oh...I see. Well I do hope it goes well for you my dear...after all the temptations in Scotland are great and it is difficult to leave once you taste them." Katrina looks at Kincade who suddenly finds the floor very interesting.
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Callum steps though the small stream on the rock path and turns back to extend his hand to M to help her across.
M accepts his hand even though spending a day walking in heels and a pencil skirt is far more difficult than a walk in trainers and casual clothing.
M has enjoyed getting comfortable again in casual clothing and has been living in jeans the entire trip. James says they do wonderful things for her behind.
Layering short sleeves with flannel shirts or a turtleneck has been her daily choice of outfit. Callum is dressed similarly but with a tweed jacket.
M accepts his hand and follows across the stones to the other side. However, Callum does not immediately release her hand but continues to hold it as they climb the small bank on the other side.
Callum then pulls her arm through the crook of his and holds it in place as they walk along and he tells her of the history of his family in this area. He obviously takes great pride in it and as they round a corner on the path M sees the lovely view of a valley on the other side.
"I didn't realize we were already so high up."
"Yes...It is a gradual incline from town and then...you see clearly where you actually are once you look over this ridge. It runs from here around the house and estate for a few kilometres and it looks even more impressive from the sky."
"I can imagine it does. It is as if the earth fell away...like Dover's cliffs into the sea."
"We use to believe the old stories of giants when we were children. The giants took this massive chunk out to toss it at it's brother's head because they were fighting."
M laughs picturing it. "I suppose children do find the most unique ways of explaining their surroundings."
The sun breaks through some clouds and there is a distant rumble that sounds like thunder echoing off the highlands.
M knows the sound of helicopters when she hears them. James is leaving...Tanner will be here to fill her in on the mission. M desperately wants to get back but cannot be rude.
"Is that a storm rolling in?"
Callum looks confused at the sky for a moment. "I hadn't heard of the weather turning bad. We should head back just in case."
"Yes...thank you for showing me this lovely view."
"Thank you for adding your loveliness to this view Em. I hope you do not think me too forward but I cannot stop thinking about you and I haven't since I met you yesterday at Skyfall. I am too old to play court slowly and shyly like a teen. I cannot help but invite you to lunch and dinner this week to try to get to know you better before you leave after the party."
M was worried about this. "That would be lovely but there is so much going on...for you and your sister...the party and with all the construction at Skyfall."
"Don't fret about it I will call you and Kincade to see if everything going well and free tomorrow...I know this is sudden Em...but think about it please. It will make me very happy to be in your thoughts."
"I will. I promise."
There will be little able to stop the tirade that James Bond will unleash upon her afternoon disappearance on his return. It will undoubtedly cycle through her thoughts often within the next few days as she mentally prepares her plausible excuse.
Hopefully the one she gave Kincade and Ryan will suffice until then. Knowing Bond the way she does she hates to send him out into the field distracted because in their business distractions get people killed.
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Bond helps Maggie out of the car and open the door for her. There are men moving about the room taking measurements and looking over notes with Ryan and Q.
"Oh my...I had better get some extra food on for the crew."
"That would be a wonderful idea Maggie. I do not know how long they will be staying but I am sure we have enough."
Maggie runs into the kitchen as Bond turns towards Q walking down the hall towards him and Judi.
Q waves at Bond. "Hello, James. I will be leaving soon but the crew will be remaining. Apparently Mr. Kincade says the bunkhouse is all but finished and the furniture you ordered in on it's way now. Tanner and Mallory think it is wise for the crew to stay nearby to allow for less local attention to what we are doing here."
"That is all well and good but where is Kincade?"
Kincade comes through from the kitchen with Ryan and they moves over towards him hesitantly.
They can tell by the look on Bond's face things are not going to go well.
"Q, Kincade, Ryan and Judi follow me to the den." Looking seriously pissed off.
They follow him down the hall and Bond asks the technician within to leave the room.
James leans on the billiard table and crosses his arms as he looks at the assembled men and woman.
The tension is rising and Q looks somewhat confused and flustered by the situation.
"Hello, Q. I am Judi by the way...since no one thought to introduce us formally."
"Yes...nice to meet you Judi...you look so much like her...your…"
"Mother." Bond snaps.
"Where is your mother Ryan? Kincade? I gave you the strictest of orders that she was not to leave this house without one of you as ARMED escort! Now the head of MI6 is traipsing around the highlands with no bodyguard...no gun and….and she shouldn't be!"
Judi cannot contain her laughter. She erupts into hysterics, wiping the tears from her eyes as the others look between her and Bond...one so serious and the other...bubbling over with laughter.
"You're just pissed she is with another man...no time for a little fun...before you leave."
Ryan smiles with his sister as does Q but Kincade just looks confused.
"Lad...she wanted to get him out of here because he was offering to help with the oversight of these men and the construction team...It was a shock he showed up here with flowers asking her for a drive. Callum the smarmy bastard is bloody obvious about his true meaning."
"His true meaning? I knew it! I didn't like the way he was looking at her...It's like bringing the honey to the ants...Christ." James palms his face as he shakes his head.
Kincade narrows his brows at James. "Callum is no spy...nor murderer...I don't like the attention he is playing to the lass but this has happened between us before."
"There is more to it than that Kincade...I should have made this all clear at the beginning...but she doesn't want to advertise it. That is why I told you to make sure your mother stayed put Ryan." Bond looks pointedly at M's son as he says it.
"What do you mean by that lad? Why on earth should it bother you what your boss does in her spare time?" Kincade asks in confusion.
Q blurts out. "Well Bond has demonstrated in the past Mr. Kincade the lengths he will go to over his jealousy concerning M. It did take those of us that know about all this a while to get use to the fact that Bond is genuine in his love for M…"
"WHAT! But the lad is going to ask the lass to marry him?" Kincade exclaims as he points to Judi who is recovering from her giggles.
"It was never me Mr. Kincade. I am married and it has always been my mother...we just didn't advertise it because she wants it all kept quiet….we are really very sorry about the misunderstanding."
Kincade backs up until he finds a seat. "I did wonder about a few of the glances lad...I thought you were just being overprotective once I found out you worked for MI6 and that she was your boss."
"No...I am sorry that I couldn't just come out and tell you old man...I knew you were sweet on her right away. M requires a level of secrecy in her life that does not allow me to shout from the hills that she is mine."
"I guess...how can she be your boss and your….special lady...won't that create problems?
Q, Bond, Ryan and Judi all say "YES!" At the same moment with different expressions on their faces.
Kincade smiles and chuckles for a moment. "You Bond's...you were never ones to do anything by halves nor easy. The little doll has always had the lot of you twisted around her little finger. 40 years later and it's the same."
James looks at Kincade with a question on his lips as do the others looking at him in confusion, but the sound of a helicopter arriving intrudes on further questioning.
"OK...Q you and I need to brief with Tanner before we leave. Judi, Ryan could you see to setting up a bedroom for Tanner. He will be in charge of M's security now that he is here."
Judi and Ryan leave the room. Kincade makes his way to the door but Bond stops him.
"Kincade I am sorry about all of this. I know it all comes as a shock and I could tell that you liked her...she feels badly about it but she is very stubborn and completely embarrassed about what people will think of her taking up with a much younger man."
"Aye...well...she was never mine but it didn't ever stop me from hoping. Sometimes you meet someone in your life...but it is never meant to be."
Bond grabs the old man's shoulder and nods in understanding.
"Kincade can you make sure the bunkhouse is ready and furnished for the rest of the team. I take it the van is hidden for when Callum brings M home."
"Yes lad...we did that straight away. I will take Maggie home later and see how many supplies she will need to feed the extra men."
They move to leave the room to meet up with Tanner, Judi and Ryan. They open the door and greet Tanner. Bond speaks to them as they move into the hallway.
"Before I go...DO I need to express how important it is to make sure M is safe while I am away?" A chorus of "No's" rises as Kincade, Judi and Ryan file away to work on their chores. "Q, please take Tanner to the den and I will be right there."
James runs up to get his equipment bag and luggage and returns to find Tanner and Q waiting for him in the den.
"Q tells me you lost M yet again. Bond care to explain how, after all that we have been through in the last 6 months seems to have taught you next to nothing?"
"Don't Bill. We have just had this very discussion including bringing Kincade up to speed on our not so conventional relationship."
"What?"
"M brought him in on MI6 and her job so that he would keep a wary eye on the house for different reasons...not to mention deflect questions about it in town."
"He didn't know she was your...you know...significant other?"
"Kincade has a crush on her...saw the light in his eyes the moment he was in her presence. M wants to keep the whole thing hush hush...you know how stubborn she can be. Kincade thought I was seeing Judi."
"That would make more sense...Judi is very attractive...she looks just like M."
"Focus Tanner...what do I need to know about Skye and White?"
"Yes...here is the file."
"I will read it on the way. Are you ready Q. I know you hate to fly."
"I brought a new sedative that I will administer to myself as soon as we reach the damn flying machine."
"Tanner...I don't need to lecture you do I? Watch M. The neighbour has her out and about now...Judi and Ryan will catch you up to speed. I trust her but I do not trust MacKenzie around her."
"So even up here in the wilderness M finds suitors?"
"It's worse than bloody London Tanner...you have no idea. It is the small town, new people, syndrome that gets the entire town in an uproar over M...and likely Judi now that she has been to town."
"I am sure you have your fair share of admirers already too Bond."
Bond just smirks as he remember the flirtations of Kenna MacKenzie.
"You keep your own also Tanner. You do not have a good track record on missions with M either."
Tanner begins to loosen his tie as he begins to flush red. "James...don't...I will not dignify that with a response."
"I am counting on you to keep this place running and safe Tanner. I hope you like horseback riding. You will likely be going tomorrow and there is a party that you have to be a part of on Saturday. Your social card will be full just watching out for M and her children."
"What about M when we are horseback riding?"
"She has a date with Kincade and the older MacKenzie siblings. Kincade will watch over her. You just make sure Judi and Ryan are safe."
James has been thinking a lot about Judi and her problems. She wanted him to find her a good man and Bill Tanner is the best kind of man he knows.
Perhaps all this chaos will be worth it after all, if Judi and Tanner hit it off.
To be continued….