Dramatis Personae:
Mansfield family
M / Olivia Jenkins-Mansfield 1945-married Nigel 1972
Nigel Mansfield 1943-2009
Judith Olivia Mansfield- 1973 (Sam)- children-Emily 2000 & Jason 2002
Ryan Nigel Mansfield 1975 (Sarah)- children-Elizabeth 2003
Marshall Mansfield 1941- (Josephine) 1943-2008 two children (David & Isabelle)
Bond Family
Charmian Bond 1926-1999
James Bond 1935-71
Andrew Bond 1934-1979
Monique Delacroix Bond 1941-1979
James Andrew Bond 1968-
Kincade 1936- Family friend and caretaker of Skyfall. Married to Anne 1940-2000
Maggie 1940- Friend of Kincade and Anne. Kincade hires her to cook for Skyfall
MacKenzie family
Callum MacKenzie Sr. 1910-1980
Katrina MacKenzie 1936- Son - Alistair MacKenzie 1960 -Grandson-Callum 1986-
Callum MacKenzie 1938- (Married 1970 Jane) widowed 2 daughters-
Fiona MacKenzie 1971- unmarried
Kenna MacKenzie 1973- divorced no children.
Tracy MacKenzie 1938-1965 twin of Callum
Chapter 16
Callum opens the door for M as they walk inside his lovely home. Kenna and Fiona come and say hello and Fiona excuses herself to go get tea.
"Em it is so nice that you and your children can spend the week. Too bad James has to leave for a spell. I was looking forward to riding with him also."
"Yes well it couldn't be helped. Are you all ready for your aunt's arrival?"
"Yes it will be so nice to have her here. The boys will be here on Friday for the party and should be a so much fun for the neighbourhood."
"We are all looking forward to it and Em, I do hope you will come as my special guest." Callum asks as Fiona returns with the tea.
M looks at all the expectant faces looking at her with interest. Damn it...she should just tell them the truth...about her and James.
M has been avoiding saying anything to Kincade and now Callum. James is going to blow a gasket when he finds out about this. Thank god he will be away during her dates out with Kincade and Callum.
It was wrong of her to hide this...these misunderstandings are going to backfire on her...not that she minds that much but what she is really trying desperately to hide is that she has been here before.
James will laugh off Callum and Kincade as suitors...he knows he holds her heart in his hands. But James Bond finding out about her being at Skyfall and sleeping in the same room as another James Bond...he will not take well.
Kincade is sworn to secrecy and she thinks that Callum is less sure. It was his wedding after all and he was far too busy with his fiance and the wedding. As long as Kincade tells Callum and Katrina that she is not that woman...everything should be fine...she hopes.
"That sounds lovely...I would be delighted and the entire family will becoming."
"I do hope James will be back in time." Kenna exclaims.
"Kenna...stop being so…" Fiona says while rolling her eyes.
"I hope you don't mind but a friend of James' has arrived. Will it be alright if he attends also."
"But of course my dear. He is arriving as James is forced to leave?" Callum asks.
"Yes...well, Bill was already planning on the trip and James got called away. I am sure James will not be gone long."
"I should hope not. Leaving his intended and her family alone with the responsibility to entertain. We will help keep you entertained Em." Kenna adds.
"Thank you for the lovely afternoon Callum but I really should be getting back."
"Yes father you shouldn't be monopolizing the lovely woman's time and take her back to Skyfall. Kincade will be beside himself no doubt."
Fiona gathers the cups and saucers as they leave the sitting room for the front door.
"We will be coming to get your children and James' friend to go riding by 11. Fiona and I will make a picnic lunch for us all it will be so fun."
"It sounds wonderful Kenna."
"I have to collect my sister at noon...if you and Kincade would like to meet us in town...we could have lunch...my treat."
"Are you sure Callum...perhaps your sister will be too tired from her long journey?"
"If I know my sister...she will be famished and extremely excited to meet you and see Kincade again."
"I do not know what is on the agenda for tomorrow. We will have to ask Kincade when we reach Skyfall."
M says goodbye to the MacKenzie ladies and leaves with their father for the ride back. M hopes that the crews are hidden and the helicopters gone by the time they arrive. She doesn't relish the task of explaining all the commotion to Callum.
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Bond hates not getting to see M before leaving. He also regrets crushing Kincade's hopes like that. The only way to overcome this quandary is to marry her and she doesn't want the world to know. Damn it he is going to have to retire just for her to see reason.
They drop a rather sedated Q off in Glasgow as they take off for Skye so that Bond can follow up on the lead and hopefully find White.
They want him alive...too bad. Bond would like to kill him for what he tried to do to M. They have no idea what would make him come to Britain...it is for Bond to try to find out.
Hopefully Skyfall will still be standing and M will be safely out of harms way with her family...his family now.
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Kincade opens the door and glares at Callum over M who enters the house looking around quickly before inviting Callum inside.
"Kincade."
"MacKenzie."
"Callum...do come in for a moment. The chaos seems to have abated. Kincade, Callum wants us to meet him in town tomorrow. What time Callum?"
"How about 1:00 my dear."
Kincade crosses his arms across his burly chest as he continues to glare at his old friendly nemesis.
"I think we can manage that M...if that is what you would like to do?"
"Well I am intrigued about meeting Katrina."
"Oh...so Katrina comes in on the morning train does she?"
"Yes." Callum says.
"Well in that case we would be delighted to meet you and your lovely sister in town tomorrow."
Callum looks confused by Kincaid's sudden change in attitude. He was prepared for anger...jealousy even but not this.
Kincade eyes are dancing as if in on a joke that only a few know. Callum is very suspicious. First Kincade swears he knows Em from 40 years ago at his wedding to Jane and wants him no where near the attractive woman, now...now he looks ecstatic at the prospect of seeing Katrina again.
"I will see the two of you in town then...we will dine at the Green...my treat."
M senses that Kincade's sudden exuberance at actually having a double date has Callum a little tongue tied. She too would like to know the cause, of the surprising change in Kincade's demeanour.
"Verygood. I will see you again tomorrow and thank you for the lovely walk Callum."
"My pleasure Em."
Callum kisses her hand, turns and walks back out to his car as they close the front door.
"So M...you and James Bond?"
M is taken aback, "I told you before that nothing happened…between us all those years ago." she stammers quickly beneath her breath.
"No...no the lad...you and the lad!"
"Who told you?" M blurts out in surprise
"They all did...they had to before I made a plum fool of myself over you!"
M frowns knowing that something happened that forced James or her children to open the secret floodgates yet again.
"Kincade...I am sorry...really. I don't know what to say? I never thought you would remember me and I certainly never expected you to become...well..."
"Sweet on you. Yes I was, but then I was also confused by Katrina suddenly coming home and letting me know. She and I...well it was a very long time ago...I thought I was well past done with Katrina MacKenzie and then you show up out of the blue."
"In my profession we never give out more than necessary information. James and I knew you would have to be told eventually about MI6 involvement at Skyfall. But personal matters between he and I are not yet defined."
"Do you love him?"
"Yes."
"Well there is nothing left for you to say but I do then."
"What?"
"He wants you to marry him...you need to say yes and admit it for the world to know. I can see how much you mean to him."
Kincade runs a hand through his beard before beginning again.
"It was plain to see if I had cared to look, and wanted to acknowledge that you were taken. As it is, I was wondering how much he cared about your lassie...he spent all his time worrying about you. And then, you two told me part of your secret. I thought he was being overly protective of you because of your job."
"No...it has been going on for 6 month give or take the months he was dead."
"I am glad for him...and you...say...yes to him. I know you did not say yes to James...at least you never continued with him from what Andrew told me. That James Bond was in love with you too lass and you know it."
"James Bond admitted as much but he was so different from the man I loved...exciting...dangerous and at that time of my life...I had another...someone stable, accepting and loving. I just couldn't give up Nigel for James and in retrospect I made the right choice for me. He died the year after."
"I know...dangerous work...what the lad does. What are you going to do about your new man?"
"Which new man? Who...Callum. I was just trying to be polite."
"How many do you have?"
"How many what?"
"Men...suitors...lovers?"
"Only James matters. I am the new girl in town...that always brings some attention to a small area like this."
"Yes, and Callum like me, was blinded by your beauty and doesn't see the boy as a threat. I should have known...the boy was equally in love with you when he was barely 2."
"Shush...I cannot have mine nor James find out about that!"
Tanner and her children come from organizing things in Tanner's room upstairs. Tanner wraps M in a hug as Kincade looks at the two of them shaking his head.
"How do you run that department...what with all your employees smitten with you?"
Tanner looks confused with his arm still draped over M's shoulder. M and her children just begin laughing.
"Mr. Kincade I can assure you that I have the nickname of evil queen of numbers at work... many hate me as one usually does a boss. My bodyguard tried to kill me 3 years ago, so no not all of my employees love me."
"M is only close to a few of us and that murder attempt did strengthen the bond. I will give you a debrief now M, if you like?"
"Yes, let's go to the den."
The two of them excuse themselves, walk to the den and close the door.
Kincade shakes his head in amazement as he watches her walk away. Ryan and Judi are doing the same while still chuckling.
"You ma is quite a woman."
Ryan nods, "yes she is. Sorry about all the confusion Mr. Kincade...we were sworn to secrecy too."
"I know...I just hope she says yes to the lad now...he needs her. It is plain to see the change in his attitude now that he has found the love of his life."
Judi pats Kincade's arm affectionately, "yes it is...lucky in love my mother is. I do hope it rubs off on me."
Kincade smiles down at the lass. "It will...you will see. Perhaps the luck of this old pile is turning around and it will turn your luck around too young lady. Your husband is a right fool to let you slip through his fingers."
"Aw...thank you."
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Tanner has a laptop set up in one corner and it seems Q branch has been very busy already.
"What is the mission...who found White?"
"As you know M we watch for certain indicators in any new Quantum enterprises. There was that purchase of a hotel on the Isle of Skye that triggered Q's alarms. It was bought through many shell corporations that are fronts for Quantum and then there was a woman's name that it was placed in."
"What do we have on the woman?"
"Nothing as of the time Q left and then I was leaving. We should be getting the information later but the name was Eloise Barton."
"So have we had visual confirmation at all that White is actually on Skye?"
"No...not yet but Bond will be there soon. Speaking of Bond...M has he?"
"Yes...he proposed but it was not how he imagined and I never imagined it. I ran off to deal with fighting and emotional children leaving him kneeling on the floor of Judi's room."
"Judi's room?"
"It is a long story Tanner. Needless to say the eye opening trip north with my children has given them new insight into the workings of our organization. I would like you to print up paperwork for them to sign."
"Was that wise M?"
"I don't know Tanner. I had to do it...there has been so much chaos...Silva could have killed me and they never would have know...they would go to their graves thinking that I cared little or nothing for them. I just couldn't do it anymore."
"I understand M...since their father died...there have been issues between you and them."
"Yes. I need to be part of their lives and have them want me to be in theirs. In all honesty Tanner...what do you think of Mallory? Does he have the makings of a good M?"
Tanner looks up at her where she stands beside the table he sits at. "I think he might but M...really...you are so important to this organization."
"Tanner...I am 65...I should make way. This way if it is of my own choosing I can help prepare the next M."
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"Dance...dolly!"
Olivia bends down to pick up Jamie who has joined the party for a bit before Monique takes him to bed.
Jamie squeals as she twirls him around.
Andrew nudges his brother with his elbow. "You lost out to little James again...you are off your game little brother."
Callum sips his drink and laughs. "The little James is far cuter. You Bond's were alway good looking but with Monique's looks in the mix that little lad will break far more hearts than the two of you."
Katrina raises her glass to that. "Here, here little brother. That is very true and poor James is losing his little rose to another."
Charmian frowns. "Stop teasing you two or I will kick you out the door."
For a moment they all pause thinking Charm is serious as a smile spreads across her face.
Kincade laughs. "You always said that to them when they were wee children."
Callum laughs as he explains to Jane how Charmian was older than the lot of them and always bossed them about.
Olivia puts James down and he holds her hand as they walk towards Andrew. Monique is chatting with old Mr. MacKenzie.
"I will take him up to bed shall I?"
"Thank you dolly. Monique is occupied and as host...I would be rude to leave my invited guests."
"I will help you dolly." James bends down to his nephew and says, "climb up and I will give you a ride Jamie."
Jamie climbs up on his uncle's shoulders as he begins to run around the room. Jamie laughs as Olivia follows up the stairs worried he might fall.
They put James in his crib and Olivia kisses him goodnight. They leave the room and close the door.
"How are you enjoying the get together so far dolly?"
"It is interesting. Mr. MacKenzie is a bit gruff like Charm said."
"Yes he is. What about the others...what are your impressions?"
"Callum and Jane seem nice but Katrina seems catty and mean...very flirtatious with your brother."
"Katrina likes to put on a show...always has. Needs a lot of attention that one."
"So is Andrew the father of her son."
"I do not know?"
"Really?"
"Well I know they slept together but she also slept with Kincade and another lad in the village. Hell I think she even went to Edinburgh to visit an aunt for two weeks...anything could have happened there. I suppose we will have to wait and meet her son...see if he looks like one of us."
"Does that make you nervous for the wedding?"
"No...if the lad looks like Andrew, he will live up to his responsibilities but Katrina refuses to say so I think that is the indicator that it is really not Andrew's child. Besides he and I were on a Naval trip to Canada for training around the time the boy was likely conceived."
"Kincade mentioned a party...you were all there and Callum Sr. kicked you all out."
"Yes and that was the last time Andrew slept with Katrina and there was a drunken fight between him and Kincade because he thought he and Katrina had something exclusive. We were all very drunk at the time. Andrew felt bad and apologized to Kincade...he never went near Katrina again."
"So, Callum Sr. still believes it is Andrew's child just because?"
"Because he wants it to be a Bond...he would like to join the two properties. Rumour has it that he was in love with my aunt and the families almost joined in the early part of the century. The aunt died tragically of influenza after the first world war."
"So the desire to join these two families has a curse of some kind."
"I never really thought so but after Tracy I know so. Unless little Jamie marries a daughter of Callum and Jane...it will never happen."
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Kenna putters around the house getting things ready for the picnic tomorrow. Fiona enters the kitchen gets a coffee from the pot and sits at the table.
"Why are you stressing about this now...James won't be there. Yes, I noticed you were all over him yesterday...you couldn't have been more blatant if you were sitting on his lap."
"James is so hot it hurts...I don't think he is really that serious about his woman anyway. Tomorrow we will see what the fuss is about Judi. James did not pay her that much attention the other day and I heard her mention a husband."
"Ryan told me she is married with two children but they are divorcing."
"How on earth did she land James Bond?"
"Judi is very attractive...what do you mean."
"Maybe to you Fiona but to a man like James? She does not live in London…only her mother does. Judi is a teacher...how did James who works in London for the government ever manage to meet her?"
"Perhaps though her mum. Dad is so sweet on Em...did you see the way he acted?"
"Yes...Fiona there is something off about that woman...her eyes scare me."
"She does seem somewhat contained...intense. I have met people like that through the practice...they are always calculating and hiding something."
"Do you think she is secretly married and plans to string father along."
"No...I don't think so...Mr. Kincade is definitely sweet on her too...from what dad says."
"Not another feud about another woman between those two. Mum told me how after Kincade and aunt Katrina broke it off that they both liked Annie...the woman that Kincade later married."
"Kenna, Kincade was a looker from the old photos. Dad has one out on the counter. He laughed when he looked at one before he went off to get some work done."
Kenna finds the photos and they sit down to look. "Christ...look!"
"At what. The group photo...the handsome man beside Andrew Bond. He must be James...James' uncle...look at the woman he has his arm around."
The two of them peer at the old black and white photograph. "I cannot see clearly but she is short...long blond hair. Look at her eyes...her face...it's Em! You don't think she could be the same woman do you?"
"No...no...she...can't be...she would have told us all about it if she had been here before. Why wouldn't she tell a story like that?"
"Are you sure Fiona...you said she seemed closed and secretive."
"I think you are grasping at straws...trying to create something romantic where there is nothing. Dad did not meet this woman at his wedding as a date of his friend just to meet her again 40 years later and fall hopelessly in love with her."
"You're no fun Fiona."
"Well I think it will still be fun riding tomorrow...I too would like to get to know Judi."
"Fiona...you have a crush don't you?"
"Well Judi may not suit James Bond but she is entirely my cup of tea."
Kenna starts to laugh. "Ok you seduce her away from tall blonde and gorgeous for me then."
"I will try...but I don't think she will switch sides just to make your fantasies with James come true Kenna."
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Olivia excuses herself for bed as the party is winding down and James quickly moves to follow her.
"Dolly...are you sure you don't want to come into my room tonight?"
"James. No."
"Did you at least have a nice time tonight?"
"Yes...I had a lovely time and I am really enjoying being here...I really like your family."
"And they love you...they really do. I really do have strong feelings for you...you are damn frustrating dolly."
"I am sorry James but I cannot be what you or your family want me to be. Goodnight James."
Olivia reaches up and gives James a kiss on the cheek. He growls a low guttural growl.
"Dolly you don't play fair. Goodnight, sleep tight and don't let my sister bite. My door is always open if you need me darling."
Olivia laughs as she goes into Charmian's room to get some sleep.
To be continued...